Monthly Archives: September 2011

29Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: I’m sorry for your…Floss

Floss, in a beauty blog? I promise I have not been possessed by your preachy dental hygienist (we’ve all had one of those), so hear me out. When I wash my face, I cleanse, tone, and moisturise. As for the rest of my body, I exfoliate and then moisturise. So why is it often such a shock that teeth also necessitate a multi-step programme? In the evenings I brush, then floss, then swirl around some mouthwash, and always in that order. Flossing takes two minutes, and although you may not notice a huge difference when you don’t do it, I bet you’ll notice a huge difference when you do. Here’s what I mean: every night when I floss I get gobs of god-knows-what in my floss. Ergo, if I hadn’t flossed…well, you get the picture.

However, as with all things in life, there is good floss and bad floss. I recently tried the Oral-B Satin Ribbon, as it looked like it might be easier on my gums and had a sexy name. Do not be fooled, wise friends. The point of floss is to get into all those nooks and crannies that no other implement will reach. The ribbon (it’s literally a flat, narrow ribbon; think Sellotape) is difficult to manouevre and does not fit naturally between teeth. Its “satin” texture is actually rather slippery and cumbersome.

 

I stick with the Oral-B essential floss. It’s cheap (retails at Boots for £2.10), simple, and it got its name for a reason.

Sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics.

 

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27Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Girl-Crush Alert: Jennifer Joyce

Some girls not only have it all, but can miraculously do it all! Girls like Jenn Joyce, for example.

Jenn has written seven cookbooks with her eighth coming out in January. She’s a food stylist, writer, and she teaches cooking classes. On top of that she’s beautiful, warm, and charming. (Disclaimer: Jenn is a friend (and I have tasted first-hand the fruits of her labours) but in my opinion all that means is that I am in an even better position to judge her awesomeness.)

There’s great diversity in her books, so if you’re a girl on the go, there’s a book for you. Entertaining? Check! Packed lunches? Signed, sealed, delivered! Well-organized, helpful, tasty, and healthy: what’s not to love?!

The most recent of Jenn’s seven cookbooks, Meals in Heels:

Jennifer Joyce's most recent cook book

 

 

www.jenniferjoyce.co.uk

Posted by in Philosophy of Beauty

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27Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Laura Mercier, I’ve got a friend in you

Sometimes in life we’re lucky enough to meet a person and think, “It seems like I’ve known you my whole life. I get you and you get me.” That’s basically how I feel about Laura Mercier—well, about her products. Until about a month ago I had never used them and was not terribly familiar with the range or the brand. It was not until I happened upon a friend in the ladies room who was mid-application of the tinted moisturizer that I snapped to attention.

Damn, these are good products. I use the oil-free liquid foundation every day. Right now I use Suntan Beige, and as we move into the winter months I plan to segue into Vanilla Beige (yum!), as it’s slightly pinker and less tanned. I know there are quite different opinions on the subject, but I apply mine with a makeup brush and not my fingers. I wash all my makeup brushes with soap once a week (I think makeup brush wash is a complete waste of money), and for me that works. Different strokes for different folks (literally)! This makeup is smooth, soft, and gives great, even, full-coverage without a chalky “makeup-y” look. It last me throughout the day and it looks flawless yet natural. Isn’t that the dream?

Laura Mercier oil-free liquid foundation

 

www.lauramercier.com

 

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26Sep / 2011

R’s Beauty: Shu Uemura “Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil”: Love Over Logic

Although a handful of ex-boyfriends might disagree, I’m a pretty logical person. So why on earth would I subject my oily skin to more oil? That’s like, “Oh, your kitchen is on fire? Throw some kerosene on it; that should help.” Or, “Oh, she’s just a friend? And a model? Sure, go have fun, you two!”

Anyway. I am fastidious about making sure that all the products I use are oil-free, from sunscreen to makeup to makeup remover. Though I had heard about the magic that is Shu Uemura’s face cleansing oils, I thought—logically—that I should stay far away.

But as all those ex-boyfriends understood, the heart has reasons that reason cannot know. So I bought Shu Uemura’s newest formulation, “Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil” (exclusive to Liberty in London, for now), in the hopes that there was a power greater than logic. It turns out that that power comes in a pretty pink bottle: with Sakura Leaf Extract (that’s “cherry blossom”; thank you, high school Japanese) and a version of salicylic acid, this cleanser lifts not only makeup (waterproof and otherwise), but actually binds with the oil and dirt inside pores, all of which gets whisked away when you rinse.

I’ve been using “Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil” for a week, and I’m in love. Love, I tell you! My skin is brighter, my pores look smaller, and I haven’t broken out once. My skin is soft rather than tight and overstripped, and I swear my skin isn’t as oily during the rest of the day.

Sometimes, I guess, the heart makes room for a little illogic.

“Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil”

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25Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Wax On, Wax Off: London’s Ministry of Waxing

Wax or don’t wax, it’s up to you. But if you’re gonna go for it, you ought to do it right. I’ve tried cheaping out on this element of my beauty routine and baby, it ain’t worth it. A few months ago I started going to the Ministry of Waxing in London and I was hooked. Those girls are serious about their waxing. Pretty much the only service the joint offers is…wait for it…waxing. Well, actually, hair removal in general; they offer laser services as well.

You can also buy packages—which terrified me at first—but now I’m, as I said, hooked. I paid upfront, which gets me 6 treatments for the price of 5, 10% off on all products (more on products later), and I got 10% off on the package itself because it was my birthday month.

The difference between a good and bad wax is pain. And not just day of, but I am convinced that bad waxes and bad products lead to ingrowns and weird regrowth. The staff at Ministry of Waxing are pleasant, competent, and efficient. What more could a gal (or guy, they do that too), ask for?

The other thing I love about the Ministry of Waxing are their products. I use two different post-wax ointments. The first is for ingrowns, called “X’ed Out”. No one likes to talk about ingrowns, but let’s face it: we all get them. (I’ve also read that this product can double as an acne cream, which makes sense to me, but I’ve personally never tried it.) Unlike most (in fact all, that I’ve ever seen) products for ingrowns, this is not alcohol-based. Instead it contains bromelain, a pineapple enzyme (an anti-inflammatory), tea tree oil, vitamin A, and Resorcinol, all of which work together to get down into your follicles and both treat and prevent ingrowns, without the typical harshness of alcohol.

X'ed Out

 

The second product I love is “Body Ultim E. Epil”. When my aesthetician first mentioned it to me, I recoiled in fear. It seemed so unnatural, and frankly I didn’t believe its claims. This product sets out to reduce hair regrowth and to slow down the regrowth process between waxings. According to the product description, its black truffle “impedes new hair growth and promotes finer hair.” Hoping for the impossible, I caved and purchased this product and upon use (once a day for 10 days), I was shocked. It honestly, truly, 100% works.

Body Ultim E. Epil

 

OK, good, but listen carefully to this next bit because I do have one beef with the place. The girls who do the treatments are great. However, the girls at reception are NOT. Walking in there you think you’ve walked into the United Nations or frickin’ Ministry of Defense. I realise they have the word “Ministry” in their name, but seriously people, get a grip. I was once about 3 minutes late for my appointment and upon arrival they both proceeded to give me the death stare and went on and on to me about how “well, they’d see what they could do. See if they could fit [me] in.” This isn’t brain surgery, girls; a little perspective perhaps? And then next time I was there, I heard them talking about another client who was a few minutes late saying “So should we cancel her appointment? I mean if she doesn’t walk through the door, right this second…” You get the point. They’re also just generally frosty and have a Mean Girls look about them.

The second problem is that because Ministry of Waxing so popular, it can be tough to get an appointment. I’ve taken to booking my next appointment just as soon as I’ve finished my treatment.

http://www.ministryofwaxing.com/

Posted by in Body, Hair

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22Sep / 2011

R’s Beauty: Grin and Juice

According to all those tantalizing cereal ads, juice is a nutritious part of a photogenically balanced breakfast. It turns out that it’s also a part of a balanced skincare routine (how’s THAT for a segue?). Think about this: the body absorbs up to 60% of what you put on it. Juice Beauty’s organic skincare products are natural, effective alternatives to all the products out there that just might be equivalent to slurping down a glassful of toxic sludge with your Grape Nuts (neither grape nor nut. Discuss).

I’ve used Juice’s Green Apple Peel, Green Apple body moisturizer with SPF, and the Green Apple SPF 15 face lotion (if one apple a day keeps the doctor away, think of what three can do! I’ll never die!!!!). The peel is brilliant, if a bit strong: it tingles intensely upon contact and my face is always red after I use it, but the day after my skin looks—dare I say—luminous. (There is a version for sensitive skin, never fear.)

The Green Apple body lotion smells fantastic; not too sweet and not at all artificial. The antioxidant vitamin C and SPF in both the body cream and the light, non-greasy face lotion are major bonuses, as I am determined never to freckle, wrinkle, or tan in any way, passage of time be damned.

When once again I alight on American shores, I am determined to get my paws on more Juice Beauty products. As the organic movement spreads throughout the world and the Midwest, it’s becoming more and more evident that you are not only what you eat, but what you slather on your largest organ (YOUR SKIN! Gah, what did you think I meant?!).

The apple of my...face.

www.juicebeauty.com

Posted by in Body, Face

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21Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: My deep, dark secret

I’ve got a secret. The only problem is that I’m not terribly good at keeping it and I’ll tell it to anyone, as long as they ask the magic question (cue drum roll please!): how do you stay so brown? Well, for starters, my mum’s half Indian, so that doesn’t hurt, but it’s more complex than that. OK, not really, the truth is actually very simple: it’s fake. I use fake tan spray. Boots Soltan Self Tan spray, specifically. That’s the only one I use and I apply it post-shower every couple of days.

While post-shower and post-moisturising (just make sure the moisturiser has completely set in) is the best time to use the spray (you’re fresh, clean and exfoliated), beware of using it post-shave: it may sting slightly. Regardless, this spray is the best. I have tried creams and mousses and tinted moisturisers and brand upon brand upon brand: Make Believe (£20-30), St. Tropez (£20-25), L’Oreal (£10-15), Garnier (£10-15)…you name it. And I have experienced streaks and spots and smells. Ahh did I mention the smell? Most fake tanners smell of fermenting socks, but the Soltan spray smells faintly of candy. It’s a keeper. It dries quickly, goes on evenly, and gives a noticeable yet natural colour.

What about the whole two-toned face issue? Another deep, dark secret: I just close my eyes and spritz a bit on my face. I always do this in the morning (not post-shower), as I do worry about how healthy it is to have it seeping into my face all night long.

Boots Soltan Self Tan Spray (£8.99)

Boots Soltan Self-Tan Dry Mist Spray

 

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21Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Nailed It

I have rather small, stubby hands. I thought I was doomed to doll-sized phalanges until I saw 30 Rock. Hope! You spring eternal!

Until I can get that transplant, I figured the best way to distract from my hands was to beautify my nails. However, my nails aren’t naturally great either. Weak and prone to breaking, they never seemed able to step up where my hands let me down. In a last-ditch effort, I began taking the Boots brand “Skin, Hair and Nails” supplement, which contains biotin and Evening Primose Oil. There are other supplements on the market, such as Perfectil, that address the same issue, but these sell for three times the price or more. As far as I can tell, the Boots version is doing a bang-up job.

Boots "Skin, Hair and Nails"

Boot’s “Skin, Hair and Nails” supplement

The second step in this action plan: nail oil. It took me quite a few tries to find one that really did the trick. I’ve used the OPI version, which comes in a nail varnish jar, so you simply brush it into your nail beds once or twice a day. This product is OK, but OK isn’t good enough for £16.  The oil was too thin and liquidy and would never fully absorb into the nail beds. I also tried a Boots brand oil that came with a little “eye dropper” top, but as far as I can tell, that product is no longer available.

Then—Hallelujah—I found the Body Shop’s version. Yes, the Body Shop reminds of Junior High (all those strawberry lip balms and passion fruit body butters!). But it’s still making great products, such as their almond nail oil. It comes in a little twisty pen with a brush at the end. It’s thick enough to not drip off your fingers post-application and it is quickly absorbed into the nails and cuticles. This is by far the best product of its kind I’ve found so far. For added fun, the lid doubles as a cuticle pusher. My only complaint is that it’s not big enough; I find myself twisting an empty canister after about three weeks. But a trip to the Body Shop is hardly a chore.

The Body Shop almond oil nail and cuticle pen

 

Retails for £7

The Body Shop “Almond Oil Nail & Cuticle Treatment”

Posted by in Body, Nails

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20Sep / 2011

R’s Beauty: Perfume, Disrobed

Estée Lauder’s new “Sensuous Nude” perfume wants you to come a little closer, baby.

A reinterpretation of 2008′s “Sensuous,” the blush-shaded “Nude” opens with top notes of Sicilian bergamot, baie rose (a pink peppercorn, not a rose), mandarin, and black pepper. This “Intimate” level of the fragrance dries down to “Feminine” jasmine, muguet (lily of the valley), coconut water, honey, and musk. As the second layer of scent dissipates, watch as the “Warm” base notes reel ‘em in: the combination of Lauder’s signature “Melted Woods NaturePrint®”, sandalwood, amber, musk, heliotrope, and vanilla lends this perfume sexiness without aggression.

This isn’t a going-out-clubbing fragrance; it’s “Nude,” not “Naked.”  It beckons rather than demands.  It’s a softly-lit artistic muse, a new love in late summer.

A soul-kiss in a bottle.

Estée Lauder "Sensuous Nude"

 

http://www.esteelauder.com/cms/whatsnew/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT708

Posted by in Body

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19Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Love It / Loathe It: Cleansing Facial Wipes

Can you love and loathe very similar things? The answer must be “yes,” because I love makeup wipes, but I LOATHE the Boots Essential version. In general, I am a big fan of Boots and the Boots brand in all its many incarnations. But this is one product they haven’t quite mastered.

Let me start by saying that face wipes should never be a replacement for washing your face, but they can be a great first step. I can get rid of all my makeup and that first layer of dirt (hello, London Underground).

I tried many times to convince myself that the Boots Essential Cleansing Wipes are going to do the trick, but they always disappoint. They always seem to be on offer (3 for 2 or buy one, get one free), which is usually great, but in this case I think it might be time to step back and ask myself why these things are always on offer? Why does Boots want to keep ‘em moving?

Bottom line: these wipes are far too dry. This means that you rub your face off before you get the makeup and dirt off. It’s not a pretty sight. This is just a low quality product: they’re cheap, every way you look at them.

So what’s the alternative? I’ve tried the Simple brand wipes, which are far better but about double the price.

My favourite product for removing makeup and grime? Baby wipes. In this case, what’s good enough for a baby’s bottom is, indeed, good enough for my face. Baby wipes are gentle, scent-free, soft on the skin, and pack plenty of moisture and cleansing power.

One hitch: if you’re like me and don’t happen to have a baby kicking around your flat, it can be slightly embarrassing to have a huge box plunked next to your sink (baby wipes are never discreet). The solution? Find a good drawer, I suppose. Or decoupage the hell outta that box.

 

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