Tip of the day: Skincare and Make-up when you have a cold/the flu

There are two things that spring to most minds in Brisbane when EKKA is mentioned, one of course is the show, and the other is the Flu. Both are timed at near identical times of the year for many.
And some are like me, the trendsetters who already have the damn flu. I have been sick all week and its really playing on my looks. But there are ways to minimise this.
My first tip is to STAY HOME if at all possible and look after yourself! I do understand this isn't something that everyone can do, When you work in retail, when you're a mum, when you run your own business and no one can fill your shoes. Do everything you can at home, gets friends and partners to help you out with errands. Repay the favour when they are sick. It's good karma.
Secondly, do not stop your skincare routine, it can be hard to drag yourself over to the bathroom when you have to find your way through mountains of tissues, but don't drop the ball.
Aloe Vera Tissues are awesome, get them on hand ASAP. They will make you less of a red nose monster.
Use a thicker moisturiser then normal around your nostrils. Kind of an icky thought and description, but it'll help stop your skin freaking out.
Do not forget to use a scrub. But don't over-do it, your skin will become duller because you are skin, give it a hand to look it's best.
Kinda linked to the previous, but use brightening skincare too.  Your skin needs help to glow again. I like Loreal Skin Expertise Youth Code Day / Night Cream

Now this is just what you need to do if you're staying at home during this time, Make-up will need to be adjusted in a similar fashion.
This change in skincare can make you break out, stay on top of it with a target treatment. I love that Clearasil four hour difference cream, you know the one with the guy in the chicken suit on the ad?  Yeah ... that one.
There is hardly ever a time when less is more is more suited to a make-up situation, You do not want to overdo your make up when you are sick. The urge might be there to layer it on to try and hide that you are sick but this is not the way to go at all. it will flake off with your dry skin around your nose, and be hard to blend.
If you can get away with it, use just a tinted moisturiser all over. You can then use concealer/foundation on area that aren't your nose. Healthy glowy foundations are the order of the day, I tried Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and found it perked up my appearance nicely, but needed reworking in the mid afternoon.

Use an illuminating concealer around your eyes. They're puffy because you're sick right? Pay special attention to them and pat on a Touche Eclat-esque product to throw some light onto your face.

Use a blush as well, it'll help liven up your complexion and add some warmth, otherwise a pale pink will lessen any dullness you may have too. I recommend Benefit blushes in Dandelion and Sugarbomb.

Lastly, use a waterproof mascara if any, you do not want to smear it all over if you need to wipe away any mess during the day.
All you need is a slick of lip balm to sooth away any dry lips your flu may have given you, and you're as good as you can be. I still recommend staying home, but sometimes you just have to get out!

Bought! Reebok, Puma, Asana and Target

Had a sporty shop up this evening, I was in dire need of some new sneakers after the soles of my dunlops started to flake off.
Amart All Sports had a special, 50 different sneaker types for $50, bargain! So I got some advice from the assistants and was sent in the direction of some Puma Cell Ikonis 2 Q111's. I asked for gym shoes that could also be used for jogging in a pinch.
Of course, in pink.

Ladies Puma Cell Ikonis 2 Q111

After I picked those out I went and had a peek at the rest of the sports gear, I love a snappy sports singlet, but it has to be something that either speaks to me or makes me laugh, some of the Slogan singlets you see are just too OTT. " I earn my choccies one step at a time" anyone? Blech.
I snorted out loud when I spotted this singlet by Asana .. no one said it didn't run faster then me too!

 Asana Slogan Singlet

I've already been through two gym bags since I started training at the start of the year, the first one turned out to be too small, even though I loved the design and colours. and the second was a freebie attached to a magazine, certainly big enough but the straps were waaaaay too short. I wasn't even browsing for one today but I spotted this and loved it. It's very sleek, has both carry handles and an across body straps, large zip up pocket on the front, two internal sewn in pockets, and a removable small pouch with wrist strap.
I'm really quite appalled I can't find this bag anywhere online to show you guys!

Lastly, I'm in need of sports bras, and don't want to spend too much, it's kind of hard to find them to fit my 12dd size. (This size is a curse, not a blessing.) Most of the time I opt for 12d. Target is having a sale on underwear at the moment, but it's worth having a good dig, there were different colours in this bra, at different prices just because of unpopular colour combinations. I got a bright pink with dark purple detailing version for less then $10! Sweeet.

Target Moulded Medium Impact Underwire Sports Bra

Product review: Naughty Alice, Yum.

One of the first things I learnt about Vivienne Westwood is that she isn't your average designer. She is more punk rock then primadonna, and I love her for it. Her designs evoke a futuristic dystopia with its roots in the 80's and the sex pistols.
I once read that she wanted to design a perfume that smelt like 'a freshly washed fanny' Now I don't know about England but over here, a fanny is located on your front, not your behind.
Thankfully, this perfume doesn't resemble a butt or otherwise.
I'm a little behind the eightball for this perfume, but it was one of those things I had to save up for, and I love it all the more, it sits with pride on my dresser with its bracelet. (That I'm not allergic to, bonus.) The bracelet features her signature orb and heart logo on a gold chain.
The smell initially didn't appeal to me, but I squirted myself with it, and it develops into a gorgeous, seductive warmth.
It has notes of blackrose, ylang ylang, violet and musk, and is considered 'floriental' (lol). also it is a perfect fragrance for Winter, as I think it would be a little heavy for summer.

 

Go ahead and tell me the ad itself doesn't seduce you.

Purchase from Fragrance Direct here.

Free Sample from Sunsilk Australia

The new Frizz Defence range that's been advertised all over the TV at the moment, give it a try, all you have to do is like Sunsilk on Facebook and fill in the form.

Enjoy!

What Katie Did

Have you ever bought one of those cheap corsets off eBay? You know the sort that come with that strange little g-string and feels highly flammable? Yeah I have too, they're kind of lacking in that desired cinch-me-in-and-make-me-look-amazing quality that you'd hoped for, something just isn't quite right.
Let me tell you the secret, They're just not going to do it for you. To get the curves and va-va-voom you're after you're going to have to spend a little bit of money but my word is it going to be worth it.
Let me tell you about one of my favourite brands of underwear.
What Katie Did is a company in England that creates and sells beautiful vintage inspired undergarments. I found them a few years ago, on the back on my burlesque fascination and have collected a few items here and there over the years. Their attention to details is incredible and their designs are sublime to say the least. Beautiful and classic shapes to make you feel like a gorgeous pin up model. They design a range that encompasses a lot of the lingerie available around the fifty's including classic shapewear, bullet bras, and high waisted knickers, made with modern and more wearable fabrics.

 Two tone Morticia underbust Corset

Can I tell you now, do not be afraid to wear a bullet bra! They're quite fun actually and can look amazing under blouses and the like. I have the one below and it's so comfy too, you great incredible support without an underwire.

Harlow Bullet Bra

Another thing that is plaguing women's underwear lately are those unsightly excuses for shapewear. Have you ever felt sexy in one? There's the dilemma when you're going out for a date that tonight may just be 'the night' with your suitor to be, and you want to look amazing all night. But when passion takes over it can be a little odd to suddenly pause and 'go and slip into something more comfortable' Why not put on something that does all of it? The Glamour Corsolette is just one item in a range of gorgeous shapewear that you don't need to feel ashamed to reveal to anyone. In fact, my boyf's eyes were out on stalks when he spotted me dropping my dress to reveal this one night.

 

Glamour Corsolette

One more item I couldn't do this post without mentioning would be the amazing stocking range What Katie did produces. The authentic fully fashion stocking are created on machines used to create them back when your nana wore them and they are ultra special. But for a more budget friendly alternative you can buy the seamed stockings in nude, sheer black or deep chocolate to complete your vintage underwear look. They also sell seamed fishnets, Rawr.

 

Retro Seamed Stockings

One final tip? their high waisted underwear is just the thing for wearing under all those high waisted skirts that are in fashion at the moment, try them and see!

All items featured are available at What Katie Did, all photos used are copyright of Tony Nylons.