UK Women Confess Their Beauty Secrets

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Frostie

I have never been high maintenance. No fake tan, no false eyelashes. In fact, in the past my husband was lucky if I brushed my hair on the weekends. Truth is, men prefer women when they are not wearing makeup but that does not stop us being insecure. While there are certain things I will keep a secret from my husband when it comes to grooming, and from Frost readers, I was quite surprised at the lengths that some women take to keep looking gorgeous. I think we should all just relax and if your partner does not love your natural beauty, then they were obviously not worth investing time in. I doubt it will come to this though. Men are not as shallow as the stereotype suggests. In my experience, they love natural beauty.

Even in the most open and honest relationships some things are best kept a secret. So when it comes to maintaining their beauty women of the UK withhold more than a pair of spanx and a bottle of fake tan from their partners.Nearly three quarters of men have no idea the lengths their wife or girlfriend goes to look her best, a study found yesterday. Research revealed most men are completely oblivious to the extensive beauty routine their other half goes through on a daily basis.

Among the pampering habits which escape men is the waxing or bleaching of moustaches and the extensive plucking of eyebrows, nose hair and chin whiskers. Wearing push-up bras, false eyelashes and control pants were also tricks ladies confessed to resorting to. As was covertly applying fake tan and wearing hair extensions for extra volume the poll by QVS Beauty Tools Experts found. Four in ten women said they purposely hide the gory details of their beauty regime from their man, with a third of women claiming they want to keep-up the pretence that they always look great.

BIGGEST BEAUTY SECRETS

Pluck whiskers from face

Wax moustache/facial hair

Wax/shave bikini line

Pluck hairs from nose

Bleach moustache/facial hair

Wax/shave legs

Remove hard skin from feet

Wax/shave underarms

Wear Spanx/control pants

Pluck your eyebrows

Cut your toenails

Wear a push-up/padded bra

Apply a face pack

Wear tooth veneers

Apply fake-tan

Wear false nails

Wear eyelash extensions

Wear false eyelashes

Wear coloured contact lenses

Apply make-up

Paint your toenails

Wear hair extensions

Have hair coloured / highlights

The poll of 1000 women and 1000 men revealed incredibly one in twenty women have never let their husband or boyfriend see them without a full face of make-up on.

The study revealed more than a quarter of the 1000 men polled said they have no idea what elements make up their wife or girlfriends beauty routine.With seven in ten saying they would rather be kept in the dark about what she gets up to behind the bathroom door. But one in ten said they would be shocked to learn that the love of their life wore cleavage enhancing bras or pants that sucked her in.And a quarter said they would also be surprised to find out she wore false nails, coloured contacts or had veneers on her teeth. And more than one in ten blokes couldn’t believe their other half would resort to wearing false tan.

But the research showed a quarter of women said they would be left embarrassed if their partner caught them carrying out certain preening tasks, with shaving their bikini line, waxing or bleaching their facial hair and plucking nasal hairs being named as the most mortifying. Fortunately three quarters of women said the longer they remain in a relationship the less they are concerned with keeping up a less than perfect image. With women claiming after being with a man for an average of one year and seven months, she begins to relax about her appearance. Having said that, a devious 61 per cent of females polled said if they receive a compliment from their partner they never confess to any ‘cheats’ they have undertaken, preferring to remain tight lipped.

What efforts do you take when it comes to beauty? Would you let your other half see you without makeup?

Stupid Things People Write In Acting Casting Breakdowns

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Ah, casting breakdowns, audition notices. Whatever you want to call them, they sure can frustrate. An actor will generally spend more time applying for acting roles than acting or even attending auditions. Acting is a game of numbers and applying to casting calls can be soul destroying indeed. Especially when they include any of the criteria below. Luckily I can find the humour in it. Like my dad says, ‘If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.’

Must be able to convey emotion. Jeez, that will be hard, it’s not that actors are trained in conveying emotion or anything.

We want real people, not actors. Really? Then why advertise on an ACTING JOB SITE. Idiot.

Nudity is required. All of the time but generally only for women.

Payment for lead actor only. Great, everyone else can just live on fresh air and pay their rent with fairy dust. That’ll work.

Female wanted. Character name: “The Girl”. Because in real life women are not known by their names, only by their gender. Oh, and they are ‘girl’ no matter how old they are apparently. Which is fine, because most of the people behind these castings want an 18-year-old. I wrote an article on this problem in the acting industry here.

Must be able to act. Really?

For women: Must be slim. Because a persons body mass impacts directly on their acting talent apparently.

For women: Must have long hair: Read: must be fuckable. So many castings just suit a stereotypical male ideal of female beauty. It is so sad

No acting experience needed. Because why hire actual actors when you can just hire someone off the street? It is not like we are trained professionals or anything.

These came just off the top of my head. I will continue to write about silly things in casting breakdowns in the hope that they improve somehow. Please add your own casting breakdown fails below or email them to frost magazine@gmail.com and I will include them in the next post. Let’s try and change the industry, even if we have to use tiny baby steps.

If you are an actor then check out my book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon.

Golden Globe 2015 | Red Carpet Round Up

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Frostie

We love fashion and Hollywood glamour at Frost. Following the Golden Globes 2015, Styloko.com have teamed up with Frost to unveil the most popular trends and looks searched by UK users within the last 24 hours.

Editor in Chief, Emily O’Brien provides insights into how Styloko.com users reacted to the trends and styles as worn by the world’s most glamourous women;

Most clicked products:

– With a range of celebrities wearing stunning evening gowns, maxi dresses with an eveningwear focus accounted for 50% of the most clicked products from Sunday night;

– Celebrities including Sienna Miller and Joanne Froggatt looked incredible in detailed gowns. This was reflected with Styloko.com users searches which included embellishment, evening fabrics such as lace and glamourous details were a key focus for shoppers; embellishment accounted for 75% of the overall clicked dress styles.

The most popular Golden Globes trends translated from the red carpet back to Styloko.com were:

– Black

– White/nude

– Black searches by Styloko.com users outweighed white/nude 65% to 35%,

Other colours searched by Styloko.com users in the last 24 hours include blue and red which appeared to be a key trend on the night. Celebs such as Felicity Jones in teal Christian Dior and Alison Jones in her incredible red embellished strapless gown by Armani Prive showed off these trends with aplomb;

Lastly…

Styloko.com has seen a 300% MoM increase in number of jumpsuits clicked on site. Leading actress and fashion maverick Emma Stone continued to buck the trend with her stunning embellished jumpsuit by French fashion house Lanvin.

Who do you think was the best dressed at The Golden Globes?

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian Food

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

My husband has stopped eating meat, which means I have had to develop something of an imagination when it comes to cooking. I came up with this dish after being inspired by a lentil and tomato dish I had at an Italian restaurant in Putney called The Italian Boys. This is completely different, but I was greatly inspired by the combination of tomato sauce and lentils. So here is my take on it.

I have called it a hotpot after my husband suggested it. It tastes amazing, if I do say so myself.

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

You will need:

3-4 Leeks.

A tin of chopped tomatoes.

Lentils (150-200g)

3 carrots

A tablespoon of olive oil

A dollop of butter

La Rosmarina sauce. (We get ours from Fattoria La Villa but you can buy it from somewhere else or make your own. The ingredients are tomatoes, extra virgin oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and hot chilli pepper. Only use a tiny amount of the hot chilli pepper, you want a slight kick, this is not a spicy dish).

Method

Thoroughly clean the lentils and then add them to a pan. Pour cold water over them and then bring to the boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes. Next clean and chop the leeks and the carrots. Then take a frying pan and add a dollop of butter or spread. Add the leeks and the carrots and sauté them for 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the leeks and carrots are cooked add the lentils and then the rosemary sauce. Finally, add the tin of tomatoes. Stir it all together and make sure it is all hot. Job done: Leek & Lentil Hotpot. It is quick and easy.

If you can’t get your hands on some La Rosmarina sauce, although I recommend that you do, add some fresh rosemary, a clove of garlic, a touch of salt and a very slight amount of hot chilli pepper to the dish. The hot chilli pepper can be taken out altogether if you do not want any spice, or add a little more if you are so inclined.

This is an amazing dish that really locks in the flavour and is very healthy. If you cook it for yourself, let me know what you think.

The Wellington: Margaret Graham’s Local in The Heart of London

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Margaret Graham

OK, so it’s the middle of winter, the wind is hurtling along the Thames, and you’re crossing Waterloo Bridge, head down, unaware that the bridge was rebuilt in the 2^nd World War, and the workforce included women. The only thought in your head is food and shelter.

Such was the situation a couple of years ago as Penny Deacon and I (writers and organisers of Words for the Wounded) reached the Strand, and there it was; this beacon in a sea of misery, the fantastic, fantabulous Wellington on the Strand. Straight across the road we powered, and hit the stairs to the restaurant at a run, resembling nothing as much as drowned rats.

That was the start of our Wellie adventure: within a few months it was the Graham’s London ‘local’. Penny lives in the West Country so looks on enviously, but I’m in High Wycombe, which is just a hop skip and jump from town. Often I meet Jan Speedie (besties since we were nine and she is also an organiser of Words for the Wounded). We spend an inordinate amount of time in the National or Portrait Galleries, in St Martin’s in the Fields poking about, or at the theatre, or exploring the City. Where do we eat? The Wellie of course.

Sticky slow-braised pork belly.

But why? Isn’t one pub much like another? I think, quite frankly, that whoever said that, needs to go and wash out her/his mouth with soap, as my mother would say.

The Wellington has the knack of becoming special to everyone we’ve brought along; the ‘grands’ love it, our friends too. It dates from 1903 and its neo-gothic exterior is a bit of a landmark. It is named after Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington whose historic victory over Napoleon in 1815 ended the Napoleonic Wars. (If you haven’t been to Apsley House, home of the first Duke of Wellington and his descendants, you should. It stands right in the heart of London at Hyde Park Corner.)

The Wellingon sits next to Covent Garden, a name derived from the Convent Garden, which belonged to Westminster Abbey. It was to Covent Garden that I went to buy a gift for my granddaughter with money presented by Jose on behalf of the staff, as she was having a serious operation that day.

The staff are gorgeous. There’s the manager, Ruth, from Australia, Jose the team leader, (Spanish) who wins the rosette for character. There’s Michal, assistant manager, who grows a moustache for charity from time to time and who has read Maeve’s Afternoon Delight, so has a big tick from me. There’s our lovely pal Eszter from Budapest who we love because of her great kindness, and Thomas from Krakow who I’m trying to get to write a feature with me about Krakow for Frost Magazine.

The ambiance is smart as a button, especially after its recent makeover but so many of the original features are still there that it’s hard to go wrong. One of the highlights for me is the Art Nouveau windows.

So, now we come to the food, of course. My favourite is the belly pork, Dick seldom strays from the sausage and mash, but Jan plumps for the fish fillets or seafood pie. We invariably add a large glass of Pino Grigio each. It’s always the right temperature, always rather too nice.

Let’s not forget the bar… The Wellington boasts a gorgeous long bar, and that brings me to the ales, which Dick and his bestie, Tim Norman, swear by.

The ales change seasonally so the Wellie rotates between 18 seasonal ales 4 times per year and also rotates between 19 National favourite ales. Nicholsons Pale Ale is always stocked – it is a classic English-style Pale Ale and brewed exclusively for Nicholson’s by St Austell Brewery. It is brewed with the finest Cornish Maris Otter barley.

If you’re after a super friendly attractive venue, with great food and drink, you don’t need to be freezing. Just head to the Wellie (The Wellington on the Strand, 351 Strand. London) www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thewellingtonstrandlondon

Joo Yeon Sir in Concert at St Martin’s in the Fields 9th January by Margaret Graham

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Some years ago I was honoured to be invited to speak at the commemoration of Vera Brittain’s life, at St. Martin’s in the Fields. I was delighted to pay homage to the author of Testament of Youth, (soon to be released as a film) who wrote with an eye to the social and political context of the time, as indeed do I. So, on went the hat, and off I went.

In the front pews were the great and the good, rewardingly attentive. At the back, secure in the knowledge they were welcome at St. Martin’s whatever else was going on, were the sleeping, snoring homeless. St. Martin’s has endeared itself to me ever since; with its balance of religion, and community.

Part of this ethos had led, 65 years ago, to the free lunchtime concerts. At last I caught one, featuring Joo Yeon Sir and what a treat.

Joo Yeon Sir photograph by www.benjaminharte.com

Joo Yeon Sir (violin), acclaimed and award winning Korean born British violinist, has performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician at major venues across the UK. At the concert on 9^th January she was accompanied by Russian born Irina Andrievshy .So there I was, sitting in St. Martin’s again: did it disappoint?

Absolutely not, it was a tour de force.

As I sat towards the back, pre-concert, admiring the East Window created by Shirazeh Houshiary and Pip Horne with its etched mouth blown clear glass, I wondered if St Martin’s ethos of ‘all welcome’ still held good; especially in such a full house. Then I heard it… A homeless gentleman sitting in a pew across from me, asking where was God, loudly, and then rather more vehemently where the …. was he? Security arrived, a kindly security, who had a little chat, and the visitor left, amicably, to return halfway through the concert. A frisson ran round our area. He plonked himself in a congested pew, (they all were) getting everyone to shove up, and then settled to listen to the marvelous music, along with the rest of us. Perfection at all levels – again.

Joo Leon Sir had chosen to open the concert with Grave in style of F. Bach. I’m a great weeper when listening to the violin, because I find it the most beautiful of instruments, if played well. It was played, more than well, so things became blurred. What enhanced the piece was the glorious building. Both the playing and the architecture inspired awe.

Then it was the Sonata No 3 in C minor for Violin and Piano, which was beautifully and empathetically imagined and finally a Concert Fantasy on Gershwin’s Opera ‘Porgy and Bess’, which was cheeky, energetic and as haunting, as Gershwin always is.

Joo Yeon Sir plays not just with her fingers, but her whole body. She is a joy to listen to, and to watch. So, take the upcoming opportunity: Joo Yeon performs all ten of Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano, in a series of four rush-hour recitals at the Royal College of Music, starting 3^rd March.

Again, all recitals are free but tickets are required from the RCM Box Office. 020 7591 4314/ www.rcm.ac.uk/events Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS.

Ariella Announced As Exclusive Sponsor Of Hollywood Red Carpet Awards Events On UK SKY And E! Channels

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

UK fashion brand Ariella takes over as the official and exclusive sponsor of all the Hollywood Red Carpet Awards events on UK SKY and E! channels throughout 2015.

The coverage includes The Oscars, The Grammies, The Emmys, The Golden Globe Awards and many more.

Ariella is the leading UK brand for cocktail, evening and special occasion wear. Founded in the swinging sixties in Carnaby St London, the brand has won wide acclaim, numerous Fashion awards and continues to grow ever stronger, creating irresistible fantasies in fashion.

Ariella is proud to announce that they are the UK TV sponsor for the following Award ceremonies and TV programmes in 2015 including The Oscars, Live from the Red Carpet, Fashion Police, Who wore it Better, Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and People’s Choice Awards.

Ariella has produced a stunning advertising campaign as part of the sponsorship deal which sees ‘ARIELLA The Home of Red Carpet Fashion’ feature on Sky Network (all Sky channels), Sky Movies – Oscars channel, Sky Living, Sky News, Sky One, E!, Movies 24, Universal Channel and Syfy

You can see the advertisements air this weekend with the Golden Globes coverage.

Do you remember seeing this dress?

Darcey Bussell wore Ariella Couture’s “Angelina” dress as judge on Halloween night on the hit BBC One show “Strictly Come Dancing”

Darcey looked stunning on the Strictly judging panel alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel, with Darcey choosing couture from London designers Ariella.

Darcey wore the “Angelina“, an asymmetric black, liquid effect sequined gown.

www.ariella.com

An Elegant Subject To Brooch…

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

The brooch is making a comeback for SS15 and Bentley & Skinner have some of the finest and unique pieces in the world.

Finally we can re-embrace the incredible versatility of the brooch.

For SS15, the brooch has been seen in the collections of Chanel, Céline and Oscar de la Renta, to name a few.

A brooch can accent any outfit and the range of designs is practically limitless.

By Royal Appointment to HRH Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Price of Wales and somewhat of a secret celebrity favourite, Bentley & Skinner brooches are used extensively for high-end glossy magazine shoots and

are available to purchase through their website.

Beautiful pearls, diamonds and enamels exquisitely set into gold and silver, modern delights and antique treasures.

Prices range from £1,250 to £225,000