Category Archives: Life & Style

WOW Face Mask Review

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I was initially going to do a funny Instagram picture of myself wearing this mask a la Suki Waterhouse. Upon putting the mask on vanity prevailed however. The mask comes in two separate pieces, one for your lower face and one for the top. Once it is on you look like a burns victim. It is not a good look but who cares? You are making yourself beautiful. My husband certainly didn’t. He didn’t even crack a joke.

I found the mask a little hard to put on. You also have to be careful is doesn’t slide of your face. I lay on the sofa smoothing it down. It feels nice and soothing. I watch Parks And Recreation on Amazon Prime while reading a book I am reviewing. So I am not very good at switching off and relaxing but I will be lying here for 40 minutes. I actually like the gel feeling of the mask and am sure I can feel it working away.

After 40 minutes of looking plain weird I take the mask off. I then give the result the ultimate test: I ask my husband if he can notice a difference in my skin. He says he can. I look ‘fresh’. Brilliant. The mummy look is worth it.

I did only use this mask once so I can’t say if it makes a long-lasting difference to skin with long term use, but I was impressed with the results I saw. I would like to try it again but at £99 it is slightly out of my budget.

WOW face mask treatment review

Here is what the they say:

The NEW Aqua Gel Mask Treatment that fights the ageing process

WOW mask is a brand NEW Bio-­peptide Aqua Gel mask that contains innovative natural ingredients to restore the skin’s tone, elasticity and hydration to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles. It releases the essence of nature’s most potent skin-loving plants at exactly the right speed for your skin to get the maximum benefit.

Institute Hyalual Switzerland, a scientific research centre dedicated to skin rejuvenation, created the mask as the simplest and most effective way to combine the moisturising effect of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Argireline (famed for its skin firming properties) and RMCP-complex (a combination of ingredients that include fruit and leaf cell culture and flower extract). It’s the interaction between HA, Argireline and RMCP-complex which results in such a complete anti-ageing effect.

The mask also uses newly developed Transdermal Cosmetics Delivery technology which is activated by skin temperature to allow the ingredients to reach the deeper layers of skin. This means that WOW mask provides 200% more hydration than other collagen-based moisturising treatments.

There are five masks provided in each box and each mask can be used for 20-40 minutes. Simply wash and dry your face, take the mask out of its silver sleeve and remove the protective plastic sheets and put it on your face.

It’s not magic but WOW mask offers the best that nature and science can provide in terms of beautiful and youthful looking skin.

WOW Facial Mask Treatments £99.99

 

 

The Glamour Trio: Cult Classic Beauty Review. Elnett, Corn Silk & Max Factor

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Every woman needs a bit of glamour in her life. These Amazon bestsellers may be retro and glam, but do they work as good as they look? Let’s find out.

First up is a classic, Cornsilk Satin Loose Powder . Powder is very underrated. There was a point where not many people wore it because it was considered old fashioned. It is making a comeback now solely because nothing else really gives a flawless finish the way powder does. This powder sets make up beautifully and makes it last all day. It is brilliant stuff and won’t leave you looking like a ghost. Recommended. There is a reason it is a classic. A natural looking powder that works on light and darker skin tones. It does give a matte look but not too much, it still looks natural.

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Next is Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara in Black. Anyone remember those adverts which called Max Factor the ‘make up of make up artists’? The brand has always had a certain amount of glamour and movie star attachment. This mascara really works. You can use a little for stunning lashes or a lot for full-on false lash glamour. Is quite hard to get off but a small price to pay for beautiful lashes.

L’Oreal Elnett UV Filter Hairspray is another classic. I remember my mother using Elnett when I was growing up. I always use a hairspray with a UV filter as my hair goes really blonde in the sun if I don’t. The sun is also very damaging to the hair and ages it. We remember this about our face but not everyone remembers their hair. Elnett has stood the test of time because it really works and then it just brushes out. The one for coloured hair accentuates your colour’s radiance. They also have ones for extra hold and extra radiance. It is not too heavy on hair or sticky. Just brilliant hairspray.

 

What do you think? Are you a fan of any of the above?

 

 

Mothers Face Employment Struggles After Having Children

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keeping children entertained on car journeysNew mothers are reluctant to return to work after having a child, with new statistics revealing that 28 per cent did not go back to their previous employer and only 6% felt the desire to start their own business (6%).

The research comes from a brand new study conducted on behalf of Diddi Dance, a pre-school dance company. It has highlighted that mothers are often faced with the tough decision of whether to return to employment – 12 per cent of mothers said that their career was restricted after having a child/children, and a third (34%) did not want to spend time away from their child/children.

Concerns of mothers about returning to work are flexibility, which is vital with the very spontaneous nature of parenting (17%), and location, as travelling up to two hours a day is not a feasible option for some parents

This being said the research showed there were also aspects that mothers were not concerned about, as of those who returned to work only 8 per cent felt they were treated differently, and even less (6%) felt they were not treated fairly by their employer.

Anne-Marie Martin is a Diddi Dance franchise owner and mother of 2 young children – she explained the troubles of mothers like herself who she speaks with on a daily basis:

“There are so many factors when thinking about returning to work practically, but also emotionally. Childcare is one of these issues, as it’s not only very expensive, but the waiting lists tend to be quite long. In addition, not all providers are flexible with long or antisocial working hours. Commuting long distances means the time away from your child/ren can build up. It also makes you think about whether you should be leaving them for long periods of time from such young ages. Needs must though and returning to work is sometimes not an option a lot of parents are able to turn down.”

Do you have children and want to return to work or do you want to work for yourself?

 

 

 

 

Cowboys & Indians: Gucci SS2015

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Gucci seem to be sporting a Wild West theme for Spring/summer, going extreme vintage by bringing back cowboys and Indians!

I get a definite Western vibe from all the feathers, neckties, and denim seen on the runway.

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I’m loving the creativity of combining high fashion fabrics and patterns with Wild West infusions. Taking the old embroidery, suede and fur but giving it a modern twist.

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Double denim is definitely making a comeback! Again, an obvious cowgirl theme being seen here – simple denim and accessorising with colourful neckties. Give them a cowboy hat and a horse and they’ll be sorted in no time!

*Google Images

Fashions Finest SS/15 LFW Show – No Fixed Abode – Anarchic denims…

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Emma Mann has created a collection designed to test your cool genes.  Extremely talented with a great business mind, she knows exactly what she wants to bring to the brand, luxury streetwear fashion direct from London, ‘in your face’ co-ordinates that shout anarchy. Part of the addiction of this collection must be the attention, not just to detail, but also the presence it exudes from the catwalk.  Camouflage denim prints accentuated by crisp yellow edgings and padded linings, bright and muted colours fused together to create an intense collection.  Edgy and controversial but doesn’t exclude the mainstream, a range of clothing which tells the story of a fashion moment, but will stand the test of time.

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The No Fixed Abode SS/15 collection satisfies fashion’s current taste for androgynous aesthetics but also scores high marks for comfort and practicality, battle dress with a girlie twist. A celebration of what you are and who you are… 011 012 009

NO FIXED ABODE is a luxury streetwear fashion brand, designed and made in London.  Unique, individual Fashion garments of premium quality for people that like to be different and get noticed, the rebels, the individuals.  Founded and designed in the UK 2013, the ethos of the brand is ‘we live by individual anarchism, we are individual – we like to stand out from the crowd, do things differently. To be ourselves, to do things we like to do, freedom of expression to really be yourself.  We are unique, exclusive and creative London based designer fashion brand. We do not mass produce and definitely there are no sweatshops in any of the making of our garments or collections!  Our new SS14 Women’s Collection is completely Made in London. The T-shirts are made in LA by people that are paid decent wages and that have good working conditions’.

Anna Wintour Answers 73 Questions And It Is Brilliant

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Anna Wintour doesn’t give many interviews and has always been something of a fashion enigma. Which is why we absolutely love this amazing video where she is asked 73 questions whilst going about her business. She talks about Brooklyn, the Rumors, and the One Thing She Will Never Wear. Her favourite comedian might also surprise you but let’s just say, go Britain!

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What did you think?

Shop For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Every year, almost 50,000 women in the UK receive the devastating news that they have breast cancer. That’s around one woman every 10 minutes. It’s time to put an end to this disease and that’s why Breakthrough is asking UK shoppers to help us stop breast cancer for good.

 

We’ve joined forces with high street favourites such as Debenhams, Laura Ashley and River Island, alongside beauty heavyweights Avon and ghd, to launch exclusive products to raise vital funds during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Shop For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

Each item carries a minimum 10% donation to Breakthrough’s life-saving work and, with prices starting from as little as £3.15, the collection carries something for everyone; Avon and ghd have your beauty needs covered, delicious berry shades are showcased in fashion pieces from designers at Debenhams and Damsel in a dress and a statement t-shirt from River Island, with bright kitchen accessories and tea-time staples available from Laura Ashley and Debenhams.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As an extra treat, bottlegreen has become bottlepink with a limited edition Pomegranate & Elderflower Cordial, complete with scrumptious cake recipe for 2014’s Breakthrough Bake Off, and M&S has created the beautiful ‘In the Pink’ bouquet.

There are a handful of items not yet on the lookbook that I have also copied in below. Jewellery brand Stella & Dot’s Strength and Inspire bracelets are priced at £35.00 each whilst the delicate Hope necklace is priced at £32.00. Made in Chelsea’s Riley Uggla has also designed an exclusive Live Your Life heart sweater with How Do I Save the World, which will retail at £20.00.

1. ghd Coral Bird of Paradise Styler, £129.00 – £10 donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available at exclusive premier salons and www.ghdhair.com

2. Avon’s Ultra Glazewear lip gloss in Pink Watermelon, reduced price of £3.50 (R.R.P £6.50) for Breast Cancer Awareness Month -£1 donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available at www.avon.uk.com or through local representative

3. Bottlepink Pomegranate & Elderflower Cordial (500ml), RRP £3.15 – 10% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available in all major supermarkets

4. Debenhams Floozie by Frost French Flower Statement Necklace, RRP £22.00 – Part of Debenhams’ Think Pink range with a 25% charity donation, which will be split 45% to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, 45% to Breast Cancer Campaign and 10% to Pink Ribbon Foundation. Available in-store and online at www.debenhams.com

5. Debenhams Think Pink Hangers, RRP £12.00 – Part of Debenhams’ Think Pink range with a 25% charity donation, which will be split 45% to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, 45% to Breast Cancer Campaign and 10% to Pink Ribbon Foundation. Available in sizes 8 to 20, in-store and online at www.debenhams.com

6. Laura Ashley Darcey Spot China Cup and Saucer, RRP £12.00 – 10% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available in most stores and at www.lauraashley.com

7. River Island Fashion Is T-shirt, RRP £18.00 – 30% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available in stores and online at www.riverisland.com

8. Damsel in a dress Obsession dress, £189.00 – 10% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available from www.damselinadress.co.uk and in select John Lewis and House of Fraser stores UK-wide (also have lifestyle shot)

9. Stella & Dot Inspire Bracelet, RRP £35.00 – 20% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available via www.stellaanddot.com or local stylists

10. Stella & Dot Strength Bracelet, RRP £35.00 – 20% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available via www.stellaanddot.com or local stylists

11. Stella & Dot Hope Necklace, RRP £32.00 – net proceeds go to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available via www.stellaanddot.com or local stylists

12. Riley Uggla’s Live Your Life Heart Sweater, RRP £20.00 – 20% donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Available at www.howdoisavetheworld.com

 

 

Level 42 – Sirens Tour – Gliding Back To Retro!

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In a world where white and a sparse aesthetic are dominant, a hit of disco styling works as the ideal antidote. The 80s disco period evokes memories of fun and glamour – jumpsuits, bomber jackets and metallic stack heels… good times.
In 2012, Level 42 celebrated the 25th anniversary of ‘Running In The Family’ which was the all-important album bringing tracks like ‘Lessons In Love’ and ‘Children Say’ to notoriety. This year, be prepared to awaken your Level 42 senses with the latest ‘Sirens’ tour, dance-oriented retro but bang up-to-date with a rightful place in the here and now.
Whether you’re listening to a ‘Sirens’ track in a Nikki Beach bar or a Mancunian nightclub, front-row of a slick Chanel runway show or just nipping to Morrisons in your Corsa, this 6-track album offers one-size-fits-all, irresistible easy listening vibes with clever atmospheric mixes by John Morales and Simon T (Ourra), taking Level 42 full circle, back to their roots.

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Level 42 successfully brought disco and dance to the mainstream but many of their older songs lie dormant. Mark told me “lots of songs never got to see the light of day… we’re bringing them out!” so hardened fans will recollect and newbies will be in for a treat… old and new tracks seamlessly stitched together like a pair of Dolce & Gabbana legwarmers.

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The band tours every couple of years and Mark King’s passion for the Level 42 fan-base is evident, his respect for their support is paramount and never taken for granted. “I am nuts about this (tour and album) and I know the fans are too.” He told me “We’re taking the lighting back to the way it was in 1988, boxes on stage with racks of lighting hoisted up on pneumatics.” Combine that with the appearance of a strong brass section featuring the fantastic saxophonist, Sean Freeman… this is going to be a long night of sweaty funk-retro-heaven!

October Tour Dates:

4th    MARGATE – Winter Gardens

5th     READING – Hexagon

6th     LEICESTER – De Montford Hall

7th     BIRMINGHAM  – Symphony Hall

9th     IPSWICH – Regent Theatre

10th   CAMBRIDGE – Corn Exchange

11th   OXFORD  – New Theatre

13th   BRISTOL – Colston Hall

14th  O2 APOLLO – Manchester

15th  YORK – Barbican

17th   GATESHEAD – Sage

18th O2 ABC – Glasgow

20th  O2 GUILDHALL – Southampton

21st  BEXHILL – De La Warr Pavillions

22nd   GUILDFORD – G-Live

24th   SOUTHEND – Cliffs Pavillions

25th   WATFORD – Colosseum

26th   LONDON – Royal Albert Hall

Tickets available from www.livenation.co.uk

Website: www.level42.com