The KMI Team Blog

Well, it seems that we’re finally in the depths of winter. Those minus temperatures and threats of snow could be proving havoc for your skin, and whether you’re already experiencing the cold snap or are bracing yourself for the Arctic conditions heading your way it’s important to take action. You need to winter-proof your skin to lessen the harsh effects of the weather, and it needn’t be that difficult to achieve the desired effect.

First up, moisturiser. You need a heavy-duty face cream because the icy wind buffeting your skin can leave it dry, chapped and sore, so opt for an ultra-rich cream that ideally comes with SPF included—it may be cold but there’s a lot of sunshine around too, and even in winter the sun’s rays can prove damaging. Ideally incorporate a night cream into your routine for extra skin-saving potential, and you’ll want to take extra care of your lips as well. Always carry around a lip balm or tin of Vaseline, and if you’re mad enough to be exercising in this cold weather a slick of Vaseline on your face can provide an extra layer of protection against the wind (weird but true!).

It may seem counter-productive at this time of year, but regular yet gentle exfoliation can make all the difference. Dry skin creates a build-up of dead skin cells which can block pores and make your skin even more uncomfortable, and if you want an extra glow make sure to indulge in a face mask from time to time. Don’t forget your hands either—the cold temperatures can still get through even the thickest of gloves to leave your hands chapped and sore, so always carry around a tube of hand cream and generously re-apply throughout the day.

As for the rest of your body, make sure to smother yourself in body lotion after your bath or shower to lock in moisture, and if you really want to treat yourself it’s the perfect time to indulge in a facial. As long as you pay extra attention to your skin at this time of year you’ll be able to winter-proof it to regain your glowing complexion, helping you enjoy the season without compromise.

Of the five senses that we possess, the most powerful (yet often the most underrated) is our sense of smell. It’s the only one directly hard-wired to the brain and can have a powerful impact on our mood as well as our memory, with smells seeming to have an innate ability to transport us back to a previous time. A familiar scent can give us a quick and intense reaction and can bring a forgotten memory bubbling to the surface, but our sense of smell can have more practical applications as well.

In prehistoric times our sense of smell could easily mean the difference between life and death—we used it to sniff out danger, and to a lesser extent we still do that today. Our sense of smell is important in deciding what food we eat (we all know when food’s gone off) but it can also help us enjoy a meal as well, with much of the pleasure of food coming from its scent. And, with pheromones being key indicators of sexual attraction, our sense of smell can even help us choose a mate.

There are plenty of holistic benefits to scents too, with a lot of essential oils having recognised healing and mood-boosting properties. You can choose different scents depending on your mood, situation or the tasks you need to achieve, with lavender and chamomile being good for relaxation and rosemary, peppermint or lemongrass being ideal if you need a burst of energy to finish that all-important project.

And, of course, let’s not forget the power that a good perfume or aftershave can have—perfumes can be highly evocative and we all know how we react to a good whiff of aftershave, with the right options easily making all the difference. Scents of all kinds can be incredibly powerful and can be used for a variety of different means, so don’t underestimate this most important of senses and make sure to treat your nose to scents you’ll adore.

Love it or loathe it, you can’t deny that the Lynx method of advertising is pretty memorable. The tongue in cheek concept is perfect for the male market with ads that just won’t get out of your head, but now they’re branching out—they’ve just released their first ever product for the fairer sex, Lynx Attract, and in a doubly tactful move they’ve got versions for both men and women. Clever Lynx…

After 27 years they’ve given us women the chance to experience the Lynx effect for ourselves. Lynx Attract For Her is said to perfectly complement the male version, with top notes of “pomegranate, apple and blackberry, a floral heart and base notes of wood, musk and vanilla”. It’s got a sensual edge to get pulses racing, and because there are options for both sexes the brand hopes it’ll make the dating game doubly exciting. And who knows? It could do just that, and with both a Lynx Attract For Her body spray and shower gel being on offer you can up the ante with an intense Lynx hit.

So, will you have the Lynx effect? Will it be a beauty hit that stays around for years to come or will the novelty wear off pretty quickly? Who can say, but there’s one thing we’re sure about—we can’t wait for the advert! It’ll be aired from 1^st February, just a couple of days away, and if it’s anything like the others there’s bound to be a whole lot of controversy floating around. Lynx even had a series of ads banned last year with their racy campaigns certainly having an impact on the body spray-buying public—they’ve been accused of objectifying women so it’ll be interesting to see if the shoe’s on the other foot. Not long to wait!

Who can resist the great outdoors? Well, even if you’re not one for sleeping in a tent in the middle of a field (ahem) you can’t deny that nature is pretty good. There’s nothing quite like the feel of the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair, and even though the weather isn’t quite good enough for lazy afternoon walks that doesn’t mean you can’t get back to nature. Why not bring the great outdoors into your home?

Filling your home with natural luxury has never been easier, and you won’t even have to set foot outside your door to experience the difference. Flowers will be a great place to start—you’ll feel better as soon as you set eyes on your bouquet (studies have even proved that flowers have mood-enhancing effects) and your rooms will instantly feel more fresh and inviting, the perfect start to your natural makeover.

You might want to think about home fragrance on a wider level as well. Flowers are all well and good but their scent might not penetrate the rest of your house, which is why room fragrance and even scented candles could be ideal. Flower-inspired perfumes could be another way to go, and what about bath and beauty products? Here you can take a two-pronged approach to nature—with Naked products, for example, you’ll be able to get the fresh and invigorating scents you want with all-natural ingredients, offering the best of both worlds so you’ll be a truly natural babe.

So, bring the outside in and you’ll soon notice the benefits. Even a simple bunch of flowers could be all it takes to give you a much-needed boost, and if you include room fragrance, candles and nature-inspired bath and beauty products you really can’t go wrong. Who says you have to go outside to get back to nature?

Christmas may be well and truly behind us, but the after-effects of all that indulgence could still be well on display. If one of your resolutions was to get to the gym to shift those excess pounds you’re probably starting to wane a little, and with good reason too—exercise is hard work and it can take a long time to see the results, but did you know that there’s more to exercise than fat loss?

Well, you’ll probably have some idea of the additional benefits without really knowing the details, so here you have it. Yes, whilst exercise is an essential tool in the battle of the bulge, it can do far more for your body than helping you shift the flab. It’ll keep your heart healthy to help prevent heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure (as we all know, prevention is better than cure), and is great for circulation as well as your immune system to ultimately keep your body happy.

It can be great for your skin as well—regular exercise can improve skin luminosity to give you that healthy glow, and it can be the perfect mood booster too. You’re bound to have noticed that you feel happier and more awake after a workout and that’s because exercise releases endorphins (the body’s natural feel good chemicals or “happy hormones”) into the blood stream to improve mood and happiness levels, making it the perfect antidote to those winter blues.

So, if you’re starting to lose your motivation to get out there and exercise, just think of all the additional benefits you’ll be able to get from it. There’s far more to it than meets the eye and it can transform your mind as well as your body, so what are you waiting for? Be your own personal trainer and get on that treadmill or start pounding those streets, NOW! (Well, when you’ve finished work, of course…)

Happy Chinese New Year! Here at the KMI office we can’t resist a good old celebration, and with it being a Monday in the middle of January it couldn’t come at a better time. It’s the perfect excuse for a little pick-me-up and with 2012 being the Year of the Dragon, a year that’s said to bring power and riches (who wouldn’t like a little bit more of that?), we thought we’d take a look at a few ways you can celebrate the Chinese New Year in style.

• Go red. Red is a particularly significant colour for the season with it being said to ward away evil spirits and bad fortune, and when you combine that with the fiery and fiercely independent nature of dragons you’ve got yourself a colour powerhouse. And besides, who can resist a good dollop of red lippie? Invest in a stunning new lipstick, nail varnish or just whip out your favourite reds and transform your look into one that’s perfect for Chinese New Year.

• Treat yourself. Traditional Chinese New Year festivities are often centred squarely on food (we could get used to this…) with sweet treats filling the homes of those celebrating, so why not treat yourself? Be on the lookout for recipes you can whip up when you get home, or if all else fails just get a takeaway—OK, so it’s not ideal, but you’re celebrating in your own way.

• Experiment with makeup. Celebrations are the perfect opportunity to try new makeup styles, and if you really want to go all-out you could get inspiration straight from Chinese New Year traditions. Think fiery reds and sultry golds, add a bit of glitter for extra impact, or if you’ve got an ultra-steady hand you could even try this look out for size:  

Amazing!

<!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> Nail fashions come and go and in recent years we’ve seen everything from the classic, demure French manicure to the ultra- glossy talons favoured by celebs. From pastel hues to neon brights, from short looks to ultra-long falsies the choices are seemingly endless, and the current trend hitting the high street (and award ceremonies, the catwalk and just about everywhere else) is nail art. Just this weekend, Zooey Deschanel coordinated her cute 60s-inspired style with tuxedo nails at the Golden Globes, only adding the momentum of a trend that’s taking over the nation.

Nail bars across the country are quickly catching onto the idea to offer clients a whole range of different options, and because nail art is so unique to the individual it can be a true style statement. But, you don’t even need to get it done professionally to see the results—why not have a go yourself? It takes a steady hand and plenty of practice, but there’s nothing better than seeing the results of your nail art efforts. Nail art pens are readily available to offer precise application and far less fuss than traditional nail polishes, and you’ll even be able to find false nails and nail wraps for the ultimate quick-fix when you don’t have the time (or patience) to have a go yourself.

Having perfectly styled nails should form the basis of any outfit (chipped polish and bitten nails? No thanks!) and with nail art you’re free to let your imagination run wild. You’ll be able to create nails that perfectly suit your mood and sense of style, so get experimenting! Bring out the bright colours, grab the accessories and re-live your teenage years—the bigger, brighter and more detailed the better, and you’ll soon be ready to nail it with talons to die for.

<!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> Red lipstick is a style staple. The classic red-lipped pout is coveted by woman everywhere and it was brought back into the spotlight this weekend at the Golden Globes, thanks in no small part to the beauty icon that is Angelina Jolie. Not only did she opt for the smouldering pout but she perfectly coordinated her red lipstick with a slash of red in her dress, creating the ultimate to-die-for look. But, red lipstick isn’t just for the red carpet—us mere mortals are more than capable of pulling off this classic style, and with a bit of preparation (and of course, the right red) you really can’t go wrong.

The first thing you need to do is prepare your lips to ensure they’re properly plumped up and moisturised, because cracked lips will do this look no favours. Make sure to give them a regular slick of lip balm or Vaseline throughout the day if they could do with a moisture-boost, and ideally opt for lip balms that contain SPF for added benefit. If your lips could do with a bit of extra TLC, why not exfoliate them? You could do it the old-fashioned way with a dry toothbrush or for something a bit more luxurious you could invest in LP Skin Therapy’s Refining Lip Exfoliator, a great way to polish and exfoliate your lips to keep them kissably soft and smooth.

Then, the lipstick itself. Choosing red lipstick can often be difficult as it’s more about skin tone than colour preference, but with so many different shades of red to choose from you’re bound to find something to suit. Some have orangey tones whilst others will have a blue-ish tinge to suit different complexions, and if you need a bit of help just head to a makeup counter at your local department store to try a few out. From there you’re good to go—just make sure to line your lips with lip-liner to prevent colour bleed and ensure long-lasting colour, and voila! You’re red carpet-ready with the perfect red-lipped look. You’ll put Angelina to shame…

Is it really possible to eat yourself beautiful? Apparently so—if you eat the right things, that is. The term “superfood” is bandied around a lot these days but there’s actually a lot of truth in the claims, with many foods having this status being known to help keep your body fit and healthy thanks to their range of anti-oxidants and disease-fighting qualities, and incorporating a few of these foods into your daily diet could be all you need to do to stay looking and feeling fantastic.

Berries are arguably the disease-fighter of the fruit world, with studies showing that they have more beneficial qualities than most other types of fruit. Strawberries in particular are packed with anti-oxidants to prevent the build-up of free radicals in your body, and in doing so they can even help prevent premature aging to keep you looking younger for longer. Plus, a portion of strawberries packs in more vitamin C than an orange, and with vitamin C being vital in the fight against environmental damage your skin will benefit to keep you beautiful inside and out.

Who doesn’t love an excuse to eat more? And hey, it’s fruit, so it’s perfect for the health-conscious beauty fiends among us. It needn’t even be that difficult to reap the benefits—throw a few berries on your morning cereal, eat a cupful as your afternoon snack, blend with yoghurt for the ultimate smoothie or create a good old Eaton Mess by combining them with cream and crushed up meringue (OK, so that might not be so diet-friendly, but it certainly tastes good). And if you want an added strawberry hit just slather yourself with a generous helping of Butterlicious Strawberry and Pomegranate Body Butter—you’ll look, feel and smell amazing as you eat your daily portion of berries, so eat yourself beautiful and your body will thank you for it.

We all know the importance of looking after our skin, particularly at this time of year. The harsh weather and biting winds can transform our once glowing complexion into one that’s dull, dry and listless, but it’s just as important to take care of our hands. Unfortunately this is an area that we tend to overlook in our beauty regime but this can be a big mistake, because keeping them soft and smooth should form a central part of any routine.

You just need to think about what your hands have to go through on a daily basis to see why you need to take care of them. They’re constantly open to the elements and even gloves aren’t always enough to stop the wind from getting through, and what about washing up? Hands can quickly become dry, chapped and sore, and they can also be the most susceptible to signs of ageing. Just take a look at Madonna—all that healthy living and yet her hands are a dead giveaway (sorry Madge), so doesn’t it make sense to put hand care at the top of the list? Thought so.

It’s time to take action, and during the winter months you’re going to need a much more intensive treatment than normal. Invest in some rich, luxurious hand cream (non-greasy, of course) such as Nourish with Shea Hand Cream, and make sure to carry it around with you so you can moisturise whenever you need to. If your hands are already showing the effects of the cold then you can take it a step further by performing an overnight treatment—slather on a thick layer of hand cream then pop on a pair of thin cotton gloves (you can find gloves specially designed for this very purpose) to let it sink in overnight and voila! You’ll wake up to silky, smooth skin once again. Your hands will drink up moisture at this time of year so make sure to pay extra attention to them, and with the right regime you’ll be able to keep them soft, supple and youthful for longer. 

We all know about the importance of using sunscreen in the summer, but did you know that it should form a vital part of your routine during winter as well? No? Us neither. It’s easy to assume that the grey, miserable weather means sunscreen is unnecessary but in fact even the weakest sunlight can still damage your skin—ultraviolet rays can penetrate even thick cloud cover, and if you don’t protect yourself accordingly you skin will be continually exposed to these damaging rays.

But, this doesn’t mean you need to slather on the sunscreen every morning—just look for a moisturiser that contains SPF instead. Many beauty brands are able to offer products of this nature so you’re getting moisture and protection in one, and with many primers and even foundations containing SPF you won’t have to do too much to protect your skin. You’ll want to remember your lips as well so again look for lip balms that contain SPF, and the same applies when you’re looking for hand creams.

Your face, hands and lips will all be exposed to the elements, and considering these are the areas that often show the first signs of ageing (signs which are only amplified by sun damage) it makes sense to be prepared. Of course, it makes sense on a more general level as well—you’ll need to take extra care of your skin during these winter months in order to prevent dryness and the sun’s rays can be a major cause of that, but with SPF-containing moisturisers you’ll be getting double the benefit.

Who’d have thought it? It makes sense when you think about it but it’s all-too easy to overlook it, but now you know—you should never get complacent with sunscreen no matter what time of year it is, and checking the ingredients could be all it takes to keep sun damage at bay. 

It’s that time of year when we’re all starting to get a bit fed up of winter. The nights are dark, the days are cold and the weather’s generally miserable, and summer seems like it may never actually get here. The winter blues have well and truly set in, so why not do something about it? It needn’t be that difficult to chase them away, and starting the process with a spot of pampering could be just what the doctor ordered. 

Here at the KMI office we don’t think you can beat a good old-fashioned bubble bath. Light a few candles, turn down the lights and pour in a generous amount of your favourite bath foam and you’ll have your very own private spa, and following that with an indulgent body butter would be ideal—your skin deserves to be treated at this time of year, and the fresh summer scent and rich creaminess of Butterlicious Strawberry & Pomegranate Body Butter could be the perfect solution. 

Or, why not think about a new haircut? A new style can be a great way to update your look and could put an instant spring in your step, and if you follow that with a regular helping of Naked Shine Glossing Hair Treatment you’ll be able to keep your hair in tip-top condition. There are other more technical things you could think about as well—if you’re really suffering from the winter blues it could be down to the lack of sunlight and so investing in a SAD lamp could be the perfect solution, or if your budget can’t stretch that far a simple supplement of Vitamin D could be enough to make a difference. Whatever you decide upon remember to keep this one thought in your head at all times—winter won’t last forever!

The Keep Me Inspired team  x

If like most of the Keep Me Inspired office, you have an iPhone or smart phone, you will have a range of applications such as social media and games. We've been tinkering with our phones to find the best beauty and fashion applications on the market. 

Beauty Tips is a free app and offers daily tips for skin care and cosmetic ideas. We love this app, which gives some incredible tips like putting raw potatoes under your eyes to reduce dark circles!

The glossy magazines have got in on the act with Glamour and Marie Claire offering beauty and fashion tips as well as creating celebrity looks, both of these apps are free to download. 

Hairstyle Wizard allows you to upload a picture of yourself under a range of different hairstyles, perfect if you are looking for a new look but not sure what to go for! 

Sephora to go is everything a girl needs squeezed into this fabulous app, it has been highly commended and downloaded by thousands across the globe. It features videos and information about products and how to create certain looks from smouldering smokey eyes, to natural glow. 

Finally, Mirror is an app which does exactly what it says on the tin, it reverses the picture so you can see exactly what you look like, sort your hair out and apply your lippy!

We love finding new apps and being inspired by great beauty tips and information.

There are some great free apps on the market as well as some pretty inexpensive versions.

Take a look and have fun with your beauty apps

The Keep Me Inspired Team x 

We can't help but notice many of our friends are having babies, even some of the team at Keep Me Inspired have growing tums, which is fantastic news, but it seems to be a period of baby boom across the UK.

Over the last decade the average number of women giving birth and the size of the family was 1.64 until 2009 when it rose to 1.97. Incredibly 2011 seem to be a bumper year for babies which in turn cause a national shortage of primary school places.

So why all of a sudden have we bit hit with the crazy to start or increase families? Some believe it is to do with the Governments plans to reduce child poverty. In the history of fertility in the UK, records show from the Doomsday book that fertility had a downward spiral. The UK saw a rise in births in the late 1940's and since then it has been quite stable. Some reports show that after Tony Blair became Prime Minister, the UK and parts of Europe saw the biggest baby boom for over 5 years.

What are the predictions for 2012? On the other end of the scale there is a huge amount of people turning 65 in 2012 and the Government will be shelling out huge state pensions. People are living longer.

We believe the baby boom will continue, despite the economy. Generally people are staying in more and having to make their own entertainment!

You have to admit, there is nothing quite like a cute, giggly baby!

Keep Me Inspired x

Have you returned fresh from the Festive holiday full of life and hope for the new year? Or have those long winter walks, nights out in the cold and excessive sugar taken their toll on your lips? If its the latter, not to worry, the Keep Me Inspired team have the solutions to get those smackers back to their former glory.

Extreme weather conditions and drink, as well as a rich diet of Christmas Food, can cause lips to dry out, crack and peel. Not the look everyone desires after a holiday. So lets start with the basics, if you are in pain with dry cracked lips some of the best solutions are those that have been around for years such as Carmex. This will aid the healing process of cracked sore lips, other than that applying Vaseline every 5 minutes is not the solution. 

Vaseline is a barrier and prevents loss of moisture, this is perfect to put on top of something like Carmex to stop it from escaping from the lips, but left to its own devices Vaseline can cause more problems, especially when you stop using it, you may see that your lips end up being dry once again.

Balms and salves are the best types of products to keep your lips soft and moisturised. You can also remove any flaky skin with a towel or gently with a tooth brush. Then apply your balm or salve. 

We love our LP Skin Therapy Refining Lip Exfoliator, which helps rid your smackers of the flaky skin and keep them smooth and totally kissable! 

Our Lip Rescue Gel gently calms the lips but also plumps them giving a smooth gorgeous finish.

Don't hide those lips behind a tea mug or your hand, it is so simple to rescue and make sure you drink enough water every day, they could simply be dehydrated.

Mwah!

The Keep Me Inspired Team 

Have you had your fill of Turkey, chocolate and alcohol, you maybe noticing the effects not only on your head and waistline but on your skin.

Before the New Year sets in, now is the perfect time to have a little detox. 

The Keep Me Inspired team have the perfect solutions.

First think about what you're eating and drinking, water is the key as well as natural products such as fruit and veg. When eating veg try and steam the veg to keep all the nutrients.

Water should be up to 2 pints a day, too much can cause the swelling of the cells. 

Exercise should be simple if you're not used to raising your heart rate. Get yourself out for a good brisk winter walks!! 

Finally think about your skin. Water should improve the look and feel of dehydrated skin but you can help draw out the toxins in your skin with some dead sea bath salts.

Its a great break to clean out the body and prepare yourself for the New Year!!

Detox is the great way forward! 

The keep Me Inspired Team x

The team have just returned from my first ever Spa morning, some of us were Spa virgins, but now we can see the pull of the gorgeous statley venues with luxurious facilities and relaxing atmosphere. 

We decided to do a morning that would include a treatment, seeing some of our backs had been so tense a lot of the team decided to take the full body massage. This was all new to some of us, including the removal of clothing and mounting the bed. Most of us would agree that the massage was incredible and the very nice ladies used some incredible smelling oil.  

Next after 30 minutes of letting the oil soak into our skin we ventured into the spa itself with steam room, sauna, hot tubs and swimming pool. This is where some of us get itchy feet and can't decided what to do, or how long to do if for.

The massage set the standard of the day and nothing else would beat that, until after dipping our toes in all of the pools and different temperature rooms, we decided to head into the relaxing room, perfect a darkened room with some relaxing music and sounds.

Bang... some of us were out like a light! Was that bad? Not too sure, but then its all about relaxation isn't it? 

This was the perfect treat for the limbo period between Christmas and New Year and we would definitely suggest it to anyone that just needs a break and to get away for the morning or afternoon. 

How was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you desired? Well its not over yet, there is still another great day to celebrate on the New Year. 

But whilst you're wondering what to do with yourself, get on line and grab yourself some incredible bargains in the current sales.

From beauty and fashion to electronics and entertainment. Now is the time to grab all those things you wanted but didn't get.

It is incredible how much things are reduced at this time of year, we always wondered why shops didn't do this before Christmas, as people would save a lot more money.

Ironically, due to the recession shops have started to reduce prices way before the festive period and on line stats prove that we are spending more and more each year despite the state of the economy. 

So grab the laptop, get on the top sites and find yourself some wonderful bargains. 

Our favourites are natural beauty products, cosmetics, fashion and accessories, a girl needs to set herself up to look totally fabulous in 2012!!

The Keep Me Inspired Team would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and fabulous New Year. Lets raise a glass to all those wonderful presents and good times ahead. We hope you receive all you wished for. 

The team have been discussing their own letters to Santa and here are some of the top requests from the man in red.

Firstly entertainment is high on the list, including DVDs, games and music. 

Bridesmaids is possibly the funniest film of the year, some in the office have seen this and cried their eyes out with laughter, but for those who haven't this is a must see film!

Just Dance is a great game to get everyone up, dancing and moving about. Not only is it a great laugh, but you can burn some of those extra calories and learn fantastic routines.

Perfume is a favourite for everyone, we love scents such as Gucci Guilty, Viktor Rolf and Ted Baker and lots of wonderful beauty products and smellies! It wouldn't be Christmas if you didn't get at least one bottle of bubble bath! 

Some random requests include a Global Chefs Knife, to improve culinary skills and a book about marketing. Well, whatever floats your boat.

So from the team at Keep Me Inspired, look fabulous, feel amazing and have a wonderful festive season!

Cheers x 

Perfume and aftershave are incredibly popular gifts at this time of year. In 2010, Viktor Rolfs Flower Bomb was one of the most purchased perfumes over the Christmas period.

This year sales of Gucci Guilty and CK Shock are in the running to be big sellers!

Perfume is one of those presents that is incredibly popular but as a female, I love being bought fragrances. In fact I built up quite a collection, but it is currently dwindling and I hope Santa will bring you some more.

If you are like me, you may have scents that you were everyday to work and then keep those expensive ones for special occasions. 

I love musky smells, sultry and deep. 

At Keep Me Inspired we stock a wonderful range of scents for men and women from some of the biggest brands including Ted Baker and Orla Kiely. 

If you are looking for something quaint and unique our fragrances can not be found all over the high street, this makes our fragrances the perfect gift. 

Our Orla Kiely scent represents her designs and ethos, light and beautiful, fun and feminine, the bottle is delicate and reflects Orlas incredible design. 

Ted Baker one of the biggest UK designers offers a huge range of scents, some which are limited edition. 

If you are stuck for a gift, a bottle of scent is always a winner and its not too late to order.

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas

The Keep Me Inspired Team x 

On Saturday one of the team ventured to a lovely little beauty clinic to have some false eyelash extensions. They had never had  this procedure done before, well we say procedure, treatment would be the correct word. Many of the girls in the Keep Me Inspired office look like models every single day they come in, so, as it's Christmas some of us have a wedding to attend and have booked a range of treatments to transform ourselves into glamour pusses.

At the clinic you are taken into a calm room and laid out on a bed. First things first, the beauticians wax your eyebrows and tint your lashes. 

Then they move onto the actual eyelash extension. There are an array of eyelashes on offer including party lashes and natural looking eyelashes in varying lengths.  The beauticians simply place some glue on the natural eyelashes and attach the extensions one by one, creating a very glamorous or natural look. 

Eyelash extensions provide an incredible result, especially if you are not naturally blessed with long lashes. 

There are a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to treatments like this. For the first 24 hours you cannot touch or get the lashes wet or near any steam. They suggest not wearing mascara and if you do, you need an oil free eye makeup remover. 

So, washing the face and taking off makeup is going to be tricky of the next 6 weeks but hey, you will have amazing eyelashes!!!!

The Keep Me Inspired Team x 

We're not going to lie, some of us in the office are suffering, the cold has got "into our bones", funny that, but its causing some problems with joints and backs. 

In the UK, although generally our temperatures are no where near those of the Alps or European countries during the winter, the cold and the damp can really affect peoples health. In the mountains of Austria, temperatures can reach well below freezing and with added wind chill you can sometimes be looking at -35 degrees. But the difference there is, that it is dry, it's not damp, which in the UK is generally the weather and causes problems.

So, we're considering finding some remedys such as a massage. Despite the layers of clothing we wear to keep warm, its seems that some have been tensing up their back and shoulder area and this can result in a very painful back. 

Hot baths can relax the muscles and help sooth aches and pains, especially if you add special oils and salts. They can also draw out any nasty toxins in the skin. 

Deep heat and warming creams will provide warmth to the muscles and joints area and your final resort is to take yourself off and have a massage.  

What would be brilliant would be an emergency masseur that can rush round to your house and sort you out. There are a few mobile masseurs that can come to places of work and offices to give workers a 5 minute massage.

During winter the best advice is to keep moving, layer up with thin layers to keep yourself warm and fill yourself with hot drinks and warming soups. 

So, if anyone knows a very good masseur who can pop round, let us know! 

The Keep Me Inspired Team x

There is nothing quite like a fresh faced, rosy cheeked English rose. Here at Keep Me Inspired we're taking stock of the best cosmetics to provide you with that natural rosy look which is very on trend this winter. Think Hollywood and 1950s glamour and you are halfway there.

Back in the day, women would simply pinch their cheeks to attain that rosy look. Today, luckily we don't have to stand around harming ourselves in the name of beauty because there are some fantasic blushers and cheek stains on the market.

All great beauty routines start with the basics, cleansing and moisturising. Washing your face with a scrub cleanses deeply and naturally brings a glow to your face due to the action of the mini exfoliating scrubbers, which bring the blood to the surface of the skin. This is the first step to a natural glow. After exfoliating make sure you apply a daily moisturiser, this will sink into the skin and provide a great base to apply makeup.

We're loving Boots No. 7 Beautifully Matt Foundation. Total coverage for that smooth doll like complexion, which can be highlighted with the clever use of blusher and stain. This foundation covers pores and controls the oil in your skin- a must for those with combination and oily skin.

Top of the Cheek stain chart is Benetint from Benefit, this fantastic light stain can be used on cheeks and lips and looks so beautifully natural. Paint 3 dashes on your cheek like cats whiskers and gently rub into the cheek for that rosy glow.

Bobbi Brown offers an array of cheek sticks to complement your skin colouring.

If you are on a budget try Models Own Lip and Cheek Tint, for a fabulous rosy glow.

Finally to finish off the look, a slick of eyeliner on the eye lids, mascara and either a nude lipstick or gloss for the day, or a deep red for the night!

We love English roses!

The Keep Me Inspired team x 

Although we're all getting ready for the Christmas period, mine will be especially exciting this year as I am attending a winter wedding on Boxing Day. Not only will it be my birthday (shameless plug) but I will be spending it with lots of close friends to celebrate a great mates wedding.

Now I have a conundrum a)what do I wear b)what make up shall I use

Winter weddings are quite rare as most will prefer to capture the summer sun if possible. I love the idea of a winter wedding, especially if it snows. I know the Bride is counting down the days and has opted for a real festive theme with red and green decorations.

So starting with the basics, body care, we all love to treat ourselves and make the most of a special occasions. Treatments I have personally line up include Teeth Whitening, Eyelash Extensions and Hair Colouring. It may seem a bit extreme but these will last the whole festive period. 

Fake tan? Do I? Don't I? It maybe the uniform of hundreds of summer wedding attendees but should I go natural and "English Rose" to the wedding?  Before I even attempt to self tan, I like to give my skin a good scrub and layer on the moisturiser, this stops any dry patches attracting the tan. 

I really like Palmer's Cocoa Butter Self Tan, its very natural and doesn't streak.

For Make up I'm thinking Hollywood glamour 1950s style. Clear skin, minimal eye's with dark eyeliner and a rouge lipstick. Keep it simple and classy.

Now here is my major issue, what to wear. I don't want to go too over the top, but still want to look like a Winter belle!

I was considering a large full length skirt with a cute sweater a la Jessica Sarah Parker, or maybe some Sequin trousers. It's a difficult one, you want to be warm, especially if you are sat in a church, but not too relaxed. I'm having real issues with this one and only 17 days left. 

So, if anyone has any ideas for my Winter Wedding outfit, I would love to hear your suggestions!

The Keep Me Inspired Team x 

There is a wealth of skincare on the market, so much so that we would never be able to use every single product in our lifetime.

You'll always find the big players which come with a big price tag and those smaller independent producers, not forgetting mass market products. 

The Keep Me Inspired team realise that many women and men would love to be able to afford those incredibly luxurious skin products, but the reality is we are not all millionaires. So what is the next best thing? Can we still see great results when using other skin products? The answer is yes and we're here to show you how.

Starting with cleansing and toning.

Creme De La Mer is an incredibly sought after product, but when you are looking in the £100s for cleansing and toning it can become an expensive hobby. 

Creme De La Mer harnesses the power of kelp to improve the skin, leaving it supple and fresh.  A tube of Cleansing Foam starts at around £50. 

Naked Body Care offers a Perfect Getaway Cream Cleanser, a natural product with Aloe Vera to help refresh and gently cleans the skin, this little beauty is just £4.49

La Prairie from Switzerland uses the power of caviar to produce incredible skin, as you can imagine, these are expensive products. The La prairie Anti Ageing Eye Cream with SPF 15 boasts tone to the skin around the eyes and improved elasticity. This little wonder starts at £98.

Our LP Skin Therapy Re-affirm Eye Serum helps the fragile skin around the eye and makes them look younger and brighter. This wonder treatment is just £35. The great feature about LP Skin Therapy is that the products stimulate the feel good chemicals in the skin.

You don't have to spend a fortune to gain the benefits those expensive products offer, take time, look around and try new products, you'll be happily surprised and safe yourself a packet!

The Keep Me Inspired Team 

As a lucky member of the Keep Me Inspired team, I was whisked off this weekend to the Clothes Show Live at the NEC in Birmingham, I wasn't really sure what to expect as the last time I visited was 15 years ago when I was a moody teenager studying fashion, with army boots and big pink hair.

So I donned my leather trousers and massive cardigan, slapped on some war paint and off I skipped. Being a Saturday I was thinking "what on earth am I doing" but actually it was pretty calm in the morning.

Wondering round the hustle and bustle of beauty and fashion, you'll find different zones which are dedicated to fashion, beauty, cosmetics, treatments and of course the world renowned catwalk shows, I was lucky enough to catch one of the first Red Carpet Shows hosted by Jeff Brazier.

It actually a great place to be inspired especially if you are stuck in a rut with your wardrobe and beauty routine. Some of the biggest brands were offering makeovers and hair styling, but as you can imagine the queues were enormous.

Despite thinking I wouldn't really spend much money, I ended up coming home with 6 bags of goodies.

The Clothes Show is a fantastic way to promote new products and encourage people to try your products and wares.

If you have never been to the Clothes Show it is definitely worth a visit and money well spent, in fact I have managed to pick up a few Christmas presents which would have normally cost me quite a bit on the high street.

One of the highlights of my day was a male model commenting on how much he liked my quiff! There you have it... 

One happy, fashion inspired, beauty clad girl

Keep Me Inspired Team x 

Static hair can be a major problem during the winter months. It is caused by the cold dry air dehydrating the hair. Despite not changing your hair washing routine, your locks can become uncontrollable and fly all over the place, stick your face, stick to your favourite festive jumper.

Luckily the team at Keep Me Inspired has a few tricks up our sleeves to stop the static and regain control of your luscious locks.

1) Deep condition your hair. If you normally condition your hair with every wash- great, but once or twice a week you will need to deep condition your hair. This means choosing a nourishing product which you leave in your hair for a longer period, you could even leave it in over night wrapped in a towel.

2) After you have washed, choose a leave in conditioner or gel (can you see a pattern forming). Leave in conditioner will not only moisturise the hair but weight it down.

3) Spray your hairbrush with a bit of hairspray or even better anti static spray, before you run it through your hair.

4) You know those softener sheets you stick in your tumbler dryer? Keep one of those in your handbag and if your hair is starting to have a life of its own, rub the softener sheet all over your hair, hey presto, magic!

5) Avoid products that include ingredients that will dry out your hair such as alcohol. Choose natural products and conditioner which is specific to your hair type.

So there you are, armed with a huge supply of conditioner and a softener sheet, you will win the fight against winter static hair, now if you will excuse me, I need to find my softener sheet...

The Keep Me Inspired Team x

Christmas is the time for sparkling lights, sparkling decorations and sparkling beauty! The Keep Me Inspired team loves everything sparkly, so we have taken a look at the best body care and beauty products that will help you sparkle during the festive season, whether it's for that staff Christmas party, a festive drink with friends or simply for the big day. 

It's all about the preparation. Much like organising a fabulous dinner or your shopping list, getting organised and into a routine is the key, and that goes all year round, when it comes to body care. 

Take a look at your skin, how is it looking? Is the cold weather and the constant in and out of warm buildings causing your skin to dry out and scale. You need to invest in some winter skin care and a great routine.

Lets start with dry brushing, this amazing little trick not only gets rid of the dry skin, it also encourages blood to rush up to the surface and can, when used regularly, reduce cellulite. What a great start!

Next whether its lazing in the bath or a refreshing shower you prefer, a nourishing wash or oil will help moisturise your skin and leave it feeling soft and supple. 

When you have dried off lavish your skin in Coco and Shea butter for deep moisturization. Now, you will be glowing, but if you really want to sparkle, we've picked our favourite body shimmers to rub all over the skin, it will give you that extra glow and make you look like a sparkling super star. 

For those on a budget, Barry M's face and body shimmer comes in a range of colours and is perfect to dab on cheek bones and across your decolletage.

Urban Decay's "lickable" body shimmer in honey, offers a great look and if you are that way inclined, a great tasting body shimmer.

Finally, perfectly apt for the festive season, is a Cranberry Joy Body Shimmer Cream! 

So get those party frocks on, slip on those gorgeous heels, get out there and sparkle! Love from your Keep Me Inspired team. 

Always wanting to keep you inspired for Christmas, we figured that Nativity plays are a favourite tradition sure to get you in the festive spirit. Mary, Joseph, The Three Wise Men, Baby Jesu....hang on, Three Wise Men?! It might have been several thousand years ago but three (wise) men appearing out of the blue laden with perfect presents all sounds a bit too good to be true to us!

If the men in your life aren’t quite so wise when it comes to bearing gifts then use some of the ideas below to point them in the right direction:

STRUCTURED GOLD TORQUE NECKLACE £14.00



Gold looks great with a host of colours and This Gold Torque Necklace from Accessorize is the perfect way to give a simple outfit some Christmas sparkle.

LP SKIN THERAPY VISIBLE RESULTS LIPS & EYES GIFT SET £28.00



If gold jewellery isn’t in his budget, then try this visible results lips and eyes gift set, an utter bargain at just £28. The lip exfoliator and lip rescue gel are key heroes for keeping your lips luscious in the cold weather and the untired eye cream and re-affirm eye cream are sure to leave you shimmering this Christmas.

ORLA KIELY EAU DE PARFUM SET 100ml £55.00


Fragrances might have moved on quite a bit since the Three Wise Men’s gift of frankincense, but the principle still remains – perfume makes a great present at Christmas time.

MULLED WINE KIT £19.50

Apparently Myrrh has been used as an additive to wine and other alcoholic beverages for centuries. We prefer adding festive spices to our wine over Christmas and this mulled wine set from Marks and Spencer includes all the accessories you’ll need.

ROMANTIC BREAK FOR 2.
http://www.laterooms.com/

If you know that he’s still not started his Christmas shopping then don’t worry - there’s still time to book a romantic break. Had Mary and Joseph been a few thousand years later, they could have avoided all of that ‘no room at the inn’ trouble with www.laterooms.com.

We've certainly been etching our own Christmas Lists... hopefully we've given you a few fab ideas too ;)

Your Keep Me Inspired Team

There is nothing quite like a man who looks great and smells amazing. Thank heavens for male grooming products. Now it may not be on top of his Christmas list, but the man in your life could be nicely surprised with a range of small grooming products left under the tree.

If your man already spends more time in the bathroom perfecting his look than you do, grooming products will be an encouraged gift this festive season.

If however your man doesn't know what "styling fibre" is, then maybe slowly introduce into a regime. As I chuckle to myself I know full well that some women have an incredibly clever way of encouraging their men to do more with their hair, with their cleansing routine, with their beards and with their style. 

Some men welcome direction with open arms, bless them. Some do need a little help, and what is wrong with that? If a girlfriend asked you if she looked ok in a dress you would tell her the truth, so why not be honest with the man in your life. Christmas is the perfect time to introduce new clothing, new shoes, new aftershave and new products into your males life without it looking too obviously.

I'm not telling you to be stealthy, but its a nice thought. Come on ladies, sometimes those men of ours do need a little helping hand, and who better to give that helping hand than a male icon- Santa Claus. 

Did you over do it last night? Feeling a little bloated or worse for wear this morning? If you've had your fill of Turkey and Pumpkin pie, but are left with food and drinks that could feed your work office and all their families, do not despair! Keep Me Inspired have created a range of DIY beauty treatments you can create using your Thanksgiving left overs! So today is all about you!

Praise the Pumpkin!

If you have pumpkin left over or can pick one up, here is a great home made facial mask you can make, all you need is:

2 teaspoons of cooked pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon of honey 

1/4 teaspoon of milk

Mix it together and apply to the face, then leave for 15 minutes. Pumpkin contains amazing nutrients such as AHA fruit acids which helps remove dead skin and Vitamin A which helps combat those fine lines and wrinkles.

Craving Cranberries

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without Cranberry sauce smothered all over the Turkey.

Cranberries are incredible fruits. They are packed with antioxidants, they are great for treating water infections and fantastic on oily skin. 

Here is a simple recipe for a home made Cranberry lip gloss, you will need:

1 tablespoon of almond oil

10 Fresh Cranberries

1 teaspoon of honey

1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly

Mix all the ingredients together and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stir well and gently mash the cranberries, the let it rest for 5 minutes. Finally sieve the mixture to take out any lumps of cranberry, stir and allow to cool. Then finally spoon into a clean pot! Hey presto! Your own, home made natural cranberry lip gloss! Amazing!

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving, it really is a great time of year, and you can use all the left overs to your advantage and make some gorgeous natural beauty treats!

Keep Me Inspired have a great offer on our range of Beautifully Delicious at the moment and we know products from this range will make perfect Christmas Gifts. So you can save yourself a pretty penny if you're on a budget this Festive Season, or buy twice as much. 

So what will you find in this wonderful range which smells good enough to eat? Well the honest answer its lots of lovely scrumptious gifts and products, some a little quirky like our Candylicious Coconut and Shea Bath Cubes. 

Our Bubblelicious Papaya and Mango bath and shower cream is a joy to use and infuses those scents with exotic fruit.

Beautifully Delicious has even got the gift set covered with this fabulous Minilicious Bath, Shower and Body Lotion Set.

You see, you really can have it all this Christmas whether you're giving or receiving. Save 50% off our range of Beautifully Delicious Products, simply choose which products you want to purchase, and when you come to pay, 

place the code :BD2011 into the code box and hey presto, you'll be saving yourself a pretty penny! 

Now what are you waiting for? This offer doesn't last forever! 

Inspired by the release of " My week with Marilyn", a film detailing the life of a film assistant who met Marilyn Monroe for a week, the team at Keep Me Inspired thought it would be wonderful to take hints from the Hollywood glamour puss and recreate that beautiful look for the festive season. She was labelled as one of the most beautiful women in the world, but you would be surprised as some of the tricks in her beauty routine, such as only wearing "Chanel No.5" to bed and routinely smothering her face with Vaseline every night- although we wouldn't suggest that today. 

To recreate her flawless and sophisticated look lets start with the skin. The 50's didn't provide an incredible range of products like today, but ensuring you have a great washing, toning and moisturising routine is a great start. Marilyn used Vaseline to highlight cheek bones and allow the studio lights to catch her features. Today you'll find a range of highlighting foundations and tinted moisturisers which highlight and reflect the light. 

Marilyn had incredible eyebrows which really peaked in the middle, this doesn't tend to suit everyone. Make use of an eyebrow pencil, or my own particular tip is using power, it sets and it looks a lot more natural than pencil. 

The rouge lips of Monroe became an icon, apparently she used 5 different shades of red to create the perfect pout. Ensure your lips are soft and moisturised. You will find a great array of lipsticks which will not dry out or crack. We love this MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in New Temptation. 

The blond bombshell always looked pristine with platinum curls, choose a shampoo that helps your blond hair shine with minimum effort, and even if you're not blond, make sure you wash and condition your hair with the best natural products, after all Marilyn was originally a brunette before she arrived in Hollywood. 

For the first time in years the sales of Nail Varnish and nail related products has overtaken the sales of lipstick. This year has been great for nails, with the introduction of new products which create incredible effects on your claws. High Street and on-line beauty stores have seen a 37% increase of nail related product sales this year and the trend is still growing.

So, if you're following the nail revolution or want to be part of the party, its the perfect time to get those nails in great condition for the party season. DIY manicures are now the nations favourite beauty treat, so lets start with the basics. 

• Soak your hands to soften the cuticles around your nails
• Dry your hands well
• Take a cuticle stick and carefully push your cuticles back
• Take a small pair of nail scissors or clippers and carefully cut any long pieces of cuticle back so the skin is neat and free of any loose skin
• Cut your nails into a desired shape, either square or oval
• Take an emery board and in one direction file the nail to a smooth finish
• Now its time to decorate!
• You can choose a base coat which will provide nourishment to your nail and allow the polish to sit perfectly
• Allow each coat to dry properly, otherwise one smudge will ruin your hard work
• Choose your colour, you may have to apply two coats of this, try not to place the colour too close to the base of the nail
• Finally when the colour is dry you can use a top coat to give a really glossy look and protect the polish from chipping
• When everything is dry, grab your favourite hand cream and slather on for ultimate moisture, and dot a few drops of cuticle oil over your cuticles to keep them nourished.

Like most working women, it's difficult to find time to actually go shopping and get the Christmas present buying started, thank goodness for Internet shopping, but it can sometimes feel like you never leave the office or house. With that in mind I ventured out to the shops this weekend with a mental list of presents and some bits and bobs I needed for myself. 

It started off well, wore comfortable yet fashionable clothes so I could try on some fabulous party dresses, but that soon got scrapped as I had to queue for the fitting rooms and started to get a little hot changing clothes all the time, ah well maybe I could get something on-line. 

Then I moved onto beauty products. I spent ages looking at the massive range of natural products, designer products and must have looked a bit strange as I walked round and round a display, trying to decide what to purchase and thinking, would mum like some hand cream for Christmas. Finally I made my decision, a gorgeous rich hand cream for my mother and a natural face scrub for me, of course, one present for someone else, one present for me, thats how I like it, plus I got a free gift which would make a perfect little present for someone else, now thats two presents, I need to buy something else for me.

Moisturiser, I had totally lost my beauty routine, so opted again for a natural Shea Butter moisturiser which I could lather onto my skin and return it to it's former glory. 

Finally I had to buy a new bra. I hate bra shopping. But with gusto I entered the department store and grabbed a load. Some were too tight, some just looked awful, and finally I found one. Whilst looking at myself in the changing room mirror and the new bra, I could see some real lumps and bumps, I really don't enjoy the lighting and mirrors in changing rooms. Whats this? Stretch marks! Marvellous. Reminder to self- purchase some stretch mark cream.

I left town after 3 hours, slightly frustrated, but with some lovely products for myself and of course a couple of Christmas presents. I might actually resort to buying things on-line again, so much less stressful! 

Moisturiser. Its one of the products I would try and sneak onto a desert island. Saying that, I ended up loaning out my beloved moisturiser to someone last weekend who appeared to have a bit of a rash, due to too much time in the hot tub. Anyway I digress, I have been moisturiser-less for the past week, and the old legs are beginning to resemble a snakes skin. Nice! My normal beauty routine has been totally disrupted.

Now you could all say, "well why don't you go and get some more" but for me its not as simple as that. I love to scour the internet for amazing products, some that will smell amazing, some that will deeply moisturise and some which are made from natural ingredients. And then there is the question of the price.

Yes I may sound like a scrooge, and if I was a millionaire price would be no problem, but I'm not, so I'm being particularly savvy with my money at the moment.

Then there is the question of choice, should I go for a body butter, or a balm, should I try lotion or spray. There are so many moisturising products on the market at the moment, it can drive a girl crazy trying to decide.

I also have an odd little quirk that it's nice to try something different so I have narrowed down my list to the following and the reasons why:

1) 24-Hour Naked Coco De Mer- Its rich, its moisturising and its won and award, and if that isn't enough to sway you, its 97% natural. So feeling good all round

2) Orla Kiely Body Cream-gorgeous and designer, this is a real pampering treat!

3) Dead Sea Source Detox Body Butter with seaweed- smells amazing, moisturises AND drags all those nasty toxins out of your skin. 

Luckily I've managed to get the list down to three. Who would have thought buying moisturiser was this challenging! I must purchase one of the three otherwise I will be shedding my skin in no time! 

The team at Keep Me Inspired are more than happy today, due to the news that globally, sales of Natural Organic Beauty Products have reached a whopping $9 Billion this year. The demand for these lovely kind products is still great, which is fantastic news, and we know we're doing the right thing promoting brands that enhance natural plants and minerals. The demand for such products will increase and projections for 2015 stand at $14 Billion, mainly from sales in Europe and North America. 

So why are these products so popular? There are hundreds of reasons. 

Firtsly, we believe people are become more savvy when it comes to what they use on their skin. Advertising has helped the Natural and Organic product boom by re itterating the amount of chemicals that can go into certain products and how they can affect skin and health.

Secondly we're becoming more worldly and award that our actions can cause problems, so by using natural products rather than chemically enhanced products, we're doing our bit. Many natural and organic brands not only produce beauty products which are natural, they go the extra mile making sure that their packaging is also recycled and ozone friendly. 

People like the idea of natural products. We haven't all got the time to pop out into the garden or local wood to collect berries and make some incredible face scrub from berries, so the fact that companies do this for us is brilliant, saves time and saves us getting in a bit of a mess.

Finally, people have reaped the benefits of natural products. The outcome of using plants and minerals to help promote healthy skin, and a healthy mind is incredible. For thousands of years people have harnessed the power of nature to help heal, so we're using knowlege that has been passed down through the ages, but with modern technology we can produce incredible products. 

So, if you're online or stood in the beauty isle deciding whether to choose something cheap and cheerful which could be full or nasty chemicals or something wonderful and natural, we know which we would go for every time. 

Fresh back from a hen weekend in the gorgeous Shropshire hills and it got me thinking about how much we women take care of ourselves. Some of us have a skin routine down to a T and always look incredible, even when we've just rolled out of bed. Some of us have great intentions and start off well, constantly tracking down and purchasing products with rave reviews, using them for a week then forgetting about them stuck at the back of the draw. 

Surprisingly 3 of the "hens" attending the weekend were pregnant, some in their very early stages of first trimester and another is due in February, yet these girls looked incredible, they looked fresh and they looked happy. Their skin glowed and they felt really well. It’s amazing that pregnancy can make some people look and feel amazing, yet others get the bad luck which constant nausea and an uncomfortable pregnancy. Well, what can we do to improve it for those people? Buy them a little treat which will pamper their skin, relax them, give them some me time and just make those bad days a little nicer. 

It may be difficult to think of other things rather than feeling bad when you’re expecting your first child, but it’s always nice to take some time to yourself and relax. 

Here at Keep Me Inspired we stock some amazing products and gifts for expecting mums. Such as our Little Me Organics- Mum to be, Derma Mum and Naked Mama Naked products.

All designed to pamper mum, and help keep skin soft, our products can also reduce stretch marks and stop skin feeling so tight across the ever-increasing tum! 

Keep Me Inspired’s range of products for mums make great gifts, so now I know that 3 of the hens are expecting next year, I’ll be sure to get my order in for a little treat for mother hens! 

October is now upon us and this means all the summer clothes are back in the loft and snuggly jumpers and boots are making an appearance! Well actually this week we have been lucky to have record breaking hot weather for this time of year, but we have an inkling this will all change very shortly! Wow...how quick is this year flying?! Skin can also make a change as we approach Autumn. Your face may start to feel tight and dry. The glow of summer is long gone and the cooler chill can make skin red and sensitive.  Nails are prone to flake and break more easily due to lack of Vitamin D and your general energy levels may start to slump as the darker nights close in.  Help is at hand with our resident In-House Make Up Artist Anthea Abela who will get you bouncing into Autumn with vitality, and looking and feeling faboulous!

Over the next few months Anthea will give you tips on how to look great in the lead up to winter and so you are in tip top condition for all the Christmas parties (yes we are thinking about Christmas already!) From her favourite makeup- products, must have beauty buys, health tips to fashion advice! If you would like to contact Anthea direct and ask her any beauty/fashion related question drop her an email at info@kmiclub.com.

This week we start with must have makeup and beauty products and the looks for Autumn/Winter 2011 which Anthea has trawled the high street to find...

1. Nars AW11 Collection Trio, Eyeshadow £33 - The perfect Eye-Shadow pallette for gorgeous autumnal eyes.
THE Eyeshadow colours to be wearing this season.  www.narscosmetics.co.uk


2. Shu Uemura Gentle Oil-In-Gel Cleanser £25- Gently cleanses the skin without stripping it. Leaves the face silky smooth and deeply cleansed. Available nationwide from Space NK Stores.



3. LP Skin Therapy Multi-Task Day Cream £47.00 www.kmiclub.com. A refining and repleshing cream which lifts your mood , brightens your skin, and your day! Your complexion is left smoother and more toned.



4.  Boots 17 Hide & Chic Anti Fatigue Foundation £6.29 is excellent at hiding tired lines and giving a new lease of life back to skin. Available in numerous shades, shade wise go a touch darker than you normally would to give you a warm glow.





5. Try Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara £9.99 available from Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide. This luxury mascara (without the price tag) coats onto your lashes with a silky texture and opens and brightens up your eyes. A definite must have for Autumn!





6. L'Oreal Paris Reist & Shine Titanium Nail Polish Shade No.504 £6.19 available from high street chemists nationwide. This hardwearing Nailpolish is a great colour for Autumn and contains Cermaide R which reinforces and protects nails.




7. As temperatures drop outside and the central heating cranks up inside, skin can take a bit of a beating becoming dry and parched. I love Naked Be Smooth Naked- Cocoa Butter Body Cream £4.99 available online from www.kmiclub.com at £4.99

What's hot in Beauty for Autumn Winter 2011/2012?
.

- Power Pouts: Think strong lips for the winter and keep your eye-makeup natural.
- Smokey Eyes: A huge hit on models on the catwalk this season.
- No Makeup Look: Drop the heavy foundation cakey look and think less is more.
- Be Brave with Orange- For a more dramatic evening look use Orange colours on Lips and eyes- just don't do both!
- Stong Au Naturel Eyebrows: Ditch the tweezers and keep brows thick and strong this autumn. 
- Blunt Fringes- Try a different look for the Autumn!
- High Barnets- Beehives are strong and glam for an evening up do.
- Low Pony tails- Keep your hair pure and simple for the daytime.

Next week...Autumn Skincare...

 

The team fell behind after just 3 minutes of the league season as the Wilstead number 9 slotted home expertly after some neat passing on the edge of our box.

Westoning fought back with the kind of never say die team spirit this group has become renowned for and soon started to dominate proceedings. On a windy day, the weather was making it difficult to get any rhythm going but gradually chances were created and we were unlucky to hit the cross bar. When we did get a sight on goal, we found an equally inspired goal keeper in good form to

Then, with half time fast approaching, a moment of pure brilliance. Some quick passing allowed us to break forward with a three on three situation. Harry Flavell, our fiery and skilful centre midfielder, looked up as if to pass a through ball but saw the keeper of his line. In a flash he floated a beautiful dipping lob in to the back of the net from 25 yards! Wayne Rooney – eat your heart out!

Half Time: 1.1

The second half saw the boys play with the wind behind them and this proved to be an advantage as we controlled proceedings and laid siege to their goal. Shot after shot was blocked but Wilstead had some good moments of their own too, playing on the break they remained a threat.

High drama occurred as the game looked like it was heading for a draw. Wilstead broke quickly in to our penalty area and their forward rounded Liam, our goalie, and shot towards an unguarded net.  Another attacker followed it up and bundled it in and to our relief, he was off side and the referee blew his whistle. Unbelievably, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, adjudging our keeper to have pulled their forward down. Highly controversial and some teams would have lost their composure but yet again we behaved impeccably, no complaining to the referee or moaning was heard.

The Wilstead attacker looked cool and composed as he ran up and struck a powerful right footed shot.........just wide of the left hand up right!!!!!

We were looking dangerous every time we attacked but the opposition looked equally so as the game opened up. Both teams were playing with tremendous spirit and were looking for the winner. Then came the decisive moment of the match. A flowing move saw the ball held up by Bradley, our centre forward, on the edge of their box. He took a deft touch to his left and played an intelligent ball in between two defenders for our right winger Joe Rushby. He blasted the ball towards goal and their keeper parried yet again only for Joe to recover and stroke the ball home from 6 yards. 2.1!

All that remained was for the boys to stand firm for the last few minutes to close out a hard fought victory and start the season off in “inspired” form!

Andy Clements and Andy Rivers – Westoning Youth Under 12’s Coaches.   

It’s almost coming close to that time of year where we have to re-pack our summer wardrobes for another year (sniff)! The only thing guaranteed to make us feel better is knowing we can start spending on autumn’s  knew knitwear, coats and other snugly layers.

We’ve had a little scout about for what’s hot in this autumn and he popular must haves for the season that you’ll love, but your bank balance will hate!

The three main trends for Autumn / Winter seem to be: Boy-Girl, Heritage Chick and Animal Prints.

Boy-Girl
Menswear for women is a dominant trend this Autumn/Winter; Vogue quote Stella McCartney as a key inspiration. Therefore this season we’ll be fighting the boys for their wardrobes!

We're really pleased that we can still wear our favourite Boyfriend Blazers, but if you've not yet invested, we like this one from ASOS. 

We also love these Miffin Black Biker Boots from Topshop £36

And to add a hint of colour to the shortening autumn days, we like these Great Plains Khaki Trousers from Coggles.com

Heritage Chick
British heritage designs and fabrics are definitely in at the moment. For this trend invest in countryside classics such as tartan and mannish jackets.

Tall Chocolate Brown Hunter Wellies
Coggles.com - £70

Asos Heritage Coat
Asos.com - £100

Vaduz Taupe Tassle Loafers
Topshop - £30

Mini Check Backpack
Asos.com - £25

Wild Things
Animal prints are a must have this autumn. Leopard print is everywhere however snakeskin and gorilla-like furry jackets are also popular, which is great as we LOVE them. These prints are also appearing in some suprising colours -  our favourite is leopard print going all black and white on us.

We love this Mango Coloured Leopard Dress - perfect from going from office to evening!

Animal Print Lady Handbag
River Island - £40

Let us know what you think below or over at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kmiclub
More from KMI Club (www.kmiclub.com)

One of our KMI Club Team enjoyed a great night out at a local hotel in July courtesy of The Lensbury, Teddington. All the staff at the Lensbury were dressed in costumes, from the reception staff to the waiting staff. On arrival, guests were greeted by knights on horseback surrounded by burning torches. Guests were entertained by giant jesters, lute players and jugglers. Sounds like a normal night out for KMI Club!!

Dinner included some medieval treats including whole roast pig, 4 &20 blackbird pie and rillettes of duck with mead jelly. Yummy! Followed by a giant strawberry and elderflower jelly with summer berries.

A fortune teller circulated the room, reading palm and predicting the future!

 

On the lawn, ‘Flame Oz’ performance a routine spinning and throwing blazing torches. This was followed by a wonderful firework display over the Thames.

Guests joined a traditional Ceildh in one room of Katy Shotter and her band in another.

Lucy Hamlin who attended the ball would like to thank all the team at the Lensbury for a wonderful evening! 

www.lensbury.com

We love it when we hear your feedback  on our products! Don't be shy...let us know your thoughts, what you love, don't love, would like to see on KMI Club , as we only want to make it better and better for YOU!! The only way is up as Yazz once sang!  Is there a particular brand or product you are looking for or can't find? Please drop us a line and we will come back to your query within a few days- we would love to help any way we can!

Thanks to Sue McCarthy from Milton Keynes who rang us to tell us she loves our Dead Sea Source Detox Body Butter "After an illness I was left with dry skin, I used the product twice and it healed the dryness on my feet and elbows. I would highly recommend this body butter! Thanks so much for a great product"

Alix Ovel from Chelmsford, Essex recently purchased from KMI Club "I was delighted with the prompt service from KMI Club and the lovely parcel and products inside! Thanks so much, I look forward to shopping on KMI Club again soon. "

Katherine from Bedford emailed to tell us "Morning- A lovely box of smellies arrived today. Very quick as I only ordered late on tuesday and nicely packed. I will definitely order again."

We look forward to hearing from you...

Along with Halloween and proms, baby showers are an American celebration that seems to have recently surged in popularity over here in the UK.  A bit of a ‘do’, a baby shower is a social gathering, usually just for female friends and family of the mum-to-be to celebrate the upcoming birth.

We thought it might be quite nice to take an insider’s peak into a baby shower, which might give you some good hints and tips, should you be thinking of organising one for you and your bump.  One of the team here organised one for her friend just last week, so we’ll hand you over to Tara, who has kindly agreed to take us through their celebration:

I can’t really remember where the idea came from (probably one day when we were sat having a cuppa) but one idea led to another and before we knew it we were throwing our friend a baby shower. None of us have ever been to one before so it was time to consult our trusty friend google for a few ideas.  

After a week or so of preparation, we turned up to hers on Friday arms loaded with goodies (almost all pink as she’s having a girl) and the night began..

Decorations

The baby shower was held at my pregnant friend’s house so before she arrived home from work, we snuck in and decorated the place ready for her return. It’s surprising how much stuff you can pick up for baby showers and it isn’t that expensive either – try ‘Shower My Baby’ (http://www.showermybaby.co.uk/)

We settled for a tablecloth, a couple of banners, balloons, table decorations, paper plates & cups. Looking back we may have gone slightly over the top, but we were excited this is the first time we’ve done one!

Food &Drink

There’s usually finger food at baby showers so we made a little buffet with the usual: sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, pasta, chocolate, sweets etc. Well when i say little, we had plenty of food to go round!

Drinks wise baby shower’s are usually alcohol-free (moral support for the mum-to-be). So we bought a tea-set to make drinking tea a little different. And cold drinks were drunk from pink beakers with straws and umbrellas.

Cake

On top of the mountain of food, we decided to test our creative skills and bake a cake rather than buy one. Our very best efforts (and a lot of plan b’s) created the masterpiece below..it’s meant to be a pregnant bump (can you tell). It was a lot of fun and tasted great, so that’s the main thing.

Buying a cake would have probably been a better option as there are so many fantastic ones out there. They’re just a few examples below including a better version of ours.

Games

Silly games are a must at baby showers so we got our thinking caps on and did a bit of research. The first game idea came from the mum-to-be herself – decorating plain baby grows, with her judging the winner. So with pens at the ready we paired of and had 15mins to create them. Here’s a few of the better ones..the one on the left won!

Our second game idea was pinched from Victoria Beckham’s baby shower. She tweeted this picture of her and the guests making outfits out of loo roll.

Hurray for twitter! The game looked great so we decided to play it to, but a slightly adapted version. We created nappy’s out of toilet roll and the finished products were judged on design and practicality. In pairs, one made the nappy and one wore it. After 10 minutes each wearer had to do a catwalk style walk down the room with spin at the end and sit down in it to test its durability. So much fun (and so much loo roll)! Here’s how they looked (the winning nappy is the one in the middle)..

A third game we played was found on the internet (http://www.britishbabyshower.co.uk/additional.html). The tray was filled with water, plus a miniature baby and put in the freezer.  Once frozen, people put one ice cube in their drink. The winner is the person whose ice cube melts first - the baby sinks to the bottom and they shout ‘my waters broke’. As this is more of a waiting game we played it while the presents were opened.

Presents

Opening present’s is always the best time of any party to gathering. As the name suggests, the mum-to-be is showered with gifts from family and close friends. .and that’s exactly what happened, she was spoilt. When thinking about what to buy her, we were conscious that she probably wouldn’t get much for herself so split our present. We bought her gift voucher to be used on something for her and then we made her the hamper below. It was filled it with lots of practical things: a car seat blanket, baby grows, dummies, baby shampoo, talcum powder, teething gel, baby wipes etc.

All in all it was a lovely night! Have you been to or thrown a baby shower yourself?  What did you do that was different or similar to us? Let us know below or on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/LittleMeOrganics)

 
More from Little Me Organics (http://www.littlemeorganics.co.uk/)

Father’s Day is not far away – Sunday 19^th June, if you’ve not clocked it yet.  Have you got a dad that’s difficult to buy for?  Is he the ‘man who has everything’ or are you just lacking inspiration this year?

Whichever it is, take hear that you’re not alone, remember all your dad has done for you over the years (getting late night lifts home from parties, topping up your pocket money when you’re broke etc. etc.) and then get your thinking caps on…….

To help you, we’ve had a search round for some treats that we think dads might love, whatever his style and whatever your budget. 

Bargain Buys

For all those Daddy Cools out there…….

 
Fish Fingers Cream/Wax Styler - £4.99 http://www.kmiclub.com/men/kingfisher-cream-wax-styler.html

For those times when he needs to be suited and booted:

I love my Dad cufflinks - £7.99
http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/gifts-for-dad/I-Love-My-Dad-Cufflinks.htm

If your dad is a DIY demon, look no further….

Personalised 3 Function Knife Keyring - £9.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/personalised-3-function-knife-keyring.html

Spoil Him

If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash, then take a look at these gifts.

If he likes his gadgets, and may have a taste for all things retro:

 
British Phone Box Phone Case - £18

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/crank/product/british-red-phone-box-phone-case

For when he wants to feel suave and sophisticated:

Ted Baker X20 Men’s  Eau de Toilette 75ml - £37.50

http://www.kmiclub.com/men/ted-baker-x2o-men-s-eau-de-toilette-75ml.html

And finally, because it’s time to show him you love him…….

Engraved Pocket Watch Chain - £29.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/personalised-pocket-fob-watch.html

We hope this has given you a few ideas at least towards a possible gift for the big day. Let us know if you’ve seen anything interesting that we could add, just comment below.

Find out more about Fish Haircare for men http://www.kmiclub.com/brands/fish.html

Find out more about Ted Baker http://www.kmiclub.com/brands/ted-baker.html?p=1

Here at KMI Club we always do our best to help out...from internal fundraising to local charity work and getting involved in community events. Recently KMI Club donated some products to the Mark Thatcher fundraising event to help raise funds for a young man of 42 who suffers from progressive Multiple Sclerosis and is currently unable to work and support his four young children.  After under going many tests and trials he has been accepted for an operation called Liberation treatment - surgery which unblocks the veins in the neck and gives sufferers relief from further MS attacks.  This treatment is not available on the NHS and costs in the region of £10,000. To help raise some of the money a 7 aside football tournament and evening disco took place recently in Wembley.  Kmi Club donated some prizes for the raffle and all in all a grand total of £8,928 was raised on the night! The KMI Club Team wish Mark all the luck in the world with his operation and hopes it's a great success. All the Best from The KMI Club Team.

There is certainly a spring in the air in the KMI Club Office. Now the season has changed and the birds are tweeting, the ladies are donning their maxi dresses, the guys in their shorts and there is even the odd trip out for ice creams in the afternoon! Lazy spring warm days in the UK- that's what we all love! However the KMI Club team have been hard at work putting together a Spring Beauty Sale all for Charideeee! From gift sets to 24 hr moisturisers to our favourite shower gels there was something for everyone. Other companies in Harlequin House and local companies were invited to have a good rummage and pick up some great beauty bargains for Spring! In just one hour £338.30 was raised for the Oxfam Shinyanga Project.  If you would like to donate to this great fundraising project to help our sanitation and educational programme in Tanzania log onto www.kmiclub.com/oxfam

As MEGA Ted Baker fans at KMI Club, we are all getting super excited about a brilliant event that's being held in Ted Baker stores up and down the country on Thursday this week.

Thursday 26th 2011, the brilliant Ted’s Summer Shopping Event is happening in participating stores nationwide & also online. As well as a fantastic 20% privilege rate on the Spring Summer 2011 collection, your local Ted Baker stand alone stores will be offering complimentary refreshments and nibbles (Tedtini anyone? We LOVED them at the launch of Pashion and Langley Fragrance). 


 
What’s more, Ted will be donating 5% of profits from each item sold to the Chickenshed Theatre – an inclusive theatre company based in North London that creates high quality, original theatre and runs workshops and courses for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.  www.chickenshed.org.uk

Simply click to register at www.tedsshoppingevent.com for your tickets and enjoying shopping Ted!

There was excitement in the Dr Linda camp as we unveiled LP Skin Therapy products for sale on KMI Club today!

www.kmiclub.com/brands/lp-skin-therapy.html



Here at KMI Club we love the new range of skin care from renowned psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos.

Following a really successful launch with a 'Try Me' Kit on QVC in April, LP Skin Therapy products are now available for purchase in full sizes. LP Skin Therapy has been developed using the best anti-ageing actives and blend of ingredients and are well known for their nootropic effects (encouraging the release of feel good chemicals in the body.) The wonderful blend of ingredients includes Tyrostan, Vitacell, St Johns Wort, Grape Seed Extract, Hibiscus Extract to name a few. 

As part of the launch, the range has now got it’s own website.  If you haven't checked it out already you can find out more about the range from www.lpskintherapy.com

Let’s face it everyone loves a good wedding... the anticipation of the bride walking down the aisle, the outfits, the speeches, who will catch the bouquet and of course the free flowing champers (yes we all love it really!) The Royal Wedding is something which we have all been eagerly awaiting (nothing of course to do with the day off work!) We all like to see what the Royals are up to and what  they will be wearing and who won’t  be speaking to who! All in all we are quite a nosey bunch especially us peeps at KMI Club! The KMI Club Team have done a bit of snooping and found some great pictures of our own team who are married and some of the stories from behind the scenes... enjoy! If you are getting married yourself and still looking for someone to make your cake, supply the flowers then read on for a list of our favourite suppliers...!

Rachel Groom, KMI Club

My proposal was a complete surprise and my Husband Dave proposed in a Helicopter as he used to be in the RAF and I am a bit of an adrenalin junkie so this was the  perfect proposal! We booked our wedding in August 2010 and married in Dec 2010 – everything organised in just four months!

There was no pink or diamante in sight at our wedding - No girlie wedding for myself and Dave! We both have a penchant for the guitar and rock so naturally the theme was Guns n Roses “Appetite for a Wedding” which all our guests loved! 





- The invites were themed around a recording studios & supporting acts invitations.

- The table settings were rock themed “supporting acts.”

- The flowers were roses with silver wire in tall vases.

- The cake – I saw my perfect cake in a magazine and took the picture to a local cake lady who did an awesome job!

From my own wedding I would recommend the following suppliers: Speciality Cakes – Knaphill, Surrey, I had a four tier cake - £ 400.00. You can discuss your requirements with them, taking pictures with you of cakes you like is always a good idea. 01483 797610 

Michelle Wheeler Flowers – Chiswick, Surrey – I had 9 tables (red roses and wire centre piece with 3 bowls placed around with single rose and wire).  1x bride bouquet / 6 x buttonholes/ 2 x “mums” thank you bouquets - £ 700.00.
http://wheelersflowers.com/

For amazing bespoke dresses try... Wedding Workshop – Ampthill Bedfordshire www.weddingworkshop.co.uk/

Hair and Make Up I would recommend- Melissa Melody
www.makeupbymelissa-melody.co.uk/

My Tips for future Brides to Be:
- You will need days off work or afternoons off to meet people as Wedding suppliers are often at weddings on Saturday and only available during the week so bear this is mind!

- I’m really glad we got creative – its was loved by all and very different and personal!


Lucy Hamlin, KMI Club

I hired a vintage car for my wedding, and was very excited when it turned up! The car arrived at my parents home to take my dad, my niece who was a bridesmaid and myself to the wedding venue which was a 15 mins drive away. The car was lovely but even as we started the journey, the engine wasn't sounding too healthy but I tried to ignore this and focus on the big day. However, to my alarm, the car broke down about a mile or so into the journey. The driver removed his hat and gloves and got to work under the bonnet to see if he could re-start it. Meanwhile, I am having a major panic that I am not going to get to my own wedding, coupled with the fact that I had no mobile on me and no way to tell anyone what had happened. Things are not improving and still the driver can’t get it started. My dad, who is cheerfully trying to keep me from a nervous breakdown says 'dont worry - we'll hitch a lift', to which I angrily reply 'Dad – it’s my wedding!!' By this time, other motorists are staring into the windows and see the poor bride in the back of the knackered car. One car comes to a halt by our side and the lady driving asks where we are going and if we'd like a lift. In one of those split second decisons we accept her offer and the three of us jump in to the car with her, her husband and two young children. Our totally charming saviours are more than happy to save the day and deliver the bride and her escorts to the big day. We finally arrive in time, if a bit flustered.

I didn't expect to  arrive at my wedding in a Renault Espace but I was extremely relieved to get there! The car hire company sent another car to take us to the reception although my original car did manage to limp to the venue a bit
later! See below for a picture of me with the ill fated car!

Alix Avory, KMI Club

I got married in December 2009, exactly a year after getting engaged. We chose December because we love Christmas and it’s a nice time of year, plus we are both incredibly pale, so it worked for us without having to worry about spray tanning and coping in hot weather!

I’d like to think I was quite an orderly and laid back bride – I didn’t have any fixed ideas on what I wanted and let my day pick me vs. the other way around. It was a bit “see it, like it, cost it, get it” so I didn’t shop around too much for fear of getting paralysed by choice. Similarly, I didn’t commit to anything until I was sure I liked it.

My dress was by Stephanie Allin, from Ellie Sanderson in Beaconsfield. I adored dress shopping with my mum and found myself drawn towards corseted numbers that pulled in my waist to make me an hourglass. I didn’t want a veil, but I ended up with a full length cathedral one with little diamante’s after falling in love with it! In the end I couldn’t be bothered with the stress of hair and makeup on the day, so just wore it straight and I did my own make up. I wanted to look like me, but on a really good day.

My photographer was wonderful, I can’t rate him highly enough... he was James Davidson  you can see some of my official photos online www.jamesdavidson.co.uk/braxted-park-wedding-photographer/

Personally I loved Stephanie Allin wedding dresses, and they are made in the UK with such amazing fabrics and beautiful tailoring... her collection and stockist information www.oneandonly.co.uk

My cake was a steal from www.cakeflair.co.uk/ she covers East Anglia.

Anthea Abela, KMI Club

I loved my wedding day , it was everything I imagined and more, just wish it didn’t go so fast!  We got married in 2008 in a beautiful village in East Sussex called Buxted with a church ceremony and the reception at nearby Buxted Park.  The reception was at 12noon and I remember waking at 4am like an excited child at Christmas and waking my mum up too, whilst I was jumping on the bed singing along to “I’m getting married in the morning!” Highlights of the day for me include seeing my husband blubbing at the end of the altar whilst I remained very calm and collected (and i thought he was the non crying type!) our Spanish themed reception complete with guitarist and my flamenco style dress , my hubbys fab flowered shirt with his matching tie and pants, a surprise Mr & Mrs Quiz on us put together by our friends  during the wedding breakfast, our video diary room, our 1st dance and my husband and his ushers donning  very hilarious animal masks during the speeches which was a highlight of their stag do in Berlin, and which all seemed to make numerous appearances in our wedding video!

My Tips for future brides: it’s a wonderful special day but do remember it’s only one day so don’t take it all too seriously, have fun and enjoy it all along the way. Relax on the day with a glass of champers or two when you are getting ready! On the day itself take it all in- it really all does go far too quickly!!

My Spanish inspired dress was from Pronovias in London- check out their website if you are looking for something a little Mediterannean and a bit different! www.pronovias.com/

Our photographer Simone was brilliant and came recommended from a family member - we had so much fun with her! www.simonegermaine.com/

We loved our Venue Buxted Park in East Sussex with lots of spacious rooms for our reception and beautiful gardens . www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/buxted-park/

He popped the question, the venue is booked, the food has been tasted and you have decided you would rather have a live band than a cheesy 80s disco. But....have you thought about your make-up for the day and whether you will do it yourself or hire an expert. If you feel confident enough to do your makeup yourself on the day then go for it! There will be no worries about whether your makeup artist will turn up late, do a botch job or make you look like Jordan’s twin sister. Here are some tips from the top from our inhouse expert Anthea Abela for make-up magic on your special day!

·         Go make-up shopping with a close family member or friend a few months before your wedding to check out new products, brands and experience some counter makeovers. Most makeup counters in department stores offer free makeovers and this is a great way to try before you buy! If you aren’t a dab hand with a makeup brush and don’t know where your eyebrows should start or end.... learn from the makeup counter girls.  Ask lots of questions -watch and learn! See which colours they choose for you, remember the colours which work on one bride may not work for another.  When you have had a makeover and you like the look, step out into natural lighting as store lighting can be harsh. Get your friend to take photos and check out for yourself if you like what you see!

·         Even if you don’t wear makeup a little can go a long way on your wedding day. Foundation can even out your skin tone, mascara can open up your eyes and using blusher or bronzer will brighten up your skin.

·         Practice makes perfect! Have numerous makeup trials including one with your chosen wedding hairstyle to ensure  makeup and hair compliment  each other as well as your dress!

·         On the big day...have one of your bridesmaids  carry a small bag with your beauty essentials and get her to whisk you off every few hours so you stay radiant throughout  the big day and for all the photos! Essentials should include lip gloss, shine blotter papers, concealer for any cover up moments and a miniature fragrance.  Also pop in there some mints (for all the sweet talking to guests!)  and  tissues (ok the odd tear is allowed!)

Your Wedding Makeup Checklist!

1.       Foundation Primer- apply on its own and leave to sink in or mix with foundation for long lasting coverage which will see you through from the vows to the first and last dance! Try Laura Mercier foundation primer £18 www.spacenk.co.uk

2.       A long lasting foundation. Look for one which doesn’t glide off the skin easily, keeps you shine free and contains an SPF. Try Chanel, Lancome, Chantecaille and Prescriptives for long lasting foundations. A foundation brush is a must for a sleek professional finish. Try Lancome, The Body Shop or Bobbi Brown for a great range of brushes. 

 

3.       Soft , Natural eyeshadows which compliment your eye colour and skin tone. Bridal colours range from corals to soft pinks and metallic shades which look fab on darker eyes.  For blue eyes try shades of brown, taupe, gold and peach. Green eyes look amazing with plum and violet or peach shades.  If your eyes have a grey tone try brown and charcoal. Try and stay away from products that are too shimmery especially on eyes and cheeks as your makeup will look shiny in photos- remember it’s your wedding day , not a night on the tiles! Make sure you use an Eye Fix base beforehand to lock in eye colour. I love this palette from Laura Mercier called Silk Road Palette which contains beautiful bridal colours! £37 www.spacenk.co.uk.
 

4.       Eyeliner on the upper lids can look great on a bride. Choosing a powder instead of a liquid can be more effective and open up eyes to reveal a very sexy bride! Try a white kohl pencil on the lower eye rim to make the whites of the eyes appear brighter. 

5.       Water proof mascara is a must and you may want to make sure all the females in your wedding party are wearing waterproof too! MAC, Dior and Clinique do some great ones!

6.       Concealer...choose light reflecting for under the eyes to minimise dark circles and shadows and a thicker concealer for blemishes. Apply with a thin pointed concealer brush and once applied pat the product immediately onto the skin.

7.       Use a transcluscent powder to seal in makeup and stop the deadly appearance of shine- not a good look for brides!  It is light enough to use without giving you that horrid cakey make-up look.

8.       Lip Pencil is a must and use all over the lips for a base not just on the contours of the lips.

9.       Fill the lips with a matching lipstick or similar and finish with a plumping lipgloss (preferably without shimmer!)

10.   Finally wear a fragrance with a matching fragranced body lotion which you know your husband to be adores! Try our favourite by Orla Kiely Eau De Parfum 100ml £55 and the matching Body Cream £29.95. 




Finally smile and then your audience awaits you...in some cases the whole world for a certain Kate Middleton!

Ladies...It’s your one day to shine and look your best in front of your nearest and dearest. Kate and William are nearly there and if you are heading for the altar too you will want to look your ultimate best on one of the most important days of your life! Whether your look is princess, a true romantic, rock chick or hippy bride – follow my key tips for the whole body to looking great and loving your wedding photos in years to come. For grooms to be we haven’t forgotten about how important it is to look good on your big day too!

·         Make sure you look after your skin in the months leading up to the wedding. The aim is to be glowing from head to toe! I know it’s boring but drinking water really does help your skin and keeps you hydrated from the inside out.  Aim to drink at least 10 glasses of water a day- seems a lot but it really does work! If you have been lazy on the healthy eating front and your wedding is looming welcome lots of fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet. Also aim to exercise at least three times a week. Cut out fatty, sugary foods and try and eat some protein daily. If the gym bores you then try anything which gets your heart rate pumping! Walk instead of getting the bus, take the stairs at work instead of the lift or run to the shops for that paper or pint of milk!

·         If you have never had one… treat yourself to a course of facials a few months before your big day to get your skin in tip top condition. A favourite amongst the celebs is Dermalogica’s unique skin analysis called Face Mapping available at authorized skin treatment centers, salons, and spas nationwide. The treatments provide an insight into your skin past and present, and allows the subsequent prescription of a targeted home care regime for healthy skin on your wedding day and for the future. For more information check out http://www.dermalogica.com/uk/buy/index.html. 

·         Look after your nails and go for regular manicures and pedicures a few weeks before your wedding. Use a good nail strengthener and try and keep your hands out of water as much as possible. Apply a good nail and hand cream twice daily. Your hands will be on show on the big day as everyone will want to see your wedding ring! I love Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener available from Boots £5.62. 

·         It’s easier said than done but try and relax in the lead up to your wedding and if you feel like the wedding planning is getting too much take a deep breath and do activities that you enjoy. Take a day off from wedding planning – take your partner out for the day (wedding talk is banned,) a shopping trip with the girls (no going into bridal shops!) , a long walk in the country or join a new exercise class. Have you tried the wonderful new range of skin care products from Top Pyschologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos called LP Skin Therapy. Research shows stress can cause negative effects on the skin.  Dr Linda uses  pioneering ingredients in her skincare products, including Nootropics ingredients which have positive effects on the mind.  We love her Lip Rescue Gel £20.00 available from QVC and www.lpskintherapy.com which has a unique ccomplex of natural calming ingredients.
 

·         Make sure you are exfoliating your face and body on a weekly basis using a gentle exfoliator when you shower. Apply to damp skin in circular motions and rinse well. Follow with a rich moisturiser from head to toe – oils are also great for dryer skin types and work well applied to damp skin. Try Beautifully Delicious Scrubilicious Coconut & Shea Body Scrub £4.99 from www.kmiclub.com.  Follow with Moisturelicious Coconut & Shea Body Lotion which sinks in a treat, £4.99 available from the same range. If you suffer from stubborn cellulite try body brushing every other day before showering. Elemis and The Body Shop do great Brushes (avoid too harsh a brush.) Body Brushing helps combat cellulite by improving the texture of the skin and improves circulation. Start at your feet  and work up the legs and across the hips, bottom and tummy with long upward strokes.

·         For the face try a cleanser and exfoliator combined. I love Liz Earle Naturally Active Cleanse and Polish or Eve Lom Cleansing Cream. Now is definitely the time to splurge on a good quality cleanser. 
To uplift your spirits try LP Skin Therapy  Uplifting Facial Water £20.00.   

·         Guys remember you want to shine too and look like the proud groom on what is also your big day! Remember to eat well in the lead up and exercise regularly.  Make sure you go for suit fittings so it fits like a glove on the day! Exfoliate your face a least three times a week to get rid of dry skin – try Molton Brown Skin Clear Jade Face Exfoliator £19.50,  www.moltonbrown.co.uk.  Follow with a moisturiser containing sunscreen for day and at night a moisturiser with AHAs (reduces wrinkles!) to encourage skin regeneration. Also ask your partner to give you a weekly manicure so your hands are looking immaculate- nothing worse than grubby hands on a bloke! Visit the dentist regularly – good dental hygiene means a dazzling smile for your bride to be! Finally on the day itself, remember to take a deep breath, relax and... enjoy!

Kate Middleton has it all: shiny hair, a gorgeous figure, a killer wardrobe, and now she is set to marry her very own Prince Charming. With just nine days to go, eyes are fixed on the Royal couple as the big day approaches, and with an estimated two billion people watching the big day, we don’t envy her!

Speculation is high, wondering how she will wear her hair, the bridesmaids colours, the first dance, the honeymoon destination and will she really do her own make-up?? But the biggest question in our office is the dress. Will she go for a traditional princess style gown and veil? Or will she opt for something a little more understated? Who will be the chosen designer? One thing is for sure, it will, without doubt, be a one off, no expenses spared creation tailored specifically for her, replicated by future brides for many years to come.

There has been a special edition Kate ‘royal Barbie’ made in honour of the occasion, Wills and Kate tea bags, nail wraps, sick bags, pies and even souvenir Crown Jewels condoms. But if Royal wedding fever is all proving a bit much for you, look at it this way, it’s a day off work and there is still one prince on the market!

How will you be celebrating on 29^th?

Next week, 11th-17th April, is National Allergy Week.  With statistics showing that one in four people are affected by allergies at some point their lives this is an important week.

Symptoms of Allergies come in many forms - anything from a runny nose to itchy eyes to a skin rash.  The most common allergic reactions tend to be triggered by:
•    Pollen
•    pets like cats & dogs
•    wasps & bees
•    household chemicals
•    medication
•    foods such as dairy products.

Most allergies are easily controllable through medication or substituting the affecting item. Some, however, can be life threatening.

When it comes to skincare, this is our speciality. At KMI Club we have our own range of skincare ideal for allergies and sensitive skin. Naked is a skincare range that was the brainchild of a mum whose little boy had eczema which she believed was triggered by an intolerance to SLS – the chemical that is used in most toiletries to create the lather. 

Naked skincare is 97% natural – all the ‘bad stuff’ has been removed – there’s no SLS, parabens or phthalates, to name just three. And the natural extracts we have added in are widely recognised for being the best at what they do e.g Cocoa Butter for moisturizing, Sunflower for sun damage protection, purest Rose Oil for anti ageing.

Naked has an extensive range from haircare, to bath & shower, to skincare all ideal for sensitive skin or those who would just rather use natural products, free from chemicals. Let us know what you think of the Naked Bodycare range below.


Browse Naked Now
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April, so far, seems to have been quite nice weather - a change from the usual April showers. Although, as we are just over a week into the month, we may not be so lucky in the weeks to come. Judging from past years weather really can start out bright and sunny in the morning and change quite suddenly to a downpour – leaving most of us unprepared and therefore drenched.

At KMI Club we’re well prepared for April showers of another type. This month re-vitalise, re-lax and re-plenish yourselves in the shower with some of our fantastic products. Our top three for the month are:

1.    Re-vitalise..
..with ‘Get Fresh Naked – Minty Menthol Body Wash'  - a great way to wake yourself up on a Monday morning, when you hear the dreaded alarm sound. The minty menthol body wash is cool, yet tingly, leaving you ready for the day ahead.





2.    Re-lax..
..with ‘Moistureliscious Coconut & Shea Body Lotion' - squeeze into your hand or onto a body polisher and let the moisturising coconut oil and nourishing shea butter help you melt away to the ultimate tropical retreat.





3.    Re-Plenish..
..with ‘Fish Soho Scent 2 Hair & Body Wash’ - after a hard gym session or a long night up, the funky new fresh fragrance inside will arouse the senses, making you feel alive again.










More products like these
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The KMI team are really excited about the launch of LP Skin Therapy, an innovative new skin care range from renowned psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos.

As well as being an expert at how your mind works, Dr. Linda is also a leader in the field of psycho dermatology which looks at how the mind affects the skin. For the past two years Dr Linda has been working with KMI Brands to develop her brand new skincare range LP Skin therapy:

Following a really successful launch with a 'Try Me' Kit on QVC– as of Friday, 1st April, LP Skin Therapy products will be available for purchase in full sizes.

And if you want to see Dr. Linda in action, there will be an hour-long show at 7pm on QVC on Friday April 1st.  Dr Linda will be talking about the products and her inspiration behind the range which you can also buy there and then. 

As part of the launch, the range has now got it’s own website.  Why not take a look?

However, if you’re out and about when the show is live, don’t despair, you can find out more about this exciting new range and also buy products direct from www.lpskintherapy.com


More about Dr Linda Papadopoulos & Skin Therapy
Read more about KMI Club

We love all things red in the UK. From red phone boxes to tomato ketchup, but Red Nose Day beats them all! It is a day like no other when the whole country joins forces to do something funny for money and change countless lives in the process. A charity day which has been running for years and has always been a great success. From donning red noses, dressing up in red, adding a red nose to the car or even using Gordon Ramsays special Tomato Sauce on your dinner, specially created for Comic Relief- all for a great cause!

Red Nose Day is your chance to transform the lives of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.From restoring the sight of children in Africa to giving isolated older people in the UK the support they need to enjoy their lives – your cash can do all this and much, much more.

If you tuned in on Comic Relief day Friday March 18th you would have seen a host of top tv presenters and entertainers from the world of showbiz - Angela Rippon, Take That, Lenny Henry, James Corden to Jonathan Ross all hosting this fantastic TV extravaganza. Money raised so far has been a whopping...wait for it... £74,360,207! Wow!

KMI Club didn't want to feel left out in raising money on this amazing national charity day. The team joined forces with a colleague called Steve Mallett, Sales Director at Curtis who were raising money for Comic Relief. For every KMI Club staff member who wore red on Friday18th, Steve kindly donated £10 per person towards the charity. All in all Curtis raised £1000 and even hosted a cake sale at their office. Well done Curtis and thanks to all the KMI Club team members who took part! A fantastic day had by all and money raised going to a great cause. 

http://www.comicrelief.com/

As summer draws closer so do the summer holidays...sun, sea and sand. If like us you’ve been hibernating during winter and stocking up on one or two many chocolate cakes then you’ll agree with us when we say it’s time to start shifting it and re-creating that beach body. Exercise can be boring and hard to fit into our already jam-packed days so we’ve had some thoughts on simple ways to add exercise to your day and to make it fun..

1.    Make it your daily routine





Exercise can sometimes seem a drag; however incorporating it into your daily routine will help you stick to it. Now the clocks have gone forward, we’ve got brighter (and hopefully warmer) mornings. This gives you the ideal opportunity to wake up an hour earlier and walk/ride to work. Ditch the car and get your trainers on, you’re bound to feel more awake when you get to work.

Work out a good route with www.geodistance.com



2.    Put your best foot forward ... and get on your bike!



The weather improvement has also allowed for venturing outdoors meaning you no longer have to be cooped up in the gym. It’s that time of year when we all begin to dig deep the back of the garage and get the bikes out.
Did you know.. an hour’s cycling at 15mph burns 349 calories! And if you increase your speed to 20/25mph you can increase the calories burnt to between 742 and 1374 – much more than an hour at the gym. Not only that, it’s a lot more fun too, so drag your family/friends out and make a day of it. Maybe even sign yourself up for a local sponsored bike ride to give yourself something to work towards.

Running clubs are around in most towns/cities and are a good way to exercise in a group. Most are suitable for all ages and abilities with different length routes to choose from. Running clubs are a great way to meet exercise with people in your local area. Find a running club near you here.

3.    Make it child’s play



Re-live your childhood by purchasing a hula hoop and hula your way to that bikini body! The best thing about it is it can be done anywhere, at anytime, wearing whatever’s comfortable. Thirty minutes gentle hooping will burn 200 calories, but it’s easy to step up the pace. Smaller hoops are harder to control therefore you have to work harder to achieve this and weighted hoops will make it even harder.   Hula-ing concentrates efforts on your waist and lats – just think of that hourglass figure. 

Skip to it...... Skipping is another activity that’s having a revival.  Skipping ropes are no longer confined to the school playground and many athletes use skipping as part of their training. In just a 10minute skipping session you can burn between 70-110 calories depending on your weight and speed. Skipping is not just great for weight loss it also improves; co-ordination, general fitness and heart & lungs.

And once you’ve done all of that exercise and worked yourself up a good sweat, you’ll need to cool down with a nice reinvigorating shower or relax those muscles with a long soak in the bath.

Most of us look forward to British Summer Time – brighter mornings and longer evenings.  But the weekend when the clocks actually change over is a different story - it’s that dreaded time when we lose an hour’s sleep and  has been the cause of many ‘late’ and ‘grumpy’ arrivals to Sunday morning events.  Come on, admit it – we’re not the only ones it’s ever happened to, are we??

The idea came from William Willet, a keen horse-rider, who often would ride during the early hours of the morning. Whilst doing this he noticed almost all blinds were down, yet the sun was up and out, it was then that the idea of daylight saving time first occurred to him. Since then, 1916, we have been putting our clocks forward in spring and backwards in autumn.

We’ve decided this year we’re going to try and be prepared for the time change..well as best as we can.


Step 1
Ensure we have something to wake us up on Sunday morning..




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Our tip – use a refreshing body wash like Naked White Ginger Body Wash. The thought of this zingy freshness will mean you’ll be able to drag yourself out of bed and into the shower, which will hopefully leave you feeling wide awake.


Step 2
Incorporating some exercise into the day..



Keep your fingers crossed for the sun to stay out for the rest of the week so you can take a bit of exercise outdoors, maybe a bike ride or walking the dog in the park. When not so lucky with the weather then consider a trip to the gym. By exercising during the day it will hopefully use up some energy, tiring you out ready for a good sleep Sunday night.

Step 3
Organising everything for Monday morning on Sunday night..





With all the best efforts during the day and trying to get an early night, it’s still going to feel way to early when alarms go off on Monday morning. Whatever happens being prepared will save you plenty of time. There’s nothing worse than waking up half asleep or late and having to rush round making lunch, organising the kids etc. Hopefully with good preparation you’ll be good to go on Morning, even if you are yawning the whole morning.


We’re hoping this will help us make the weekend go a bit more smoothly - let us know how yours goes.

April 3rd (yes, less than two weeks away) is Mother’s Day – for those of you who are organised and have already bought a present well done. If, however, you’re more like us and have left it to the last minute and have no idea what to buy, do not worry help is at hand. We’ve compiled a few ideal mother’s day gifts for all budgets..

1.    Token Gesture:

Mothers Day Coupon – free, Print Then Colour
 There are plenty of designs to choose from. Simply print it, cut it out and fill in with the gesture/gift you want to give e.g. breakfast in bed, washing the car, vacuuming. Best of all you can print out as many copies as you need and colour them in.

2.    Under £10

De-stress Naked - Angelica Foam Bath - £3.99, KMI Club

The Angelica plant is believed to ease exhaustion, soothe sensitive skin and promote healthy blood flow. Therefore, the Angelica Oil in this foam bath is perfect for easing away the stresses of the day.

Minilicious Bath & Shower and Body Lotion Gift Set - £4.99, KMI Club
All your favourite Beautifully Declicious products, but miniature – great for being on the go.

Body Butter Collection - £8.99, KMI Club
De-stress with Ginger Body Souffle, nourish with Shea Body Cream, de-tox with Seaweed Body Butter  and indulge with Monoi Body Balm.

3.    In Your Twenties

Velvet Jewellery Roll - £20,  Not On The High Street
Blue velvet jewellery roll with contrast satin lining and bead tie detail, perfect for keeping jewellery safe when travelling.




Orla Kiely Sage & Cassis Scented Candle - £28.00, KMI Club
Adorned with Orla Kiely’s ‘Abacus Flower’ print, this candle creates a delightful fresh scent with subtle femininity.

4.    Real Treat

Personalised Freshwater Pearl Bracelet - £33, Not On The High Street
A sterling silver letter on an ivory or grey pearl bracelet, with a choice of charm (heart or star) creating the perfect personalised bracelet.




Orla Kiely 100ml EDP Gift Set - £55.00, KMI Club
A real treat for a special mum; this gift set contains the Orla Kiely signature scent 100ml EDP, 150ml Orla Kiely Body Cream and 250ml Orla Kiely Shower Gel.

Read more about KMI Club
More from KMI Club & Not On The High Street

Keeping with the positive spring mood – there’s nothing like flowers for lightening up your mood and making you feel more summery.

Floral trends always come about during the spring, but each year they alter. Last summer saw a more predominant nautical theme; this season, however, brings bold prints – a much more statement floral. And these prints are emerging everywhere, not just on clothing, but on accessories and footwear too.

It is important to remember that the floral trend this summer makes a statements itself, therefore not to wear too much of it at one time. If you’re styling a floral dress/skirt, make sure your accessories and footwear are simple.

With so much choice it’s difficult to know where to start. So we’ve picked a few of our favourite floral pieces to give you a helping start. Enjoy.

Dresses

Bags

Accessories

Footwear

And if you want to continue the floral theme through to your fragrance, then here are our favourites, that are making us feel like Spring is well and truly in the air.

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We knew it was St Patrick's Day this morning when the owner of the pub down the road from Naked HQ started getting out the Guinness bunting. Of course St Patrick's Day is a fabulous day for the Irish and the Irish-at-heart. The Naked Team have a couple of Irish connections... to mark the day, Lisa dressed her one year old twin boys head to toe in green for nursery today, and Elaine is limbering up for some shenanigans this evening - perhaps the annual Guinness?

Minty Body Wash is not one to miss out on a party either, and has really gotten into the spirit of things...



Happy St Patricks Day to the Irish and the Irish-at-heart!

The Naked Team.

It’s been a long few dark winter months, but we think the end is in sight – Spring is nearly here  and the sun might soon  come out again..hurray!

However if you’re like us and the thought of getting your ‘milk bottle’ legs out straight away fills you with dread, then it’s time to get ‘tan-tastic!’
Some people worry about fake tan looking streaky or a bit too orange.  There’s no need - follow our top tips and you’ll be  naturally glowing  so no-one will ever know you faked it.

The key to success is in the preparation – don’t get slap dash!

1.    Exfoliate & Moisturise
Exfoliating removes all dead skin, bringing the new skin to the surface. Ideally this should be done a couple of days before application – skin will react better to a regular routine of exfoliating and moisturising. It is important, however, that you do not moisturise just before you apply the tan as this stops your skin from taking it as well.

At KMI we’ve got the ideal products to achieve the perfect pre-tan skin. This Dead Sea Source Body Scrub followed by Beautifully Delicious Papaya & Mango Body Lotion will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and replenished.


2. Shave/Wax Legs
Shaving the day before your due to tan will not only removed leg hair, it will also remove the top layer of dead skin, leaving new smooth skin which will take the tan much better.


3. Face Wash
If you are tanning your face, then remember to remove all make-up products from the face to ensure it is cosmetic free. Then wash your face to remove last bits of dirt or dead skin. Using a gentle face wash such as Naked Softening Face Wash can help to leave your face smooth without being too harsh to your skin.


4. Wear loose clothing
Ensure your body and face are completely dry before application. It is also strongly advised to wear loose clothing, for example a big t-shirt. This reduces the chance of clothing smudging the tan or leaving marks. It also stops you getting your best clothes stained. A win- win situation!


5. Tanning
When it comes to the actual tanning, one of our favourite self-tans is ‘Xen Tan’. You can choose from a lotion, a mist, a mousse or even bronzing powder.

Our favourite is the Xen Mousse Intense We think a mousse  is easy to apply and this one also moisturises and dries immediately, making it perfect for the nights when you don’t have hours to get ready.




Leave the tan on your body for about an hour, all tans vary so check the instructions on the back for exact times/instructions. Finally don’t forget to moisturise once you have removed the tan. And then you’re done!

We know that everyone has their own special tanning routine, so why not send us in your favourite self-tan tips.  Or, if you’re really brave, tell us about your tanning disasters…..

More products like these at KMI Club

Today, 8th March 2011, is International Women’s Day; a day which marks the economic, political and social achievements of women. Hundreds of events take place throughout March, all around the world to celebrate this.

International Women’s Day began, 100 years ago, fighting for equal rights for women – to have the right to vote, to go to university, to work and have a family, generally to have more choice. It has now long been recognised that significant changes have been made over time and women are much more equal within society. So International Women’s Day has changed from a reminder of the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Each year women’s groups and organisations choose themes to reflect local issues. So while many people think there is one theme per year, in fact each country/group selects a theme that is relevant to them. This year however there is a global tie – it is the 100th International Women’s Day.

Some of the other themes being celebrated around the world today are:
“Women and men united to end violence against women and girls” United Nations, Global
“Strong leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality” Status of Women, Canada
“Women’s voice and influence” Doncaster Council, UK
“Bridging the generational gap” Welsh Assembly Government, UK


Did you know..
International Women’s Day is now an official holiday in 27 countries worldwide! Many of these see men honouring the women in their lives, with flowers and small gifts; a bit like Mother’s Day but for all women..we’re thinking the same – why isn’t it a holiday here? We can dream.

Dr Linda's LP Skin Therapy range has only just recently launched on QVC and the word is spreading already. The Daily Mail has featured a full page all about the benefits of the skin care range and how it works; going into detail about all of the products available in the range.

Don''t worry we don't expect you to squint your eyes to try and read that, the articles also available online; check it out here. Happy reading!

Last night saw the 83rd Academy Awards, hosted by Anne Hathaway and James Franco. As usual celebrities arrived in their best gowns/suits determined to shine on the red carpet.

The King’s Speech ‘ruled the night’ scooping 4 awards, out of 12 it was nominated for. However Inception managed to equal that number receiving best: Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.

In true KMI style we’ve done a quick round up of all the best bits of night from the best dressed to the most talked about, to ensure you don’t miss out.

Hot Gossip

Hosts cross dress..
This outfit selection definitely drew the attention of the crowds. Anne Hathaway wore a custom made Lanvin tuxedo whilst her co-host, James Franco, donned a floor length pink gown. Both outfits are said to have been designed especially for this cross dressing stunt.

Anne Hathaway changes 8 times..
Anne Hathaway, the youngest presenter of the Oscar’s to date, managed an impressive 8 outfit changes during the night. She began on the red carpet in a stunning red, strapless dress moving her way through six others and a tuxedo, before finally finishing in a grey lace gown covered in crystals.

What’s under your dress Helen?
Helen Bonham-Carter took to the red carpet in a black velvet full length dress, however it was what was underneath that caused a stir. She lifted her dress up high enough to reveal she had tied a union jack to her calf.





Leading Ladies
The Oscar’s red carpet had many fabulous gowns to show off from spring colour choices to bright red. Cate Blanchett, Mila Kunis & Michelle Williams looked stunning in these delicate yet sophisticated gowns.



Sandra Bullock, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lawrence looked just as fantastic choosing to tone it up in vibrant reds!

Winners
Best Picture – The Kings Speech
Actor in a Leading Role – Colin Firth
Actor in a Supporting Role – Christian Bale
Actress in a Leading Role – Natalie Portman
Actress in a Supporting Role – Melissa Leo
Animated Feature Film – Toy Story 3
Art Direction – Alice in Wonderland
Cinematography – Inception
Costume Design – Alice in Wonderland
Directing – The King’s Speech
Documentary Feature – Inside Job
Documentary Short Subject – Strangers No More
Film Editing - The Social Network
Foreign Language Film – In a Better World
Makeup – The Wolfman
Music (original score) – The Social Network
Music (original song) – Toy Story 3
Short Film Animated – The Lost Thing
Short Film Live Action – God of Love
Sound Editing – Inception
Sound Mixing – Inception
Visual Effects – Inception
Writing (adapted screenplay) – The Social Network
Writing (original screenplay) – The King’s Speech




Read more about the best (and worst dressed) here
Read more hot topics from the Oscar’s here
More about the Oscars
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As London Fashion Week draws to a close we’ve been keeping our eye out for all the gossip. Our very own insider from a top London department store was there, so we’ve caught up with her to grab some of the best bits:

•    JW Anderson – Amazing Mohair knits the shows inspiration “Things that can be borrowed from a man to a woman and from a woman to a man.”
•    Holly Fulton - Really fun show to watch, featuring lots of lip prints and art decor. Inspiration for her AW11 collections “Heinz Edelmann, lips and devore”.
•    Christopher Kane – One of the most anticipated shows to watch. The show featured a colour palette of blacks, navy’s, greens and touches of red detailing. A far cry from his neon collection for SS11 Main.  
•    Acne- Again an amazing show, the colour palette being its main attraction and some amazing leather pieces.
•    Louise Grey – New designer on the scene, taking inspiration from her heritage; Scotland.  
•    Pringle of Scotland’s collaboration with Central St Martin’s – Put out advertisements to collect vintage Pringle pieces to create new revived pieces. The collection was together inspirational as well as drawing from the brands heritage and bringing together some new and old exciting tartan pieces

We’ve also had a look at what our favourite fashion sources are talking about and done a quick round up:

TOPSHOP
Topshop Unique models took to the catwalk in the autumn/winter 2011 collection; the inspiration being dogs. Outfits used Dalmatian spots on skirts, shoes & boots and greyhounds were printed on knitwear. The sound of barking dogs only enhanced the theme, with models even having poodle hair do’s.

Aside from their own show, Topshop also sponsor The British Fashion Councils NEWGEN. The scheme nurtures up-and-coming designers by awarding them sponsorship for catwalk, exhibition, presentation and installation opportunities. In an extension from this, Topshop also gives select new designers complete access to the production facility and show in their London Fashion Week catwalk space.


VOGUE
•    “Much more serious and very beautiful” about Giles.
•    “This will be known as the ‘Liquid Collection’” about Christopher Kane.
•    “A modern, clear and directional offering” about Burberry Prorsum.
•    “The king of mismatched prints in his element” about Erdem

More about London Fashion Week
More from Topshop
More from Vogue
More about KMI Club

Rachel Parsonage General manager at KMI and Charlotte Leonard- KMI Accounts Assistant are off to Tanzania on Monday February 21st. They will spend a week visiting Oxfam’s programme in Shinyanga with Kim Shilton - Corporate Partners Manager.  They will see the project in Tanzania that KMI brands has funded in 2010/11, with a particular focus on the water and sanitation activities and also activities planned for 2011/12.  Visiting schools they will take with them the gifts raised from the Bake and Bobs sale – Gifts which were bought with the money raised include skipping ropes, maps, books, footballs and stationary for the school kids.

Day 1: Tuesday Feb 22nd
•    Arrive at Dar Es Salaam International Airport
•    Introductions and briefing on the country programmes

Day 2:
•    Fly to Shinyanga
•    Overview of Shinyanga Programme
•    See the water shallow wells under construction and discussion with community members
•    Visit Kambarage Teachers Resource Centre

Day 3:
•    Visit Primary School in the morning
•    Visit another primary school in the afternoon
•    Here they will observe water tanks and shallow wells and discuss issues around it with teachers, pupils and village  leaders. They will observe the rain water harvesting tank and latrines under construction.

Day 4:
•    Visit primary school in Mwenge
•    Visit a school with special needs in Buhangija
•    At these schools they will observe learner centred teaching and learning in the classroom  

Day 5:
•    Return to Dar Es Salaam for debriefing with Oxfam


Whilst out there Rachel and Charlotte will meet staff and partners who will be delivering the programme and build a closer relationship, aiming to increase their loyalty and commitment to Oxfam.  They will understand what the programme has achieved including both the education, water and sanitation elements.

You can now donate to the Oxfam Shinyanga Project through the KMI Club website

Rachel and Charlotte will report back with photos and video footage …watch this space

The first 72 hours of the week have been very busy ones in the land of 'Celebrity' with the BAFTA’S, BRIT Awards and the GRAMMYs all within days of each other. Here at KMI we love to keep up with all the showbiz gossip so we’ve done a quick round up of our best bits!

BRIT Awards
Winners:
Tinieh Tempah & Arcade Fire were the biggest winners, with two awards each. Tinieh was the most nominated artist, going on to win half of these – Best British Breakthrough Act and Best Single; while Arcade Fire scooped Best International Group and Best International Album. 

Folk music was a bit of a winner in it’s own right with Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons making their marks.

It wasn’t just the winners themselves that stole the show for us.  Adele’s performance was one of our favourite moments of the night (anyone else get a bit emotional or was it just us?), and of course what girl (or bloke for that matter) would want to miss style icons and all-round gorgeous ladies Rhianna and Cheryl Cole being on stage together.

Other winners were..
British Female Solo Artist – Laura Marling
British Male Solo Artist – Plan B
Best British Group – Take That
MasterCard British Album of the Year – Mumford & Sons
International Female - Rhianna
International Male – Cee Lo Green
International Breakthrough – Justin Bieber
Critic’s Choice – Jessie J

Best Dressed:
Cheryl Cole definitely stood out, even without winning an award, in a backless black dress which was slashed high revealing a lot of leg. Rhianna's outfit on stage was breathtaking (and minimal), whilst off the stage she went for two outfits, which were 'traditional ballgown' in shape, but the choice of fabrics and colours made them absolutely bang-up-to-date - especially this bright little number!

GRAMMY AWARDS
Winners:
Lady Antebellum was a big winner of the night taking 5 awards including record & song of the year. They were up against tough competition in all categories including Bruno Mars, Rhianna, Cee Lo Green and Eminem. Arcade Fire were another group who came out on top scooping ‘Album of the Year’ over Eminem, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Other winners included..
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Lady Gaga (Bad Romance)
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance – Bruno Mars (Just The Way You Are)
Best Pop Vocal Anthem – Lady Gaga (The Fame Monster)
Best Dance Recording – Rhianna (Only Girl)

Best Dressed:
Metallic’s like gold’s, blues and silvers were a popular colour choice for gowns with many celebs opting for plunging and low-cut necklines or sheer/cut-out sections. The most stand-out outfit choice went to the usual Lady Gaga who arrived in a semi see through egg. However a rather surprising close second was Nicki Minaj wearing head-to-toe leopard print.



BAFTA AWARDS
Winners:
The King’s Speech was by far the biggest winner of the night taking home seven awards including: Outstanding British Film, Leading Actor (Colin Firth) and Supporting Actor & Actress (Geoffrey Rush/Helena Bonham Carter).

Other winners were..
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema – The Harry Potter Films
Animated Film – Toy Story 3
Film Not in the English Language – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


Best Dressed:
Beige was a popular choice along with the classic black, meaning those who opted for brighter choices really stood out. There were definitely two distinct style camps - jewel colours vs muted look. Most stars choose full length gowns with one shoulder and strapless designs being the most popular. 

In terms of make-up, understated eyes with a bright red lippy combo seemed one of the biggest trends of the night and in our minds, no one rocked this look more than Jessica Alba. Jessica wasn’t only leading the trend with make-up, she also donned the ‘wrap-around plait’ - topped as a big ‘up-do’ trend this summer.



So, we've had a great celebrity fix this week.  Roll on the Oscars!

More about the BRITS

More about the GRAMMY’s

More about the BAFTA’s
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Dr Linda Camp officially launched her LP Skin therapy range on Sunday at QVC. This is available as six-piece set to begin with - a perfect way to test the range out. The set contains:    

    * 1 x System Balance Face Wash (30ml)
    * 1 x Uplifting Facial Water (50ml)
    * 1 x Multi-Task Day Cream (15ml)
    * 1 x Overnight Replenish Cream (15ml)
    * 1 x Re-Affirm Eye Serum (5ml)
    * 1 x Untired Eye Cream (15ml)
    * 1 x purple wash bag

The six piece Anti-Ageing Discovery Collection is available direct from the QVC website. The kits will also be shown this Wednesday at 4pm and 9pm and is available now online from QVC! There will be an hour long show on April 1st where the full sizes will be sold.  All information on LP Skin Therapy is available on the website.

More KMI News..

•    Orla Homeware launched in John Lewis Last week.
•    Feb 2011 promos in store for ted baker - "Gift with purchase". Receive a complimentary Ted Baker bag or women's Ted Baker scarf  with the purchase of any Ted Baker Fine fragrance of £35 or more in House Of Fraser stores.
•    Pashion and Langley launched last week in Ted Baker stores.

More about LP Skin Therpay

Read more about KMI Club

Monday February 14th 2011- Valentine’s Day, a day to send admirers cards, roses and chocolates…also a good excuse to bake and cook for someone special! The KMI Team donned their pinnies and got out the sugar icing for an entirely different reason the wkend of Valentines! Sooo what was this all in aid of?!

The Background:
Two KMI Staff members General Manager Rachel Parsonage and Accounts Assistant Charlotte Leonard are visiting the Shinyanga Oxfam Project in Tanzania for a week from February 21st 2011. The focus is on the water and sanitation activities which have gone on through 2010 and 2011 and what is planned for the next two years.

Rachel and Charlotte will be travelling to Dar Es Salaam, Africa with Kim from Oxfam and  will be meeting the staff and partners out there who are instrumental in delivering the programme.  The purpose of the visit is to build a closer relationship which aims to increase their loyalty and commitment to Oxfam.  Rachel and Charlotte want to gain an overview of the programme and to understand what has been achieved, the value of the current project and what can be done for the future.  Whilst out there KMI along with the Oxfam team will be visiting schools and meeting schoolchildren who are being helped by the project.

KMI decided to hold a cake and bobs sale to raise money for gifts to take out to the school children. From baking cakes to selling unused household items, jewellery and brand new clothing,  money was raised to buy gifts such as  pens, paper, books, maps, footballs etc. The sale was open to all of Harlequin House and the cakes looked, smelt and tasted divine! From Blueberry to walnut cake, chocolate muffins to brownies ..the diet was put on hold for another day!

All in all it was a great success and £260 was raised for charity! Thanks to all who worked hard and baked cakes and also a huge thanks to local baker “cavan bakery” who provided some delicious treats too! The Cavan bakery can be found in Teddington and Hampton Hill High street and is a favourite amongst KMI Staff for lunchtime snacks and treats!

We look forward to hearing from Rachel and Charlotte on their travels next week and if you have any questions for the KMI team whilst they are out there please post them to us! Watch this space for news from the KMI/Oxfam camp in Tanzania…

Read more about the Shinyanga Oxfam Project

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During the week of 8 March, Oxfam are giving you a fantastic reason to get together with friends to celebrate, and at the same time help to transform the lives of women living in poverty. They are asking you to 'have a bit of a do' to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, and to raise funds for their vital work empowering and supporting women around the world.
         
All across the UK thousands of people will be getting together with friends to have a bit of a do, and to celebrate all of the incredible women they know. People are signing up to host cheese and wine nights, throw dinner party’s, or invite their friends round for pampering afternoons – all in the spirit of celebration.

Visit Oxfam website to find out more about having a bit of a do. It is full of top do ideas, including recipes and themes, inspiring stories of incredible women to celebrate and details of the fantastic projects that your fundraising will support. 

Find out more about other Oxfam projects

Read more about 'have a bit of a do'

Read more about KMI Club

There seems to be a pregnancy buzz about at the moment, with a whole host of celebrities announcing they’re expecting; from Abbey Clancy & Peter Crouch to Holly Willoughby & Dan Baldwin and most recently Victoria & David Beckham.

Being pregnant is such an exciting time and should be enjoyed, full of relaxation and pampering.. well we can dream. Unfortunately it’s not always practical in the real world, but it is important take some time out for yourself – even if it’s just a long soak in the bath every now and then. At KMI we’ve got the perfect collection from ‘Little Me Organics’ ideal for you and your baby (when he/she arrives).


Treat yourself..
During pregnancy most of us get to the point where tiredness is taking over or you’ve been sick more times than you can count. However even the best of pregnancies your body is going through a big change so you’re bound to feel a little under the weather at some point. Little Me Organics Luxury Bath Soak is the perfect treat to ease those aches and pains and let your batteries recharge.

One big worry for most pregnant women is the dreaded stretch marks and the battle to keep them away. Made by mums for mums The Little Me Organics Rich Tummy Cream and Stretch Mark Oil both contain ‘rose-hip’ which is great for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. And if you’re one of the lucky ones that doesn’t get them badly, these also work to prevent itchy tummies during pregnancy.

Treat A Mum-to-Be...
Whether you want to treat the expecting Mum or give a something which can be used for the baby– these gift sets are ideal:
The Sweet Dreams collection is full of baby treats from bathing to helping them sleep and better still it’s all organic. Set includes: bath milk, hair & body wash, body cream, a face cloth and a small duck.
The Pamper Me range is the perfect pampering pack which will let her relax and unwind from the stresses of the day. The gift Contains: a luxury bath soak, a rich tummy cream and a vanilla scented candle.

Being pregnant isn’t easy – but it’s definitely worth it! What’s your favourite thing about being pregnant? Having an excuse for mood swings? Having an excuse for eating whatever you like? Let us know below.

Read more about KMI Club
Read more about Little Me Organics
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Did you know that more than half the Valentine’s Day cards & presents bought are purchased the week before Valentine’s Day. Since that week is now upon us we thought we’d offer a helping hand to those who have left it till the last minute.

Whether it’s your first Valentines together and you’re in need of something with a wow factor or just looking for a little token to remind your loved one that you can still be romantic, we’ve got some ideal gifts which won’t break the bank!



For her..

Fizzy Kisses (£3) – bath fizzer duo..Coconut & Shea, Papaya & Mango
Be Mine (£5) – Strawberry & Pomegranate Body Wash and Bath Butter
Spoilt Rotten (£9)  - Coco de Mer Collection; Bath Foam, Body Wash, Body Butter



For him..

SuperFish Clean Fish De-Gunk Shampoo (£3.99)
Flexy Fish Defining Spray Wax (£4.99)
Ted Baker Second Skin Eau de Toilette (£13.50)

ALSO.. until the 28th February, there is 1/3 off all Naked products. It’s simple just visit our website, select the items you want and use code ‘BDHAPPY’ at the checkout..et voila!





Read more about KMI Club
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There was excitement in the Dr. Linda camp as we unveiled the brand new LP Skin Therapy  range to QVC Customers  at QVC Beauty Bash 2011 on Jan 27th - 28th!

Customers flocked to the stand on both days to discover this new skincare range from renowned psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos. Dr. Linda made a guest appearance at the  show on Friday following her appearance on the TV that morning talking about happinessmade.  She gave a presentation to selected QVC guests and spoke to customers at the stand about her scientific background and how the range came about! QVC customers asked questions about her range as well as any particular skin concerns they had.

The stand looked amazing and the products received positive feedback from customers very keen to find out more about the brand! They loved the packaging, colours, smells and texture of the products and were very excited for its launch!

LP Skin Therapy includes skincare essentials as well as treatment based must haves, the range includes - system balance face wash, uplifting facial water, multi-task day cream, overnight  replenish cream, untired eye cream, re-affirm eye serum, refining lip exfoliator and lip rescue  gel. The range was developed based on Dr. Linda’s research in the field of Psychodermatology – research shows that stress can have negative effects on the skin and can prematurely age us.  Dr. Linda uses pioneering ingredients in her skincare products including ingredients containing Nootropics known to have a positive effect on the mind (mood enhancers) combined with high performance actives, peptides and vitamins. This science based range uses ingredients which deliver results helping make you feel & look better inside & out - it will change the way you think about your skin.  

The Innovative and Luxurious new brand launches with a fabulous starter kit which customers can buy on QVC on February 13th. Dr. Linda will appear on three 10 mins slots during QVC Beauty Day at 9am, 2pm and 5pm.   The products in the kit are great try me sizes, perfect for popping in your handbag or weekends away so customers can try before purchasing the full sized products available from April 2011. On Beauty Day the Starter kit is priced at £19.98 but is worth over  £42 - extremely good value and one not to miss!

Watch this space...

Read more about the QVC Beauty Bash

The New Year has some exciting news for Orla Kiely fans. After a successful year with her Eau du Parfum fragrances Orla is now launching a home fragrance range available in 3 scents:
•    Fig Tree - Light and fresh citrus top notes, entwined with herbal lavender and leafy fig, combined with the woody balsamic base to release a distinctive, uplifting aroma.
•    Sage & Cassis - Refreshing and fruity with a subtle essence of leafy spearmint blending with the aromatic sage and basil to create a truly enchanting cocktail.
•    Basil & Mint - A delightful blend of tarragon, mint and basil, infused with a woody base, creates an inviting and classic bouquet.

In true Orla Kiely style, the fragrances each come packaged in one of three signature prints, which have become the trademark of the brand.

This new collection is available from Harrods and also coming to KMI Club very soon, so watch this space!


Fig Tree
Scented Candle 240gms £28.00/€35.00 – Made of 100% vegetal wax, this candle is presented in an elegant cream glass holder, adorned with Orla Kiely’s ‘Spot Stem’ print and includes an individual heat protection mat.

Diffuser 100ml £22.75/€26.25 –  A discreet yet elegant diffuser that can scent a room for up to 2 months.

Room Spray 100ml £19.95/€24.95 – The easiest way to create a lingering fresh scent in your home.

Hand Wash 200ml £14.00/€17.50 –  A gentle foaming handwash free from parabens, sulphates and artificial colourings.

Scented Leaves (5 tags) £14.95/€18.70 – The perfect addition to your Orla Kiely collection, these chic hanging tabs are infused with Fig and Lavender and are a stylish way to scent your wardrobe, drawers or even car. 

***

Sage & Cassis
Scented Candle 240gms £28.00/€35.00 – Made of 100% vegetal wax, this candle is presented in an elegant cream glass holder, adorned with Orla Kiely’s ‘Abacus Flower’ print and includes an individual heat protection mat.

***

Basil & Mint
Scented Candle 240gms £28.00/€35.00 – Made of 100% vegetal wax, this candle is presented in an elegant cream glass holder adorned with Orla Kiely’s ‘Flower Stem’ print and includes an individual heat protection mat.

***

Read more about Orla Kiely
Other Orla Kiely products
Read more about KMI Club

December is the time most of us splurge, whether it’s on presents or parties, and January is traditionally the month we’re all trying to make-up for how much we spent during the festive season. And if that wasn’t enough with the increase in VAT – we’re all well and truly broke!

However there is a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ as this week will be most people’s first payday of the New Year – probable the best day in January (and it couldn’t come quickly enough).
It’s time to stop counting the pennies and feeling sorry for ourselves and make room for some well deserved spending!

When the day arrives its always so very tempting to go out and blow a big chunk of it..and then regret it later. However there’s no need to go mad – a little treat never hurt anyone and we’ve got some bargain beauty products at KMI.




Candyliscious Papaya & Mango Bath Bomb – place in a warm bath for instant relaxation with the scents of papaya & mango.
De-Stress Ginger mini Body Souffle – leaves skin soft, smooth & replenished.
Candyliscious Coconut & Shea Bath Cubes – a calorie free sugarfix for your body, indulge yourself in a sweet tropical paradise.
De-Stress Naked Angelica Foam Bath – angelica is believed to ease exhaustion, sooth sensitive skin & promote healthy blood flow; Ideal to ease away the stresses of the day.

Read more about KMI
More products like these

After the chaos of Christmas and New Year the KMI Team had a lot to look forward to at the end of January and were counting down to Friday Jan 21st! After the success of our First Team Building Sailing in 2010…the 2011 one was nearing and was sure to be another success.

The team left the KMI office in Teddington bright and early and made their way to the Sno! Zone Milton Keynes for the unveiling of Team Building 2011! The day started with an intro from  Co-ordinator Terri and office Manager Anthea who made the team feel very welcome and unveiled the day’s events! 

Starting off with Teambuilding challenges on the slopes from 10am, KMI were ready to go in their waterproofs and wellies. Separated into four teams with team captains, the first challenge was called Wacky Races, and the name says it all! Each team captain donned a fancy dress outfit which kept everyone amused from Bugs Bunny to Taz the devil! Racing each other down the slopes in plastic trays going forward and backwards - this exercise wasn’t for the faint hearted and got everyone laughing from their bellies and burning all the Christmas excess off!

This race was then followed by a Build A Sledge challenge where each team were given bits of wood and a snow board to build and slide down at the end! These exercises brought the teams together and showed camaraderie at its best! A well deserved rest and hot lunch followed and then it was back on the snow for a 2hr boarding or skiing lesson!

After acquiring all the essential gear for the lessons, from boots to poles, boards to skis the KMI Team were ready to show off the skills or for some learn a new skill altogether! Everyone took to it fairly quickly and each lesson had a professional instructor in charge showing them the ropes! Luckily there weren’t too many tumbles or bruises and everyone walked or hobbled off the snow thoroughly enjoying themselves and not wanting the lesson to end! Prizes were given out in the Alpine Suite which overlooked the slopes; the winning team for the group challenges were team Leonard- led by Charlotte- Congratulations for your hard work!

An evening in Milton Keynes beckoned with a meal at Latin American Restaurant Las Iguanas where staff swapped stories and amusing tales about their adventures on the snow! 

Read on to see how KMI Staff found the day and how they didn’t want it to end! All in all a very successful KMI Teambuilding…. Professional Sailors, Professional Skiers…whatever next?Read on to see how KMI Staff found the day and how they didn’t want it to end! All in all a very successful KMI Teambuilding…. Professional Sailors, Professional Skiiers…whatever next?

"I loved, loved, loved the day! Especially the toboggan races.
Probably a good lesson in listening when we did the skiing. When I really took on board what the instructor said, I found that I skied better and enjoyed it more!"
Lucy Hamlin - Senior Brand Manager

"Well organized!! And lots of fun! It’s great for us newer people to get to know each other, as you just don’t get time to in the office – definitely should have more get togethers, even if just a casual drink after work! It was really nice to get to know people more from my side! And to properly introduce myself to the new girls!
I wish I could remember the funny parts we had – I know there was a few. Dare I say Lisa on the elevator (or rather not), team leaders in the animal suits!! Hilarious!!"
Jessica Kent – Customer Service & Supply Chain Assistant

"I had a great day, the tea tray sledge competition was a great laugh and the snowboarding was good practice for when I go away next week! I got told off far too many times for boarding in places I should have been, I’m such a rebel!"
Spencer Harding - Design

"Brilliant day out! Really good to get to know all the new faces coming on board."
James Teager – Supply Chain Co-Ordinator

Read more about KMI Club

We’re barely into 2011 yet we’ve already seen the Golden Globe Awards and the nominations for the Brit Awards.  A busy time in the land of celebrity, but also for the paparazzi, gossip columns, newspapers etc as well. With this in mind it’s hard to miss ‘who’s hot’ and ‘who’s not’ at the moment – especially in the male department.

Colin Firth
..Is all-over every magazine/newspaper/blog at the moment for his role in ‘The Kings Speech’. Not only this, he has also just bagged himself ‘Best Actor’ at the Golden Globe awards. A very popular man right now – everybody wants to know what he’s up to. Could this see a return of the Classic English Gent look?

Get the look maintenance level:  Low





Tinie Tempah
Quite the opposite of Colin Firth, but Tinie has led the way in this year’s Brit Award’s nominations, scooping four: British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Single and MasterCard British Album of the Year. This time last year Tinie was barely known yet now, less than a year on, it seems we can’t get enough of him.

Get the look maintenance level: medium (to keep that head so cleanly shaven must take some dedication)

David Gandy
You may not recognise the name, but you’ve most probably seen the face, and who could forget the body! David is best known for his advert for Dolce & Gabbana’s fragrance ‘Light Blue’ (the one with those white speedos on a boat). He is also the first male ever to be nominated for the ‘British Fashion Awards Model of the Year’ and is being touted as the first male supermodel Male models don’t tend to be as famous as the girls, but David Gandy has mastered it, as well as launching an incredibly popular male styling app, making him a definite leading male of 2011.  So, t we’re bound to see more of him over the the coming months ...not that we’re complaining!

Get the Look maintenance level:  High (come on, you can’t expect to look this gorgeous with no effort)




So, only three weeks into 2011 and already three leading men come to the fore.  Who else would you tip to be top in 2011.

With all the excitement of Christmas and new year over, January can seem a bit ‘flat’.  This, combined with the added pressure of making big New Year’s resolutions, can perhaps explain why lots of people seem to suffer from the January blues at this time of year. 

With the third Monday in January is known as “Blue Monday”, the most depressing day of the year,. With this just a few days away,  if you’re feeling the need to   bury yourself under the duvet and hibernate, you won’t be alone. Fortunately there are some simple everyday things that can be done to prevent feeling so low.

Give yourself something to look forward to
Christmas is usually a long month full of work parties, family get togethers and meals out, so at the beginning of January, you might be looking forward to a rest.   However this will soon wear off and the nostalgia will kick in. To avoid this organise some events throughout January so you still have things to look forward to. Try not to do the same things as you did in December as you may find yourself comparing them –it’s a new year, so why not try something new?

Make small changes
If you’ve over-indulged during the holidays and are feeling slightly disgusted with yourself,  try not to punish yourself too much. Making drastic changes like cutting your food intake right down and going to the gym 6 times a week will only add to the depressive feel of this month and you will find it hard to sustain – gradual changes are much more effective than extremes.

Go green
Diet and sleep has long been associated with mood. Research suggest that fatty acids such as omega 3 and adding more green veg to your diet can all help to improve your  mood. Correcting sleep patterns can also help so get  your body back into the routine of around 8 hours a night and waking at a similar time each day.

So the thought of getting through January may seem quite dark but taking these small steps – planning social events, making gradual changes andcatching up on the hours of sleep lost over the holidays can all help to make it a more manageable, maybe even enjoyable, time.

Finally the Christmas rush is over and everything is sorted, but now it’s time to try and make up for what we overspent during the festive season.

At KMI we’ve got some fantastic selection of products with up to 50% off. We also have the added advantage that you don’t need fight everyone who’s also looking to grab themselves a bargain - you can relax in the front room with a cuppa and browse it all online.

Now’s the ideal time to do some pre-event shopping for things coming up later on in the year: birthdays, anniversaries or even next Christmas!

£5 gift sets
These gift sets are not to be missed. At £5 each they are perfect for upcoming birthdays – a bargain that will look like you spent much more.

Ted Baker W Gift Set - a 30ml EDT with a complimentary body lotion.

Ted Baker M Gift Set – a 30ml EDT accompanied by a deodorant.

Phil Smith Blonde Gift Set – includes blonde highlighting shampoo and conditioner, glitter hair spray and hair brush.

Perfect for Mum
Mother’s day – this may seem far away, but it will creep up on you before you know it. Grab them now and save them till then or even mums/friends birthday. Ideal for many occasions and what’s even better is the price!

Beautifully Delicious Footluscious mint & coca foot scrub & Beautifully Delicious Footluscious mint & coca foot butter




Naked Rose Softening Face Wash





Bits and Bobs
There’s always a time where you buy someone a present, but it just looks a bit pathetic on its own. All under £2.50 these are ideal gifts which will finish the present off or (if you’re being really organised) stocking fillers for next year. And what’s £2.50? You’d probably find that lying around your car.

Play Angel Sculpt & Define Hair Wax



Style Angel Volumising Blow Dry Spray





Hed Kandi Evissa EDT

Read more about KMI Club

More sale items like these

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a fab time seeing 2011 in. With the celebrations over, many of us will be waking up to remember those resolutions we made and realising its time to start them - groan.

With the best will in the world, it is not always that easy to stick to them; but whatever they are we wish you luck. We’re going to try our best to keep to ours too – fingers crossed. 

We’ve had a quick run round the KMI office to see what the team have resolved to do this year:

“To make more tea for the office and be more assertive”
Laura Eggleton, Finance Assistant

“Eat more healthily, make more use of my gym membership and to see friends more”
Anthea Abela, Office Manager

“The usual – less food, less alcohol, less spending, more fitness. And...less vitamins/more food with the supplements in e.g oranges for Vit C etc and more herbal remedies.”
Jessica Kent, Customer Service & Supply Chain Assistant

“I want to take up more hobbies and do an evening class in something.”
Lucy Hamlin, Brand Manager

“From that epic masterpiece of film making, my New Year’s resolution is to ‘always look on the bright side of life... de dum, de dum, de dum de dum (you may hear me whistling i’m afraid!).”
Denise Roberts, Brand Manager

What have you promised yourself that you'll do differently this year/start doing this year? Let us know below.

More about KMI Club

If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution that will be easy to follow and will see pretty instant results, why not commit to a skincare regime.  Your skin will thank you for it and your reward will be fresh, clear, healthy-looking skin

Using a skin regime daily will help keep your skin healthy which in the long run will keep it looking younger and feeling healthier which can only help to boost your self confidence – something every girl wants!

Healthy skin is easy to achieve once you’ve found a product that suits your skin and then use it on a daily basis. Choosing organic and natural products will lessen the chance of a reaction with your skin - this doesn’t mean breaking the bank either.

 We’ve picked out some products ideal to help you achieve just this. All of the products are clinically tested for sensitive skin and are fragrance & alcohol free.


Naked skin – Perfect Getaway Cream Cleanser
This step is probably the most important in the whole regime. Cleansing you face removes dead skin, make-up, and other things that can clog your pores. Our cream cleanser is packed full of natural ingredients like aloe-vera and cocoa butter – perfect for soothing and hydrating.

Naked Skin – Up Tone Girl Gentle Toner
A toner works to narrow your pores and firms the tissue in your skin – letting in less outside dirt get in. Our gentle toner not only does all this, but it conditions too.

Naked Skin - Thirst Aid 12 Hour Moisturiser
The final stage is moisturising – it is important not to miss this stage as it helps to reduce wrinkles and keeps you skin looking healthier. Moisturising is not just for dry skin, its beneficial for all - just ensure you choose the right type. Our 12 hour moisturiser is perfect to keep your skin smooth and hydrated all day.

Read more about Naked Bodycare

Buy more products like these here

Christmas is almost upon us - it’s the final rush to get everything sorted for the big day. Here at KMI we know how busy this time of year can be (especially for you party animals out there) so we’ve got a few tips on how to feel fresher and keep ploughing on looking your best!

PARTY ON:
The party season is definitely in full flow which we are sure many of you are loving. One thing we can guarantee most won’t be looking forward to, though, is the dreaded morning after the night before. Unfortunately the only proven cure is not to drink – rubbish we know. There are a few steps, however, that you can take to ease the blow.

1.    Try and stick to clear alcohol - drinks such as red wine contain ingredients which are big contributors to hangovers. Generally the clearer the drink the less likely you are to suffer.
2.    Do not drink on an empty stomach. Eating something (preferably carbohydrates) before and during the night slows the absorption of alcohol.
3.    Make sure you are well hydrated before you go out and drink plenty when you get back, before you go to bed.
4.    The next day – rest, rehydrate and avoid caffeine & alcohol. Caffeine on the eyes though could do just the trick to keep away those dark circles – try Garnier Caffeine Roll On


STRESS HEAD
It is very easy to become stressed over the holidays rushing around trying to make sure everything is done. One easy way to create more time and feel less pressured is to delegate jobs – get your family and friends helping out. You may have organised an event, but you can’t be responsible for everything. Doing so will give you more time for yourself.

Having ‘me time’ to do your own thing takes you away from the hustle and bustle of everything. It gives you time to relax, unwind and just do what you want to for an evening rather than fussing over everybody else – even if it’s just a long soak in the bath (we’d recommend Cocoa de Mer bath foam)

TIRED BUNNY
All of this fun can be exhausting! Getting at least 8 hours a night will give your body time to rest and ensure you feel fresh ready for the next day ahead. This is, of course, not always possible – but if you start to feel run down and tired get some rest in! Even 40winks in the afternoon can help – grab a face mask and keep those panda eyes away.

All of these tips will reduce stress allowing you to enjoy the Christmas break more..at the end of the day it is your holiday too!

Oxfam’s Got Christmas all Unwrapped this year

“Charity gifts for people who need them the most”

What do you give to someone who’s already got everything? How about something for those who have nothing? 

You could make someone’s day this Christmas and at the same time really make a difference. Oxfam Unwrapped is Oxfam's charity gift range, giving to much less fortunate people all around the world. We all know someone who has everthing so why not add an Oxfam Unwrapped gift (link to site) to your Christmas list this year.

Charitable giving this Christmas is as easy as 1-2-3:

1.    Choose a gift
Go online and select the type of present you would like to send. Gifts are split into categories to make them easier to look through. There are 11 groups, such as x, y and z (with links) packed full of different gift options, so you’re never going to run out of ideas.  In fact it’ll be the exact opposite – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

2.    Choose some extras
Once you’ve selected a gift there’s then the option of adding some extra little bits like a printed card with your choice of picture on the front – there’s loads to choose from online. Or you could add a box of fair-trade chocolates to make your package just that little bit sweeter.

3.    Delivery time
You’re done – now it’s over to Oxfam. They send your gifts out to the most needed areas of the world. One thing that’s guaranteed is that whatever you send you’re going to make a big difference to someone’s life.


Want to keep up to date with all the news, promotions and latest gift ideas? Follow ‘Archie the Oxfam Unwrapped goat’ on Twitter or like him on Facebook and you’ll never miss out. You can also see what he’s up to on his Oxfam page

How would you like to WIN this gorgeous recycled Sari clutch pictured below? Available from the Ethical collection at Oxfam it is made from recycled sari material with hand sewn beads and satin chain stitching. Perfect for those Christmas and New Year parties!

Simply comment below and tell us the name of the Oxfam Unwrapped goat.

Winner will be drawn on Monday 20^th December. Good Luck.

Read more about:
Oxfam’s wedding and civil partnership gift lists

Phil Smith has done some live demonstrations for This Morning TV on quick and simple party hair. To watch the clip & see the styles and tips for yourself click here

All year round it’s likely that your mum spoils you rotten – great Sunday lunches, always there as an ear to bend, maybe even still doing your washing..??

So Christmas is the perfect time to treat her.  But it’s often quite difficult to get ideas as to what she wants – she’s more likely to tell you not to waste your money than to give you some real clues as to what would be a great gift.

However, help is at hand.  At KMI Club we’ve got some perfect gift ideas that your mum is guaranteed to love, and which can suit every budget.

SPLURGE:
Orla Kiely – 25ml EDP Gift Set (£32)

Mum is never without her handbag – it’s usually got everything in it, bar the kitchen sink, but how about a beautiful perfume set?  This gift from Orla Kiely, not only gives her a gorgeous perfume, but also a matching travel size one for her bag too.

The set contains 25ml eau EDP bottle, a 5ml EDP bottle which is a perfect size for any woman’s handbag, a pouch for the purse spray and an exclusive Orla Kiely make-up bag – only available in the set. An ideal present for a well deserved mum.


SAVE:
Naked - Bubble Bonanza Bath Foam Trio (£8)

If you’re doing Christmas on a budget this year, then this is ideal. Being a mum is hard work, especially in the run up to Christmas, so a long hot soak in the bath can be a real treat. This gift is the perfect way for you to help your mum to relax.


NEW MUM:
Little Me Organics - Pamper Me Gift Set (£10)

Treat a new mum to this pamper kit to allow her to unwind and pamper herself. The set includes Luxury Bath Soak, Rich Tummy Cream and a vanilla scented candle.

Read more about: Orla Kiely, Naked & Little Me Organics

Buy more products like these here

Ladies… It’s getting closer….not long now till we don our party frocks, strut our funky stuff in our killer heels and knock them dead this festive season! Whether you are gearing up for the Christmas office party, are painting the town red or having friends over for a cosy dinner-make sure you always look hot to trot!

Here at KMI Club we love checking out all the new makeup tricks, fab products and generally we go a bit gooey at the sight of shimmery lipstick and the latest eye colours! Follow our makeup tips on looking good this Christmas and you will never miss a trick…

Just for you our very own in-house Makeup Artist Anthea Abela, from the KMI Club team, is on hand. If you have any beauty or makeup questions/beauty dilemmas which need solving drop them her way and she’ll sort you out ready for the big night…

Tips for party make-up magic!

Red Faced

Christmas is not the time to be shy with your makeup so if you are not normally a makeup junky now is the time to be brave and try colours you wouldn’t normally go for!

The look for lips for Christmas 2010 is all shades of red, just make sure you choose one that suits your hair colour and skin tone.  For the paler skins a la Nicole Kidman Pale go for a red with a blue or brown-undertone, which looks striking against fair skin.  Olive-to-dark skins fare well with deeper reds, with brown or tawny bases. This more intense colour is rich against your skin tone.   Dark brown skins look dramatic with pinkish reds, strong fuchsias or orange-based poppy reds.  Mac, Lancome, Revlon and Bourjois do shades to suit everyone! Play up your eyes with lashings of mascara, remember to curl them before you apply. My favourite eyelash curlers are still by Shu Uemura (£19.50 from Space NK)  - giving just the right amount of flirty curl!

Eye-Eye

Quite fancy the guy in Accounts and want to catch his eye at the Christmas party- flutter your lashes away with Eylure Girls Aloud Limited Edition Fake Eyelashes (£4 from Boots) - he won’t be able to resist!

For sexy sultry eyes use light, pale and shimmery eye shadows over the entire eye area first as this really opens-up small eyes, and makes them look bigger. Avoid using dark colours all-over as this draws attention to smaller eyes. Choose shades to suit your eye colour - avoid matching your eye colour to your eye shadow colour, as this will detract from your eyes. Choose deep plums or lilacs for green and blue eyes, and soft gold/copper tones for brown eyes. They will really stand-out! For healthy looking eyes also put in a few drops of Optrex Eye Drops (£3.99 from Boots) - the red eyed look is not sexy!

(Don't) Let it Shine

Shimmer away…. Now is the time to add shimmer from your eyes, cheeks, shoulders to your legs…this will set the look your party night ahead! Choose a couple of areas to highlight but don’t go mad and shimmer all over- you don’t want to be mistaken for a Christmas Tree decoration! For the body there are some beautiful oils and creams with a hint of shimmer , for the eyes try a shimmer eyeliner pen or pencil, for the cheeks use a shimmer cream or powder and suck in those cheekbones before you apply!

Remember.. to make sure you carry your essentials for quick fixes throughout your night! Shine is the dreaded evil of all post xmas party pics so beat the shine with Blotting sheets. Also pop in your handbag concealer, cotton buds for eyeshadow cleanups and your favourite lip gloss to see you through the night.

Our Top 5 festive Makeup finds:
Whether you add these to your Christmas list or treat yourself whilst shopping you will just adore these wonderful makeup finds…

1. Smashbox eye beam double-ended brightener (£22 from Debenhams) - brightens up your eyes and your night!

2. Lancôme silver glitter pot eye shadow in Ombre Magnetique (£23.50 from John Lewis) - is best applied with your fingers and will set the party alight!

3. Rimmel Lash Accelerator (£8.99 from Superdrug) - every girls must have this Christmas!

4. Dolce & Gabbana the lip jewel (£40 from Harrods) – definitely one for the Christmas list!

5. Bobbi Brown Mini Bobbi Brights Palette (£45 from Bobbi Brown) – you will fall in love with all the colours!

Ho-ho-ho! Santa’s visit is just around the corner..only 3 weeks left to get your Christmas shopping done! Even less if you’re searching for secret santa pressies, 2 (ish) weeks.

Secret Santa is always fun especially when you’re recipient has no idea. However, with the best will in the world, finding them the perfect gift isn’t always as simple as you first think. That’s why at KMI we’ve put together a few perfect gift ideas, for males & females, all within secret Santa budget! Worry over, Enjoy!

FOR WOMEN:
Dead Sea Source – On the Move Therapy Collection (£8.99)

Beautifully Delicious - Minilicious Bath & Shower and Body Lotion Gift Set (£4.99)

FOR MEN:
Ted Baker - Skinwear Eau de Toillette 30ml (13.50)

Fish - Memory Fish Firm Style Holding Gel (4.99)

More Dead Sea Source, Beautifully Delicious, Ted Baker & Fish

More gifts like these here

Magnum P.I was always having close shaves, just not those of the grooming variety.  Of all the mustached men we know, he has to be one of our favourites.  

However, if during Movember, your moustache has been more Groucho Marx than Magnum then you are probably looking forward to a good shave tomorrow.  But after a month without shaving, your skin will be very sensitive.  

To help you avoid getting into a nasty scrape on 1st December, we asked experts King of Shaves how best to get rid of that unwanted facial hair.  Barbarella X gave us her top 10 tips: 

1. If you try to wet shave a full beard or moustache with just a razor you will clog your blades and nick yourself, a lot!  The easiest way to dispose of long facial hair is to use a Remington beard trimmer or hair clipper. Use the trimmer to remove as much hair as possible.

2. Then rinse your face with warm water.  

3. After you remove your beard the skin that has been hiding under all that fuzz is going to be extremely dry and sensitive. I suggest preparing your skin prior to wet shaving again by showering in warm water first, or steam your face with a small towel soaked in hot water.  This softens the beard and relaxes your facial muscles.

4. Then moisturise your face with an alcohol free after shave lotion. 

5. For this first shave, Barbarella suggests doubling up on product - layer King of Shaves AlphaGel over AlphaOil for intense lubrication, increased skin protection and enhanced results.  AlphaOil Cooling is formulated to soften, moisturise, condition, and protect skin while shaving. A blend of the highest quality essential oils combined with the naturally refreshing coolness of menthol, Alpha Oil doesn’t contain soaps, alcohol or dyes, which can rob skin of its natural moisture and can contribute to dry and irritated skin.

6. Then, using a clean razor, shave in the direction of beard growth. Let the razor glide over the skin without excessive pressure. Start at the sideburns and work down each side of the face toward the chin.

7. To shave the area under the nose, push the nose upwards with one finger, shaving sideways across the top lip. Always shave in the direction of the beard growth below the jaw line. With your free hand, feel around the face for any missed hairs and repeat if necessary.

8. Once you have shaved your entire beard in this way, try shaving again ‘across the grain’ to get a super smooth shave. For example, if a hair grows ‘north-to-south’ then ‘across-the-grain’ means you shave from east-to-west or west-to-east.  However, never shave against the grain, as this can cause ingrown hairs and shaving irritations.   

9. After shaving rinse the face with cool water and apply an alcohol-free post shave lotion. 

10. Finally, only apply cologne to the sides of the neck and chest as the alcohol can irritate your skin especially if you plan to wear a collared shirt.

So, if you're looking forward to experiencing a close shave, then just follow these 10 tips.  However, if you've enjoyed releasing your inner Magnum, maybe the moustached look will be here to stay??

Romance is in the air in the KMI Office – our General Manager Rachel Groom is getting married to her partner Dave in December. How romantic- we all love a good wedding and rumour has it there will be a ROCK theme to the day as they both love Rock music! On behalf of the KMI Club team and our customers we would like to wish them both an amazing day and all the best for their future as Mr & Mrs together! Let the celebrations begin…!

Taking good care of yourself will allow you to fight the effects of stress that surround you during the day..

With the clocks going back, treating us to long, dark and cold nights, pampering is definately a way to fight those winter blues. In a perfect world I'm sure that this would be high on many womens priority lists - but in the real world this is not always possible.

Here at KMI Club we know what it's like to "not have anough hours in the day", that's why weve picked out some great pampering products that you don't need to allow hours and hours of time for.

1. 24 Hour Naked - Cocoa de Mer Body Butter

Body butter is a must have, especially at this time of year, as it is heavily moisturising 24 hours day - combatting that annoying winter dry skin.

2. Beautifully Delicious Honey & Almond Range
(body lotion, body scub, body butter, bath & shower cream)

These products are very autumnal - nourishing for the skin during the winter months and leaving you with the sweet scent of honey!

3. Beautifully Delicious - Mini Moisturelicious Coconut & Shea Body Lotion

Leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. This 50ml body lotion is perfect for on the move as it is a handy size - perfect for your handbag! So if your hands get a little dry - just the job.

See more KMI products

View the whole Naked range 

Buy Beautifully Delicious

You know what they say - 'all work and no play..', so last night some of the KMI team let their hair down, but it was all in the name of a good cause.

The COPRA Ball is an annual event hosted by the Cosmetics and Perfumery Retailers Association and is one of the highlights of the industry's calendar.  

It raises money for the charity Look Good Feel Better , which helps women deal with the visible side effects of cancer.  The charity runs skincare and make-up workshops for patients, which can give a much-needed boost to morale and confidence.  The charity now operates in 21 countries worldwide.

So, the evening took place at the very swish Lancaster Hotel in London, and KMI took a table.  A very lovely dinner, followed by a raffle and then it came to the dancing, and this year we were very lucky to be able to see the Sugab