Makeup Obsession: The Makeup That Lets You Personalise Your Palette

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

I went to the launch of Makeup Obsession recently and now I am a huge fan. You buy one of the empty palettes and then you fill it with your own personal eyeshadow, blusher and highlighter. You can buy one that holds six, or one that holds twelve. The refills are only £2 each and can be interchanged and replaced at any time. There is a huge, great collection so you will definitely find the colours and solutions that you want. I rarely buy palettes as some of the colours always go unused, with this, you design your own palette from scratch. It is such a great idea I can’t believe no one has thought of it before. When you buy a new refill it just clips in. So handy and so easy. It also keeps your makeup fresh. Very important as old makeup harbours bacteria, causing spots and even illness.

The most important thing is the makeup of course. Is it any good? Thankfully, yes. It is highly pigmented and long-lasting. Frost loves.

#shareyourobsession @LL_obsession

Had an excellent time last night checking out the #makeupobsession range. Personalised my own palette. What a brilliant idea. #makeup #beauty

A photo posted by Catherine Balavage (@frostmag) on Oct 7, 2016 at 12:53pm PDT

Christmas Gift List For The Beauty Junkie

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Frostie

Nicky Clarke Supershine Ionic Steam Conditioning Straighteners

This is a brilliant straightener from Nicky Clarke’s supershine range. It rehydrates and nourishes hair through the ionic steam conditioning technology. It leaves hair softer and shinier.

Nicky Clarke Super Shine Straightener is available here.

label.m Dusty Diamond collection

This new luxury diamond dust range from label.m. It features exclusive micro-diamond complex. A unique blend of hair perfect ingredients and real diamonds. Leaves hair sumptuous, silky and radiant. An exclusive blend of finest rare ingredients: black and white diamond dust particles, champagne, white rose petal oil and pearls. Removes toxins and build-up from your scalp and hair. We love the shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, but we also love the limited edition candle that you get free when you buy two or more products.

www.labelm.com

Scholl Velvet Smooth Party Pedi Collection

This glitzy, christmasy box contains a velvet smooth electronic foot file, gelactiv extreme heels insoles, nail care oil and nail polish. A great present in a beautiful box, perfect to get in the Christmas spirit.

From boots.com

Braun Silk-epil 9

This 4-in1 epilator can be used wet or dry and also has an exfoliation system. It helps to prevent ingrown hairs. Has pulsating active vibrations which actively stimulates your skin for an extra gentle epilation. Has both deep and gentle exfoliation. A perfect present.

Silk Epil 9 Skin Spa Women’s Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator is available here.

Veet Senstitive Precision Beauty Styler

This is a great time-saving device. A sensitive precision beauty styler that comes with seven accessories and a high definition V-Tec brown eyebrow pencil. Can be used on face, underarms or bikini line. It really works.

From boots.com

Monsoon Rose Gold

A beautiful and unique fragrance. It has top notes of lemon and fruit These notes are layered with rose, tuberose, neroli and cyclamen. The base notes are eastern wood, vanilla, mosses, musk and balsamic amber. It has a mature scent, with the rose, fruit and lemon leading. Christian Provenzano created this fragrance for Monsoon and it is a winner.

From boot.com and superdrug.com

Pure Gold Collagen

This is a great gift for any beauty junkie. This is a liquid food supplement that promotes younger looking skin, while improving skin hydration and elasticity. We are fans of collagen supplements at Frost, noticing a difference when we take them.

Available from; Boots.com stores nationwide and online, Harrods, Selfridges, Superdrug, Holland and Barret, www.lookfantastic.com and www.gold-collagen.com.

Rubis Rose Gold Tweezers

Beautiful tweezers with great precision. Stick them in a stocking.

Rubis hair tweezers are available here.

Crush by Rihanna

We love Riri at Frost.

Rihanna’s eighth fragrance. Crush is a sexy and provocative scent. Rihanna designed the bottle herself. Notes of bergamot, mandarin and pink pepper lead to the fruity heart. Pink rose blends with ylang-ylang and red berries. Woody notes of patchouli, musk and cedar are on the base note. A sexy fragrance and a great present.

Rihanna RiRi Crush is available here.

Voya Skincare

This is an organic seaweed beauty brand. We love their Awakening Eye Mask with palmarosa and vanilla, and the Soothing Moisturiser with palmarosa and vanilla.

https://voya.ie

Steripod Review: Why You Should Protect Your Toothbrush & Put The Seat Down When You Flush

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Frostie

It is the season for colds and flu. Viruses are rife in the winter. These can be passed on via infected droplets lurking in the air or on shared objects and surfaces. A major culprit for contamination is our toothbrushes so what can we do to guard them against germs? According to a recent study at the University of Manchester, there are more than 10 million bacteria on your toothbrush right now. That means there are considerably more bacteria on your toothbrush than your average toilet seat – which has 50 bacteria per square inch, or average public lavatory floor – which has 2 million bacteria per square inch.

Most people don’t realise that every time you flush the loo, an aerosol spray of tainted water is released with droplets able to land as far away as 10 feet. Researchers from the University of Alabama found that brushes stored in the bathroom – in other words all of them – are contaminated with faecal matter lingering in the bristles. Toothbrushes aren’t particular about whose faecal matter it is, so it’s likely it won’t just be your own that is going into your mouth every time you clean your teeth. (I expect you will never flush the toilet with the lid up again!).

It is likely your toothbrush will be exposed to numerous invisible contaminants in the months that you use it, including a high proportion of pathogenic nasties such as E.coli and Staphylococci. Airborne bacteria are not the only pollutants which sully your toothbrush. Germs and bacteria can pass from surface to surface, spreading the likes of oral herpes (cold sores), candida (oral thrush) and the HPV virus.

Protect it

Fortunately, you can safeguard your toothbrush with a Steripod toothbrush protector which clips on to any manual or electric toothbrush, creating a protective ‘pod’ (rather like a crash helmet) which surrounds the brush head and shields it from both airborne and cross contamination. Steripod is designed to safeguard a toothbrush, protecting it against environmental contamination, the use of thymol encapsulated in plastic dotted with tiny holes releases vapours providing a fresh environment in which to keep your toothbrush.

Steripod has been specially designed so that air can circulate freely which means your toothbrush can dry naturally – contaminants require a moist atmosphere to multiply most effectively, so the drier your brush, the lower the risk of bad bugs on your bristles. It does not require batteries or cables, meaning that it’s easy to protect your brush.

Here are dentist Mervin Druin’s top tips to ensure your brush remains as hygienic as possible.

Don’t flush where you brush

If you store your toothbrush near your toilet make sure you close the lid when you flush to minimise the dispersal of contaminated water droplets.

Rinse thoroughly after use

Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under running water after use, making sure that all toothpaste has been removed. Shake off as much excess water as possible.

Store it upright

Store your brush in an upright position – never in a bathroom cabinet where air cannot circulate as this could promote bacterial growth.

Replace your toothbrush regularly

Make sure to replace your toothbrush and Steripod every 3 months – buy them at the same time. If like many of us you need a reminder www.steripod.co.uk can send you a gentle email nudge every 80 days to remind you that your pod and your brush need an update!

And if you’ve been suffering with a cold or flu it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush rather than risk reinfecting yourself.

Don’t share it

Never be tempted to share a toothbrush, even with your loved one. And avoid contact with other toothbrushes that may be stored in the same vicinity.

Get your pod on

Steripod comes in a wide range of colours so you can identify your brush from other bathroom sharers. A pack of two gives six months protection and costs £4.99 from larger Boots stores, Boots.com, Amazon.co.uk, Superdrug, ASDA, Boyes Stores and selected independent pharmacies. For more information visit www.steripod.co.uk

It is almost Christmas and this great little gadget would make a perfect stocking filler. The smell was a bit strong when we first opened it, but it subsided. It is a great idea and it really works. In fact, tt is such a great idea we are not sure how no one thought of it before.

New Crabtree & Evelyn Goatmilk Collection range launched online only

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Frostie

Crabtree & Evelyn have just launched their new Goatmilk Range as an online exclusive and Frost is a fan. The range is carefully formulated with gentle ingredients to help people with sensitive skin. The new range is a taste of Crabtree & Evelyn’s new contemporary look. The Goatmilk Range consists of 6 products with its most luxurious product being their Goatmilk Bath Milk. The delicate scents of Lavender and Geranium leaf infuse and relax the senses as you bathe like Cleopatra.

Immerse your skin in the pure GOODNESS of real, FREE-RANGE goat’s milk with Crabtree & Evelyn’s Goatmilk Bodycare Collection.

Enriched with our exclusive active system this comforting collection includes nourishing oat kernel, soothing bisabalol, softening allantoin and skin-conditioning vitamin E. The cashmere like MOISTURISING properties deliver luxurious care and comfort for SENSITIVE SKIN. Together, these skilfully blended ingredients provide expert care and comfort, creating a haven for sensitive skin.

We tried their hand cream. Specially formulated for sensitive skin, this intensive soothing and conditioning hand cream restores dry, overexposed hands. Enriched with our exclusive active Goat’s Milk system, a soothing blend of nutrient- rich, free range Goat’s Milk, Oat Kernel, Bisabolol, Allantoin and Vitamin E, and packed with the nourishing goodness of Macadamia nut oil, shea butter and Myrrh. Use this concentrated cashmere-like treat as often as needed to reveal delicately scented, touchably softer skin with each ease. The hand cream smells amazing and also leaves hands looking and feeling great. It leaves skin looking visibly better and incredibly soft.

This moisture- rich soothing body lotion has been specifically formulated for delicate and sensitive skin. Enriched with shea butter and our exclusive active Goat’s Milk system, a soothing blend of nutrient rich, free-range Goat’s Milk, Oat Kernel, Bisabolol, Allantoin and Vitamin E, our body milk helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance. Wrap your skin in cashmere-like moisturising goodness and reveal a delicately- scented touchably-softer and smoother skin. This luxurious body milk is a real treat to use. It really sinks into the skin and it smells wonderful. It has a wonderful effect on skin, making it look much better over time. Great stuff.

http://www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk/collections/goatmilk/

Giving Birth – The Real Story

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Frostie

Giving Birth – The Real Story

72% of mums-to-be are nervous about giving birth
Over half of respondents (61%) said their births didn’t go according to plan
The biggest fear (27%) about giving birth was medical complications affecting themselves or their baby
Almost a quarter (22%) found their birth partners more annoying than helpful

For most women, experiencing pregnancy and giving birth will be one of the most momentous times of their lives, but this doesn’t come without a certain amount of worries and anxiety. New research from The Baby Show with MadeForMums, which will be returning to Kensington, Olympia from the 21st to 23rd October, revealed that 72% of mums-to-be were nervous about the prospect of giving birth with the biggest worry cited as medical complications (27%) affecting themselves or their baby. This was followed by 18% saying they were scared of unwanted interventions (e.g. inductions, caesarean section or forceps) and then 17% saying they were anxious about not being able to manage the pain.

The research found that while most mums-to-be will stay close to home the nearer the due date gets, some babies are keen to get things moving in unusual or inconvenient places. Of the mums surveyed, 42% went into labour in their home, with 28% in hospital. These were some of the more unusual findings;

Tube station escalator
Car showroom
Whilst watching a live rugby match
On the A1 motorway
In IKEA

While the majority of women (92%) chose to have their partners by their side in the birthing room, when it actually came to the labour, almost a quarter (22%) of people admitted they found their birthing partner more annoying than actually helpful, either falling asleep or playing games on their phones whilst mum does all the hard work! Senior midwife, maternity educator and managing director of Marie Louise Maternity, Marie Louise Hurworth says: “Being a birth partner is one of the most important jobs you could have. But it can be challenging and should be taken very seriously. Being there and sensitive to her changing needs will go a long way and set the foundations for your new family. Even if you are unsure of how to help, stand nearby and make eye contact to let her know you are there and willing to help at any opportunity. One of the most important things is that you don’t become disconnected; remember to participate throughout the journey.”

When asked for amusing labour stories The Baby Show were inundated with funny anecdotes from women across the UK including;

Nina Motylinski-Davies from East Sussex said: “What kept me going throughout my horrendous labour experience was the fact my husband, who after not getting the opportunity to try the gas the first time round, was determined to have a go this time. Put simply, he got absolutely off his face. He climbed into the birthing pool naked, asked the midwife for a margarita, text my Mum saying he could murder a curry when she was actually asking how I was doing, and then danced around the room to Neil Diamond! I look back and laugh now….”

Clare Boss from London told The Baby Show: “With my first baby, the fire alarm in the hospital went off which resulted in two firemen coming in to check on the room whilst I was legs akimbo and mid-push!!”

Laura Jackson from Cheshire explained her dramatic birth story: “I opted for a home birth and hired a birthing pool but sadly never got round to using it! I woke in the middle of the night with a small leak, one week over due, which turned out to be my waters breaking. I woke my husband who immediately started filling up the birthing pool whilst I called the hospital who said the midwives would take around an hour to get to my house. Within moments I had a really strong contraction and suddenly I knew my baby’s head was already out. I was desperate to get into the pool but it wasn’t full and my husband was having problems with the valves. He was in complete disbelief and just said ‘the heads not out’ whilst staring at the front door thinking this would make the midwives appear! Thankfully he snapped into action because with the next contraction he literally had to catch our baby. Such an amazing experience but personally I felt it was a shame for happening so fast…”

Wing Yan Lee, Marketing Manager at The Baby Show says: “Birth plans can be a contentious subject and as our results show many births don’t go according to plan. However, most experts would still agree that planning and looking into your birth options is essential, allowing you to prepare and feel in control of your birthing experience, no matter what direction it takes. We have midwives on hand throughout the show who are able to answer any questions or concerns, no matter how big or small, regarding your pregnancy, birth and beyond.”

Marie Louise continues: “Each and every woman is different and has specific individual needs so there is no one rule for all when it comes to labour and birth. As healthcare professionals we focus on women’s individuality and are guided by what women tell us; we then use technology according to the woman’s history and verbal communication to ensure we do our very best to make the entire process as safe, easy and calm as possible. It’s natural to be nervous about your birth and potential intervention but always remember that our aims are reflective of yours to have a happy, healthy mum and baby.”

Once you’ve arrived home and settled into a new routine, another subject you may be thinking about is sex… Am I ready? Will my partner be expecting sex straight away? Will it be hurt? Will it be the same?

The highest number of couples surveyed chose to wait between six weeks to three months before having sex again (42%) whilst one in five (20%) waited just 0 to six weeks. Reassuringly, a quarter of new mums said they didn’t feel self-conscious about their bodies during sex post-baby, and 29% said at first they did but their partners made them feel comfortable and relaxed.

Marie Louise says: “Guidelines suggest that women wait until they “feel ready” to have sex after birth but there isn’t enough discussion about it. Once again, everyone is different and has a unique experience during childbirth. You may have had a home water birth with no complications or you may have had a forceps delivery in hospital. If you have had a C-section, for example, you may feel ready mentally but your wound may need more time to heal. Or maybe you don’t feel ready mentally but your body has healed well. The most important thing is that you do what’s right for you at the right time and always ask a health professional if you are concerned. If you are experiencing pain during sex postnatally don’t just put up with it, talk about it.”

From the 21st to 23rd October the biggest pregnancy and parenting event of the year, The Baby Show with MadeForMums, will be returning to Olympia, London. The Show is the must-attend event for mums and dads-to-be and new parents, with over 200 exhibitors showcasing all the latest essentials for your new arrival, plus a stage programme jam packed with fashion shows and informative talks by renowned baby experts.

Advance tickets are available from £12.25, while on-the-door tickets cost £20. For more information visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

Opening times:

Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October, open from 10:00am-5:30pm each day.

Pink Parcel Review: The Parcel That Every Woman Needs On Her Period

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

One of the perks of being the editor of Frost is coming across great things. And Pink Parcel is a great thing indeed. Not only do they send you a box of sanitary protection, but the box also has other great stuff to make your period a much better experience. Chocolate, make up, candles…it really does perk you up when you open the box.

It is easy to set up, you choose your brand of tampons and pads, select your dates, and then your parcel is sent to you. The first one is £6.99 and then they are £10.50 from then on, including postage and packaging. Each parcel contains the following: tea, tampons, pads, something sweet and a beauty product. It will also contain deals and offers. The September box had a £60 nakedwines.com voucher and a postcard featuring a quote from Amy Schumer. There is also a booklet which tells you all about the products in your box, along with some other fun stuff.

The box hits all the right spots: tea, because it makes the world go round, something sweet to help with the cravings, and a beauty product so you can take some time out to pamper yourself. The tampons and pads will be your favourite brands too. The September box (pictures above) has a great eye gel from AA Skincare- it’s vegan and full size, a Cotswold Lavender Slumber SprayNew CID Cosmetics I-Glow Mini and Schwarzkopf Bonacure Colour-Freeze Shampoo. Add in a relax tea light set, Nairn’s Oat Crackers, some Cuppanut Coconut & Cranberry Infusion tea and an Ombar Centres Coconut & Vanilla bar. Yum. A lot of thought has been put into Pink Parcel. That is clear from everything, but particularly the way the tampons and pads are set out. The light ones are in a velvet pouch which it tells you to keep on you for now. Then it has some day one and some night ones. All in different compartments. Genius. I love Pink Parcel and I think you would to. It helps make a difficult time of the month much easier and we deserve that.

Some news from a swimming pool in Georgia. A woman got banned from swimming because she was on her period.

A leisure centre hit the headlines last month after banning women from swimming when they are on their period.

The fitness club in Georgia put up posters warning women to avoid the pool while menstruating, claiming it was a threat to public hygiene.

When confronted over their misogynist actions, the Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club which is based in Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, justified the ban by saying, “We’ve had incidents where we’ve found tampons in the pool.”

As the backlash grew, a number of disgruntled female customers took to social media to protest.

One customer expressed her disgust on Facebook. Sophie Tabatadze wrote, “Do you even realise how offensive that is? And, by the way, since according to your rules we are not allowed to use a swimming a pool 5-6 days each month, do we a preferential price compared with men?”

Incredibly, the club, which is one of the most exclusive places to workout in the city, responded by refusing to back down.

They said, “Our statement is not sexist and has a preventive objective. We had a case, when the water was contaminated. We try to follow norms of hygiene and we ask our members to do the same.”

The club told Buzzfeed its policy had been in place for years.

However medical advice directly contradicts the club’s claims that taking a dip while you’re menstruating is unclean and NHS direct actually recommends gentle swimming as a way of relieving painful cramps.

Pink Parcel wants women to engage in positive dialogues surrounding their periods, not ostracise them into thinking that they need to be ashamed or embarrassed of such a natural function.

The Thing That Parents Need To Do For Energy

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Parenting is exhausting. That is hardly news. What is harder is finding ways to get more energy and to feel healthier. You are not going to like it, but I have the answer: exercise. Now it is hard to fit it in and hard to find the motivation, but trust me; it will change your life. Even ten minutes will make a difference. Going for a walk or running with the pram is also an option. Anything you can do at all will make a difference. I have been doing Fitness Blender. It is an amazing website full of free workout from a husband and wife team. It has changed my body shape and made me much healthier. I do level fives now. Not bad as when I originally did their 5 Day Challenge I found it hard and my muscles ached the next day. Now I find it easy. They have a bar at the side which lets you know how many calories you have burned and you can search via type of exercise, calories burned, length, equipment needed or what part of the body you want to focus on. Definitely check it out. A walk is better than nothing, but doing an actual exercise program will change your body and your life. We also have an exercise bike which I use. I can burn 500 calories in an hour on the bike. Not shabby at all.

The other thing that makes a difference is: your diet. I know, you hate me even more now, right? But mainlining on caffeine and sugar is not going to help. Try to eat as well as possible. Stay hydrated. Drink water, eat your five-a-day. I am a much better mother now that I am healthier and have more energy. On the plus side the toddler thinks it is hilarious when I exercise. He giggles so much he falls over or tries to join in. I usually try and do it when he naps or my husband comes home, but we are both so busy I will just fit it in whenever I can. No excuses are allowed. I try to exercise five days a week. Try it yourself, I promise it makes a difference to your energy levels.

What do you think? What do you do for energy?

Do You Have to Lose Your Hair During Breast Cancer Treatment?

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Frostie

Breast cancer, by its very nature, can challenge a woman’s perception of her femininity. Who wants people to think they have abnormal breasts? I didn’t. Breast surgery can also be psychologically traumatic, and radiotherapy can affect the appearance of the breast too.

Sometimes, as part of cancer treatment, chemotherapy drugs are used, and some of these cause hair-loss – another devastating blow to confidence and self-esteem. Even when hair regrows, it may be damaged, becoming delicate and curly (so-called chemo curl) for a long time afterwards.

So does your hair have to fall out or weaken? Well, chemotherapy tends to damage fast-growing cells, which is why it works against cancer. However, for the same reason, hair follicle cells are also sometimes affected.

Wearing ‘cold-caps’ during treatment can help by lowering scalp temperature. This reduces blood supply to hair-roots and thus local exposure to the chemo-drug. This can limit hair damage/loss in many people, but not all.

Recently, hairdresser and biochemist, Daniel Field, has developed products to protect hair during and after chemotherapy.

Daniel has a fascinating story. Whilst young, he hated the smell of his mother’s perming lotion, and decided to invent non-smelly products. They were so successful that he became a very young millionaire. He then opened several hairdressing salons and trained as a hairdresser himself.

Sadly he later had the heart-breaking experience of shaving his own mother’s hair when she started to lose it during treatment for ovarian cancer. He told me of the frustration he felt, as he tried his best to cut a nice style into a less than perfect wig for her.

This inspired him to use his biochemical expertise to develop natural products to protect hair during chemotherapy. They restore the alignment of hair amino acids, thus reversing damage and chemo-curl, improving texture and strengthening delicate hair. He also has hair-colour products which are so gentle that they can be used whilst having chemotherapy. His Hair Growth Active spray keeps hair in the growing phase, thus encouraging regrowth after hair-loss.

But breast cancer treatment affects hair in other ways too. Many women require anti-oestrogen treatment for years after diagnosis, such as tamoxifen or aromatase-inhibitors. These reduce natural oestrogens and thus can cause scalp irritation or dryness and dry/frizzy hair. The hair can thin, sometimes leading to male-pattern baldness. Daniel tells me that his products are able to help these problems too.

Daniel has recently opened a suite in central London where he provides hair-care services and advice. A wig service is also provided by Jane Whitfield, and Fiona Murphy, who has her own interesting story, provides beautician services specially for people going through cancer. Daniel’s hair products can also be ordered from his website and he offers fifteen minute free consultations.

So yes, some people will suffer hair loss or damage during their breast cancer treatment but it isn’t inevitable, and there are steps you can take which may help. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: This article expresses personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Further Information:

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/cold-caps

http://danielfieldsuite.co.uk

http://www.sparklethroughchemo.co.uk

http://bit.ly/2d7Vn2l

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