Boots Traditional Skin Care Range

I love Boots Traditional Skin Care Range. Great retro packaging that looks so pretty sitting on my bathroom counter. Decent prices and most importantly the products work. I am completely addicted to the cold cream. Handy for makeup removal and moisturising in one step. The rosewater toner (approximately £3) is soothing with a great smell (good for sensitive skin, acne prone etc). I have bought all these things as gifts and they've gone down well. Excellent if you're on a budget but want to give something to pamper.

Using cold cream never fails to make me feel glamorous! It's so old school Hollywood or something.

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Traditional-Skin-Care-Cold-Cream-200ml_1126661/ (£2.37)

A Wrinkle Here - A Wrinkle There

Hi there. Sorry I haven't been updating new posts - I was busy drinking and eating and spending time with two of my favourite people in Barcelona over Christmas (Emma and Dawn - thanks again dears!).

Dawn and I were getting ready for Boxing Day traditional Catalan lunch and as we put on makeup she stated that she wanted Carlos (her partner) to buy her botox one day for her wrinkles. I think Dawn is beautiful - and I said that I didn't think she needed it. I believe that she's earned the right to some lines (neither of us are spring chickens) and she just needs to ensure she stays out of the sun, quits the smoking and she would slow it down!

I have struggled most of my adult life to like myself and how I look. I do panic when I see the effects of aging and sun damage. So far I have been pretty lucky but it's going to happen to us all!

You know - I used to live with a nurse that filled faces for a living - I always wondered why she never did it to herself?

What is it?

Botox is one of the many trade names for the neurotoxic protein called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large doses, the protein causes botulism, a rare paralytic illness often linked to food poisoning.

However, the protein is used in cosmetic medicine to treat moderate to severe brow furrow (glabellar lines), uncontrolled blinking, lazy eye, wrinkles, and facial creases. These procedures use a small amount of diluted botulinum toxin that enables controlled weakening of muscles.

How does Botox work?

Botox works to relax the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The result is muscles that can no longer contract, and so the wrinkles relax and soften. It usually takes two to four days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months. Most patients require retreatment to remove wrinkles and lines as they begin to reappear, but after each injection the wrinkles return as less severe as the muscles are trained to relax.

What are the side effects of Botox?

The most common side effect of Botox injections is temporary bruising. Other possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Respiratory infection
• Flu syndrome
• Blepharoptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
• Nausea
• Indigestion (heartburn)

Doctors in the USA and the UK have reported that some patients "binge" on Botox to the point where their faces look frozen. They refer to the term "Wrinklerexia" - when some Botox-devotees become so obsessed with their wrinkle-free image that they start seeing lines where there are none and binge on Botox to obtain a freeze-frame face.

She's never made a secret of it - but why Joan? WHY!?

California Girl

Brrrr - baby it's cold out there! However for the last few days my smile has been bright enough to light up any dark and dismal day! I had a card in the post with this little number in it from Catherine. She knew exactly what I would like! I am totally sold - it really does brighten up your smile. Thank you Ma Cherie!

Benefit Californa kissin - smile brightening lip shine - £13.00

Long lasting. I think it does make my teeth look whiter. Minty taste... just need some mistletoe and a beardy man.

Scent Commercial Overkill

Geez louise I am kind of getting sick of every second commercial on telly being one for a perfume/cologne/Eau de Toilette/pour homme whatever you want to call it! Chill out already!! We know it's Christmas and everyone should have a new scent to wear!!

Oh and by the way - I really really despise this! Jennifer - you need to take a break from the sun and you look chilly sitting there like that!




Brrr - it's so cold and I am so alone on this rock!



Interview With Emma



A Natural Beauty

 Partner in crime Emma has the most beautiful skin (and a natural beauty mark to boot!). She lives in Spain and is diligent about sun care which I admire. I on the other hand would be tempted to bake myself any given chance. I thought she would be a good candidate for my first interview and true to form she hasn't let me down. Thank you Emsa!

a) What is the best beauty product you've ever used and why?

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 - I use it everyday.  It soaks in well and doesn't look greasy and as a bonus it protects against the sun.  I like products that do more than one thing!  Another product that really surprised me was La Source Hand Recovery from Crabtree & Evelyn (http://www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk/eng/products/hands-feet/hand-care/hand-treatments/hand_recovery?3144300) - it works instantly and my hands felt the softest they been in ages - a real treat!

b) What is your favourite makeup brand?

I don't wear much make up and don't have any brand loyalty, I must be saving myself a fortune!

c) What makeup do you put on diligently every day if any?

I rarely use any make up but I do have an obsession with lip balm!  On the odd occasion that I put on make up it's eye makeup - eye shadow and eye liner.  For a special treat, or if I can be bothered mascara!  I love lipstick on other people but never like the way it looks on me.

d) What skin care regime do you use?

I am terrible; I have no regime whatsoever!  I mainly stick to washing and moisturising and use toner and treatments only occasionally.  I have to have a heavy duty moisturiser because my skin is getting dryer especially my forehead.  The bonus of not wearing much or any make up is not having to remember to take it off!

e) In regards to anti aging do you do anything in particular? 

I always use SPF moisturiser or full suntan lotion in very sunny weather.  And I'm using more hand cream, my favorite is Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment cream.  When I remember I use eye cream - any brand and I try to drink enough water, but never quite manage the two liters or whatever it's meant to be!

f) What do you instantly feel better for using/wearing? 

A spray of perfume, and having a bath always cheers me up.  I love the Clarins hand cream because it smells so nice.  Yes, feeling warm and smelling nice are instant up-lifters!

g) What perfume do you like the most and why?

My favourite is Annick Goutal's Duel which I only realised after years of wearing it was a men's fragrance!  It's quite grown up and smells of tobacco flower and old roses, it has a sort of decadence to it, and also a bit of faded glamour - like a jazz club at the end of the evening just before the lights go up!  My other favourite smell is also a men's one; Obsession for Men - I love that!  I also like Thierry Muglar's Angel and anything that smells of roses, Stella McCartney does a nice one.

Tinted Moisturiser

I have been asking around quite a lot about foundations and what people use as a base and I have found that a lot of women only use a tinted moisturiser. Preferably one with an SPF.

Pros: Tinted moisturizers are extremely easy to choose and use. The shades are so sheer (some bordering on transparent) that getting the color exactly right is not essential. These are a great way to add a touch of color to pale or sallow skin, and the sheerness prevents a slightly dark or tan-toned shade from looking wrong. For those with normal to slightly dry skin, a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen can serve as their sole morning skin-care product once the cleansing step is done. 

Cons: The coverage can be too sheer for those whose flaws are more apparent, including skin discolorations, broken capillaries, dark circles, or birthmarks. Although some sheer foundations have a matte finish, most of them (and most tinted moisturizers) are not for those with oily or breakout-prone skin. If you have a tricky skin tone to match, a tinted moisturizer may still present problems, and there will be fewer shade options than with standard foundations.

Picking Your Color:

  - For a natural look, go a half shade darker

 - The colour in tinted moisturizers are not as intense as foundation
   but still try and keep color close to your natural skin tone

  - The way to gauge colour is in natural light. Go shopping for one with a friend. Try them on in the store and then go outside with friend and see which one suits you best.

Friends Favourites:
- Kiehl's Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 - £20.00 at SPACE.NK.
- Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 - around £22.00 (can be found at http://www.lookfantastic.co.uk/)
- Clarins Hydra-Care Tinted Moisturiser - £17.60 Argos (or airport duty free)

To Cut or Not to Cut

A Hair Disaster

I was at the hairdressers this weekend to see my lovely hairdresser/friend Tiziana and have a fringe trim, highlights and blow dry. I have been going to Tiziana now for 7 years and am ever faithful even though I usually can't afford what her salon charges anymore. Ouch. However, your hairdresser can be your best friend. Tiziana is one of a few that always tells it to me straight about my appearance (hair and otherwise) and for that I am willing to pay her for her expertise and agony aunt qualities.

One month I got so fed up with my hair but my bank balance wouldn't allow me to make an appointment and most of my friends and family will know that when I get something into my head I don't wait - I have to deal with that issue then and there and this usually backfires. I thought it might be a smart idea to trim myself so I braided two pigtails and scissors in hand proceeded to chop the ends off thinking logically this would be an even cut. Well - to my dismay this was not the case and a friend brought it to my attention because I couldn't see the back of my hair but I had indeed made an upside down V shape. A very large upside down V. After all the money I've spent on my hair I couldn't believe I made such a stupid mess of my locks. I did go to see Tiziana after payday to sort it out and I don't think I've ever seen her eyes widen like that. She just looked at me and said "we're going to have to cut it off short" and I said just trim as best you can and I will live with it till it grows out. I think she also said "what the f--- have you done to your hair". Indeed.

So the moral of the story is ladies - even though you might "think" you know what you're doing unless you're trained in some fashion I really think you're best to leave the cutting to the professionals and if you're short on cash just grin and bear it till you can afford it.

Any other hair disaster stories?

£40 Well Spent

I bought a Christmas pressie yesterday - for ME! I went to House of Fraser in The City and straight to my favourite counter - M.A.C. I had a wonderful makeup artist from Iceland help me. Her makeup looked good so I knew she'd know what to do.

I wanted to try a primer and also buy a really good tinted moisturiser that suited my skin tone. Both of these products work really well. The primer goes on first - apply with a good brush - let it sink in for a bit and then apply the tinted moisturiser and then blusher or whatever you want afterwards. I actually didn't feel I needed anything else. My pores seem to like it - not heavy at all and face feels hydrated which is good in this freezing weather.

I highly recommend going and chatting to the artists at the counter - take the time to choose the right colour. Don't be scared to say how you feel about things (too much, too dark etc). It was fun for us to talk and I told her about my blog so if she's reading this thanks again!



Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 Medium



Face Protect Protection Visage SPF50

.

Quiz Results!

Firstly let me just thank those who took part. Some of your answers made me chuckle - good effort! 
Catherine (first), Anne (a close second), Leesa (third) and Dawn (last - but you're always a winner to me:) Catherine achieved 7 out of 10!!! Well done! Please choose from here.

Answers:

1. Which of the following celebrities never endorsed Lancome?

a) Juliette Binoche
b) Isabella Rossellini
c) Julia Roberts
d) Ann Hathaway
e) Uma Thurma
f) All of the above
g) None of the above

2. What did Cleopatra crush to get the stain for her red lips?

a) berries
b) beetles (the Carmine Beetle) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal
c) rose petals
d) cherries


3. Which is the oldest Cosmetics Company in history?
a) Revlon
b) Estee Lauder
c) Bourjois
d) Shiseido http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiseido

4. Which of these famous singers said this?
"But when I went on the stage to do a show, I would put on makeup because I felt that it enhanced my act; it drew attention to what I was doing"

a) Little Richard
b) Elvis Presley
c) Jerry Lee Lewis
d) Cliff Richard

5. Who is this make-up loving character?



David Bowie as Jareth



6. What is the most popular selling fragrance for women? 

a) Obsession
b) Joy
c) Chanel No. 5
d) Eternity
e) Poison

7. This became highly popular in the eighteenth century and all of these celebs have one today. What is it?

-Sarah Jessica Parker
- Angelina Jolie
- Eva Mendes
- Mariah Carey

A Beauty Mark

8. Which of these brands does Estee Lauder NOT own?

a) Prescriptives
b) Bobbi Brown
c) Tommy Hilfiger
d) Coty


9. What is America's number one selling beauty product?

a) Great Lash Mascara by Maybelline
b) Cover Girl Foundation
c) Lancome Juicy Tubes
d) Dove soap
e) Oil of Olay

10. A beautiful model in an evening gown appeared on the cover of a Harper's Bazaar magazine in 1915. She wasn't wearing a corset, her skirt was above her ankles and the back of her dress was scandalously low. But the model lacked one thing in particular that would set off a new trend in fashion in North America. What was it?

She shaved her armpits.