Christina Fitzgerald has lost count of how many manicures she’s done in her life. “I calculated it six years ago - it was about 60,000 treatments back then,” she says. “I’d hate to think what it is now.” When it comes to nails, this is one woman who knows her stuff.
After co-establishing popular Double Bay salon Smyth & Fitzgerald in the early 1990s, Fitzgerald went on to not only treat and paint the nails of some of the country’s chicest women and celebrities, she also trained many an up-and-coming manicurist. In fact, Fitzgerald’s trademark short-and-square nails - either triple-coated-opaque or fine-lined French - are on the specialty list at countless other salons these days. (more…)
Welcome to the trickiest month on the beauty calendar. When you want to look your very, most gorgeous best. But when a whirlwind of partying and the stress of wrapping up your year-long to-do list takes its stressful toll on your looks. Some easy beauty tricks to get you through December in style …
Skincare 101
You’ve got the basics sorted: cleansing, exfoliating, sunscreen … But add a couple more skincare moves to the mix and you’ll get some great complexion pay-off. First up, a boost of antioxidants to fight off all of those beauty-hating aggressors (late nights, stress, passive smoking, etc). A vitamin C serum, in particular, will help to fend off wrinkle-inducing ravages. As well as give great glow. Try: Chanel Précision Age Delay Serum, $110 (from department stores). Plus, you’ll also need a morning-after fix-it. Think of it as a Berocca for your face. Try: Palmer’s Skin Success Eventone Brightening facial Mask, $14.95, (from pharmacies). (more…)
I personally don’t mind the blonde-hair-dark-brows combo. Providing that, however, we’re not talking bleached-out hair plus dark features. If you’re a natural mid-brown at most and going for a sun-kissed, highlighted effect, dark brows can keep your face anchored - too pale all over can make you look washed out. On the other hand, if you want to most look like a natural blonde, paler brows are the way to go.
The general rule of thumb is for brows to be two shades darker than the hair on your head. This is a tricky manoeuvre when it comes to lightening, so ask your colourist to bleach your brows down after your hair has been done and dried. If you’re a DIY-dyer, don’t try your own brow colour. Even trained beauty therapists can botch this one - and many actually refuse to do it. Ask a hair salon if they offer brow lightening as a stand-alone service.
You could also try brushing brows with a golden shimmer shadow - it gives a subtle but gorgeously softening effect.
If you flush or blush easily, chances are you suffer from rosacea, an increasingly common skin condition. Dermatologists aren’t sure what exactly causes rosacea - or why it’s now affecting not only paler skins, traditionally the most flush-prone, but darker skins too. What we do know, however, is that if left untreated, rosacea will worsen over time. At its extreme, it can spread to rashes of acne-looking spots. So take action as soon as possible …
DO: Identify what triggers your redness attacks. Culprits vary widely. Some common ones: extreme heat (saunas, steam rooms, cardio exercise), sun exposure, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, citrus fruits, bananas, nuts. The best rosacea treatment is to simply avoid the triggers in the first place.
DON’T: use too many active ingredients in your skincare regimen. Go for products formulated for sensitive or stressed skin. Cetaphil - available from pharmacies - is an example of a perfect skincare brand for you. (more…)
