....I'm Back!!

You may or may not have noticed (hopefully had) that I had disappeared of the blogosphere for some time. Well I'm back and excited to get writing again!!

As you know I'm a Mum of two and have this year been setting up my little Pretty Pamper beauty room from home. So I have been a little preoccupied......excuses, excuses! However I have missed the blogging buzz so I intend on making a dent in the joint account while in Boots at the weekend...well I have a valid excuse now, right????

Anyway, just thought I'd put you in the picture!!

See you all soon!!!

xxx

Clynol Keratin Sleek: Before and After

Being a Mummy of two very young children, I  don’t have the time to style my hair everyday, so if a product promises to keep my hair smooth and sleek for up to 48 hours, I am one happy girl!!

So this happy girl introduces to you......Clynol’s Keratin Sleek.

This range consists of four products to help protect, smooth, soft and straighten the hair . This is achieved due to each strand of hair being coated with Protein-Polymer-Complex.

Sleek Silk Shampoo £9.35

This shampoo has a delicate fragrance, lathers up nicely leaving your feeling fresh and squeaky clean!

Sleek Smooth Treatment £10.65

Not only does this look gorgeous in my bathroom, it feels so luxurious while being applied. This is used as a treatment conditioner, as soon as this is smoothed on to the hair you can feel the good and benefit it will achieve, after washing this out my hair was tangle free and felt super soft!

Sleek Blow Drying Tame Balm £9.15

I applied a small amount of this lightweight balm to my towel dried hair, it helped create a more smoother ‘sleek’ style.

Sleek Satin Oil Potion £10.40

This is my favourite product in the range. I'm not overly keen to put oil on dry hair, despite having damaged hair due to my highlights my roots can get greasy very quickly. However this oil is so light, it doesn't weigh my hair down at all. It added a gloss and helped tame my flyaway hairs.

Before

If I leave my hair to its own devises and let it dry naturally it’s just unruly and frizzy.

I do apologise for this, it's not a pretty picture!! 

After

I'm typing out this post on Sunday night, I washed and styled my hair on Friday for a night out, I didn't get away without using the straightners, but I loved the sleek, glossy end result. My hair still feels super soft and silky. It is straighter than it would usually be at this point, it has developed a slight wave, but my hair is so thick, this would happen with whatever I use.

I do love this range, not only is the packaging just gorgeous, the product itself really delivers. Find the Keratin Sleek range here.

Blog Sale

I own far too many nail polishes, so I've decided to have a little blog sale just for some of my polishes.....To make room for new ones....you know how it is!!

Postage will be £2, I will send items same day 1st class Royal Mail if payment made before 2pm.

Leighton Denny Infatuation £4 Used Once

 MAC Marilyn Monroe in Vintage Vamp £8 Used Once

Models Own Mixed up £2 Used Once SOLD

Models Own Sophie's Pink £2 Used Once SOLD

Barry M Chameleon Lilac £2 Used Once Pending

Sally Hansen No Chip Top Coat £2 Used Once

Rimmel Nail Tip Whitener £2 Used Once

Rimmel French Ivory £2 Used Once

Happy Shopping!

Flossie's Nails

Some of you may know my background is beauty, I studied beauty therapy at college, I worked on beauty counters in London for 4 years, I do the odd wedding makeup and treatments from home mainly for friends and family, but since having the kids I haven't been involved with the beauty industry as much as I'd like, so I decided to take some refresher courses, just to help my confidence mostly.

 

I recently qualified in the application of Artistic Colour Gloss gel nails. So I'm currently offering a mobile service with a introductory price to people in my area. I'm so excited to be doing this again. I have ordered some gorgeous pink glossy flyers to deliver around my area.

 

 

 

Artistic Colour Gloss created by Celebrity Nail Artist Tom Bachik, is a professional soak off gel polish treatment that glides on to the fingers or toes and cured using a UV or LED lamp.

This chip free treatment lasts 2-3 weeks for a beautiful polished look.

 

 

Colours currently available...although I've since ordered two more!

 

What am I offering?!?!......

 

Artistic Colour gels only £15

Artistic Colour plus a Manicure £25

Artistic Colour plus a Pedicure £27

Gel parties - Get 5 or more friends over for a pamper and the host gets a set of gels Free

I am based in the Cambridgeshire area, also available in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire areas.

For appointments please email emmajayneduff44@gmail.com

 

 

So if you're in my neck of the woods be sure to get in contact for some pampering by yours truly!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

isme Styling Tips

Since having kids my body shape has changed completely, I never had the body of Cheryl Cole (sadly) but I was certainly smaller than I am now. I often use certain tricks to try to hide my lumps and bumps. Luckily the lovely people at isme contacted me with some great tips to help women like myself conceal problem areas. 

isme is online and catalogue shopping for clothing, homewear and electrical products. It's best known for it's ladies fashion,  it'sfronted by Lynda Bellingham and also sponsors Loose Women.

"At isme, we believe style changes with time. You see trends come and go, you learned about yourself and your style – and you just know what looks good. So we've created a new collection, just for the woman you are now.

It's everything you want!"

Here are the fabulous Tips isme have provided.....

Best Ways To Conceal A Large Tummy

Whilst we may all dream of having a six-pack like Jessica Ennis, chances are we are one of the millions desperately trying to conceal a stomach that we are less than happy with. The good news is that modern fashion enables ladies to cleverly disguise tummies that are anything but flat.

If the diet is not going too well, the sit-ups are starting to wear you down and that chocolate bar is calling out your name, then read these suggestions on how to conceal a large tummy with flattering fashion.

Long Top and Leggings

Winter is rapidly approaching, causing ladies with large stomachs to joyously reach for their leggings once more. Leggings are usually elasticised and can cunningly create a flattering look around the midriff. Wearing a pair of leggings with a stylish long sleeved top can easily knock a couple of sizes of your waistline and opting for control leggings will help keep any lumps and bumps in check.

Shapewear

What did plus-size women do before shapewear was invented? From control pants to vests and corsets, shapewear can almost  eliminate problem areas helping you appear slimmer in little more than an instant.

In fact shapewear has come a long way from the original ‘granny knickers’ of old and offer practical options which are as sexy as they are flattering. Placing these sexy pieces of lingerie, such as an all-in-one bodyshaper, slip or control pants under an outfit can mean that you step out with confidence with a smoother, slimmer silhouette.

Skirt Over the Problem

Similar to placing shapewear under an outfit to give a false allusion of slimness and a smoother tummy, wearing a skort (combination of a skirt and short) can be equally as deceiving. If you are off to sunnier climates some time soon and don’t think you’ll have time to achieve a Jessica Ennis stomach before you go, you can still look hot on the beach with the help of this fashion staple.

The shorts are typically on the tighter side, providing stability and helping to flatten problem areas, while a loose skirt is draped over them to hide any unwanted stomach rolls. This gives you a slimmer appearance whilst creating a feminine look which is both attractive and practical.

Things to Avoid

Lastly, remember that to hide a large stomach you need to avoid certain clothing styles. Anything which fits snugly round the tummy will obviously be a bad choice, as will tops with horizontal stripes as these make you look wider. Instead, opt for vertical stripes which draw the eye downwards and accentuate other assets to detract attention from your stomach. 

You can find some fabulous fashion, gifts and homewear at http://www.isme.com/. 

My Essentials Feature

Hi guys, I've been meaning to do this post for a little while, but I've had to neglect the blog for a short while as my darling daughter Poppy decided to destroy my beloved laptop by chucking it on the floor during a temper tantrum......anyway....lets move on!!

So back in August the beauty Editor of Essentials magazine contacted me and asked if I would take part in a little feature for their November edition (out now). I had to put a little information about myself with 6 to 8 beauty tips, all within 150 words!! Sounds easy right?! 150 words is not a lot lol! But I managed it, and here is my first ever magazine feature!!

I suggested wearing a pop of colour on the lips, such as a classic red for a Hollywood glamour look and adding a cream highlighter to your moisturizer if your skin is looking a little lack luster.

I was delighted to be contacted and asked to take part! Exciting times! I would one day LOVE to have a little beauty column or a regular beauty spot in a magazine, that is my dream!! So to be asked to do this was just amazing!!! 

You can pick up Essentials magazine in supermarkets for £2.95.

Look Good Feel Better With Look Beauty

Look Good Feel Better is a national charity offering free confidence boosting skincare and makeup workshops for women undergoing cancer treatment.

The lovely people at Look Beauty are contributing to this amazing charity. They have selected their ‘Flirty Five’ pink products and will donate 50p per product throughout October.

The ‘Flirty Five’ are....

         ‘Rock Candy’ Loud Lips Lipstick - £7
         ‘Rock Candy’ Loud Lips Lip Liner - £4
         ‘Silk’ Statement Eyes Mono Eyeshadow - £4
        ‘Pinch’ Make Me Blush Blusher  - £8
         ‘Corsage’ Nail Pop - £5

I love the Nail Pop, it’s a gorgeous Barbie pink, perfect for very girlie girls!.....Like me!

The Blusher is beautiful, it’s a very pretty pink with subtle silver glitter running through it.

The eyeshadow is a pinky purple with a shimmery finish. I tend to shy away from pink eyeshadow, I’m not keen on the ‘punched in the eye look’, however with the blue undertone you avoid that undesirable look!!

The lip liner and lipstick are a real bubblegum pink, I love a hot pink lip but personally prefer a slightly deeper shade, however if this is your colour, you’ll love this lipstick and liner! The lipstick formula is lovely, it applies easily, with and semi matte finish and is pretty long lasting, I’d say around 2 hours.

The liner glided on effortlessly, avoiding dragging the lips, which is a bugbear of mine in liners.

I love Look Beauty’s packaging, very sleek yet girly! The lipstick and blusher close magnetically!! Love that!

You can find these goodies in large Superdrug’s and on line at www.lookbeauty.co.uk.

More  information on Look Good Feel Better can be found here at www.lgfb.co.uk . 

*PR Sample

Kate Moss for Rimmel Shade 20

I don’t think a girl can have too many pink lipsticks, I have so many shades of the ultimate girly colour. Although my absolute favourite at the moment is the Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 20. I was a little late in picking this up as it is part of the spring collection, but I just adore it.

It’s a beautiful hot pink, glides on effortlessly , super opaque, and lasts for around 3-4 hours due to its matte finish.

It’s not for the faint hearted, it is a very bright pink, but it will glam up any look and due to its blue undertone it makes the teeth look whiter! LOVE!!!

I love the formula of the Kate Moss Collection lippies, I own 3....so far! They feel so creamy , long lasting and smell delicious!

You can pick these up in Boots and Superdrug for £5.49!

Marilyn Monroe Inspired

After writing my Marilyn Monroe MAC post, I was totally inspired to have a play with my makeup.

The next evening was Date Night for Graeme and I as it was his Birthday. We were going out for dinner, just the two of us, so it was the perfect opportunity to glam up a little.

I know I’m not a patch on Marilyn but this is the best I could do!......

FOTD

Base

MAC Studio Fix NW20

Garnier Roll On Concealer in Fair

Famous Cosmetics No Shine Powder

No7 Limited Edition Bronzer

Famous Cosmetics First Date Blush in Penelope

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette Virgin, Half Baked and Toasted

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Black

L’Oreal Million Lashes in Black

Lips

Rimmel Kate Moss Collection 01 Red

Hair

I tried to give my hair a slight vintage feel with big loose waves using the Babyliss Glamour Waves (RRP £19.99)

OOTD

Dress - New Look £12 Sale

Clutch - Primark £6

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins £32

What do you think of this look? I love the red lipstick!

HD Brows....My First Experience

Last weekend was the first anniversary of Vanity Beauty Academy, owned by my very close friend Jo. All of my girlfriends were meeting at the salon, for a little celebration, champagne, cupcakes and pampering.

I decided to treat myself to a little pampering and have HD Brows done. This treatment, created by Nilam Patel involves 7 steps to help create ‘the perfect brow’. 

Defined brows are very popular with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson, due to framing the face beautifully and making the overall look more groomed.

Google Images

I’d wanted to get this done for a while, I usually have my eyebrows waxed and tinted around every 8 weeks or so.  I don’t have unruly, bushy brows, and being fair if I have left them a while between waxing it’s not overly obvious. But I just love the look of precise, neat brows, so I couldn’t wait to get this done!

When I received the invitation for the salon open day, my eyebrows were starting to look a little straggly and untidy, so I figured it was a great time to try the treatment. Although after hearing a few horror stories about threading, one of the steps in this treatment, I was a little nervous!

After a quick catch up with my besties and a little glass of Champagne, Sare introduced herself and asked me to follow her to the treatment room.  She immediately put me at ease, asking me how dark I’d like to go, I explained I do like my brows fairly dark but being naturally fair, I don’t want unnaturally dark. Sare suggested a light brown mixed with grey for a slight ashy tone, she explained that my brows naturally have a good shape, but they could do with being slightly longer.

Sare started by tinting my brows, no Vasaline round my brows as you’d expect with a regular tinting. She tints the whole area, making the hair easier to see when threading. After removing the tint she waxed the straggly hairs under the brows and a very small amount between the brows as she’s encouraging me to grow the middle ends between the brows.  Next Sare started threading above the brow, creating a more defined arch.  This was the part I was most nervous about, but it didn’t hurt at all. Sare then tweezered out a couple of stray hairs before creating more shape by pencilling the brows. The treatment ended with a little aftercare advice and a cooling cream applied as I was a little red. The redness had reduced after a couple of hours, nothing a pair of sunglasses can’t cure in the meantime!

The whole treatment took around 30 minutes and cost £20.

I love the result, my eyebrows look so polished and they are the perfect, shape and shade for me. I already own the HD Brows Palette which I use to fill them in and define them further.

Sare also does Vintage inspired hair and makeup, with my love of 50’s Hollywood Glamour I can’t wait to book an appointment!!