Here’s a quickie post about some research done on manicurists. I don’t get my nails done any more, but I used to get acrylics (before I found fish oil) and wondered how the manicurists coped with all the chemicals and crap they inhale all day long…
There are so many priming products on the market these days. Is it because normal products aren’t very good in themselves, or is it just another line of merchandise we’ve been suckered into buying? You can read my previous post about an eye primer which is OK, and I quite like the Napoleon face primer, but where’s it gonna end????
I bought some treats off the internet and got some free lash primer along with it. It’s by Stila, which is a pretty good brand based on the other products i’ve bought. Their lash primer reportedly thickens and lengthens lashes.
I’ve used this product a number of times now, but i’m not convinced. Here are my eyes - the left has just good ol’ mascara applied, the right has the primer followed by mascara. In the photo there appears to be a subtle difference - if you look real hard. Maybe the right is a little longer and less clumpy, but I think it’s just the light. Anyways, I’m not impressed.
Mind you, I don’t really have a problem with the length or thickness of my lashes. Maybe if i did this product would make my eyes pop… i dunno.
Have you guys got any stories about lash primers??
Meet sisters Kim & Fran. These gals have fabulous skin, and always look fresh and glowing. So they’ve got genes and youth on their sides… but there’s also some secrets they let me in on….
Kim’s routine:
I’ve maintained a similar beauty regime for over 5 years now, adding bits and pieces based on the advice of my sister (she’s an ex-beauty therapist!).
First, I cleanse my face day and night with Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash. This can be a bit ineffective on make up around my eyes, but I like the Simple brand, so I’ve stuck with it. They are perfume free and good for sensitive skin. Then, every second day I exfoliate with Estee Lauder Idealist Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher. This is a ‘splurge product’ (about $52 on Strawberry Net or $100 + at the counter!) but is well worth it as I still get a bit of acne now and again. I really noticed the difference in the way the surface of my skin felt after using it. After that, I always use Simple Rich Moisturising Cream.
I find it good to clean my face and apply my make up straight away, so my face doesn’t get greasy again. I start with Aveda Liquid Foundation. It has a fairly light coverage, so feels like you’re wearing nothing and is really easy to apply. Recently I’ve started using MAC pressed powder on top of my foundation. This product is wicked if you’ve got oily or combination skin, especially in summer. Sometimes if I’m going out after work I’ll re-apply the powder.
On Sundays I go make up free. I read somewhere that it is a good idea to let your skin breath once in a while. Also, I figure it’s a good idea to remember what you look like completely natural once a week to keep it real!
And here is Fran’s…
· First I apply primer. Currently I’m using Mac Prep + Prime face. This smooths and softens your skin.
· Next I apply my foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear - with a foundation brush. This gives a smooth, even application.
· Next I apply Mac Select Sheer powder. This sets my makeup and gives it a nice soft look, being so sheer it doesn’t give that dry cakey look that many powders do.
· After this I always use blusher, again Mac Powder Blush. I always use makeup brushes that I clean regularly. They range from pricey Estee Lauder ones to Mac and cheap QVS brushes from Farmers.
· I do not touch up anything during the day except lipsticks, as all my products are applied properly to last, or are specific long lasting products.
· At the end of the day this all gets removed with a thorough double cleanse!!
This weekend I’ve been uber busy on the 48-hour film competition and have taken a couple minutes from filming to say Hi!! I’m the coffee lady on set - a bit of a Mrs Doyle (a la Father Ted). And if it was called for, i was all ready with my cosmetic brushes to do a bit of make-up. But as it turned out i wasn’t needed for that sort of thing. Mind you coffee’s the most important thing on a shoot!
I shall post some pics of this weekend when we’re done - it’s been soooo exciting.
Also, I’ll take the opportunity to promote this local craft market i’m involved in - lots of pretty things there!
Dear ones, I have, until now, strayed away from divulging my preferences for attire. It is not because I did not trust you with my ‘trade secrets’, for you have a sweet and trustworthy face. No, it was because I did not know you so well and feared you may think my choice of fashion retailers poor. But now that I see your kind nature better, it is clear to me that you will forgive what others would deem a fashion faux pas.
You see dearly beloveds, while anyone would attest to me being an admirer of à la mode, I will not walk into a store without first identifying a ‘sale’ sign within. Except, that is, in the case of recycle boutiques where ‘full-price’ is reasonable even for me!
Being a fan of The Recycle Boutique in Auckland, I was well pleased when it opened here in Wellington too. Although we already have Ziggurat, a fine establishment indeed, it does stray to the ‘pricey’ side a little often.
I have found Cue pants (~$30), Voon pants (~$40), retro NZ-made wedge heeled Fabia shoes (~$10), Seduce pants (~$20) – I really do wear a lot of pants! (or ‘trousers’ in the British vernacular). All of which I love. I also get a real kick out coming home with great gear at bargain prices…don’t we all…
I have also sold my own clothing at both Ziggurat and The Recycle Boutique, which helps subsidise subsequent purchases.
So now that I have shared my secret shame (actually I’m not shamed, I just like alliteration), tell me lovelies – where do you get your bargains?
I should’ve called this post ‘The Living Nature Bonanza’. As you can see from the photo I have quite a booty of free samples from Living Nature when I merely asked to try their foaming cleanser. I’ve always found Living Nature very forthcoming with the freebies, so recommend them next time you need not only a cheap thrill but a free thrill.
I won’t review each of the samples - there’s too many. Living Nature’s all pretty good though. But I will say they have a new smell, kinda eucalyptus, which I don’t like so much as the old smell. And I especially like their moisturisers and the firming eye cream - it’s perfect under make-up and is sooooo refreshing.
What are your thoughts? (especially Rachel).
I love me some shiny smelly lip gloss, so awhile ago, I bought a set of three Lancome Juicy Tubes on StrawberrryNet. They were cheap then, but now they’re even cheaper, like crazily so. Of course, by “cheap” I do still mean $15 a tube (and you don’t get to pick your shades), but they’re Lancome, so you’re paying for the brand. But still, the same pack is $66 on the (horrible-named) Man-Trap, and in stores, individual tubes cost around $36 each.
So, my suggestion (and I hope that this doesn’t make you think that we’re paid by StrawberryNet) is that if you think you’re in the market for some fairly subtle glosses, head down to a department store or upmarket chemist and try on the tubes in Melon (pale-ish apricotty pink), Fraise (almost magenta in the tube, but not so much on your lips) and Cerise (my favourite, I wear it like someone who was able to wear red lipstick might, except you know, it’s clear and easy to apply, and only a red tint), and if you dig them, you should place an order. If you want to, that is. Otherwise stick around for my Maybelline Shinylicious review, because if it’s good enough for Martha, it should be good enough for you…
Today we have the lovely Rachel with us, and we got her to draw out the names of our Pretty Prize Pack competition winners. To prove our authenticity, we filmed the process.
But if you want to cut straight to the action, congratulations to:
Yay! Can you guys please email amy (at) prettyprettypretty.com with your addresses, and we’ll get that straight out to you.
Until a few years back, I had spent my whole life with short or medium length hair. I was always too impatient to grow it out, and it was never in good enough condition to go long periods without a good cut. But some how I pushed on through and am loving having long locks now. Sure, it costs more on shampoo but saves on not having to go to the hairdresser so much.
I also have bangs (a fringe) which is better than botox for hiding lines on my forehead. But it leaves me with a problem because it needs to be cut more regularly than my regular hair.
I used to sneakily cut my own fringe between hairdresser visits every so often and no one seemed to notice. But I was always a bit uneasy about how it looked when i did it myself, and since salons usually offer free fringe cuts to regular customers anyway i’ve stuck with the professions lately…Until i got the free-fringe-cut-from-hell! The hairdresser just grabbed and cut my bangs straight across in a few seconds flat. My friend at work sincerely asked if i had cut it myself (something no one ever asked when i did cut it myself!). So i’m all for at-home trims nowadays. it’s nothing to be ashamed of!
If you’re competent with the scissors then you may as well give it a go. Check out this vid, it’s a goodin.
Following on from our last dud trade (which is still up for grabs), I have this fairly full bottle of Hair Moisturiser from Jam Hairdressing in Wellington. It’s a good product, just my hair is too oily now-a-days for it.
Jam Moisturizer (Joes) - for dry hair, seriously shagged or critically dry hair. Jams Moisturizer is especially designed for maintaining the moisture within the hair shaft. Jam Moisturizer prevents the hair from being dull and unmanageable and helps to prevent fading and split ends in coloured hair. (Retail $22)
If you want it, it’s yours!!
