Nails Nails Nails... Have you discovered Shellac?

I've just had my nails done.  I usually get a manicure with a standard nail polish, but this time my persuasive beautician convinced me to try Shellac. 

According to Shellacnails.com "Shellac Nails TM last up to 14 days without losing shine or shimmer. They are hard and do not scratch or smudge. When it comes time to take them off the nail, it is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and it does not damage the nail itself."

Since I usually manage to chip nail polish within hours of having them done, I was intrigued to see if this new polish would work as well as they promised.  There was an impressive selection of colours to choose from, and I have a thing for coral at the moment, so coral it was.

The final colour is a little more bubblegum than I expected, but I am still thrilled with the look.  They are super shiny and so far, 17 hours later, still un-chipped.

I particularly liked that they were dry as soon as she'd finished doing them.  There is NO drying time involved.  No waiting around, or desperately trying to get your money out of your purse without smudging them. 

Got any questions? Want to find a salon near you?  Go to the Shellac Nails 'frequently asked questions' page here.

Will they look like this in two weeks? I'll let you know!

Buy Shellac products with Amazon today and save!

Will electrolysis stop me being a scummy mummy?

Avoiding being a scummy mummy would, for me, be a full time job.  My scummy confessions include;

1. Leaving hairs on my toes to grow too long before noticing I am turning into a hobbit and dealing with them with the nail scissors.
2. Not bothering to brush my hair, but throwing it into a scrunchie for the school run.
3. Only bothering with actual make-up on an official 'work' day or if I'm going out on a rare night out.
4. Leaving my roots far far too long before recolouring and thus generally looking a little like Cruella D'Evil.
5. Leaving the washing up in the hope that a washing up fairy will come and do it.  This is despite having a dishwasher as it appears that most of the children's crockery and cutlery we own is annoyingly NOT dishwasher safe.  (Are you listening, designers?  What were you thinking?!)

But my biggest confession and the one I get most embarrassed by; so I'm not sure how telling you will help, but hey, I've started so I'll finish; is that I have more and more hairs growing out of my chin and upper lip and instead of actually getting them properly waxed off I've just happily been snipping them with scissors for years.

To start with it was, obviously, one rogue hair.  I don't like plucking, so the scissors came out and I thought no more about it.  Over the years they appear to have been slowly breeding and now there is a veritable forest threatening.

Regular readers will know that it's only within the last year that I've started getting my eyebrows shaped having never touched them in any way previously, so you can imagine that I'm fairly clueless about this kind of thing.

Three weeks ago I lay on the beautician's table whilst she was shaping those bushy eyebrows and casually asked the question;

"So, do you think I need to do anything about my upper lip then?"

There wasn't even a pause.  No consideration took place.  There was only a gap tiny enough for her to breathe in in.

"Yes"

So there you go.  It's official.  I have a moustache and beard that is obviously obvious to all who see me.  My first thought was; why have none of my so-called friends mentioned this atrocity that I've been cultivating.  My second was: how do I get rid of it?

"So should I arrange a wax then?" I ask

There was a pause this time.  "I'm not sure that's the best option to be honest" she said "Have you considered electrolysis?"

E-what-ysis I thought to myself.  "Er no.  I don't know too much about it.  Could you remind me please?" I said.  I'm paraphrasing.  I probably really said "Huh? No? What?"

Only 2 weeks later and I've had 2 treatments. It's slightly painful, but no more than waxing and I find it pretty manageable.  I've not had a bad reaction (which is a risk apparently) and the hairs are slowly disappearing.

So what's electrolysis?

First port of call for research is probably the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE) who confirm that it's the only medically approved form of permanent hair removal.

In layman's terms the beautician pops a small needle into the hair follicle (you hardly feel that), then heats the hair root (you feel it getting hot - very weird sensation), then teases out the hair. (It comes out really easily).

You need regular treatments to start with to ensure that, when the hair tries to regrow, the electrolysis catches it at the correct stage to permanently halt hair growth.

So everywhere then?

Apparently the hardest part for many woman is resisting the temptation to pluck stray hairs in the meantime.  Luckily my scissor happy approach is fine and won't detrimentally impact on the course of treatment.

I'm having it done weekly to start with; it only takes 10 minutes; which will then go to fortnightly, and eventually stop once all the hairs are killed off.  It's costing £12 per treatment at the moment.

I've worked out that regular indefinite waxing would end up being far more expensive, so I'm happy with the price.

I haven't yet plucked up the courage to actually look at any of the equipment she uses though.  I think if I saw the needle it would put me off.  So I go in there, lie down quick and close my eyes!  I am such a wimp!

Potential electrolysis side effects?

Temporary side effects can include redness, soreness and dryness.  There can also be an increased risk of ingrowing hairs.  But as long as these side effects are treated correctly, so long term damage should occur.

Natural Aloe products can be applied to moisturise the area.

Advice to patients include staying out of direct sun for a few days after treatment, and avoiding make-up or other products on the treated area for a couple of days.  So if you can't live without the foundation for a couple of days you may need to seriously consider how to manage that aspect.

Because the hair is treated one at a time, it's not the best solution for large areas; like the back or arms for example.

Always discuss your needs with an appropriately qualified professional.

You can find your nearest BIAE approved beautician here.

This post is inspired by the Yummy Scummy Mummy Meme started by Sonja at The Ramblings of a former Rock N Roll Mum.  I have Sarah, at Mum of Three World to thank for tagging me.  Sorry it took so long ladies and I hope you don't mind the multi-tasking nature of the post!  After all, multi-tasking is a standard state of being for all mums...

Home Hair Colouring: How to?

In the interests of saving money (all the more for the shoe fund) I have spent the last couple of years dying my hair at home.

Actually my hubby has had the job of slathering on the permanent colour, since I'm not at all convinced I wouldn't get dye all over the bathroom if I tried to do it myself.

I've nearly always dyed my hair, from light blonde to a rich red, and more recently  its natural brunette.  But with greys coming through at the roots so fast I needed to re-colour after 5 weeks, £50 a time at the hair salon was too expensive.

In this time, of home hair colouring; at a more reasonable £6 a time; I have learnt a few key tips I thought I'd share:

1.  Always do a strand test

I know it's boring.  I know it's difficult to arrange to do and wait for the results and only then get cracking with your own colouring.  Particularly as, once you've opened the bottle for the strand test, you have to use the colour within 24 hours usually.

It's also a 'do as I say, not as I do' one, because I never, ever do the strand test. But that's only because my mother's been dying my hair various shades of orange since I was 13 years old*.

Even so, each brand is different, so you should really test each one before you try.  Please don't risk it, especially if you've never coloured your hair before

2. Don't stray too far from your natural shade when home colouring

In general, those with light, pale and freckled skin will suit cooler hair shades; from platinum blonde, through strawberry blondes to light browns.  Darker skin tones will be better able to pull off darker hair.

You need to factor that in when choosing a colour; along with the colour of your eyebrows.  If your hair is substantially darker than your eyebrows it can overpower them.  At the other extreme, very dark eyebrows will stand out a mile (particularly if not well groomed) if teamed with platinum blonde hair.  Unless you have aspirations to colour the eyebrows as well (not a good plan at home by the way) then don't go too far from your natural shades.

3.  Protect your clothes and any furniture

We do this process sat on the sofa in the lounge.  I cover one end of the sofa with an old, dark blue towel, specifically allocated to home colouring duties only.  It's now got some lovely staining on it!

I also change into old clothes that I don't mind getting stained and place another old towel around my shoulders.

I keep meaning to invest in one of those capes that they make you wear at the salon, but just don't seem to get around to it.

4.  Protect your glasses

I wear glasses.  If I start colouring my hair without putting contact lenses in, I suddenly find that I am sat there, with nothing to do, for 40 minutes whilst the colour works it's magic.  Often I want to read, or watch the TV.  But I can't put my glasses on for fear of staining their arms.

The solution?  Take 2 plastic sandwich bags (or nappy bags), and place them over each arm.  Secure with sandwich bag ties.  It's not a handsome look; but you've got purple (it always seems to be purple) gunk all over your head, a towel wrapped around you and your scruffy clothes on.  Good looks are not on the agenda at this point.

5.  Get rid of any staining at the temples quickly

When you've applied the colour (obviously following the instructions on the box to the letter) and have waited the requisite length of time, you will need to rinse it off.  HOWEVER, if you have the colour on your forehead and around your temples you need to pause for a moment for this little task to stop the colour staining your skin in those areas.

I may seem to go off track here, but stay with me.

You know you can use a ball of blu-tack to get other remnants of blu-tack off a wall without scraping?  You simply press the ball against the scrap and it sticks and pulls off the scrap.

Well, hair colour works the same way.  If you get some around the edge of your temples, you can, whilst wearing your plastic gloves (obviously), rub that area of skin gently with the colour that's on your hair.  Give the area a little massage.  Then you can rinse off the colour and the colour should pull any staining off the skin.

It won't necessarily have got it all off, but it will have taken most and loosened the rest.  So when you've finished rinsing the hair and shampooed with a mild shampoo (children's shampoos are good after colouring as they are nice and mild and don't try and strip the colour back out!), you can then rub any remaining staining on the skin with a wet wipe.

Yes, those wet wipes come in handy for all sorts of things.

If you don't get the staining off with the wipe now, you may be stuck with it for a while, so scrub any reluctant bits hard!

I hope that was helpful.  Good luck!  



*She'd like to claim it was red, but my school colleagues would disagree.  And did.  Ruthlessly.

Eat your way to healthy hair!

It's often been said that the appearance of your hair has the most impact on your overall look.  You've only got to watch a couple of make-over shows to notice that no amount of make-up will compensate for a poor, unhealthy looking barnet.

So what can you do to maximise your chances of having healthy, glossy hair?

Look to your diet and eat your way to healthy hair.  All you mummies out there will know that the body is very good at getting nutrients to the important places first.  When you are pregnant, and so nauseous you can barely eat, it's easy to worry about the baby getting the nutrients it needs.  But it's likely they are getting plenty - it's just you, your poor body, that is usually second in the pecking order.  Your body is pretty clever at prioritising!

Similarly the nutrients you take in will go first and foremost to the vital organs.  And unfortunately for our appearance, our hair is a long way down the list.  So if your diet is lacking, your hair will certainly be loosing out.  It'll be dry and slow to grow, just like a plant starved of water and food.

If you are eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables - come on, you know the score - then you are giving your hair the best chance to grow at it's maximum speed, and be strong and healthy.

And what if you are doing all that, and still have problems?  Maybe these tips will help.

Dull hair?

If your hair is really dull it is most likely to be caused by chemical processes like bleaching.  The dullness is a result of the cuticle on the hair lifting, instead of lying flat.  However, if you haven't processed your hair, you may have a lack of protein in your diet.  Try gradually increasing the level of protein you eat (lean meat, poultry, fish, seeds, pulses, nuts and dairy products).  Don't do it too fast though.  Hair only grows at around 14mm a month (when supplied with appropriate nutrients) and so any changes due to dietary changes won't be noticeable for a good three months.

Thinning hair?
This can be caused by an iron deficiency.  Iron is found primarily in red meat and green vegetables and you need roughly 14mg per day.

Also, be aware of any supplements you are taking.  If they cumulatively result in a high Vitamin A intake, this can also cause thinning hair and too much Vitamin A is toxic.  Try and achieve the nutrients required through an increase in fruit and vegetable intake rather than via supplements if you can.

Suddenly oily hair?
If you have always had slightly oily hair, then it is genetically determined and you can't do much about it.  But if it suddenly turns oily check your spice intake.  Foods that make you sweat, like hot curries, similarly cause increases in oil levels on your scalp - which sweats too!

Dry hair?
Is your hair normally flyaway and frizzy?  This is often due to an essential fatty acid deficiency.  Eating nuts, seeds and, of course, oily fish, will help.  These foods will also provide the proteins needed to keep the hair glossy. 

I hope those tips help.  But don't forget the all important cut.  A good cut can camouflage a multitude of sins!


For 5 quick beauty tips for busy women click here.
For our quick 'jargon' buster - what ingredients are in my skin care products and what do they do? click here.

Glamorous Nails for Free! Got any Glitter?

Seriously, have you got any glitter?

There are lots of nail art solutions out there.  Beauty parlours that will not just manicure your own nails, but offer an array of different types of false nails, of varying permanency's.
 
But if you haven't got the spare cash to be throwing around on manicures that; if you are anything like me; chip within half an hour of having them done, then you need an alternative method for beautifying those fingers and adding a bit of glam.   

And so, here is a brilliant tip I picked up this week.  If you have ever fancied doing something a little more glamorous than just painting your nails all one colour, or more exciting than a simple french manicure, well, how about this trick?

Pop on any coloured nail varnish that you happen to have spare, and then (and this is where the magic happens) dip your finger in a pot of glitter.

All those crafters out there will have glitter to hand of course.  And it's a lovely change to be getting out the craft box for glitter for me, not for the children!

A quick top coat, to finish it off, and you are done.


And frankly, beware if you want it to be temporary; as this is a hard wearing solution that is pretty resistant to chips!

What do you think?

Beauty Product Jargon Buster! What is that ingredient and what does it do?

Gone are the days when you could look at the ingredients of a product and understand exactly what had been thrown in the mix without any extra training in chemistry or alchemy.  You need a lifetime of learning and a lot of study to fully understand enough to select from those heaving shelves exactly the right product for your given skin type. 

But, beauty geek or not, there are a few things that it really helps to know;

Free Radicals
These are in the air we breathe and the food we eat.  They are unstable compounds that attack human cells and damage DNA, effectively speeding up the ageing process through damage to skin cells. 

Our best defence comes in the form of:-

Antioxidants
These are Free Radicals natural enemy.  Eating foods rich in antioxidants is a great way to limit the damage.  In beauty products, ingredients like green tea, copper, vitamin C, A and E, grape seed and kinetin are effective antioxidants. 

Some Antioxidants of note include:-

Retinols
This is another name for products made from Vitamin A, being an anti ageing antioxidant.  It improves collagen production, plumping out skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. 

Co-Enzyme Q10
The body naturally produces this in it's defence against free radicals, but as you age, levels go down.  This is why it appears in beauty lotions, to supplement your bodies own natural levels.  Products containing it are generally a shade of orange (as it is bright orange in colour).

Other ingredients that you may come across are:

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
These strip of dead skin cells revealing the smoother, new, younger looking skin underneath.  Particularly popular are glycolic and lactic acids.  These can be strong, so if you have sensitive skin be wary of the appearance of these high up the ingredients list.

Beta-hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
Salicylic acid is the most commonly used.  These work in a similar way to AHAs above, but are less irritating to the skin.  Salicylic also fights bacteria on the skin.

However, if you are allergic to salicylates (found in aspirin), you shouldn't use products containing this.  Neither should you use products containing salicylic acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Emollients
These help to protect skin by reinforcing the moisture barrier in the skin.

Aqua
Usually the main ingredient, and is obviously simply water.  But it's vital for healthy skin.

Essential Oils
Lavender is popularly used in skin creams to avoid irritation, but many oils are used in beauty products, often to provide a nice scent. 

However, you should check with your doctor before using essential oils if you are pregnant or epileptic

Non-comedogenics
Ingredients known to block pores less than others.

Liposomes:
Not an ingredient as such, but a way to deliver ingredients like vitamins deeper into the skin.


You may also want to check out:
Winter Skin Care
5 Quick Beauty Tips for Busy Women

5 Quick Beauty Tips - For Busy Women!

I don't know about you, but I never seem to have more than ten minutes in the morning to get myself ready and out of the door.  After five and a half years of being a mummy, I've managed to work out the 'prepare the night before' motto, so it really is mostly about how I manage to shower, dress, make up, dry and style hair, all in those ten minutes!

And yet I can manage it.. just!

Here are my 5 quick tips to looking great, however much time you have!

1. Waxing.  It's not for everyone, but if you can find the time to wax (legs, bikini-line, underarms, wherever!)  regularly, you save the time during the daily morning rush otherwise needed for shaving those parts!  I'll be honest, this is a do-as-I-say tip.  I am too much of a girl to go through the pain regularly, and personally prefer to spend the 2 minutes shaving.  But it eats into hair styling time, and I never get chance to straighten it.  Either, Or folks.  Either, Or.

2.  Great Hair Cut.  Invest in a great haircut, and go back and maintain it regularly.  Again, this is one of those tips that simply shifts the task from being a daily flog trying to make a grown-out style look stylish for work, to a trip to the hairdresser every three months.  I'm not great at this one, but I do go for a bob style that I can make look reasonable without any product, just a decent brush and years of blow-drying practise.  If I have a bit of extra time I use Tigi BedHead's After Party Smoothing Cream just to finish the look.

3.  Accessorise.  Adding jewelry always makes you look like you made far more of an effort than it actually takes.  It's the same effect you get adding house plants to a lounge where the incremental effect is far greater than the effort put in (that is unless you kill them like I do.  The plants; not the jewelry) 


Silver, plain, classy styles work well.  Real diamonds aren't necessary; there aren't that many people that can really tell the difference anyway.  Crystal looks good and doesn't have the diamond price tag.  Try Swarovski.com

4.  Multi-task.  If you can brush your teeth whilst rinsing the shampoo off in the shower, then go for it.  If you can get the children to brush their teeth at the same time you do yours, brilliant.  If you can sip coffee whilst popping sandwiches in a lunch.  Great.

5. Moisturise.  Moisturise.  Moisturise.   If you can drink plenty of water and also find a good night cream, and preferably an eye gel to go with it, you can wake up with glowing ready-to-go skin which will save you time having to cover up imperfections.  Using moisturiser just after you bath is effective.  And don't forget that Johnson's baby oil isn't just for babies.  Smoothing a little of the oil on wet legs after bathing locks in the moisture and ensures silky soft pins!

Bonus Tip! Teeth.  As the celebrity teeth whitening craze shows, white teeth give the illusion of health and beauty.  So what's not to like!  Regular twice a day brushing and use of floss and mouthwash will keep them looking good.

You'll need to try harder to keep them white if you like your coffee or red wine, both of which are great at staining anything, not just teeth!  I love both, and have tried numerous whitening toothpastes, as well as considering getting them professionally whitened.  But in the end, I found that chewing on sugar free gum helped the most.  Saliva is the bodies natural soldier against plaque, and chewing gum helps it to get moving. 

With all this time you've saved yourself in the morning, you can enjoy more beauty tips on how to keep your skin fresh and dewy even in the winter.
Click here.

Yummy? Mummy? In the Winter? YES!

How on earth can we be yummy and still be a mummy in the winter! 

Happy New Year! 

The cold spell continues (though so far without the dreaded  's' word!) and the school run is fraught enough, without the added pressure of looking good whilst doing it! 

And so, as my last post of 2011 I want to share some pictures with you.  These are real mums on a real school run, doing what they do best, looking yummy despite the weather in the last month of 2011!

I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, as previous posts will testify.  But even with a camera phone, the smiles of these mums is clear to see.

If you have some similar pictures of mums doing what mums do best, (no smut please; you know what I mean!)  Email them in and we'll perhaps display them. 

We need to remember that we are all yummy, regardless of celebrities trying to persuade us that we can't step out of the door without 5 inch heels and a designer buggy.

We need to remember that it's only 5 degrees Celsius out there, and it's nigh on impossible to find winter coats that keep us warm but also make us look red carpet ready.


We need to remember that its a miracle if we even remember to put our shoes on after the children have ran us ragged from 5am until school drop of time.

We need to remember that simply brushing our hair some mornings is a major challenge.

We need to remember that we face similar challenges to millions of other mums, that we are not alone, that we have friends, family, children who love us.

We are yummy mummies!

Really!

Even this dodgy looking one in the bright blue coat!

*                                *                                     *                                       *

If you liked this you might also enjoy:

Wearing Pyjamas on the school run - I'm not proud! 

Winter Skin Care

Sexy Thermal Underwear - The Search Continues!

Winter Skin Care

So back to the main purpose of this blog, which was to help all us mummy's be simultaneously yummy.  It's not an easy task at this time of year, when the heating systems are turned on, windows are closed and the falling temperatures outside strip our skin of moisture.  So it's moisture we need, and lots of it.

For the face, I swear by Clarin's Extra Firming Day Cream (and the matching night cream!)  50ml will set you back £46 (Boots.com)

But I have been somewhat ensnared by Clarins products having tried their great samples (Just pop into Boots and ask if you can try out a couple of products. Our local store is usually very accommodating, and they certainly get enough sales from me as a result!)

For other great products at more sensible prices try one of these great offers.  These are products I have in my trusty bathroom cabinet and love, many of which are currently reduced.

For Body:  

• Olay Double Action Nourishing and Regenerating Night Cream for Normal or Dry Skin 50ml £4.79
• 1/2 price Bio Oil (ideal to keep stretch marks at bay, and hydrate dry skin) 60ml £4.49 (Reduced from £8.99)
• Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion £1.99  (Reduced from £2.99) 
• E45 Dermatological Cream 350g £6.69
• Nivea Lotion for Dry Skin 250ml £1.99 (reduced from £2.99)

For Hands:  I swear by - 

• Vaseline Health Hand and Nail Conditioning Lotion 75ml £1.73 (Reduced from £2.59)

For Lips:

• Lypsyl Original (for gorgeous pouts) £0.78 (reduced from £1.17)
• Blistex Relief Healing Cream 5g £2.25  (It's £2.85 at Boots at the moment, so try Lloyds Pharmacy to save!)

I get all of my beauty gear from either Boots or the local Pharmacy, Lloyds, so those are the suppliers I've linked to here.

Please note that I am completely independent in my recommendations of goods, services and suppliers, and am not paid to recommend highly any particular product, service or supplier.

Night cream? Day cream? Sunscreen? Beauty flash what?

Summer is on it's way and my skin isn't ready for it.  My beautician, with whom I have a healthy relationship that involves me booking appointments at the last minute around 4 times a year if I'm lucky, tells me I have dry skin on my chin and forehead.  My first thought is that it must be hitting 35 that's done it.  I always thought I had 'combination' skin, with soft cheeks and a T-zone prone to breakouts.  But apparently not.

Using tons of moisturiser at night is apparently not the done thing either.  It brings out those breakouts.

But the qualified beautician points out that using 'a small 20p piece' sized ball of moisturiser every night is definitely the way to go.  I'm afraid I have no idea what size of coin in dimes and nickels is best reflective.  But needless to say, slathering it on like sunscreen isn't the done thing.

So I'm trying.  Along with the ever increasing bedtime list of things to do - brush teeth, wash face, check all doors, move baby monitor upstairs, switch off all electrical appliances (other than the fridge obviously), check doors again, take out contact lens, clean off makeup, check on girls, ensure clean clothes available for the morning....and now slather on appropriate amount (NOT TOO MUCH) of moisturiser......  and we wonder why my hubby has taken to sending me off to bed half an hour before him, so he's got half a chance of getting to sleep without all the hustle and bustle of 'the bedtime list' keeping him awake. 

I have a feeling I'm going to have to set my alarm half an hour before his once Summer starts in earnest.  Afterall, if I've got the brush teeth, wash hair, contact lens' in, day cream, sunscreen, beauty balm, foundation, make-up to do, as well as the kids sunscreen, lip screen, sun hat........ ?

Beauty Treatments in North Derbyshire - Yummy!

I've actually had a rare chance to get myself down to the Beauty Salon!

This week I tried out a new beauty salon. "Pure" is cosy, being housed within Woodlands Fitness Centre, but friendly, and they've had an offer advertised for weeks that I'd been itching to try. The offer, entitled "Strawberries & Cream", consists of a Manicure, Pedicure and Back Massage, all for just £35.

So the second I realised I'd got an afternoon to myself (Girls out with Grandma!), I booked in quick.

I'm so glad I did. It's only when I finally get around to doing these self indulgent things that I realise just how good for your soul it is to treat yourself. Particularly when you have children and their needs always take priority over your own!

Michelle, the friendly beautician, immediately set me at ease with a lovely cuppa (how English am I?!), and we started with the Manicure and a good ol' gossip. By the time I'd had the Pedicure I was full of that post-gossip glow and already pretty relaxed. The back massage nearly sent me off to sleep. Lovely!

And now, of course, I feel all Yummy Mummy again, with my posh fingers and toes. Now where did I leave those strappies?

Pure is at Woodlands Fitness & Leisure Centre on Sheffield Road, and is open 7 days a week (so you can treat those feet after a night dancing on the Saturday.... not that I've done that for a while - woe is me!)

Go to www.woodlandsfitnesscentre.co.uk/pure-at-woodlands-dronfield-c78.html for opening times and contact details.