Having oily skin is a mixed blessing for me. While it’s annoying having to mop up the excess grease, my skin type may help me stay looking younger for longer. All the advice I’ve ever been given/read about on how to treat my oily skin has been roughly the same. Use gentle cleanser, oil free make-up, non-drying toner etc. I’ve tried oil control lotions and I hate them with a passion. They all feel like a facial mask that I haven’t quite wiped off. No matter what I’ve done, my skin still gets greasy. When I used to work in retail my colleagues and I would cut up the tissue that we would use to wrap clothes in and use it to dab our face. Instead of fighting with my over zealous sebaceous glands I’ve learned to live with them, with a little help.
Papier Poudre – These were my first foray into oil blotting papers and I got them at The Body Shop. The cute packaging drew me to them. The little book contains small sheets of powdered paper. They did absorb the oil on my face but I wasn’t keen on the powder they left behind. They are still available at Victoria Health.
MAC Blot Film – These are quite big and are like a flimsy piece of plastic. I use to buy these when I was getting a substantial discount at MAC whilst attending London College of Fashion. They seemed like a bargain at the time and they are good but quite expensive if you pay full price. They also aren’t the most dainty of things to use. People would ask me why I was sticking a blue post-it note to my face when I used them! Available at MAC.
Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets – I’ve used these for what seems like forever now and I think these are the best oil absorbing sheets out there. They are smaller than MAC Blot Film but I find these easier to use. Depending on how greasy my skin gets I probably get through 2-3 a day. My only gripe is that they are no longer available in the UK. Thankfully I can get them on ebay fairly cheap from various sellers in Hong Kong. They may not have the vintage look of Papier Poudre or the chic of MAC Blot film but I can overlook it on this occasion. Available on Ebay.
This is available at HQhair and Mankind!
If you are a DIY waxer then you know the perils of bumpy unsightly ‘chicken skin’ afterwards. I used to wax and pluck my eyebrows into oblivion to get the perfect arch. It meant that I risked red irritated skin and bumps that appeared in minutes after I’ve waxed. I’m also lucky enough to have Italian heritage which means one thing; I will inherit a nice beard and moustache by the time I’m in my 60′s. If old family photos are anything to go by I could give Tom Selleck a run for his money when I’m a pensioner. I’ve been waxing my upper lip since I was 16 as an insurance policy against my hirsute destiny.
I and most beauticians would never recommend waxing your eyebrows or upper lip the day before you get your picture taken, or a hot date in case of redness. However with Tend Skin you are able to just about get away with it as it works in 24 hours. I like to use cotton pads to apply it instead of cotton wool as it works better. If you draw blood after waxing I would wait and clean the area first before you apply Tend Skin or else it will sting! It’s not recommended for use after exfoliating with face scrubs for at least 48 hours. Also not recommended after you’ve have any facial treatments such as Alpha Hydroxy or Glycolic acid peels which could cause burning. If you are allergic to aspirin you also need to give this one a miss!
I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the new Sex and the City movie. I’ve seen every episode a million times, watched the first movie a million times and now I need more. HBO left a void in TV viewing in 2004 which they only recently replaced with True Blood. I love every aspect of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha. They represent the ‘four temperaments’ of human personality. I also love Molton Brown so in honour of the new film I’ve matched up their personalities to Molton Brown shower gels.
Carrie – she is the humanist of the group. She likes to talk about her feelings and relationships. She is also a free spirit with her über-stylish fashion sense that only she can pull of. Carrie is Inspiring Wild Indigo.
Miranda – she represents the competitive element. She is the no nonsense voice of the group and takes her career seriously. For those early mornings and long days she has to alert ready for anything. Miranda is Vitalising Vitamin ABC.
Samantha – she represents the spontaneous element. She is a here and now kind of gal and doesn’t look back. She is confident and sexy and isn’t afraid to show it. Samantha is Sensual Hanaleni.
Charlotte – she represents the methodical temperament. She is a traditionalist at heart, waiting for her prince charming. Never crude or crass, a true lady for the 21st century. Charlotte is Heavenly Gingerlilly.
