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

Incoming: Mix and Match Swimwear

Totally loving this trend coming in for summer and somewhat annoyed I have already bought a new bikini for the season (oh well, buy another!) This goes along perfectly with the colour blocking trend that is amazingly hot right now, and it also a great way to emphasise your good bits and help distract from parts you feel less then confident about. The celebrities are also fans.

Rihanna gives it a go in animal print.

Fearne Cotton does it with a print and block.

My thriftiest tip is to go through your current swimwear wardrobe and see what you already own that could be a mismatched bikini, following a few rules it's not too hard to come up some good combinations.

A print and a neutral block colour. Especially good if the block colour is featured in the print.

Two bold colours that go well together. Brights work great for this, try zingy colours like fuchsia and canary yellow, or aqua and jewel purple.

Stripes and a block colour. Perfect if you have the other piece in one of the stripe colours. I love this one.

The trick to making this flattering is to use the most attention grabbing piece to highlight. Got great boobs but nervous about your butt? Wear the print up top with with block coloured bottoms. The great thing is you can do with with any style of bikini that flatters you and go nuts! Cotton on body has cheap options and the collection is perfect for this trend, but check out your local surf store too. Many brands sell their swimwear as separates and it's worth having a look and experimenting with what will work together.

Want this Oscar and Elvis Bikini so badly ..... <3 <3 <3

Tip of the day: Flattering hairstyles

I've been noticing something about hair lately, I do a lot of people watching and have realised a few things.

Slick ponytails can make you look bigger.
Sad but true, the fail safe hairstyle for bad hair days can make you appear weightier then you are. Depending on the type of bad hair day, I'd suggest products and a blowdryer to try and save it, Dry shampoo if your hair is too oily to wear out, and a blow dryer to coax wayward hair in the direction you want it. However conversely girls who feels their heads are too big for their bodies could benefit from this hairstyle?


Big hair looks good almost universally.
I've only recently discovered the teasing comb, and my god, once you get the technique down-pat, it is epically useful. The trick to me is tease the underside, and section by section, going from the front to back, it is much harder to grab a section when it has been partially teased by the previous section. Little rockstar quiffs are fantastic for growing out your fringe, while getting into Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's look is so much easier then you think after a little practise.

Braids save your ass at the Gym.
The greatest hairstyle for gym is far and away a plait or a braid, much easier to get out of the way and not get it stuck under weights. Because all your hair is one big mass, it's easier to grab it and flip it when it needs to go so you can do your workout properly. Wear it with a soft wide headband if you have a fringe and you're golden.

Bought! Hat stand from Earthborn

EEEE! I have been after one of these for a while now, and had the idea stuck in my head that I ought to wait and hunt down a vintage one. Well that idea never panned out. Every time I went to the vintage shops and markets, they were always sold near immediately. Sitting still at their stalls, taunting me with their 'SOLD' stickers ...
So I decided stuff it, and picked up one from a home wares store at Carindale.
I'm glad I did finally bite the bullet, as unless you find one trawling through garage sales you aren't going to find it much cheaper then new in store. Comes in Red and black also I think.

Hat Stand available from Earthborn.