Interview with The Body Shop Ambassedor Leona Lewis

Breaking News! The Body Shop Brand Activist and International Superstar Leona Lewis Concludes First
Season of THE X FACTOR ARABIA this Friday!
The Body Shop just launched a limited edition makeup and fragrance collection, created in collaboration
with Leona Lewis and available in all Saudi West stores and Egypt.

Here is an interview with the big superstar Leona
1.Why are you collaborating with The Body Shop?
I’m passionate about beauty and I’m all about animal rights and Community Fair Trade. As a result, I’m really conscious of where the products that I use come from.  The Body Shop sells crueltyfree, ethically-sourced products containing amazing Community Fair Trade ingredients. Everything it creates has real soul – they call it “Beauty With Heart” – and I love being a part of that. The collaboration is a natural fit!

2. How has The Body Shop inspired you to think differently about beauty?
For me, The Body Shop has reinforced the true meaning of beauty.  At the soul of it is love, and from that love comes beautiful products. The Body Shop brings about so much positive change that I can’t help but feel inspired.

3. What are your top three favourite The Body Shop products and why?
I like scents that are natural and fresh so right now it’s White Musk Libertine, which features in my Cruelty-Free Collection, Brow and Lash Gel -  For a natural lash look and neat brows, this is a must-have and a Strawberry Bath Gel - the scent is gorgeous, especially after a hard day on tour

5. Is a beauty brand that is vegetarian important to you when choosing your beauty products?
When I choose a beauty product, I always make sure it is 100% vegetarian and 100% cruelty free. I wouldn't feel beautiful using anything else.

6. What does Beauty With Heart mean to you?
To me, Beauty With Heart means that you can be sure that the beauty product you’re using has not hurt any person or animal in the process of being made. The power to choose Beauty With Heart is in every consumer’s hands; I don’t believe people would choose anything else if they knew they had

7.   Tell me a little more about the new Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis?
All The Body Shop® products are cruelty-free, and the Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis was created to raise awareness of cruelty-free beauty. It features trend-led make-up and a playful musk fragrance, all presented in super-stylish packaging with a pretty, floral deer motif. I chose two wearable colour palettes that would suit all skin tones from fair to dark; a flirty, feminine pink that is going to be a key trend this season, and a sun-kissed bronze which is perfect to help give skin a glow this spring.

8.   What was the inspiration behind the Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis?
The Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis is a playful, fashion- forward collection that’s perfect for spring, bursting with free spirit and wearable shades for every skin tone.
9.   How involved were you in the making of the Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis?
I worked with The Body Shop team to develop the collection and the pattern for the cruelty-free deer logo which is featured on the packaging, which I love!

10. What was the inspiration for the deer logo featured on the packaging?
Traditionally, musk fragrances were obtained from deer. The Body Shop was one of the first beauty retailers to use man-made musk in their classic White Musk fragrance. The logo celebrates the freedom of the deer and the cruelty free ethos of The Body Shop.

11. Can you tell me more about each product in the collection?
Shimmer Palettes – I am a huge fan of The Body Shop® Shimmer Palettes so I couldn’t resist adding them to my own collection featuring the cruelty-free deer design! Super versatile, Shimmer Palettes complement all skin tones and are great for highlighting and contouring. I chose two shades; a pretty Blush to give a lovely flush of rosy colour and Bronze for a sun-kissed glow.Blusher Brush – This super-soft brush is tailor made for the Shimmer Palette in my collection and is brilliant for sculpting, blending and dusting. Lip Gloss – Shiny lips continue to be a big trend especially for spring, so Lip Gloss was definitely a must-have product in the collection! I chose four fresh, sheer shades with shimmer-free finishes, which give a gorgeous glaze. These glosses are amazing and have a yummy minty flavour too!White Musk Libertine - I wanted to incorporate a cruelty-free musk fragrance into my collection to celebrate The Body Shop® White Musk®, one of the first fragrances to use man-made musk.A playful and sensual scent, White Musk Libertine definitely stands out from the crowd. It’s an intoxicating blend of musk, Turkish delight, baby orchid and Chantilly cream.

12. What is your favourite product in the Cruelty-Free collection?
The whole collection is amazing and I adore them all. I'd say the White Musk Libertine is such a gorgeous fragrance and has a great 'cruelty- free' message around it, so really stands out for me. Cruelty-free musk is a signature scent of The Body Shop and a must have for all us ladies!

13. The Body Shop supports Cruelty Free International and their campaign to end animal testing in cosmetics, can you tell us more about this?

The Body Shop has always been against animal testing, but unfortunately some cosmetic companies aren't and still use animals to test their products on or the ingredients they use to make them. The Body Shop has joined forces with Cruelty Free International in their bid to push for a global ban on the testing of animals for cosmetics. Customers and supporters can either go into store and sign thenpledge or visit www.thebodyshop.com

14. How would you describe your beauty/ signature look?
I'm always chopping and changing and love trying different things. I'd say simplicity is key though.

15. How does your look differ when you go on stage/red carpet?
I love a beautiful gown on stage, and luckily I've been fortunate to wear some amazing dresses. Day to day I'm more relaxed, although I do enjoy the odd night curled up on the sofa watching Eastenders in a Cavalli gown!

16. What’s your top beauty secret(s)?
Drink lots of water and juice. For me, having glowing, healthy skin is beautiful.

17. What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever been given?
Smother on the oil! Being mixed race I've grown up using lots of lotions like cocoa butter and oils that are very hydrating. It’s so good for your skin.

18. What tips have you picked up from make-up artists?
I've been lucky enough to work with some of the top make up artists in the world and along the way I've learnt so much! My most useful tips are make-up looks relating to photo shoots and stage. Make up changes so much in these lighting situations so you really have to cater to what the light reflects. You can look totally different in the dressing room to when you hit the stage because of the lighting.

19. What’s your latest beauty obsession?
It has to be my new Shimmer Palettes in the Limited Edition Collection because they work for day and night looks. You can go from glowing and natural to a bronze goddess!

20. Describe your daily beauty regime? Would you say your beauty routine is high or low maintenance, and why?
 I spend most time on my hair. It’s usually wild and crazy and some days I need to tame it, where as other days I just let it be! I think I'm in the mid range of maintenance.

21. Shower or bath?
Bath because you can have bubbles!!!

22. Do you sing in the shower and, if so, what?
Always and it’s usually some kind of jingle from an advert.

23. What skincare essential/ savoir can’t you live without?
The Body Shop Beautifying Oils. I grew up living on oil. It’s good for everything – skin, hair and even cooking! I find it best to use while showering.

24. What are your tips for applying eye liner to achieve that perfect flick?
Mark where you would like the flick to end, make sure it’s even on both sides and then follow the line. My make-up artist taught me that!

25. What are your favourite lip, cheek and eye shades?
For lips, I like a pink/peach tone as I feel it compliments my skin tone. For cheeks, I love a nice pinkyblush and for eyes, I love subtle brown/gold tones.

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Dove will Take Care of You

Since as far as I can remember I used to borrow/steal my mum's Dove signature white and blue cream and use it up, and leave it on her dresser empty, so when she comes to do her daily night beauty regime, she finds out that her cream has finished up, and looks to me with suspecting eyes, and I answer the cat must have confused it with yoghurt and ate it up LOL

I remember I used to put a drop of the cream on my nose trying to imitate that girl in the TV ad. I remember getting the first Dove Shampoo bottle exported from Port Said, when it wasn't really available in all the supermarkets and pharmacy like it's now. For me Dove is an endless love story, it may seems like I am writing an ad. script but I am not, I really grow up liking this brand, and I guess it is really a very good one that deserves better words.

Three products of Dove I can never leave without them are the Dove hair oil replacements "the best oil replacement ever", the dove soap bar and the Dove hair serum.
And because I love to change my shampoo and conditioner frequently I switch with Dove some other brands, but I really like the Dove shampoo for damaged and dry hair, that I am using right this moment, and loving it.

Here are some of the must have Dove products for all year long, no matter what the season is, Dove will take care of you.


Spring  
The Legs   

Revive your skin with Dove Cream Oil Nourishing Body Wash. Exfoliate prior to shaving to help avoid irritation, and smooth petroleum jelly on crack-prone areas, like knees, immediately afterward. Throw on a pair of heels or wedges to create a slimming, elongated effect and wear your spring skirt confidently.

Summer 
All Over 

Feeling extra-parched? Switch to a beauty bar specifically suited for sensitive skin, like Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar, to soothe dryness from sun and wind. Prefer a body wash? Try Dove Nourishing Fresh Touch Body Wash and experience the soothing scent of cucumber and green tea. Sip on ultra-hydrating and electrolyte rich coconut water for an overall glow, protect delicate facial skin with an over-sized beach and as always, don’t forget your sunscreen!

Fall 
Hands  

Give your hands the extra nourishment they crave with Dove Hand Cream, which contains the Deep Care Complex, which includes natural skin nutrients and rich essential oils to deeply nourish your skin. Dab a little olive oil into each cuticle to avoid hangnails.

Winter 
Arms  

Skin loses up to 25% of its ability to hold moisture in winter months. Get your arms party-dress-ready with a moisture-packed beauty bar like Dove Beauty Cream Bar. Or try Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash to heal dry skin and minimize roughness and flaking. Smooth and lighten dry elbows with lemon halves, layer on body lotion and finish with a dust of shimmer powder.

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Product of The Month..Bassam Fattouh Lipstick

I know I have been a bad girl again, and been inactive for a while, but promise I have been going through alot, moving houses with a baby while you are still working, can be a big nightmare, but finall I have settled down at the new house, hopefull I will be trying to blog once daily.

Just on Thursday I was at the Paris Gallery with a friend trying the new Chanel lipstick, to tell you the truth I wanted to rock a very dark matte red lip with very minimal makeup, just powder and mascara, I don't know why but I have been day dreaming to create this look. But I don't know why I don't like dark colours on me, other people including my husband really like them on me, but I don't.

I like the more pinky, peachy colours, that why for this month's favourite I chose one of my all time favourite pink colours. True I love that lipstick and been using it all the time, but I have really known about it from only 3 months ago, and the moment I tried it I felt it will be one the top of my favourites list. The Baby Doll lipstick from Bassam Fattouh is a not so bright pink matte colour, that's so feminine and classy, it was the first time to try the great Lebanese makeup artist's makeup line, and I have to say I fall in love from the moment I even saw the lovely packaging, which is done by the Lebanese artist Rana Salam.

The lipstick comes with a lip balm , that instantly makes your lips smooth and removes those lines you get from dryness.

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Street Chic

Two weeks ago I spotted two stylish girls at the Etoile Boutique fashion in wonderland event, Lama and Jawaher

Lama was dressed in H&M dress, Guess heels, Yves Saint Laurent Clutch, Chanel ring. And Jawaher: Zara dress, Zara heels, Zara necklace, Louis Vuitton bag, YSL ring.

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The Makeover Giveaway winner

Sherry Sherif the winner of the Pace e Luce and Chanel, Cupcakes, Cameras and Crayons makeover giveaway, decided to share with us all some photos from her wonderful "as per her own words" experience.

Sherry had a hairdo, ombre highlights and padi and mani, when she went the makeup artists were unavailable  so she will come back later to do her makeup and will also share photos with us.

Sherry had her colour and hair done by the great Johnny Saad at the Pace e Luce Maadi Branch 

I argue all the winners of all the giveaways that the blog had before, to send us photos with all the gifts they got :)

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Out With Marc by Marc Jacobs

Who doesn't love Marc Jacobs, from the outstanding man behind the label, to his brilliant fashionable little creations. Last week I had the pleasure to attend Marc By Marc Jacobs new collection launch party, which was held in 3 different fashion booming cities, Jeddah, Dubai and Bahrain.

The party was inspired from the 80's fashion icons like the almighty Madonna, Cindy Lupar, and Blondie. I must admit it was one of the best events I have attended, you know those parties that you go to and can't stop smiling to everyone, just because you feel happy, that was something in the air that screamed joyousness. Upon stepping into Marc By Marc Jacobs store, I was totally disconnected from the outer world, I felt like I have stepped into a New York based party, with the beautiful colorful collection of bags, clothes, shoes and accessories, to the graffiti on the wall, that guest were welcomed to write their own names on, to the yummy catering that also played a big role, to keep me in the 80's New Yorkish mood. Waiters were roaming the store with mini burgers, hot dogs and retro coke bottles, seriously how cool?! The music was another thing, I almost caught myself dancing to the cool vibes twice :D

Girls you have to check this collection out, it's so summerish and colorful that even if you wore a whole black  outfit and rocked one of the vibrant Marc by Marc Jacobs mini cross bags, you will instantly look fresh, young and summery.

I think you will get what I mean when you took a lot of the photos I have captured, by the way what do you guys think of my new camera, I am doing my best to learn new techniques to be able to capture better photos for you :)

Guests were able to customize their own 80's inspired pins.

Guest asking the Graffiti artist to write down their names

Cute cookies

Even my baby was enjoying the event

 

The Crowd

Some fashionable guests

I want them all

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