Long hair has more longevity than ever before. Once was a time when women went for the power-chop the second their clock ticked over to thirty. Now? There’s the Rapunzel-like Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured here in the Estée Lauder Pleasures campaign), not to mention the extra-tressed Teri Hatcher and other ladies of Wisteria Lane, all proving that long hair can last well beyond the first bloom of youth. Their secrets:
Get Layers. Long, heavy hair is ageing. If hair is all the one length, it will have the visual effect of a gravitational pull on your face. Layers, however, give your hair a look of overall bounce and vitality. Even just a few subtle, long layers can give this lightened-up effect. Plus, layers shaped around the face will frame your features beautifully. If cut well, they can trim any tendencies for a sagging jawline, or balance out an oval-shaped face, which could otherwise be accentuated by long hair. (more…)
Suncare is getting better each year: more effective, more aesthetically pleasing, easier to use. Nevertheless, the main - and most important - aim of a sunscreen is to protect skin from sun damage. Not to mention, prevent premature signs of ageing.
In my opinion, suncare that promises beauty benefits beyond this may actually be diluting this original purpose. My non-negotiable suncare advice is always this: use a sunblock that fends off UVB rays with an SPF30+ rating, and UVA rays via the broad-spectrum ingredients titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Some skins find this mix a little heavy and stifling, and may need to exfoliate more often to avoid extra breakouts. Yes, slightly annoying. But if that’s the price to pay for great sun protection, it’s worth it. A pimple here or there in exchange for longer-term skin health and younger looks - well, that’s a good deal if you ask me. (more…)
I don’t own any flag fashion (certainly not this nasty high-cut bikini). The Big Day Out guys might be happy to know. So I think I’m going to celebrate being Australian tomorrow this way: sudsing up with Raw by Anthony Nader haircare (buy it at Raw Shopping) and Mor Body Wash in Sorbet (see Mor for more info); slipping into my newest Zimmerann dress; spritzing on my Venustus Tahiti scent (available at Venustus); then maybe, just maybe, doing a little patriotic pairing of gold eye shadow and green liner. And then I’ll add what any other good Aussie girl will, too: a lovely pair of champagne - oops, sparkling wine - goggles. Happy Australia Day, everyone!
Just got info from Dior on all the gorgeous faces their makeup artists made look even more gorgeous at the Globes. Including my fave, Kate Winslet. Here’s the low-down … “Kate Winslet’s Thirties Screen Siren look was created with: Dior 1-Colour Eyeshadow in Ready-to-Beige #515 and Frosted Beige #725. On Winslet’s lips, (Pati) Dubroff used Dior Rouge in Plum Plot #976, finishing the look with DiorShow Powder in Spotlight Peach.”
I especially love the lip. Leaving aside perma-painted Gwen Stefani, it’s been so long since we’ve seen lipstick make such a strong statement - and in a good way. Usually lip colour is stained down or glossed up or a safe, muted tone. But this really is lipstick like the grand dames wore it in the golden days of Hollywood (think Joan Crawford and Bette Davis), and it suits Kate perfectly.
BTW - Rouge Dior lipstick in Plum Pot is available from Dior counters now, $46.
Today is Woolworths National Drought Action Day - all profits will be donated to farming families in need. What a brilliant idea. So if you’re running low on your Pantene shampoo or Maybelline Great Lash or Johnson’s Holiday Skin, or even if you’re not, you now know what to do and where to go. (By the way, Safeway is also involved in the promotion). Speaking of water shortage, I’ve been recently thinking of ways to shorten my shower time. I’ve found that body-scrubbing pre-shower actually has a more smoothing effect on skin. I also turn the water off when I’m waiting for my conditioner or hair treatment to do its thing, and I use this time to shave my legs. Or, if you were Liz Hurley’s way inclined, you could always drop and do a hundred sit-ups. (Seriously, this is what she apparently does when waiting for a bath to fill. She deserves that body of hers, have to give her that).
