A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

…over at Beauty Expert, they’re giving us UK ladies the chance to live like the SATC girls with an ‘Ultimate Pampering Break’ for you and 3 friends.

It’s a prize worth nearly £2,000!

Click the image to be taken to the competition page.  Good luck if you enter!

WAH Nails are offering the ultimate world cup accessory (other than having Ronaldo on your arm). Actually, scratch that… does anyone ACTUALLY fancy Ronaldo? He’s far too high maintenance and no-chin for me.

I digress…

World Cup Nails…. yeah baby!

You can sport one (or more) of all 32 participating team’s designs on your tips and show your other half that you TOTALLY are supporting their love for all things football.

Head to WAH Nails in the Topshop basement (Oxford Street, London) to partake in a little world cup nail artistry.

The designs are available from the 11th June – 11h July, Flag designs from £30 and 10% off your home countries flag if you can show proof of your birthplace with a passport!
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Which design would you choose? I know it’s terribly unpatriotic (esp being an 80s child)… but I’m digging the Greek & Argentine flags!

No, not literally… get your hands off!

I’ve never claimed to be a makeup artist nor hold any aspirations to cultivating a talent in this field.  I simply don’t have it in me.  Whether it’s cosmetics or clothes… I often struggle to merge individual pieces into a successful ensemble.  Or at least, one that does anything justice.

I’ve been handswatching and ‘playing’ with this beautiful Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia palette that was in my goodie bag of pieces from the upcoming Tom Pecheux Autumn collection (releasing in August).  It’s a daring choice of shades for a palette… it’s strong and needs to be worn with confidence.  I can do that, but I’d love a little bit of peer guidance to point me in the right direction.

So, the palette consists of 5 shades:

~ Matte Black
~ Shimmering Navy
~ Shimmering Teal
~ Metallic Grey/Taupe
~ Sheer White with Teal Sparkles (best for layering to add irridescence)

How would you put together a look with this palette?  Would you use all the shades at once? or just a few at a time.  I think I’m struggling with incorporating those two strong blues in one look.  Can it be done?  How would you attempt it?

Further to this post earlier in the week…

…I’ve been boiling potatoes, brewing coffee, stewing tea, microwaving rice, milking cows and pureeing cucumbers.

I’ve locked myself away and treated myself to your wonderful concoctions both day and night.  Proper pampering.

I’ve used up all my little eye patches and I thought you might want to see the results of your combined efforts.

Read the rest of this entry »

We all know we need to wear it, we all have our favourite brand(s) and we all know that we need to reapply it throughout the day…

…but how often do you replace your bottle of sunscreen?

I go through about two bottles a year, so I replace them as and when I finish them.  Though, this hasn’t always been the case.  In my early twenties, I’d use a sunscreen dug out from the back of a cupboard quite happily… only pausing to give it a quick sniff!

So tell me, how often do you replace your sunscreen?

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While I’m asking… does anyone else keep their sunscreen in the fridge in the Summer?

They say that tattoos are addictive… I don’t have any of those but I’m here to tell you that you can add hair-removal and Foxes Coconut Crinkles to the list of things that “Lipglossiping got herself addicted to” in 2010.

The question is, will I have a single hair left on my body come Christmas?  Will I get carried away with it’s fabulosity and start chasing the neighbour’s Persian moggy round the block once I’m done with Mr. L’s hairy back?

The Boots Smooth Skin by iPulse IPL System arrived last week for me to try and report back on, and being the hairy Mary that I am… I honestly couldn’t think of a better candidate.

Until I read this:

I was all of an “OHMYGOD, I CAN’T USE IT!”  I may even have squeezed out a couple of tears…  and then a few more for the benefit of Mr. L (who missed them the first time round) after he looked up from Micro Mart to determine whether the wailing was coming from me or the baby.

After some email to-ing and fro-ing with the people behind the device, I learned that they’re actually in the process RIGHT NOW of updating the UK manual for the machine.  Infact, here it is in black and white from the rep:

…I have managed to get you the most up to date info on the suitability of Boots Smooth Skin for PCOS sufferers.

As you know, in the UK manual, it states that Boots Smooth Skin is not suitable for PCOS sufferers.

We are in the process of updating the UK manual with Boots to give a better explanation of the considerations when using Smooth Skin with PCOS.  We know many PCOS sufferers have found good results with Smooth Skin and some have posted their positive reviews on boots.com.

As you will know, in essence, PCOS is related to a hormonal imbalance.  Hormone changes may cause dormant hair stem cells to grow into new hair follicles.  So it is likely to take longer to be hair-free and require you to top up.

But we also know and understand what a huge comfort it is to PCOS sufferers not to have the extra hair that the condition causes to be so visible…

…We want to do the right thing by our consumers, and while we go through the final rounds of approvals with Boots we would love to give you the chance to get ahead of the UK change.

So there you go.  You heard it here first (maybe).

In all honesty as a PCOS lady, this device wouldn’t be my first stop for hair removal.  Not for my face anyway, which is precisely why I don’t already own one.

I’ve looked at this particular device many times in the past (it’s one of the few that claim PERMANENT results) and I’ve never been confident enough in it’s claims to go to Boots and lay my debit card down on the counter.   I think it’s important that you know this, and that I tell you why.

Regardless of whether there’s any substance to my opinion, as someone with a “proper” problem with excess hair, I knew that I was always going to opt for something that I perceive to be stronger.  I want FULL ON peeow peeow laser beams blasting my face yano?  I want someone with a clipboard to be operating a machine that takes up at least 10sq foot of floor space and puts a minor dent in the national grid everytime it’s fired up.

I won’t be using this on my face or my chest.  I don’t want it to interfere with the results that I may or may not get from the SK:N treatment that I’m currently undergoing.

Instead, you get to see my gorgeous hairy pins.  You lucked out.  Don’t worry though… I’m not showing them today, your appetite is safe for now.

Check out this instead:

It’s all very neat and compact… slotting into it’s own little vanity case that has been discretely designed without the words LASER HAIR REMOVAL emblazoned all over it.  In other words, you can totally leave the IPL stuff behind and take the case on a dirty weekend filled with furry handcuffs and the like.  Or if you’re me, Minstrels.

So, the plan is to do one leg.  Just the one.  Don’t worry, I’m still gonna shave the other one… but I think that doing it this way will leave me under no illusions by the end of 12 weeks whether I’m actually seeing concrete results from the Boots Smooth Skin.  I’m also going to pin down Mr. L (he really does have a hairy back and this is the only home IPL system suitable for men) – he’s gonna. love. it.

Much, much later on… god knows if you’ll still be here with me or even care, but I’ll put phase two of the hair-blasting attack into action.  I’ll use the Boots Smooth Skin on my face to maintain whatever results I achieve from my SK:N treatment once it’s finished.

For the purposes of the trial and for you ladies with PCOS, I wish I could do that bit NOW – but bad timing forces my hand and I simply can’t.  It’s pretty common for hirsute women with a hormonal imbalance to need extra professional laser sessions.  Sometimes as many as a couple of times a year to maintain completely smooth skin.  I’ve made peace with that, but for me… that would mean £220 for each topup session.  The Boots Smooth Skin currently retails at £274.99.  It makes economical sense for me to purchase one of these for maintenance and I would (despite my cautious attitude towards it’s claims) be confident enough in the device’s abilities to lay down my cash in an effort to maintain an area that’s already been treated.

Anyway, I’ll introduce you to the more technical aspects of the machine next week when I’m confident that my tan has completely faded (you can’t use the device on fake-tanned skin).

*glances up* Jesus, I can’t half go on.

Put down the hammer, I don’t need any shelves straightening…. it’s these things I need help with:

Twenty neat little eye sheet masks (£1.50) that I picked up from Muji the other week!

Tell me, what can I soak ’em in to make me look 10 years younger?  I also have some of the face size ones too… all suggestions welcome!

The only thing I can think of is boiling up some green tea and letting it cool… there must be some other great DIY concoctions for sheet masks and the like?  I’ve done a quick Google, but I’m mostly finding thicker, gloopier type mask recipes.

Any of you wizards got any cool ideas?

Click the image to go to the sale!

They could do with having more on offer in the most impressive 61%-99% savings range, though I like the look of this Urban Decay set containing a super-sized bottle of UDPP amongst other things for £18.50 (usual price £35):

and this Bare Escentuals set for £23 (usual price £37.50, though it’s come to my attention that it was never sold in stores at a markup of £37.50….)

Anything on there catch your eye?  Let me know if you buy anything… I’m incurably nosey!  And let me know of any sales you find… I’m also incurably addicted to spending money 😉

Try saying that after half a bottle of Shiraz.

Does this picture need a NSFW warning?

Tough…. it’s Monday morning, don’t even try and pretend you’re not struggling to read THE WORDS in this post.  Words?  Are there even words in this post?

Anyway… where was I? *distracted*.

Oh yeah…  So, hardened beauty addicts… what I want to know, is this….

With a bulging (sorry) beauty cupboard and a crammed bathroom cabinet, does your better half/significant other/tea maker ever indulge in your products, and are you happy about it?

Mine doesn’t.  It saddens me…

I have a lovely man doll, but he won’t let me play.

I have gorgeous masks and scrubs that I wanna put all over his face and I bet he’d look Johnny Depp-esque with just a hint of guyliner but he’s not having any of it.

He’s not all “Urgh gerrof me with that girl crap!” or any of that unsensitive macho crap… it’s just…

He couldn’t care less about ‘beauty’ products.

They’re not on his radar.  He’s all about HTC Desires and Flash CS5, a little bit of PES and a lot of Opal Fru Starburst

I could even present something to him in the latest ‘man packaging’ and his lack of interest wouldn’t waver.

He gets up, splashes his face with water, shaves with Imperial Leather and a BIC and then wonders why he gets a sore chin.  He doesn’t even differentiate between shampoo and shower gel.

When I first got married, I had visions of changing all this.

Maybe this is a bit of a weird confession, but I’ve always thought there’s something very sexy about a man shaving.  Especially if it’s done “the old fashioned way”.

I’ve tried many times to persuade him to buy one of those posh safety razor sets with a huge domed badger-hair shaving brush and a musky sandalwood-scented soap in a dish…

… of course, this is more for my (slightly pervy) benefit than his, but a man should make these sacrifices for their one true love.

Part of me is relieved that he doesn’t hog the bathroom, it’s not really big enough for two beauty aficionados.  However, another little bit of me thinks that this is the reason behind him simply not understanding my love for all things frivolous, pretty and rose-scented.

So tell me ladies….

Does your fella know his eye serum from his athlete’s foot cream?   And are you pleased he shares your passion?

All item that were paid for last night went out by first class post this morning, thank you!

I’ve lowered the prices on a couple of items.

Any items paid for this morning onwards, will go out on Monday.

Thank you! xx

UK P&P is £1.70.  International at cost.  Please leave a comment to claim an item leaving your Paypal email address and also please state if you’re UK or international.

~ RMK Ingenious Cheeks Blush in Pink Rose (old style) – Tested once – still boxed – £7.50

~ STILA Illuminating Foundation 10 watts (lightest shade) – Used twice – still boxed – £9

~ NARS Crazed Blush d/c – teeny dip just starting to form – £15 – SOLD

~ MAC Pretty Please Lipstick used 4x – £6 – SOLD

~ YSL Rouge Volupte Lingerie Pink  used 1x – still boxed – £16 – SOLD

~ Kryolan Aqua Colour in Black used 1x – £3.50 – SOLD

~ Kryolan Aqua Colour in White used 3x – £3 – SOLD

~ MAC Everhip Lipstick, tested once – still boxed – £10 – SOLD

~ YSL Pop Stick Blush in Strawberry/Raspberry – still boxed – Used 4x – £8 – SOLD

~ MAC Lip Erase from the DSquared Collection used 2 or 3x – still boxed – £8 – SOLD

~ MAC Gleam Lipstick used 5x £6.50 – SOLD

~ NYX Strawberry Milk tested once £2 – SOLD

~ MAC Viva Glam IV tested once – still boxed – £7.50 – SOLD

~ MAC Lustering Lipstick used 4x – £7.50 – SOLD

~ NARS Angelika Blush used 3x no dips – still boxed – £15 – SOLD

…catchy title I know.  Don’t steal it.

Anyway, here’s some stuffs that have been turning the head of this hardened beauty addict recently.  Are they any good?  Dunno, but I’m gonna make it my business to find out!

“No you’re not.” <– (Mr. Lipglossiping woz ‘ere)

1). Trish McEvoy Correct and brighten Loose Mineral Powder SPF 15 – £28

Seeing as I’m having lasery type treatment at the moment, I couldn’t fail but have my curiosity piqued by a product whose/who’s (help me grammar nazis!) description begins:

Originally designed to soothe and neutralize redness post laser treatments at the Dr. Ronald Sherman/Trish McEvoy Skin Care Centre, devotees begged to take home Trish’s wonder powder because of how remarkably bright and even-toned it rendered the overall look of their skin…. Blah, blah, blah whatever… you had me at even-toned.

2). Elemis Bath and Shower Treats – £27

Not only are Elemis super-sizing their Pro Collagen Marine Cream this month, but I found this mega multi-use pairing on the website.  A total 600ml of product would see me through to Christmas!

3). BI MAT CAY Holistic Balms – £24

Inspired by ancient Vietnamese beauty recipes, but made in France and new at Space NK, this little set of beautifully-packaged balms promise to fulfill life’s needs for on-the-go calming and healing.  The set includes: Miracle Balm, Skin Balm, Hand Balm and Lip Balm.

I like the idea of the set presented in a little coffret… it would make a lovely gift without breaking the bank.

4.). Laura Mercier Luster Eye Colour in Marina – £18

From the new Sun Drenched collection, this beautiful blue is my pick of the bunch.  I swatched it the other day and it’s the perfect mid-toned summery shade that would work beautifully as an accent to a neutral eye.  Lemming.

5). Elysambre Long Lash Natural Mascara – £12.99 + £4.99 for the case

I’ll be honest, it’s the case that’s pulling me in rather than the mascara.  The copper casing can be refilled with the mascara units which are sold seperately at a cost of £12.99 each.  What a fabulous idea no?

6).  The Body Shop Banana Shampoo – £2.79 (on offer)

What is it with The Body Shop atm?  I can’t go on the website without buying something, anything!  They’re spoiling us with discounts and I’m struggling to resist stocking up on essentials (and luxuries!) each time I log on.  The Banana Shampoo from yesteryear is the only one from the “bring it back” range I’ve yet to try… better fix that sharpish!

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What’s on your radar this week?