Living Life; In beauty and style

- Beauty is an experience, nothing else. - D. H. Lawrence Assorted Articles - A person is only beautiful, when their own beauty, is reflecting on to others. - Tara Grady - Those who look for beauty, find it. - Unknown - Beauty comes in all sizes; not just size 5. - Roseanne - Always remember that true beauty comes from within; from within bottles, jars, compacts, and tubes. - Peter's Almanac

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Scent Sense (Part 1)

- picture from perfumeemporium.com


Is it true that couples who sprays together stays together?
- by New Woman 004
We know our blokes are (Visa) card-carrying metrosexuals these days, but are we really cool with the idea of them smelling like us? YES! Years ago it may have been kitsch to wear matching scents, but today it's all about the complementary ingredients in our coordinated colognes! Oh, and the bottles look so cute together in the bathroom...

Best Friends
Probably high school sweethearts and definately best mates, this couple is always smiling, laughing and having fun.
HIS: Clinique Happy for men, $60
Blokey without being too gron up, it's got a soapy, clean fresh feel - mandarin, lime and grapefruit, balanced with the watery freshness of sea air.
HER: Clinique, Happy $52
She's positive and perky, so the ruby red grapefruit, bergamot and pretty petal scent appeal to her upbeat nature.
Why they work
The farmiliar, fresh scent of citrus in both scents will remind them of each other - and they couldn't imagine it any other way!

The Dynamic Duo
Up at 6am on Sunday for an hour's jog, these two love the rugged, great outdoors...
HIS: DKNY Be Delicious Men, $87
Smells like an appletini! Coffee's been added to the mix of tart and ripe apple... and it reminds her of a farm in a bottle.
HER: DKNY Be Delicious, $108
Like an apple plucked straight from the tree, it's juicy, sweet, innocent and happy rolled into one. Apple, cucumber and grapefruit are to blame - with hints of rose and violet for that farm-fresh feeling!
Why the work
Dreaming of escaping to the country, the morning fresh scent of apples continues to inspire them.

The Bride & Groom
The two who 'just know' they'll be together forever - and are about to tie the knot to prove it!
HIS: Vera Wang For Men, $125
Crisp green mandrin leaf, nutmeg, leather and warm tobacco - it's so irresistible she'll be racing down the aisle.
HER: Vera Wang, $120
Like an elegant bridal bouquet of Bulgarian rose and gardenia, with a romantic edge thanks to sheer musk - fit for a princess!
Why they work
Utterly unforgettable, both scents are so distinct they'll have the power to evoke emotional memories for one another. By a bridal designer no less - who else could capture the essence of the big day?

The First Daters
Kind of shy, and on their best behaviour - full of promise and hoping for the best!
HIS: Ralph Lauren Romance Silver, $96
The fresh cabernet grapes and crushed leaves mixed with patchouli remind her of something she'd like to get to know a lot better...
HER: Ralph Lauren Romance, $66
Not unlike a bubbly glass of champange - fun, sweet and giggly! Like the sweet little posy he might pluck from the neighbour's garden for her.
Why they work
Both scents spark interest to make them lean in a little closer to take another whiff.. and make the first move!

Big Flirts
A wink here and there, constant hand holding and eyes only for each other - these two are naughty, fun and flirty!
HIS: Thierry Mulger A Men, $86
She'll crave the smell of this on him - like the icing on a cake, a hint of peppermint and coffee makes it like a tasty treat.
HER: Thierry Mugler Angel, $142
It's sweet and secy - a drizzle of honey, a splash of chocolate and sticky sweet caramel are enough to make him melt...
Why they work
Like kids in a candy store, the melt-in-your-mouth caramel and chocolate in both scents make them constantly want more of each other.

Soul Mates
They're the couple who are so alike they talk the same, have a similar style and finish each other's sentences.
HIS: Marc Jacobs Men, $80
Like his classic white shirt, he loves it as much as she does - a familiar homey scent thanks to musk and spices, enhanced with aphrodisiacs fis and patchoili.
HER: Marc Jacobs Woman, $95
A lush, rich gardenia blend that can go from being innocently sweet to rich, sensual and sexy in seconds.
Why they work
They'll love the familarity of their signature scents, and appreciate the way both scents can be worn as a casual or a sensual scent.

That's it for now... there's anothe six perfume set.. it'll be online tomorrow (hopefully).. *off to uni now for group meeting!

Every woman should have...

- picture from Ralph Lauren


Not sure what to buy? The following are great 'investments' and they can form endless mix and match with your current wardrobe! Here's what every woman should have...

The wide leg pant - A crisp pair of pants is always a yes! Wide leg pants hides the chubby thigh, giving illusion of longer legs when worn with heels. Make sure the length of the pants just skims your toes when wearing heels.

The wrap dress - These are always in fashion. The patterned dress can be worn over jeans/pants for a casual chic look or just itself for work. This is great as it helps hides the unwanted bumps while still showing off your curves!

The coat - It's critical not to buy coats which are too long or too short! The 3/4 length ones are just right as it skims over the hip area to help conceal. Oh, and also, when wearing light coloured coat, pls wear darker clothing underneath as this gives the illusion that you're smaller under the coat! cheers!

The suit - A great suit is a must! It's guaranteed to make you feel purposeful. Be warned.. stripes and checkers do NOT mix (yes, i've seen it before and it's not a flattering sight!)

The little black dress - In short,.. for work, for evening: adaptable timeless chic! You can never have too many LBDs.. ;)

The white shirt - Keep this look crisp, simple and invest in a new one every year... be careful with white though.. keep a spare in the office if you're wearing one to work.. just in case.. =)

That's all for now... *currently researching 'investing in handbags'

some inserts taken from Harpers Bazzar May'05

Saturday, May 28, 2005

How to trim your own fringe

- Linda Evangelista, from perfectpeople.net

- by Julien Farel, from Vogue
Farel, owner of Julien Farel Salon in New York City, had been cutting hair for 20 years. His clients include Lauren Bush, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista and Paris Hilton.

A fringe can be difficult to maintain - it can be tidy one day and overgrown the next. Some salons don't charge for touch-ups, but many women find it more convenient to trim their fringe at home. Just remember: you are not a hairstylist. Always take your time, and don't do anything drastic.

Get sharp
This may sound obvious, but don't try to trim your fringe with paper-cutting scissors. They're too big and too dull and set you up for a mishap. You can find reasonably priced salon scissors at any beauty store. Even straight manicure scissors are a better alternative.

Stay dry
It's best to trim your fringe when it's dry. When hair is wet, you run the risk of making it too short or having it fall badly. When your hair is dry, you can see exactly where - and how much - to cut.

Be blunt
For a simple, straight-across fringe, separate the hair into three sections; middle, right and left. Taking one section at a time, lift the hair out in front of you and twist it. (You should look as if u have a unicorn's horn.) Carefully snip off about three centimetres, and repeat with each section. And remember, it's better to make several small passes than one big mistake. If your fringe is still too long, retwist and recut as needed.

Know all the angles
Although a blunt fringe shows mistakes, a side-swept one is tricky too! And there's no way to make it easier - just take it slowly, arrange the hair where you want it to lie, cut along the angle the fringe falls, and hope for the best. Fortunately, this can look good even if it's not perfect.

Visit the ER
If you have an Edward Scissorhands moment, go directly to the salon. Your stylist should be able to salvage the situation for you.

It's all in the Eyes

- by Elizabeth Waverley, picture from Gucci


Not everyone is born with the perfect face. If you asked your friends most of them would say they felt their eyes were too close together, too far apart, too squinty or... well you get the picture. (I personally think my eyes are too close together).Thankfully we live in a day where makeup can do all sorts of optical illusions. Here I list a few simple techniques using eye shadow & eyeliner to create several illusions based on your needs.

To make your eyes look...

closer together. Most eyes look better when the emphasis is on the outer corner of the eye (or the 'v'). But emphasizing the inner corner will make eyes look closer together.Start by sweeping a light shadow over the whole eye area. Then dust a medium color on the inner half of the eyelid & blend outward to create a natural finish. Next, line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle & then blend outward.

further apart. If your eyes are less than an eyes-width apart, you can create the illusion of being wider set by keeping the inside corners of your eyes light & the outer edges darker. To do this, sweep a concealer one shade lighter than your skin at the inner corner of the lids. Blend well & don't forget the gray shadowy areas on the side of your nose. Take a matte eyeshadow in a medium-to-dark shade & stroke it outward & slightly upward from the middle part of your lid. the outer half of your lid. Take eyeliner & start the line just a bit in from the inner corner of your eye, tapering the line up and out, just a bit past the outer corner of the eyes.

bigger. The key to making eyes bigger is to focus on light shades. Dark ones will make eyes appear even smaller. Sweep a light shade over lid, then shade the outer corner of the lid & the crease with a darker shade. Line the outer upper & lower lids with eyeliner making sure to taper a bit outside the eye (elongating it). Lastly, a dab of white or cream shadow in the middle of the browbone will make eyes pop. (A word of warning: make sure brows are perfectly plucked, otherwise stray hairs will stand out as if lit by klieg lights).

less droopy. You can lift down-turned eyes with makeup. Apply shadow to the outer corner of the lid, extending color up & out like a feline shape. Add a light highligher color to brow bone & skip the eyeliner -- it will only accentuate the 'droopy' contour. Apply mascara, concentrating on the inner corner of the eye. Lastly, you can try smudging a silver show on the inner corners of the eyes to help 'lift' them.

less deep-set. Those with deep-set eyes have prominent browbones. To downplay browbone, sweep a light or medium-tone shade on lid, then shade in a slightly darker shade above the eye crease. Apply eyeliner from the inside of the eye, making it thicking in the middle of the eye & then tapering it towards the outer part of the lid. Lastly, apply light highlighter shade to browbone.

And lastly, here's a great eyeshadow & eyeliner trick for Asian eyes... Since the eyelids of Asian women can seem to disappear when the eyes are open, you can add definition by sweeping a medium-toned shade across the lid & browbone. Dust under the brow with a light highlighter shade to accentuate the brow bone and then use a pencil liner to line the upper & lower lash lines. Make sure line is very fine & natural looking.

The C word (Part 2)

- by Madison


The Anti-Cellulite Diet

Can eating better reduce cellulite? US Dermatologist Howard Murad says it's critical to choose foods that can help reverse inflammation of connective tissue and boost collagen formation. In his new book The Cellulite Solution, outlining an eight week assult on cellulite (including creams and exercise). The verdict? "The diet can't hurt and may indeed help," says Sydney nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin. Want to give the plan a shot? All you have to do is...

((The good news)) Eat More...

- Soy, cauliflower, spinach, oranges and tomatoes, which all contain skin-strengthening lecithin.
- Cold water fish (wild salmon), nuts (walnuts and almonds), olive oil and canola oil. They're rich in essential fatty acids, which help repair skin tissue.
- Poultry, skim milk and eggs. Dr Murad says they have collagen-boosting amino acids.
- Bright fruits and vegetables (blueberries, strawberries, carrots, papaya) and green tea. Their antioxidants are said to stave off tissue damage.
- Broccoli, peas and lima beans, which supposedly help fight inflammation.

((The bad news)) Eat Less...

- Butter, margarine and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (which are found in many packaged snack foods).
- Red meat and pork.
- Processed, high-fat cheese.
- Sugary snacks such as biscuits, cakes and sweets.

All of thse are said to contribute to tissue inflammation, which makes cellulite look worse! Zoe Bingley-Pullin also recommends drinking more water, so that you consume two or three litres of plain water or herbal tea per day. And that's a big NO to soft drinks, coffee and alcohol.

*sigh.. i guess the bottom line is, nothing good is really good for you.. hehee...

If in doubt, CONCEAL

- picture from Red Earth, some article insert taken from style101.com


Confused about the different types of concelers out there? Hopefully it'll be less confusing after reading this. Hear's the start of Concealer101. =)

Basically, colour concelers are designed to hide any flaws, blemish or discoloration!

Yellow - dark spots
For under eye circles as it combats blue tones, incl shadoes and fine blood vessels near the surface of the skin. Aging spots and what nots falls into this category as well.

Beige or orange - shading
It helps correct shading on the face. As you get older, discolouration appears below the lip, on sides of face around the eye area and the most obvious around nose area. Always use this one shade lighter to your skin tone.

Green - redness
This conceler comes in handy if you've got 'stray' pimples (like me). To apply this, you've to be careful coz if the blemish is raised or has a flaky scale over it, you must blend well enough so the green can't be seen. If you've got bluish-red bruises, green concelers works best!

Pink or lavender - freckles
This is used to normalize yellow coloured imperfections such as dark spots on bronze skin tones. Also, if you've got yellow-brownish bruises it can be covered up with this colour.

Some rules to remember

- Layering or cakey concealers can sometimes make the blemish stand out more. Use your best judgment to apply.
- Concelers are the inbetweens; between base and foundation. Don't forget to apply a powder foundation over it to help set.

Friday, May 27, 2005

De-stress (Part 1)

- by Polly Blitzer for InStyle (June'05)


1. MAKE LISTS - using a support network is a great way to manage stress; "Get together with a group of girlfriends who have 'been there, done that' and talk openly about your concerns," says Brook Ramage, managing director of The Golden Door Australia.

2. BREATHE DEEPLY - Activities that involve deep breathing can help you achieve a state of profound rest, says Dr Herbert Benson, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute in Massachusetts. The mind is more alert and your potential for creativity is greater.

3. BLOW OFF STEAM - "Laughter, exercise, music, massage, sleep and even crying are all ways to relieve stress," says Dr Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Centers for Well Being, in California and New York.

4. CONFRONT YOUR STRESSORS - "Talk and think through what you're feeling," says Dr Chopra, "or you'll end up treating the symptoms, not their cause."

5. EASE YOUR SPINE - One of the great stress reliving yoga poses is the simple child pose, says Brigid Walsh of The Golden Door Health Retreat, Queensland. One a mat or carpeted floor, kneel, sit back on your heels and bring your forehead to the floor in front of your knees, letting your arms relax beside you with your hands near your feet. Breathe normally.

6. USE VISUALISATION - If an anxiety attack comes on, picture a simple image such as that of a tranquil ocean. Focus on it until you can perceive the details completely, says US psychotherapist Jo Ann Lederman.

7. COUNT IT OUT - Close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and tap each finger from one to 10 and back, says LA psychotherapist Greta Anger. If stressful thoughts intrude, start again.

8. BE A DIPLOMAT - "Criticism and controlling advice from relatives and friends can lead to guilt and resentment or anger," says Lederman. Dr Judith Orloff, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, LA, recommends "firmly asserting yourself while showing respect and appreciation for others' input".

9. GET YOUR ZZZs - "Anxiety leads to insomnia, which leads to further anxiety," says Dr Vahid Mohsenin, director of the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine in the US. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, chocolate, tea, sugar and excercise within three hours of bedtime, says Dr Yosef Krespi, a New York-based sleep-disorder specialist.

10. TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE - Don't expect perfection on the big day. Have helpers on hand to deal with any problems, and try to go with the flow.

The C word (Part 1)

Posted by Hello


Yes.. the word every woman fears.. Cellulite! Aaaarrggghhh... Here's a bit of an intro to the future we can't escape.

What is cellulite? - by Celluliteexpert.com

Cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or “orange peel” skin. It appears in 90% of post-adolescent women and is rarely seen in men. Common but not exclusive areas where cellulite is found, are the thighs, buttocks, and the abdomen.

Who gets more cellulite? - by Madison (June'05)

The answer is surprising. Since cellulite occurs just beneath your skin - not deeper down where access fat is stockpiled - even stick-thin types can develop dimply thighs. However, cellulite can look far worse on heavier women. Getting to a healthy weight (but not below it) will probably improve your appearance. Avoid crash diets too as these can often be a cause of cellulite. Sudden weight loss or weight gain will make cellulite look worse.

Quick fix for Panda eyes

- by Greta Breedlove (The Herbal Home Spa, Storey Books, 1998). Posted by Hello


I was so surprised by the single kitchen-cupboard ingredient that this calls for--it's not a cucumber, and you’re sure to have one on hand. Raw potato slices will help tighten baggy, puffy eyes. It can lighten under-eye circles. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase, which is used in cosmetics as a skin lightener. Follow these 4 simple steps!

1. Slice 1/4 potato to fit over your eyes.
2. Cut 2 slices or, if you prefer, 5 to 10 very thin slices, several for each eye.
3. Spritz eye area with water.
4. Lying down, place the potato slices on your eyelids and leave in place for at least 10 minutes for best results.

Pump up the Volume

- by Madison (June'05) Posted by Hello

Brigitte Bardot
Yes girls, BIG hair is BACCKKK... Here are some simple DIY bugger-proof tips to pump up your hair. Enjoy!
+ Either hot or velcro rollers are perfect for instant volume. "Just leave them in the hair for 20 mins then shake your head upside down for bouncy curls," says leading hairstylist Shane Henning.
+ For extra volume, apply a root-lift product or mousse to the crown of your head before blow-drying. ((Beauty Devotee uses Root Boost Mousse by Catwalk)) Alternative suggestions are Pantene Pro-V Root Lifter Volumizing Spray Gel or Garnier Fructics Style Volume Injection Mousse
+ Rough up your roots with a blow-dryer. Turn your head upside down and blast your roots on high heat. Then point the blow-dryer nozzle down the hair shaft and blast with cold air to stop frizz and flyaways.
+ If you have fine hair, choose a shampoo and conditioner formulated for adding thickness. These will help to give texture as well as body to your hair.
+ Gently backcomb the areas of your hair that normally fall flat; this will give height and lasting volume. For backcombing, always use a tail comb (one with a rod as a handle) as its teeth are close together, making it easier to fluff up the hair.
+ Don't overload hair with too many styling products - you'll only end up weighing it down and making it greasy!
+ For instant low-maintenance volume, tip your head upside down and spray with a firm-hold hairspray and comb through with fingers.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Be sexy without looking sleazy

-by Beverly Smith Posted by Hello


Women strive to make themselves look sexy and attractive and this is a fun and exciting endeavor. But the key is to be sexy without looking sleazy!

To achieve this, just add a couple of unexpected accessories and some sensual essentials. There are a lot of ways to express your sexuality, not just by donning a micro skirt. Here are a few tips on how to add sensuality without sacrificing your modesty and class.

Put on red lips. Remember, nothing does the job better than red, no matter what you think. It will add a splash of color and a stylish alluring vibe. For young girls, yes, sexy girls are fine – shimmer merry lip gloss is good, older women should choose matte red that best suits their skin tone (blue-reds for darker skin; orangey hues for olive; true reds for blondes).

A nice pair of sunglasses will add mystery and a cute look, as well as protect your eyes. Add a hat. Think of Sarah Jessica with all her hats and panamas! It is a perfect way to get a major sex appeal. You can start with classic shapes, such as fedora or beret.

Experiment with shoulder-duster earrings, they work great for the after-dark look, especially when combined with bare shoulders and updos. Wear metallic. It has a great luminous effect.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Things we do for beauty

Posted by Hello


Whoever says beauty is only skin deep MUST be a man! We women do so much more than skin deep, all in the name of BEAUTY. To name a some..

1. waxing/shaving/trimming
2. once a week exfoliate
3. priming skin
4. everyday make up
4.1 base
4.2 foundation
4.3 conceling
4.4 highlighting / bronzing
5. tanning salon / self tan
6. manicure
7. pedicure
8. twice a day of cleansing, softening, luminating, hydrating face
9. once a week hydrating
10. curling lashes (note: one slip n u could lose half your lashes! so be careful!)
11. every three months eyelash/brow tinting
12. every six weeks trimming hair
13. every year updating hairstyle
14. every three months redoing highlights/colour to hair
15. ugh! don't even get me started on clothes!
16. there's more... to be continued...

If you've done 10 out of the above, then this site is for you! Aren't there loads to remember? Thus, this website is dedicated to those wanting 'shortcuts' and quick access to styling tips ^_^