Attacking Your Zit

I was telling partner in crime Emma that I have been consuming way too much sugar lately. This has contributed to the most painful zit I have had in awhile. If you are going to attempt to pop your zit remember a few little rules so that the infection won't spread to other parts of your face or body. 

• Wait until the pimple is fully developed on the surface and the white center is nearly bursting on its own.
• Wash your hand thoroughly, especially the fingertips and under the nails, to get rid of any bacteria that could contaminate the already infected pimple. You may want to consider using sterile gloves or a gauze square.
• Take a sterile, finely tipped needle and lance the center. Sterilizing a needle is simple. Run the needle tip through an open flame such as a match or lighter for a few seconds and keep it free from touching anything on the counter or table.
• Next gently squeeze the zit taking extra tissue from around the zit. Give equal amounts of pressure on every side. Continue until a clear liquid or blood comes out. Do not squeeze after the cleansing clear liquid is visible. The pimple cells should heal in a day or two.
• Use a clean, napkin, toilet tissue or Kleenex to dab away the liquid. Be careful not to spread it beyond the open zit.
• Wash your hands again and prepare for the next step.
• If there is swelling, you may want to apply a cold washcloth in which ice has been wrapped and hold it against the open zit for a few minutes.
• When your squeezing procedure is finished, dab a good amount of hydrogen peroxide on the open pore and use an ointment containing a healing agent such as 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide as a topical solution. I have used Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel (£31.00) for bad cases and it works really well. I have found a discounted website here - posting takes a little longer but beats most prices.
• It is imperative that you wash your fingers between squeezing each zit if you want to bring your acne under control. Bacteria will implant itself under your nails and carry those germs to the next pimple or blackhead.
• Attempting to squeeze a pimple or a blackhead that is not mature and below the surface will lead to flare-ups. The most important thing to understand is that if a zit is under the surface and you dig at it, you will push bacteria further down into the pimple causing more infection and usually a larger breakout in a few days.
  If you have a stubborn zit that you simply cannot leave alone there are a few steps you can take to rush along its maturing process.
• Sterilize your hands to the best of your ability or use sterilized gauze pads.
• Prepare a mixture of 1/4 tsp. salt in about 1/2 cup of hot water. Use a gauze pad to dip into the hot water and then place the soaked cloth on your pimple or blackhead holding it there for several minutes. The heat will soften the blemish and draw the liquids to the surface. You may need to do it more than once. It is best not to squeeze until the white center is visible and appears to be ripe.
• Once popped, be sure to use a 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Restoring lotion to kill as much bacteria as possible.

Nail Growth

I am really trying to grow my nails. I think it will help stop my hands from looking like paws (they are small and stubby and I dislike them.) I keep the cuticles moisturised at night using Argan Oil or my trusty Rose Petal Salve. I file them nicely using my crystal file. I polish using a base and top coat at all times. I never wash or clean without my rubber gloves. I take calcium pills and eat loads of yogurt. They are growing but still kind of brittle - I have been cutting them short for so long I am not sure if I can do this! I have decided to take these supplements. You can buy from any health food store. Watch this space - will update later.   

Has anyone else tried them - did they work for you pray tell?

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight

I pray for the day I that there will be a miracle product and I will never have to worry about kinks and curls and run for cover when it rains (the answer is definitely NOT a Brazilian Blow dry).

I tried this out over the weekend after reading a few reviews and I found that it did have good results. I still ended up with some curling action overnight but nothing that wasn't easy to sort out. I still couldn't wander around in the rain and not expect my hair to frizzle but it definitely helps. If you have a special occasion I would do the day before - looks better on the second day.

More reviews:

British Beauty Blogger

Vogue Blog

Update - Crystal File

I wanted to update on my new nail file. I purchased through ebay for £.99p but have seen that Topshop are selling them now if you're walking past - grab one!

£5.00

I have been using the crystal file now for a week and I have to say I am really pleased with how it's working out. My nails are stronger and stopped splitting. I will be buying all my girlfriends this for their birthday's this year. Surprise!

Golden Globes 2011 - my comments

A few days late but it took me awhile to go through all the photos. My conclusion is as follows:

This year's Golden Globes red carpet saw none of the dramatic smokey eyes and big hair from last year. Instead, most celebs opted for glowing skin, nude pouts and chignons, with only a few minor exceptions. Has ballet film Black Swan inspired all of Hollywood to look like ballerinas?

In my personal opinion the belle of the ball Natalie Portman really did have the most flawless face (could be the pregnancy hormones?). I applaud. Ginnifer, Scarlett and Anne all had beautiful artistry as well.

love her face.



maybe hair not 100% - would have looked better maybe a bit
less "peaky"?





Amazing hair - great makeup. I researched and she used this as a base.



Ginnifer Goodwin with a great pixie cut
as well as beautiful eye makeup and glowing skin.

Well done! The face of Dolce & Gabbana’s make-up line.

A HOT MESS!

Helena I love that you like to take chances but you have a MULLET! I will forgive your mismatched shoes
but that hair I will never forgive.



Steam Cream

Do you ever just want a decent moisturiser that's light and small enough to fit in your bag/gym kit and not so expensive it breaks the bank? One that smells nice which you can use for face and body? Well I have found that product for you people. So smooth, smells delicious, all natural, ethical, cheapish!

http://www.steamcream.eu/ - £10 at ASOS

Partner in crime Emma happened to get one from me for her birthday and she likes to use on her feet after a bath.

Question - what should I do with the tin when I am done? It's way too cute to throw out.

Emmanuelle Gingham Cat Edition



2011 - Bring It!

I have been reading a lot of British Vogue & Vanity Fair among others - here are some things to try out for the new you!

Things on the up for 2011:

- Pastels & eye popping bright colours. Play around a little with bright lip colour and gloss - you don't have to go mental!

Nicki Minaj plays around with colour



- Matte Skin, luminous finish!  Beautifully natural-looking skin is the big look for 2011. For those not born with a fresh-faced glow, this look is all about the prep work. Prime skin with a moisturising serum before applying your foundation; then dust with pressed powder for a matte yet silky finish. I suggest you use a highlighter or primer.

- The perfect red lip - I want to see some vamps out there!

- Seventies inspired big hair and side pinned.

Marc Jacobs Side Pinned Strands



Side Pinned 70's hair







































- Nails are subtle stylish and  in Nudes alongside the new 'loval' shape: ask your manicurist for your nails to be filed long and oval.


- The hard-working kohl pencil, or liquid liner if you prefer, comes into focus for autumn/winter 2010-11. More than just the standard smoky eye, it's about playing with it and making it personal to you. Wrap kohl around the entire eye (inner rim to upper lid in one unbroken line) for a super-intensive look as seen at Gucci. Focus on the liner more than the mascara.






















- Full eyebrows - thank goodness because I have exactly that. Bold and bushy is beautiful but keep them tamed!

 Alberta Ferretti, make-up artist Lucia Pieroni's 'little woodland nymphs' were led by she-who-has-the-most-covetable-brows-of-all, model Kim Noorda (pictured),

Nail Tips from Nikki

I never knew that your nails could split from emery boards!! I am buying a crystal file immediately - that might be what the problem is with mine which frustrates me to no end. Thanks Nikki!

Nikki's Nail Post - Nail Tips

DuWop Venom Private Lipstick Trio

Plum, Red, Nude

I got these in the sale. They are magical.

DuWop Venom Private Lipstick Trio £8.00 (on sale)

I have tested the plum and nude. The red I am giving away as I have too many red lippy's already. They do start to change colour according to your mood or perhaps body heat? Who cares. They're cool.

Argan Oil Rocks!

I know, I know. I have been going on and on about facial oils lately but darling friend Linsey brought me back a bottle of Argan oil from her Moroccan adventure over New Years and it's kind of like gold dust. It's super expensive to buy on Amazon or in health food shops here so I was exceptionally grateful that she gave me one of her four bottles which she says she bartered for at a decent price.

Has anyone heard of it and it's amazing qualities? It's an oil made out of nuts that grow on a very special Argan tree. The Argan grows wild in arid semi-desert conditions. The Argan tree flowers in the spring producing green olive-sized fruits that ripen to yellow. When they have dried in late summer they fall to the ground and are hand gathered. Argan trees are generally found on common land and belong to the Moroccan Forestry Commission. Families have hereditary gathering rights for specific areas close to where they live. Animals are forbidden to graze in the Argan Groves for three months before the harvest. The sharp spiny thorns prevent the fruit being picked by hand, but in the past this did not stop large number of goats clambering to the topmost branches to devour them, so much so, that the argan groves were known as tree meadows. However, nowadays the goats are kept out by forestry wardens and their owners are fined if they stray!

The seeds are in very hard casings inside the fruit layer. These are cracked open by hand between a stone and a stone anvil. It takes 10-12 hours to crack enough nuts to obtain sufficient seeds to yield one litre of oil!

Properties:

• Nourishes skin/hair/nails. Argan's anti-ageing properties, due to high levels of Vitamin E and saponins (which soften the skin) are well documented. It helps to reduce wrinkles by restoring the skin's water lipid layer and it also cools and soothes inflammation. Its antioxidant properties contribute to the neutralization of free radicals, particularly useful in the polluted Western hemisphere. It helps cool skin that has been exposed to wind and the sun and also protects it in cold weather.
• Traditionally used in Morocco to soothe dry eczema, chicken pox, acne and psoriasis, it can also help to reduce scarring and prevent stretch marks.
• Argan is not greasy, only a few drops warmed on the fingertips are needed to moisturize and protect the complexion including the delicate skin under the eyes.
• It soothes inflammation massaged into painful areas, either due to muscular strain or arthritic or rheumatic joint pain.

Anyhow - I put on my face and neck last night and it's gorgeous. Smells a tad "natural" but I will use this one before bed and the Bobbi Brown one in the day. One bottle of this will last forever! Suitable for kiddies. Please be careful - "fair trade" if buying online.

A Fifty-Dollar Haircut On A Fifty-Cent Head



Cute as a button

Nick is a friend I met in Berlin. In fact, in a round about way, it was all through blogging! He now lives in Holland with his partner. When I met him I noticed that he smelled nice and looked smart (he had nice shirts). He cares about his appearance therefore he was a good candidate for my next interview. He's been very honest with his answers and I think any man out there will benefit from reading.

Tausend Dank Nick!



Do you use any anti aging creams?
No, of course not.

What do you do for skin care daily?
Very little, I'm afraid. I wash my face with water. I never use soap or anything else to clean my face. That may have lost me some kisses over the years.

I put a bit of Nivea Creme on my face every day. I used to use Boots Cold Cream before I left England.
 
What do you use for shaving and aftercare?
Nivea shaving gel, Gillette Sensor 3 razor blades, Nivea Creme afterwards.

Not sure if it counts as shaving, but I am of an age where I couldn't do without my ear and nose hair trimmer. Nothing is more ageing than bushy eyebrows. My trimmer has an eyebrow attachment. In fact, you could stuff pillows for orphans with the amount of hair I remove from my body parts each month. Not that the orphans would necessarily thank you for it.

What is your favorite product and why? 
Maja soap from Myrurgia. It smells like something your grandmother would use. Or one of your gay friends, evidently. I adore it.
 
What is your favorite cologne and why?
Someone once told me a gentleman never reveals the name of his cologne. But seeing as it's just between you and me: Eau d'Iparie from l'Occitane en Provence. Yes, it's for women. But I have been using it for a couple of years and never received so many compliments on the way I smell before.
 
Do you have any particular hair care product you favour?
I wash my hair with water. I never use shampoo. That may have lost me some pats on the head.

Afterwards I put Regaine Extra Strength on---been using it for almost a decade now. Yes, this gorgeous mane is out of a bottle, ladies!

I sometimes use Nivea Creme Gel on my hair. That's the third Nivea product but that's mainly because it's a German company and I was living in Germany for such a long time.
 
Any beauty or health tips for metrosexuals out there? 
 A little manscaping never hurt anyone.

Do you have any tips for the ladies in regards to do's or dont's? (what is attractive and what is not etc) 
          - Nothing is as unattractive as smoking, in men or women.
          - Women are too concerned about their weight.
          - Cheap scent is never a good idea, especially too much cheap scent.
          - If you must dye your hair, dye it one colour only.
          - Whoever came up with the idea of piercing your tongue? Or your cheek?
          - Fringes are for little girls.
         -  For me, a smile makes every face 100 times more attractive.

Overall I agree entirely with Garrison Keillor: "Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head."

Korres Thyme Honey 24 Hour Moisturising Cream

It's on sale at www.lookfantastic.co.uk so if you're running out of a good moisturiser I highly recommend this one. Only a small amount necessary! It's quite concentrated and spreads easily across face, throat and decolletage! I have a super dry face at the moment and I find that this one really works - all natural ingredients and lovely smell. Animal and vegan friendly!


Korres Thyme and Honey 24 Hour Moisturising Cream

Arabella

The ex Texan likes me! She finds me useful! Bursting with pride!

Arabella Blog

Thanks Arabella!

Bobbi Brown Face Oil

Happy New Year one and all! I hope you're all waking up with beautiful faces and are ready to kick start your new health and beauty regimes for 2011! For those of you with hangovers - well - just start tomorrow.

Work let us out early yesterday and I had my usual urge to shop. I decided to head to Bond Street and hit the mecca of all things expensive and beautiful - Selfridges department store. As soon as I got out of the underground I had to put my patience cap on - you could barely walk down the street there were so many shoppers. Literally a sea of germ infested people. But it was worth it in the end. I seriously love this product and would recommend to all of you that need a moisture boost.

I have had my heart set on a face oil for awhile and Bobbi Brown's sounded like it would be just the  ticket for my dry skin (water here is so hard and it's so cold!). For the small amount that you use on your face at one time it should last up to a year - which is good as it's £38 or $60 per bottle.

The makeup artist said she puts on before bed after cleansing. You don't need to use a moisturiser - this alone is fine. She also mentioned it was useful if you had a dry patch during the day or your foundation was cracking to rub a little in.

The smell is amazing. Very earthy and not overpowering in the slightest!

Created for those times when skin feels tight, dry and uncomfortable - and needs a more concentrated boost of moisture. This emollient facial oil has a blend of Sesame, Sweet Almond, Olive and Jojoba Oils - plus Vitamin E. It moisturizes, softens, and conditions skin instantly and over time. To Use: Apply to clean dry skin as needed.