Nail Yourself A Bargain!

 

 

I check the Selfridges beauty page more times than most people check their mail... yes it's true I have an obsession at looking at all the beautiful, expensive products that have just come into stock. I noticed a few weeks ago, a brand new shade of nail polish by Chanel, in this wonderful Mermaid-Esque shimmery green colour, number 531 to be precise.  I loved the colour, just not the price. So, imagine my delight at seeing an almost identical replica in Tesco the other day entitled "Bongo Beat", for just £1.49. It made for a slightly alternative version to the Tesco meal deal that I usually go for, but one could argue the goods were much tastier. 

I applied this polish the same day, and after 4 days it still shows no sign of chipping, despite me not adding a topcoat. You would think that because it's a "cheap" nail polish, that it would go on in a similar fashion, but honestly it couldn't be any different... the polish has a wonderful shimmery-yet-not-glittery effect to it, and the texture is quite creamy, similar to polish I have tried from Bobbi Brown. I also noticed it was fairly quick to dry, and any additional coats went on really smoothly.

For over a £21 saving (I don't live anywhere near a Chanel/Selfridges counter so would have to pay the postage)... I think the Collection 2000 version is excellent, so good infact that it makes me realise just how ridiculous the Chanel price is, even though I'm sure it's wonderful too.  I do like my high end make up, however why pay more if the high street brands can pack just as good a punch?

Finally, in terms of pale skin this is a great autumnal colour, and I think it would suit redheads brilliantly. It's not a dark, flat colour... and yet it's not too sparkly for daytime wear. Give it a try!  

I don't think Jackie O would have been a fan....

Nothing excites me more in the make up world, than finding pale foundations.... they are a rare find afterall! Lush - yes that shop that fills every shopping center up and down the land with the smell of bath bombs, jellies, scrubs and all sorts - have brought out their own range of foundations, entitled "Colour Supplements". 

I think this product is hands down the closest ever matching foundation I have ever found in relation to my skintone. Lush seem to have grasped the concept that pale foundation means NO orange/deep yellow tones. I swatched some of this product on my skin from one of the tester pots in their Lincoln store. Normally when I do this, I go into daylight outside and boom - it's oxidised and turned much darker on my hand and that's another load of money I have just wasted. I was completely amazed that Jackie Oates really does stay the same colour - and genuinely is 100% for pale skin tones.

Price wise, it's £8.50 for 20g of product which I think is pretty reasonable. Sadly, us fairer folk don't always have the option of price, coverage, brand etc... it's literally what colour we can find to give us the closest match!

I wish the rest of this review was going to continue in such a positive light, however when I got the pot home and went to apply it... this is where things started to turn sour.

Before applying Jackie Oates, I cleansed my skin and applied Hydroluron, followed by my moisturiser and then a light application of MUA primer. This is the same routine I do before applying any base, as my skin is quite dry. This is where I soon ran into problems with Jackie Oates, as the application was terrible and no matter which method I used (hands or brush), I just couldn't get it to sit nicely. I found that if I tried to blend it in, it would either peel away or simply cling to dry areas of the skin, and no matter how many times I went over with with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, I couldn't get it to blend. 

It kills me to speak badly of Lush products, as I find them and their values towards animal testing, recycling etc to be very commendable.... but at the same time I can't lie. Jackie Oates for me is a big disappointment, which is a shame because as you can see compared to the lightest shade mac do (apart from pure white), JO is a very pale shade indeed.  

Also, the first time I used this my skin broke out in quite an unusual way... I am wondering if this has something to do with the ingredients which includes Titanium Dioxide. I have tried to research this online and have found nothing substantial that suggests this is a bad thing as such. However, it does surprise me the ingredients aren't completely natural, being made by Lush and all. Maybe someone can fill me in on whether it is harmful?

All in all, as you can probably tell I am quite dissapointed by Jackie Oates. However, I have a feeling it's probably one of those products that simply works better for other skin types (such as oily) than it does mine. I still applaud Lush for recognising that there is a *dire* need for pale foundations... I am just sad that Jackie Oates doesn't quite fit the bill. If they were to improve the formulation however, I would gladly re-purchase and re-review it... as I know they can do better with this one.

Lipstick For Pale Skin

I never really feel like my make up is "done" without something on my lips. If I'm going fairly natural, this may be a tinted lip balm. However, I really love it when I can throw on a trusty lipstick, and there are 5 I tend to go for the most. Strangely, I don't own any high end lipsticks... yes really! There are a few reasons for this, mainly because the nearest mac counter to me is 2 hours away. I also feel very strongly that the high street really does some fantastic lipsticks, so much so that up to now I have never felt the need to deviate from this. 

Here are the 5 lipsticks in more detail (in no particular order!)

1. Revlon - Matte 004 Pink about it
£6.49

I've had this lipstick for a really long time now, and it's still going strong even if it's sadly getting ever closer to running out. It's a little weird that it's called "Pink about it", as I think it's more of an orangey coral shade with only the slightest hint of pink. It's fairly comfortable to wear, although I think Revlon have discontinued it as I can only find it on Amazon.

2. Collection Volume Sensation - 13 Satin Bow
£2.99

I actually received this lipstick as part of a £5 for £20 worth of products goody bag, at the Clothes Show. The lady said this lipstick was a good shade because it was so neutral, therefore suitable for a multitude of different looks. This is my first ever nude lipstick, and I have to say I've gotten alot of use out of it, even though it's not all that pigment heavy. In a good way, this is useful because it means I can wear lipstick yet I know it wont overpower the look, or be to much for daytime. I also really like the packaging, you can't beat a pink of pink!

3. Make Up Academy - Shade 16 Nectar
£1

No, you're not seeing things... this lipstick really did cost just a quid! I have been wearing this lipstick alot lately. It is quite matte so I like to apply balm before and after use so my lips don't dry out. This shade is quite bold as it's a bright orange/coral shade. However against my skintone, I can't get enough of it. There are 16 shades in the MUA lipstick range, and I think for the quality the price is unbelievable, and it wouldn't cost the earth to buy the entire range!  Compare £16 for SIXTEEN lipsticks (if you're crazy enough), as opposed to £36 for ONE Tom Ford lipstick. Enough said!

Finally, it has a cute little detachable end that contains more product, which can be applied by hand like a balm or with a lip brush (such as the Real Techniques detailer brush). 

4. Rimmel London  - 500 Diva Red
£6.29

Would you believe I actually won this lipstick on a competition held by Rimmel way back in the days of myspace?! Diva red is quite a dark red, but at the same time is quite vibrant when you apply it. The colour is quite pigmented and stays on a really long time (it was also the most stubborn swatch to clean off my arm!). If I was to be picky, I would probably advise a lip liner as the colour can bleed slightly if you apply too much product.

5. Barry M  - 121 Pillar Box Red
£4.49

Good old Barry M, we haven't forgotten you! This shade is very vibrant, and reminds me of old Hollywood. It has a slight sheen to it, however is more matte than gloss. The packaging is also quite sleek, and fits together to be quite small compared to my other lipsticks. This makes it ideal for my handbag, although I don't tend to wear this shade all too often. However when I need it, I know it will deliver and last a really long time.


(If you were wondering, I had to use this lipstick for an art project hence it's a little flat looking!)

Looking Good

 

 

It's not often I open a magazine and see beautiful, pale skinned models advertising fashion and beauty looks (afterall, pale is not considered cool remember). However, things are looking up in this months "Look" magazine published here in the UK. 

Now whilst we may be a long way off making the cover, the second page and a few other pages within this issue of the magazine are fronted by a stunning model (unfortunately I've scoured the magazine and cannot find her name anywhere). Even so, I really applaud Look magazine for featuring a range of models of all different skintones. There is nothing I hate more when magazines do fashion features that are only suitable for tanned skin, as I think what's the point in me buying this if it won't suit me? Thankfully this issue does diversify, and hopefully it will open the floodgates for more publications to follow suit.

Afterall, it's not just lack of make-up shades that us fairer folk struggle with finding - clothing choices can also have an impact. This is why it's refreshing to see Look realise that not everyone is bronzed, and just because we are not doesn't mean to say we don't deserve to find nice clothes that suit us - not wash us out or make us feel self conscious. I have posted some of the pictures from the editorial above. Let me know what you think! 

Perfect Polish

Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is a hot cloth cleanser, that is pretty much a staple in most beauty bloggers lives. Infact, it is more than likely you've heard countless people talk about it on youtube. So why another review on it? I guess I really wanted to talk about C&P from my own experiences, especially if you have never used it yourself, and are looking for a good quality cleanser.

So lets start from the beginning. Liz Earle founded her brand in 1995, and now has 4 UK stores, with the company base situated in the Isle of Wight. The brand is renown for their high quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced, and are also free from animal testing. 

I have been a C&P addict for a good 2 years now. In terms of my skin, it's not perfect (whose actually is?!)... it can be quite sensitive, dry but also temperamental in terms of breakouts. Now this is not a review where I end up stating C&P is the perfect fix for all of these problems, as I believe having good skin is about an overall balance of diet, lifestyle, etc. So what is it that keeps me repurchasing as soon as my little green tube has run out?!

Well, aside from the brand values and great customer service... I just love the feeling of my skin after I have used it. This is no greater than after a long day wearing make-up when my skin feels desperate for a good cleanse. Using make up remover alone will not leave you will squeaky clean skin, especially if you wear heavy foundation or mascara. This is where a good cleanser comes in, and in my case C&P.

There really is no better feeling than applying C&P all over my face, and covering it with a warm muslin cloth. I then give my skin a good rinse with luke warm water to help clear any remaining traces of C&P. 

The beauty of C&P is it's not heavy, or overly fragranced. Nor does it sting, tingle or leave the skin red like many cleansers I have used. Cleaning your skin is not about being harsh or over scrubbing - this is skin we are talking about, not a kitchen floor. It's a massive misconception that bad skin deserves the harshest treatment, when infact not being gentle is often the worst thing you can do.

The key ingredients of C&P include Rosemary, Chamomile, Cocoa Butter and Eucalyptus essential oil... which in combination really do leave the skin feeling amazing - not stripped or irritated. The format is also really easy to work with, it's quite thick but not in a heavy way - it allows for good application but at the same time isn't runny or difficult to work with.

This cleanser is even suitable for guys too, and Liz Earle even have their own mens version which you can find here. Whether the format is different or just the packaging, don't be put off because you think cleansing is just for women - skin is skin no matter what your gender, so take care of it!

Perhaps the only type of skin I wouldn't reccommend C&P for is acne prone skin. Even though C&P says it is for all skin types, if my skin isn't behaving I do switch up my cleansers. However I don't attribute bad skin to the use of C&P - I just sometimes prefer a different type of cleanser that perhaps contains clay or other deep acting properties to really help clean my pores. C&P is still good in that respect, however as skin tends to change slightly throughout the month and become more breakout prone (like most womens), I like to tailor my skincare accordingly.

If you wish to try Cleanse and Polish for yourself, you can find the link to it here. Great news is that Liz Earle are offering free P&P until the 7th of August so get in there quick! Another great thing about the website, is there are a wide variety of sizes available, meaning if you don't have a huge budget, you don't have to buy the largest size. 

I was also amazed this month when I ordered a 50ml size, to receive a complementary 30ml tube (the size I usually order!), as well as 2 muslin cloths, a travel bag and a perfume. For me, this just shows how much Liz Earle value their customers because I can't think of another beauty brand which go to such lengths to make people smile! 

Do you use C&P? Let me know if you do, or if you prefer another cleanser.
 

The Daily Pale

In just one day, the Daily Mail published two seperate articles whereby pale skin was discussed in a derrogatory manner. One on Christina Hendricks, and the other on Daniel Radcliffe.

I felt I had to respond to this on my blog, as this is a place whereby pale skin is celebrated. As I have said before, whether a person chooses to tan or not... this is fine and totally up to the individual. My issue has never been about the choice of whether to tan or not - rather those who choose to embrace their pale skin being made to feel self concious about it, through the media, society and peers. Not to mention within cosmetic companies, who don't make shades light enough for those with fair skin.

I find it disgraceful that the media and people in general, would face prosecution to label a person with any darkness in their skin in an derrogatory manner, however to comment on the lightness of a person's skin is perceived as being fine and almost comedic. It really should be an even playing field, especially if people are brave enough not to be a sheep when it comes to fake tan - and actually embrace the skin tone they were born in - regardless of the tone it happens to be.

Even the Butcher's choice advert (a brand of dog food over here in the UK) labels the farmer as "Mean and Pasty".... Pasty being a well known term for pale skin. Such labels along with "Milkbottle", "Ghost", "Casper's Cousin" etc, are commonplace within society.

Back to the Christina Hendricks article, and honestly I find it sad that out of all her accomplishments and even the hype surrounding the event she was attending.... ALL Jason Chester could possibly comment on, was the lightness of her skin. I'm not exactly clued up on Christina's entire CV... but knowing she is an accomplished actress, savvy dresser and well.. ultimately quite successful, why is her skin tone the only thing you can talk about as a national newspaper?! 

In my view creating a whole article on someones skin tone, is as bad as discussing someones weight. The media need to realise that using body issues - whatever that might entail -  to sell stories, can only have a negative effect, particularly on the impressionable. Whether someone has gained a few pounds, or has had a bad hair day, or maybe looked tired when the paparazzi shoved cameras in their face as they were leaving their hotel... why is this really any of our business, and what good does it actually do bringing it to our attention?

We are human, we are all different. We have good days, bad days... bad skin days.... bad hair days... amazing skin and hair days (if we are lucky). Sometimes we look tired or frustrated, have frown lines, spill coffee down our top..... essentially we are not perfect. Some of us also wish to rock pale skin too. This is why we should care when someone, whether it be the media or even in the street, makes fun of you or someone else for having pale skin, because what harm is pale skin actually doing to you, and why should anyone feel the need to change the way they look?

Interestly, the article then features pictures other stars that attended the event, such as Jennifer Garner and Solange Knowles. Now, where was the part in the article that bashed these stars for the colour of their skin? Oh wait, no that would be wrong and the newspaper could even be shut down for it because it would be racist. So why single out the pale skinned attendee? 

Perhaps the only saving grace of this article, is the comments section of which, the most popular comments all point out just how offensive the content of the article is to those with pale skin, as well as some who called her look "stunning". Unfortunately for those reading this article and many like it, it is the content written within it, is what packs the most punch, and gets across to the most amount of people. 

As much as my blog is primarily make-up reviewing, I do intend to highlight issues that bother me when they arise. I am proud of my pale Irish skintone, that I have inherited from my Dad's side of the family. I don't feel a need to cover this with tanning lotion, but at the same time what I REALLY don't feel the need for - is negative articles, language and general opinion in relation to mine or anybody elses skin tone, whether light or dark, red, purple or Simpson's yellow. 

Sure, The Daily Mail is often known as "The Daily Hate", however it is not the only publication or indeed person - who gain satisfaction from making others feel self conscious, simply for having fair skin. This is why I felt it was important to bring this to your attention, because we cannot let this continue - it must be stamped out.

Beauty is not simply for those who wish to tan, nor is fashion, clothing or make up. We all need to embrace each others differences, not spread hate or negativity. 

Biju-ewelled.

If anyone reading this has seen my passport picture circa 2007 whereby I only have half a right eyebrow - you'd be forgiven for thinking maybe brows isn't my area of expertise, but we all have to start somewhere right?!

So it was my birthday eve, and I noticed that my brows were a little lackluster. I usually pluck my brows or get them waxed, however it had started to bug me that I couldn't quite get the shape I had wanted -  a natural curve whereby the brow is at is highest point then gently slopes back down again. Nothing resembling a clown mind - just a nice, natural shape. 

I had watched my Auntie use the Biju brow service in my local House of Fraser in Grimsby many a time. She would lie there and be threaded and tinted, whilst myself and my cousin were banished to another shop. It was the fact she had used the service for a quite a while now, that made me trust they knew what they were doing, especially as she always seems so pleased with the results.

The Biju brow bar has 7 UK locations, and in other locations a greater variety of treatments are performed such as leg waxing. Generally, an appointment is something I'd advise as the two treatment chairs are always busy whenever I walk past. However I happened to go in on a Sunday, which was a slightly less busy time, and so I was able to get my brows done straight away. I had picked up a leaflet the week before to check out prices, and it said not to remove any hair from your brows for at least a week prior to your treatment, so I made sure I followed this advice (hence the dodgy before pic).

Firstly, the therapist asked if this was my first time using the service, and how I usually tame my brows. She then asked what sort of shape I would like to be achieved, and told me that if it became too painful we could take a break (always a sentence guaranteed to put you at ease!)

In order to thread each eyebrow, I had to put one hand over my closed eye, whilst using my other arm to hold up the skin on my forehead. This is essentially to help sculpt the brow, and be able to perfect the shape as much as possible.

So I guess the big question at this point, is what was the pain like? I have to say that after having my brows previously waxed at a salon, threading does hurt considerably more. However, the pain is very short-sharp, therefore somehow more bearable than you would expect considering it does bloody hurt! It also made my eyes water quite a bit, and later they did look quite bloodshot which is unusual for me. 

Beauty treatments are often a compromise of putting up with some kind of pain or discomfort in order to achieve a good result - so when you think about it like that, it's not so bad. Also, to do each eyebrow is surprisingly quick, and the whole treatment was complete in under 10 minutes. 

If you are worried about the pain, I can tell you that although it's more painful than waxing - it's no where near as painful as an injection in the roof of my mouth, that I had to have once at the dentist (lovely I know!) .. so generally unless you have absolutely no pain tolerence at all, you should be fine.

After the threading was finished the therapist trimmed my brows to ensure they were perfectly neat. She then rubbed some Rose water on some cotton pads over my eyes a few times to sooth them, and then she filled in my brows lightly with a pencil.

At this point, my brows were hurting a little and I could also feel half the redundant brows stuck to my face (definitely don't wear foundation to your appointment like I did!) I guess this happens because you are lying almost flat, and unlike with waxing, the hairs are not trapped within a strip. This is a little annoying, but thankfully short lived.

Overall, I was really pleased with the finished look (minus the redness of course). I also want to say how lovely the therapist was. Sometimes it can be a little hit and miss in beauty environments. Although the majority of those in the industry are lovely, sometimes it can be intimidating and you can come across people who act as if they are a cut above, because they work in the beauty industry, that ultimately ruins the experience. Given I had never met this lady before, I think I was really lucky because she genuinely seemed nice and confident in her abilities, which definitely puts you at ease when having a treatment done. She also explained to me throughout the treatment, that threading is a much more effective way of removing hairs from the brows because it is more accurate. There may have been more to that explanation, only I was trying not to wince with the pain...

My treatment cost £13.50, which I found reasonable considering how happy I was with the results... my brows are no longer pin straight! I am not sure how this compares with other salons who offer threading, however I do believe this is more than what I have ever paid for my eyebrows to be waxed. It is certainly worth trying, and try not to be put off by the pain because it's short lived and if it's really that bad, you don't have to do it again afterall. I was advised the results should last around 4 weeks so I shall be keen to see if this is true or not.

I have already received complements off family members who said my brows look really nice with their new shape, and so with comments like that it makes the pain and money spent well worthwhile. After all, brows frame the face and can really open up your eye area so getting them maintained can have a surprising impact on your overall look.

If you'd like to find out more about Biju and see it's list of UK locations, you can do so here.