L'Oreal

L'Oreal really are quite naughty and have managed to cause controversy once again. They have falsely advertised for years. Nothing made me laugh more than those adverts with Penelope Cruz who had eyelashes that extended for miles and miles ("lashes that reach for the stars" in fact) - so obvs fake!

In the news today they're being condemned for "touching up" their models which is misleading. Yes - I agree it's total BS but really not surprised. This is a company that really doesn't have morals (animal testers). They are hugely successful and it's all about the all mighty dollar rather than ethics. But people keep buying into their products. Are we that easy to fool?

Things related to L'Oreal if you feel like boycotting

- Sad to say The Body Shop (however they don't falsely advertise and they still stand by no animal testing). They were bought by L'Oreal on 17 March 2006 for £652m. I guess it was a deal that Dame Anita Roddick couldn't refuse.

- Nestle foods

- Sanofi-Aventis, the world's number 3 and Europe's number 1 pharmaceutical company.

Ubertan Nasal Spray

 

 

Revolutionary

New Tanning System

Ubertan is a revolutionary new nasal self tanning spray product that stimulates an increase in natural melanin production. Melanin is the body's sunscreen, a brown pigment which causes skin to darken providing a healthy and natural full body tan.
Ubertan can be used as a sunless tanning treatment or as an addition to your regular tanning sessions to boost and deepen your existing tan!
Results are even greater with some UV exposure. Increased melanin causes skin to darken instead of burning (red) when exposed to UV rays.

What is Ubertan?

Ubertan is a formula containing a natural blend of Melanin producing Amino and Fatty Acids which is administered daily until the desired colour is reached (typically 7 - 10 days) using the easy to administer nasal spray applicator. Maintaining your new colour is achieved by using the product only once or twice per week ongoing.


OK - buyer beware! I can't believe the lengths people will go to for a tan. This nice lady has done a lot more research. Probably not a great idea.

Interview with Stacy



Hipster

This is an interview I have wanted to do for awhile now. You can find her here. Stacy is a beautiful woman who I've always admired for being extremely confident and sassy and she constantly pounds it into my head that I am too (bless). She loves women and I think if given half the chance she'd try and style the world. She has a knack for spotting amazing vintage clothes. If you need advice or help on styling she's your girl. We met in Vancouver and lived next door to each other for a couple of years. She lives there with her stylish hubby Brad and her two cats Flo and Tilly.

1) You've always been into home remedies - what's your best home made beauty solution?

Tea Tree Oil for pimples. Grape Seed Oil for body oil. Water - drink  AT LEAST two litres a day. A diet of orange veggies and fruit like yams, peaches, mangoes and carrots for a collagen boost. Grapefruit and avocado for a detox. The grapefruit kills the yeast and the oils from the avocado push it out of your body.

2) What scent do you use if any?

Right now I'm using amber resin. Sometimes I wear straight up cedar essential oil or a mix of patchouli, ylang ylang and rose.


3) As a natural Nordic blonde what are some hair tips for those like you?

A good shampoo and conditioner. Nordic blonde's tend to suffer from very fine hair as well. If I don't use a good shampoo or conditioner my hair is tangled beyond belief. I use the Kerastase Volumactive line. I can definitely sympathize with Sienna Miller's bad hair.


4) We share a love of  facial hair on a man - explain why?

Oh yes. I like beards. Not all beards, but certain beards. I don't like a hairy neck, an over groomed beard or an overly thick beard. Beards add definition to a round face and accent beautiful eyes. When a man has a beard I can concentrate on his eyes, after all  the eyes are the caverns to the soul. 


I do not like goatees, soul patches or those billy goat chin tufts. Brad and I have written a new song to ACDC's Back in Black - it's a little diddy called Back In Beard and is about a guy that shaves off his beard for a girl and then she dumps him.


5) What is a complete turn off?

In Men - arrogance - which is really insecurity. Waxed chests and long finger nails. I don't care if you play guitar - it's gross!


In women it would be pseudo stupidity, synthetic perfume, flip flops and ill fitting clothes.


6) What turns you on?

Men - an old fashioned guy who can cook - seafood and vegetarian whole foods. I don't cook at all, I'm the bartender. If you're cooking in your boots and showing a little chest hair all the better.


Women - authenticity, confidence and a command of power tools.


People - manners and respect for the environment.


7) Do you have a favourite product what is it and why?

I use Touche Eclat #2 because I have very very pale almost translucent skin. The joke 'around town' is you can almost see my heart - quite poetic actually. I use it under my eyes. I use Bobbi Brown Liquid Skin foundation on my red nose. It has SPF 15. I don't use foundation anywhere else. I also use Bobbi Brown lipstick whichever shade the British guy at the counter says looks good.


8) Your husband Brad is a handsome devil - what are a couple of his favourite products for men?

He is a handsome devil isn't he.


Brad's answers are: Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream used as shaving cream. A beard trimmer with attachments (ex: nose hair trimmer) and Kerastase Bain Volumactive.

Dreadlock Disaster

I couldn't believe this disaster on the way home last night. I didn't want to get too close for fear they'd attack me. Don't get me wrong - I really love well taken care of dreadlocks and am amazed by them. The sad thing is this guy will have taken years and years to grow these rat tails. Just an unkempt matted mess. An example of what not to do I thought.

Rat tails

Too long!

Now if he'd looked after them they might have looked like this which is rather dishy.

CHANEL Rose Gloss 445

Well it's almost been a week since mein guter Freund moved to Berlin but I have been having fun trying out her products that have been left in my care.

This CHANEL Rose Gloss is the prettiest pale pink around. I love it (don't worry Lins will use sparingly). Great for everyday but I think would be nice for a summer wedding. It's just really perfect for my mood today.

Nagellack ist fantastisch (let's see if she understands that and don't google!)

Looking At Labels

BBC 3 has a good and informative series on called Kill It, Cut It, Use It. I was transfixed the other night watching about the animal by-products that are used in our everyday cosmetic, clothing and house hold items. It's nuts. I really would watch it if you're able to - I know that due to licencing laws iplayer isn't available to everyone.

The beauty industry is hugely guilty of using all kinds of animal by-products and it's not always clear on the packaging about what's in our soaps and lipsticks. Here are a couple things from the programme - try and look for them and then make the choice to buy or not to buy.

Chitosan. Used in hair products, anti aging creams and serums, toothpastes etc.

I am not a chemist so I am not going to go into all the details but basically to make a long story short it's shrimp shells. It's used in a lot of products like hairspray. When it's mixed with a few other chemicals it creates a flexible but firm like texture which we like to spray out of a can onto our hair or spread over our face to firm up. Even Kiehl's will use this in some products (ex: Kiehl's Marine Firming Serum).

Lanolin. It and its many derivatives are used extensively in products designed for the protection, treatment and beautification of human skin.

So basically it's wool grease. The sheep and lambs are not hurt in the making of lanolin.You'll find it in a lot of baby products, eye care, makeup, makeup removers, shaving creams and other lotions. There are a couple problems with lanolin - it can cause an allergic reaction and after a little research it I found there have been a small number of cases in which the sheep ate the grass that has been polluted by pesticides or other chemicals and whatever it eats it excretes. Therefore it's in the skin which creates the grease which you then put on your face to absorb into your body now. Gross.

You could say that shrimp shells and wool grease are going to waste anyhow but if you're a vegan or you feel strongly about creatures in general this isn't always clearly labelled on the packaging like the way it is with food. There are a few good companies that give choice.

Weleda

Dr. Bronners

American Apparel - Nail Polish

Cruelty free, DBP, toluene and formaldehyde-free.

American Apparel have their own nail polish collection. The colour selection is good and for £7 a pop it's reasonable. After using a base and top coat it lasted a good couple days no chipping. Available to purchase online and in store.
Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. I have been too hot and tired to write or try anything. However my darling friend Linsey moved to Berlin and left me a massive bag of products to use up so will try and get back into the swing of things!