Modesty

*Sighs*
I was hoping, just hoping, that maybe this summer would be the one where I could leave the house without being assaulted by things like 14 year olds in denim better described as knickers. It is amazing how an extra few inches of fabric can mean the difference between looking like a future porn star and a cutie. Please please understand girls, the only time it is ever OK to show off the underside of your ass in public, is when you are going to be swimming! Otherwise you are just a target for creepy old men.
14 year old guys don't know where to look. and the ones who are checking you out I'd be worried about anyway. So just cover it up. Give yourself some dignaty, and stop your dad from having a heart attack and buying a shotgun to scare off creepy older guys!

Tip of the Day: How to remove fake tan from your hands!

This is a dilemma at least once for every girl who fakes it (her tan of course!) How to get rid of any pesky and tell tail fake tan stains on the palms of your hands? or anywhere else for that matter? I stumbled across this solution by accident when I was younger and I had a knack for self tanning by myself and did it religiously. One time I forgot to shave my legs beforehand, and I thought I'd be good and use some depilatory cream (you know, the stuff that kind of smells funny but gets rids of hair for twice as long as shaving?) Well. that was stupid, it took off all my fake tan with it too! All that carefully applied perfection, gone. But it did give me an idea ....
So nowadays whenever I get fake tan on my palms, or want a foolproof way of cleaning it off once it's gone all blotchy (only on some parts of my body, like legs and arms and places I don't mind removing hair from as well). I put on the cream as a last ditch effort.
The reason why it should be a last resort is because a lot of depilatory creams advise you not to use it on places like your face, hands and genitals (lol). They use a kind of acid that breaks down the hair, and most of the time the top layer of your skin (good for exfoliation!) So if you do use it on your hands, only put it on for a minute or so, and DO NOT use it on your face in case you either have a reaction as the skin on your face is much more sensitive, or lose your eyebrows!
The other thing about it, is that it does leave a strong line where it has been. That is another good reason to go a minute at a time, so you can sort of blend it but doing a smaller patch the second time.
Also, please please please, do a patch test before using any kind of depilatory cream because your hands, though hardy on the palms, are not somewhere you want a rash! Try leaving a little bit on the back of your arm, just near your elbow for the recommended time to see if there will be any problems.
Products I like? I have been loving the hydro restore range by Veet, as it comes in a big pump bottle that lasts ages and moisturisers your skin as it goes. Grab the sensitive type if you're worried about how you will react.

Veet Hair Removal Cream Pump

Tip of the day: How often should I change my razor?

When I was younger, I used to go weeks without changing my blades. Purely from not knowing any better, it could still do the job right with a little extra effort and going over the same area a few more times? I had no idea how bad it was for my skin. Razors are expensive little suckers after all.
I now know to change mine around once a week. I probably use them 5 or so times a week to do legs and underarms during summer. But I change them less often in winter accordingly. I do not like to become a she beast and like to be smooth for my boy but I still just can't justify shaving most days when my legs will be hidden under tights and jeans!
A tip to keep your blades sharper for longer though? Good old oil. Use a shaving oil when you use your razor and once you have cleaned your razor after use, give the blades a good dip in a jar of olive oil put aside especially for this task. You see, water causes blades to rust and blunt, while oil keeps them in good condition for longer. Just make sure you give the razor a good rinse before using again or you'll end up pretty greasy.

Trouble blending foundation? Try a sponge.

I, like so many other girls my age have had it drilled into me that the best way to apply liquid foundation is with your fingertips. The heat from your hands helps the product spread over your face more evenly and creates the best base. But I found a way to one up it and make it look a lot more like skin, and not covered up skin.
I received a make-up sponge in a goodie bag not long ago and thought nothing of it, but gave it a go just to smooth over my foundation once I had applied it with my fingers. Perfection, it helped hide my pores perfectly and blended my make-up edges in a way I could just never achieve with my fingers.
So what I like to do nowadays is squirt some liquid foundation on the back of my hands, to heat it up a little, then dab a sponge in it and blend onto my face, starting at my nose and working outwards. I find this is the best way to keep it looking natural.
If you start to use a sponge, just make sure you wash it frequently. I like to clean mine with a make-up remover and rinsing very thoroughly.

Bonus tip: Get one without sharp corners for no streaks

Minxy author Kelly Doust coming to Brisbane

Hey girls, while going through some information for an upcoming craft and quilting fair, (Don't mock me, sewing is invaluable.) I found out that Kelly Doust will be signing copies of her new book Minxy Vintage on October 22 between 12 and 2 pm at the fair.
For those of you who have no idea who I'm talking about, Kelly runs a site called The Crafty Minx, about her love of vintage clothing. In her latest book she helps readers bring vintage pieces into their wardrobes with some love, reviving techniques and care. She has fans in people such as Dita Von Teese and Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant.
Even better? She's an Aussie girl!
The craft and quilting fair is also something I highly recommend attending. When you get past the fact that it's mostly attended by women past a certain age, you can find a wealth of knowledge, as well as things you never even imagined. It's fantastic for inspiration, as well as being educational. You could go not knowing a thing, and leave with at the very least knowing where you can find out more and many places that will help you along the way.
I'm excited now! I loooove getting books signed!

Incoming: Textured hair

After the noughties obsession with hair straightening it looks like the trend is finally starting to slacken with the amount of curls, waves, updos and texture appearing on the recent catwalk shows. Creating some interest with your hair may seem daunting but the great thing is there are no rules! Just look after your hair properly. Treat it with kindness and make sure you use heat protecting products!

Hair at Vera Wang was worn low and teased, you can acheive this look yourself with a back comb. If you are back combing on the surface of your hair it is easier to work from the nape up, unlike normal teasing. And don't forget to be gentle! Make sure to use conditioner to help detangle. If you've gone too far, gently brush it out from the ends up.

Tail Comb

Another trend that caught my eye were detailed ponytails. These were still rather sleek but will be great in long sticky summer days where you don't want to worry about your hair! I don't want to even think about how to achieve Marchesa's detailed pony, but Herve Leger had some simple and do-able looks.

 Marchesa's Fishtail Ponytail

Herve Leger's Triple Ponytail

To get this look, all you need is a steady hand. Part your hair across the crown from ear to ear and brush into a half up ponytail style, then part straight across the back and add the first tail into it, then gather all your hair into the last at the bottom. You may require a friend or extra mirrors to get this right, I think it'll look even cuter with hair wrapped around the elastics. Practise also makes perfect!

Bought: Priceline Haul

Went a bit beauty crazy in the last week or so too, after a fortnight of complete scrimping, and then all the great workshops I did have a few moments where as soon as I saw what I could do with a product, I wanted it ... ooooh dear.

Just the results of one such shop up.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 +: Because we should always wear sunscreen! Smelling like chocolate is an added bonus

Models Prefer Professional Mineral Eye Shadow in Bronzed Belle: Bronze is super flattering on almost everybody, and black and grey smokey eyes just don't work in summer, these colours are gorgeous, stay in place all day, and being minerals won't annoy your skin.


L'Oreal Paris Touche Magique: The thrifty girls answer to Touche Eclat, brilliant for hiding dark circles.

Prestige Ultimate Brow Definer in Toffee: Some make up artists suggest that blond eyebrow products are good on anyone, but I'm not a fan, they do not do a thing for me. This is the medium shade, and would be good on anyone darker then a light brown. my eyebrows are naturally quite dark, and this is perfect.

John Frieda Full Repair Touch-up Flyaway Tamer: Mentioned in a previous post, Got my hands on one and think it's great. Doesn't smell half bad either.

Going to get my hair did!

Spring is certainly here up in Brisbane and there can't be any doubt about it, after a shock of rain last Friday we have had nothing but bright blue skies, cool nights and the urge to take off our stockings and bare our legs.
Another thing that normally strikes me at this time of year, is the idea of dying my hair for the new season. I'm normally quite happy to DIY it, because I haven't done anything that drastic before, (except an at home bleach job without toner that we then dyed bright pink ...done correctly I would've set trends but no, it was horrid.)
So I'm off to my trusted Hairdresser today, and she's going to do Balyalage on me. She nicknamed it the 'regrowth dye job' -geez, thanks Lisa!- and advised me to look at some pictures and bring in what I liked, so I've google image searched and the girl that keeps popping up that I like is Lily Aldridge, good hair Lily!

Source

Could also help that she's a model but you know!

I think one of the tricks is to make sure that the roots in the picture are similar to the hair colour you have. Naturally my hair is pretty average thickness and can be considered dark brown and touches the top of my bra cups. hers isn't far off. However her skin colouring is darker so that may affect it. 

I'm seeing that block coloured hair and blunter cuts are what's coming into fashion, but I think it's better to go in baby steps when you're doing something to your hair you're never done before. I could look horrific as a blond! Or it might totally kill my hair and make me wish I'd never even thought about it. When it comes to hair, do what you're comfortable with, and if you want to try something drastic, it can help to try on wigs first to see if you could do it, (when cutting all your hair off to a crop, it helps.) But don't get stuck in a rut, every season or so, take a look at it maybe you've seen something you like on someone else or in a magazine? Perhaps just a few highlights could make all the difference?

Either way, I have a busy weekend ahead, what with baby showers, Circus shows to see, and getting my hair did ... and should really start packing and cleaning as I'm moving on the 26th! Oh well!