I think I’m probably in the masses when I say that I do like a good gift with purchase especially when it’s big enough to carry my yoga mat and kit!

DKNY Tote Bag; this is my No.1 favourite. A metallic silver and trendy design that’s sure to go with almost any casual chic look you’re going for, not only that it also has a zip allowing you to extend the size. Available from 2nd May nationwide.
I’m not too sure about the Donna Karan Satchel Bag purely because of the colour, I’m not a huge fan of gold but I LOVE the fragrance so I would consider giving the bag to CiCi and keeping the scent! Out on the 4th April nationwide.
The Tommy Hilfiger Tote Bag is in the category I like to call preppy chic; use it as part of your everyday style or if you are an active kind of girl you could easily pack your gym gear in it. Exclusive to The Perfume Shop & Debenhams.

Bag ‘em while they last!

By SiSi Chic

The set designed by Julien includes a hair dryer (£33.33) and straightening irons (£39.99) covered in a cute butterfly prints.

In the words of Julien Macdonald: “I wanted to design something that helps Comet’s style conscious customers get the ‘wow-factor’ that’s guaranteed to get them noticed. My design is about standing out amongst the crowd and being special just like the single beautiful butterfly featured in the design.”

The Julien Macdonald for Comet hair styling products will be available to buy in stores nationwide and online.

Great Christmas present for any styling junkie!

By SiSi Chic

The international pop sensation was pictured drinking from a china cup and saucer earlier this year and was bizarrely seen walking round cup and saucer in hand wherever she went subliminally teaching us the correct way to take your cuppa – Gaga’s pinkie remains firmly aligned to her remaining digits.

To ensure that the British public is keeping pinkie fingers at bay, Debenhams is launching a Civilised Drinking Campaign to teach us all the intricacies of taking tea.

Ladette to Lady Social & Etiquette Expert, Liz Brewer says “Traditionally, English afternoon tea epitomized elegance and has thankfully returned to fashion not only as a daily ritual, but as a way of impressive entertaining, especially for those on a limited budget! 

“I’m afraid the ‘pinkie’ may have returned in some circles due to the increase in tea drinking but it is in fact incorrect. Raising a pinkie’ is totally unacceptable, and unkindly – it is considered a pretense to good manners indicating the owner doesn’t have any.”

Lisa Stickley crockery (from £3) at Debenhams gets our vote – quirky designs to suit any home.

Now put that pinkie away!

By SiSi Chic

The Yes to Tomatoes range consists of skin, hair and body care enriched with the anti-oxidant powers of organic tomatoes and the goodness of Dead Sea Mud and Minerals. The range is also 99.6% natural and doesn’t contain any nasty parabens, is SLS free (that’s sodium lauryl sulfate to you and me) and is also petroleum free. Lovely!

We absolutely love the Yes to Tomatoes Facial Wash (£8.99) and the Yes to Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion (£11.99) especially as it has been created for oily to combination skin so perfect for spot-prone skin suffers looking for a more natural skin care range. The face wash instantly mops-up excess oil without the skin feeling tight and the Hydrating Lotion replenishes lost moisture without leaving the skin oily but beautifully hydrated. They smell great too!

Whatever will be next Yes to Broccoli perhaps??

You’ll be able to watch the England matches on screens in dedicated ‘crèche’ areas within selected Debenhams stores, which have been kitted out with goodies to keep you amused and entertained while the other half is racking up the credit card bill!

Stores which are open during the games will show England vs. USA on 12th June, England vs. Algeria on 18th June and England vs. Slovenia on 23rd June.

Fever Pitch is aplenty throughout Debenhams stores during the summer, with World Cup gifts, games and fashion on sale throughout all departments, including everything from patriotic pants to baby supporter kits.

World cup products are available in stores, priced from £3.

A staple item in every woman’s make up bag, Lancôme’s ultra-shiny lip gloss available in a variety of delicious flavours, celebrates its birthday by going arty.

Renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has designed six vibrant, original motifs to perfectly complement the shades in this exclusive collection marking this Juicy Tube milestone. In 2008 Christies New York sold a work by her for $5,100,000, a record for a living female artist.

To mark its birthday Juicy Tubes has been revamped the formula, to become 100% natural, Shades have been achieved using natural-origin pigments to produce hues of honey, rose and apricot and each tube is presented in eco-friendly cardboard packaging, certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which campaigns for the sustainable use of forests.

Available exclusively in Debenhams next month

RRP £14

Apparently we’re using cosmetics well past their use-by date, unaware that products can be a magnet for nasty germs which could cause damage to our health and looks.

* Debenhams quizzed 1,000 women aged 18 years to 70 years on the contents of their cosmetic bags and their understanding of the health considerations.

SHOCK HORROR…!

• 60% of women admitted they shared make-up with friends and family, multiplying the chances of infection. 
• 68% of women only replace make-up and skincare when they run out, however long that might take.
• 72% of women never wash their make up sponges or brushes, even though they should do at least once a week. 
• 81% of British women also regularly (at least once a week) go to sleep without removing make up.

As a result of these findings, Debenhams is exploring ways in which the ‘best before’ date of products can be better communicated to customers. Staff members are being trained to point out the importance of regularly replacing products and a ‘make up’ amnesty is planned nationwide.

Let’s start now and Spring Clean our make-up bags!!!

Like most retailers Debenhams currently uses standard size 10 mannequins in all its window displays.  However the majority of women in the UK are either a 14 or 16. Signage next to the mannequins will ask customers ‘I’m a size 16, do you want to see more of me?’
 
Debenhams stocks up to size 26 in its Womenswear department, and a huge 42% of sales comes from size 14 and 16 garments. 
  
Mark Fast caused waves when he sent size 12 and 14 models down his catwalk last London Fashion Week, and gorgeous size 16 model Crystal Ren has had a huge impact on the fashion industry recently.  

Incidentally yesterday Victoria Beckham was on The View, the US equivalent of Loose Women here in the UK defending skinny models.

Let us know what you think…?

If there is one area on the face that should be highlighted on Valentine’s Day let it be those luscious lips… so pucker up, there’s a lot of kissing to do.
There is nothing worse than seeing your gorgeous lip colour all over him than on you, so it’s all about those long wearing lippies that stand the test of time and keeps your smacker in place!

MAC Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour (£16) in Sappho Fine Wine  is a two-step application of gorgeous colour with a mirror-finished top coat. First goes the colour, wait a few seconds for it  to dry then apply the top coat and you’re good to go!

NARS Lip Stain Gloss (£17) in Daredevil – a longwearing matte lip colour that glides on smoothly to achieve perfect looking lips for hours. With natural moisturising properties, it doesn’t dry out the lips and leaves them feeling smooth and most importantly sexy for that hot date.

Stila long wear lip color (£7.35) in Rendezvous from Debenhams has a beautiful formula that keeps lips hydrated and glides on like your favourite gloss and caresses every curve of your lip…  just gorgeous!

These get SensiChic’s kiss of approval!