Archives for "Beauty"
Good teeth make you look younger
Whenever I watch Ten Years Younger, the thing that always gets me is how much of a transformation there is when the person being made to look younger gets their teeth done. Knowing how this can transform a look, I’ve always been careful with my teeth and hate it when the dentist tells me that they are anything but perfect.
Dental work can be hugely expensive but I was recently pointed in the direction of Invisalign Surrey. Essentially they are just invisible braces that straighten your teeth.
Generally the problem with straightening teeth with conventional braces is that they don’t look particularly attractive. Braces are all right on children and the outcome is gorgeous teeth in adulthood but if you never got the option of braces when you were a child then Invisalign could be for you.
It’s vain to suggest that invisible braces are the better option but if you want to straighten your teeth then that’s probably for aesthetic reasons too. I actually think the coolest thing about Invisalign is that they only take 12-18 months to straighten teeth. Conventional braces take anywhere from 35 months to 96!
Tackling signs of ageing
It’s difficult to think about how I’ll feel about my own signs of ageing in ten years or so. At the moment I’m line-free and, frankly, intend to be that way forever. I am young, I look young, nothing to worry about. But what about when I get older? What if I haven’t inherited my mum’s wrinkle-free skin?
I’m all for buying every beauty cream I can get my hands on. (Or accepting them from PRs, which is where I get most of my beauty products.) But does beauty cream get to a point where it stops working? In fact, does it work at all?
Before you start looking up botox prices I think you should try the simplest of all anti-ageing treatments… A healthy lifestyle. I think it’s probably a little harsh to spring that on you when we are coming up to the most indulgent time of the year but being a bit healthier surely has to beat £400 creams and going under the knife. (However, if it doesn’t work there is always the choices of botox and expensive creams to fall back on.)
Firstly, you MUST drink water. Eight glasses a day please. It can improve your complexion no end. You should also moisturise, if you keep your skin hydrated it won’t lose its natural elasticity. Some anti-ageing creams (and not necessarily the expensive ones) also plump skin, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Food plays a huge part in how you look. Healthy fats and oils are good for you as are raw vegetables and fruit. An anti-ageing superfood is the avocado!
Knowing how your skin changes as you age is a good place to start. Exercise, certain foods, a lot of water and a small list of beauty products can help you looking youthful for as long as possible.
Teenage Make-Up Miracle Worker Storms The Internet
You might think that the winter months are an easier time for dealing with break-outs, and skin problems, but before you book that last minute ski holiday, think again. Summer heat might have led to oily skin, but central heating and cold winds in winter can strip the skin of its protective layers. All hail then to Beauty Braveheart Cassandra Bankson, who hit 1.7 million views on her recent make-up tutorial video.
Cassandra is a 19-year-old student who began filming videos of her tutorials over a year ago. She’s adorably sweet and pretty, with high cheekbones and a cupid’s bow mouth Angelina Jolie herself would envy. Seeing her made up one could be quite forgiven for feeling a twinge of girly jealousy. But Cassandra hides a secret beneath her make-up, which might make you think again.
A Common Problem
Cassandra has always been honest about her severe acne, for which she is being treated with antibiotics. Specialist dermatologists have been treating her for about four years and she is currently undergoing blood tests for hormonal imbalance and a range of lifestyle changes to try and get the outbreaks under control, including diet and exercise changes. She also practices meditation and stress management sessions, sleep analysis and has regular peels and LED Light facials.
Poor girl! Despite all this, she’s still plagued by the condition, which she describes as her greatest insecurity. She is incredibly open about this common and highly embarrassing problem, and the brave make-up tutorial that hit 1.7 million views showed her tutoring others how to cover their own blemishes as well as she does. And she is remarkably skilled, for one would never know from looking at her made up that there was any problem at all. In fact, she looks almost airbrushed.
Miracle Makeover
Cassandra starts with no make up on at all, revealing the extent of her problem. It actually makes her a little tearful to show herself in this stripped down state, sitting in her lounge with a dressing gown on. But she rallies and proceeds to show us the rather delicious contents of her make-up collection. As someone who doesn’t suffer with acne at all I found it fascinating to see how she applied her make-up, and the effect she achieved. A list of her products are given beneath the video. I think I will be trying some out:
- Smashbox Antishine
- Hourglass Veil Primer
- Makeup For Ever HD Foundation in 125 and 120
- Mac Studio Finish Concealer NC 30
- Mac NC5
- Smashbox Halo in Light
- Makeup Forever Microfinish Setting Powder
- Mac Fix Plus Spray
Application: fingertips
134 Face/Powder Brush
It’s a great to see the comments on her channel from girls who have suffered with the same problem and have found hope and inspiration from Cassandra’s video.
What’s On Trend for Christmas Make Up?
We can have the tiniest black dress, the greatest weight-loss result (yes!) and the most deadly killer heels on the market, but if our make up isn’t right then it’s like a Christmas Tree without an angel on top. Check out Cassandra Bankson tutorials on shading and contouring with foundations, and then turn your attention to the look you’re going to go for this Christmas.
The word is that 50’s retro glamour is in this year. Yes, the eyes still have it. There is no sign of a wane in the eyelash obsession that seems to be sweeping the fashion world, but glittery eye shadow is out.
Maybe it’s Victoria Beckham’s elegant fitted dresses, perhaps it’s Kate Middleton’s quiet class, but something has happened to make-up this year. With dressing up such a year round activity now, Christmas is a time to really pull something stunning out of the bag. This year the emphasis is on feminine, elegant, cool, retro and stylish.
Out with the tinsel, out with the glitter spray, and in with heavy kohl and false-eyelashes. Try MAC’s failsafe Liquid Liner, teamed with Shu Uemura lashes. Bright lips are in – get out and try some of the new colors, like MAC’s Lady Danger, or Girl About Town for a more 70’s look. Then party like there’s no tomorrow and raise a glass to Cassandra Bankson…
Guest post by Izzy Woods
OOTD: But not today
This was shot a couple of months ago. I headed to North Norfolk to visit family and recently my grandma has been offering me clothes when I pop by. Generally they are too big but this one cinched nicely at the waist so it doesn’t really matter than it’s a size 20.
I’ve no idea where it’s from. Helpful, eh?
I’m starting to think how weird I look without lipstick on. I need a colour that is a bit more wearable for daytime than bright pink or bright red. Suggestions?









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