Tag Archives: Beauty

English Rose Cosmetics Review

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English Rose Cosmetics have great packaging. The right amount of kitsch and glamour. All inspired by women living in war-torn Britain in the 1940s and how they managed to look glamorous despite having limited resources. Founder of English Rose Cosmetics, Karin McKay, drew on her 16 years of experience to create the brand. She choose ingredients that are proven to work.

We reviewed two of the products from the range.

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Daily Defence Moisturiser.

This moisturiser has a wonderful texture, it is a cream but is gel like. It is very refreshing to put on and melts into the skin. It makes my skin look instantly radiant and it smells great. Long term it improves skin, making it look loved and more youthful. What more could you want?

This lovely refreshing gel like moisturiser plumps out fine lines and wrinkles whilst intensely moisturising.  Skin is protected from free radicals and shielded from allergens and pollutants and helps reduce redness caused in inflammation.

£14

 

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Cocoa Ration Body Butter

This body butter is the way body butter should be. It is thick and takes a while to massage in. It smells great and improves skin tone. Even on the first use. It has cocoa, shea and avocado: all brilliant ingredients that really make a difference to skin. What’s more, it only costs £10. I know that is not cheap, but for what it is and how long it lasts it is worth it. A good product. I loved it.

Skin is intensely moisturised by penetrating and calming Cocoa, Shea & Avocadol , leaving a velvety after feel with natural vanilla fragrance.  Highly recommended for sensitive, irritated skin that needs calming.  As shea and cocoa butter melt at skin temperature, we recommend warming a dollop between your palms before applying.

 

£10

http://www.english-rose-cosmetics.com/

Top Beauty Tips for Brides

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Bride, bridal make up, tips for wedding day, wedding, marriage, wedding day, tips, beauty, make up, tips

Photo credit: TrueMalyugin

We have some Top Beauty Tips for Brides from highly experienced facial therapist Amanda Elias; the brains behind effective yet affordable skincare brand, Bravura London. Amanda really knows her stuff so enjoy.

How to Prep Your Skin for a Wedding

Don’t try any new products, skincare, hair care, make-up, even washing powder 3 weeks before your wedding, any kind of a reaction could take a couple of weeks to calm down and that’s the last thing you need before your big day!

Don’t leave it until the last minute to think about your skin, the longer you have to correct any skin issues, the better! Using products that contain AHA’s will help to remove dead skin which tends to leave our skin looking dull and lifeless, removing this dead layer will leave your skin looking fresher and more vibrant.

If you’re getting married abroad, make sure you wear SPF 50 as soon as you arrive and re-apply regularly. Don’t risk sunbathing, you don’t want to get married looking like a lobster! Don’t forget your ears, lips and the back of your neck.

To avoid any fake tan disasters before your wedding, book yourself in for a spray tan the day before, you’re a lot less likely to end up with any streaky patches. Make sure you have a trial tan before the big day to make sure the colour suits you and to avoid any chance of a reaction.

Make-up sits better on exfoliated skin, using a cleanser that contains AHA’s daily can help to remove the dead skin so that your foundation lasts longer.

If you suffer with blackheads or hormonal spots on your chin, try using a salicylic acid product daily. This will help to exfoliating the skin and clear out the pores, salicylic acid also has an anti-inflammatory effect so it’s great for spots that can also become inflamed.

If you have a lot of redness left over from acne, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about a short course of hydrocortisone which can dramatically help to reduce the discolouration.

There’s going to be a lot of focus on your hands on your big day, to keep your hands and nails in peak condition, massage sweet almond oil in to your hands and nails daily, a month before the wedding. By your big day your nails will be stronger and your hands will be supper soft. If your hands tend to be flaky, mix a little olive oil and sugar, gently massage in to your hands, wash away and then apply your sweet almond oil.

Don’t forget your lips, wear a good quality lip balm and re-apply regularly throughout the day, especially before bed. Do this for at least a week before your wedding and your lips will be super soft and kiss ready.

Do you have any beauty tips?

Katy Perry Shares Picture Of New Fragrance Ad Killer Queen

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Katy Perry shared the first look of her new fragrance campaign on Twitter. The new fragrance is called Killer Queen and Kate looks pretty killer in the ad.

Katy tweeted: “I’m thrilled to reveal #killerqueen Own The Throne”. This will be Kate’s third fragrance. She told Women’s Wear Daily, “It took us something like 30 or 35 tries to get it right. I wanted floral [notes] like Jasmine, but I also wanted red velvet flower, which is incredible-it gives it the edge that makes it Killer Queen.”

We think Kate looks great. What do you think?

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SBC Leg Soothing Gel Review

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SBC Leg Soothing Gel ReviewSBC Leg Soothing Gel is a refreshing water-based gel which is great for tired and over-worked legs. I had never heard of SBC before but I loved the packaging which was simple but effective. It has arnica in it which speed up healing and is good for getting rid of bruises a bit quicker. It has a lovely smell and a little of the product goes a long way so it lasts a long time.

The ingredients are all natural, it has menthol, camphor, witch hazel and arnica. It gives an instant refreshing feeling when I put it on and in the long term made my overworked legs feel better. I injured my back at the beginning of the year so have been mostly exercising my lower body, this gel takes the strain of my poor legs.

The gel absorbs quickly and leaves legs cool and soothed. It is not sticky after application and the directions even say you can put it on over tights or stockings. It comes in an easy dispensable bottle and is a lovely blue-green colour.

Would I buy it? Yes. Good stuff.

Ethics: Not tested on animals.

Available from QVC UK and here

My QVC With Lisa Snowdon

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This year QVC is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. 2013 marks the 20th birthday of QVC UK and to mark 20 Years of making shopping fun, British model and presenter, Lisa Snowdon, has curated a special selection of her top picks from QVC, ranging from jewellery and homes to beauty – shop the products at QVC

Lisa Snowden

Anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with a variety of brand experts from the likes of fashion journalist Eve Pollard, beauty editor Nadine Baggot and many more in the next few months picking their own assortment of favourite products.

 

Clarisonic Plus Face & Body Complete Sonic Cleansing System

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Item number – 400407

QVC Price – £197.00

 “I’m a skincare addict with my dermatologist on speed dial!  Nothing cleans your face better than Clarisonic”

 

Bose SoundDock II Digital Music System and Bose IE2 Headphones

Item number – 502821

QVC Price – £290.00

image0013 I love music and as a breakfast radio DJ I start my morning every day with two hours of tunes.  Having  this at home means I can end my day with music too.  And it charges my iPhone – perfect!”

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

Item Number – 222526

QVC Price – £30.50

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“I love a natural sunkissed look as if you’ve just stepped off the beach.  This is great to give you that holiday glow all year round”

 

bareMinerals Deluxe 16g Foundation

Item number- 203593

QVC Price – £32.50

 

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“I like the natural ingredients and the in built SPF of this foundation. You can even your skin tone with a light dusting or layer it up to get fuller coverage, whatever you need that day!”

 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Item number – 214876

QVC Price – £51.00

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“Cult classic, it gently deep cleans, I can’t be without it”

 

Nails Inc 4 Piece Happy Nude Year Collection

Item number – 203106

QVC Price – £23.50

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“Nude shades are never out of vogue, these cool colours will suit everyone and go with anything you wear”

H2O X5 Multi-Floor Steam Mop & H/held Steamer with Accessories

Item number – 832294

QVC Price – £69.00

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“I like things to be clean and steam mops can clean almost everything!”

 

Benefit Waterproof Liner & Mascara Duo

Item number – 202807

QVC Price – £29.00

 

benefit make up

 

“Big, long lashes give you an instant boost and make everyone look good, the thick black kohl liner adds depth and sexiness”

Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial

Item number – 226630

QVC Price – £39.60

 lisa snowden beauty secrets

“When I’ve had a few too many late nights and early starts, this overnight facial gives my skin a great boost”

 

Elemis Tan Accelerator 400ml

Item number – 219847

QVC Price – £44.00

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“I love to be a bronzed goddess but always make sure I’m safe in the sun by wearing a high SPF.  This helps me prepare my skin to make the most of those all-too-rare sunshine rays”

 

Lisa Snowdon Diamond Charm Ring Sterling Silver

Item number – 608771

QVC Price – £68.00

 lisa snowden jewellery

Lisa Snowdon Diamond Cross Ring Sterling Silver

Item number – 608763

QVC Price – £92.00

 QVC ring

Do you shop at QVC? What is your favourite product?

Should You Go To Brazil? A Pondering On The Brazilian Wax.

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Pubic_hair_style_Full_WaxThere is a scene in Sex & The City where Carrie and her friends go to Los Angeles, Carrie goes to a new beautician for a wax who ‘takes everything’. Later, when the girls are discussing their shock about being ‘totally bald down there’, Samantha tells Charlotte that her husband Trey, who has been having some problems in the bedroom, might finally be able to consummate their marriage as ‘he probably hasn’t been to Brazil before’. After this episode, the Brazilian wax became hugely popular. But what is it, where did it come from and should women really be getting them? Let’s find out.

 

With a Brazilian wax all of the pubic hair is removed, front and back, by waxing. Ouch. Some people like to leave a thin strip of pubic hair, referred to as a ‘landing strip’.

 

The Brazilian wax, apparently, was first named by the J. Sisters salon in Manhattan in 1987.

 

According to Wikipedia, some people claim that the concept of the Brazilian came from a letter documenting in 1500 AD, which read: “…suas vergonhas tão altas e tão çarradinhas e tão limpas das cabeleiras que de as nós muito bem olharmos não tínhamos nenhuma vergonha” (English translation: “their private parts were so exposed, so healthy and so hairless, that looking upon them we felt no shame”).

 

Brazilian waxing is the most controversial form of waxing, Brazilian waxing is unpopular amongst some women (and men), especially feminists who claim the only people who like it are men who want their women to look underage. Which may be why it is hugely popular with porn stars.

 

Model and Socialite Lisa B said that when she got a Brazilian at a salon in LA that “It was so painful I collapsed. I only fainted, but I was nearly carted off to hospital and I have vowed never to try it again.”

 

Other negatives are that it is a painful experience and if it is not done properly it can cause infection, prolonged bleeding or swelling of the area. It helps to take ibuprofen an hour before you have your Brazilian wax (this is what Madonna does).

 

The positives are that many women say it improves their sex life. If you get it done frequently then the hair will become weaker and the regrowth will become less as time goes on.

 

A Brazilian wax usually last between three to six weeks, but this depends on your hair regrowth rate. Some irritation may occur too, try some aloe vera on the irritated area. If you have ingrown hair (which will look like little bumps. They happen when the hair is not pulled out correctly. The hair curls back in on itself or grows sideways into the skin) you can buy beauty products that specialise in the improvement of ingrown hair. If you are confident you can even tackle the problem with some tweezers, just be careful.

 

The new rise in Brazilian waxing may be because of The Only Way Is Essex and the popularity of vajazzling, which was pioneered by Amy Childs.

 

Interestingly, New Jersey has banned the Brazilian wax for health reasons. This happened after two women in New Jersey were hospitalised after having the procedure.

 

If you want to have a Brazilian do so. Just make sure you go to a salon which is hygienic and knows what they are doing, take a painkiller before and make sure you are not prone to infection.