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​   Rambling since 2014

My Mum | 1960 - 2015

2/19/2015

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I haven't written a blog post for a little while due to my mum suddenly passing away a few weeks ago. She was my biggest inspiration when it came to my work ethic and my venturing into the world of beauty. 

My mum trained as a beauty therapist over twenty years ago when my brother and I were very little, whilst working full time in Betty’s tearooms in North Yorkshire. When we moved "down south" she went on to have a career managing several makeup counters, starting off with Estée Lauder before moving onto No. 7, Lancôme and, most recently, Elizabeth Arden. Despite trying her hand at several other careers in between, she always held a flame for the beauty industry and it always drew her back in. 

My mum was well known in the beauty industry and many colleagues and customers loved her passion and knowledge, her chatty and friendly demeanour and her amazing selling techniques. Everyone always commented how it was refreshing to have someone who was ‘normal looking’ in a beauty department, never caked in makeup – in fact sometimes not wearing any at all – who greeted you with a big smile, knew her stuff and sent you away with a sneaky free sample! She made a huge difference to many people’s lives through simply giving them the time to talk about their beauty concerns or sometimes just chat about their lives, and in turn sold a lipstick or gave a makeover and sent that person away feeling that bit more appreciated and happier than when they walked in. 

I have very fond memories of popping into Debenhams almost everyday after school to see her and her team, who showered me with hugs and sprays of perfume - a young girl's dream! I particularly enjoyed “take your daughter to work” day when I was about 14, and remember going home that day with aching cheeks from smiling so much! I was so proud of my mum and enjoyed seeing her in her element.

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My mum was always more passionate about skincare than makeup, and the science behind looking after your skin. She had all sorts of lotions and potions which she applied before bedtime and I used to love watching her little ritual. She often only did her makeup when she got into work, making quick use of the testers around her, or sometimes forgoing it altogether. She was blessed with both fantastic skin and the gift of the gab and could often persuade customers to believe she was wearing the latest foundation even if she wasn’t and make a sale out of it! On her days off she rarely wore makeup and was a true natural beauty.

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My mum had a magic touch. When I was doing my GCSE revision and feeling very stressed, my mum used to calm me down and give me a facial. It felt like several hands were brushing over my face relaxing every muscle. I can only hope I have inherited this magic touch. I have been blessed to use nice products for most of my upbringing -.we used to laugh at how I must have been one of the only 10 year olds using Estée Lauder products! I used to fascinate over her infamous lipstick drawer as a teenager, which my dad made and put into her dressing table drawer. I became the proud owner of it when I moved to Suffolk and enjoy choosing what shade to wear to this day.

A couple of years ago on her 53rd birthday I did my mum's hair and makeup before she went out for an evening with my dad. I had done her makeup from time to time before, but not for a few years. I enjoyed admiring her face, every new line and wrinkle around her twinkling blue eyes told a story, and she looked beautiful. I remember posting a photo on Instagram of her and saying "I'll be happy if I look like this at 53 - beautiful"….What a shame she has been taken away from us nearly two years later; too soon for her to leave our world. Too soon for her to leave my world.

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When I look in the mirror I can begin to see slight similarities with my mum which is a real comfort and will, hopefully, continue to be so as I move on through life. 

I have been spending this week sorting through her things, including drawers and boxes FULL of skincare, makeup, nail varnishes, hundreds of brushes and sponges, etc. I’m comforted to know that it can all be put to good use with my new-found skills and help make the people I meet along the way feel better about themselves. People often say in these types of situations "it's what she would have wanted" but in this case it really is!

I am immensely proud of everything my mum achieved in her life and although I might have not told her or showed her often enough, I am determined to continue her legacy in some shape or form and do her proud. 

Watch this space, mum x

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"Play is our brain's favourite way of learning"

1/16/2015

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This week I've been plucked, trimmed, scrubbed, massaged, tanned and even set alight....all in the name of beauty! The college has provided us with a couple of 'enrichment weeks' to start off the term and try out several additional treatments to those that we are learning on the course, some of which we've even gained certificates in. I don't think I've laughed as much as I have this week in a long time, so I thought I'd share with you what I've been learning through simply being allowed to play around with the following treatments:

Hopi Ear Candling

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An holistic treatment to clean ears, improve hearing and sinuses, soothe headaches and provide all-round clarity. A hollow tube made out of cotton, beeswax and honey is set alight and placed into your ear. It is slightly unsettling catching the flame out of the corner of your eye burn its way towards your ear, especially when all you can hear is crackling, sparkling and popping, but ten minutes later it is removed before placing another one into the other ear. The whole idea is that the tube acts like a chimney causing the warm air inside it to rise and creating a vacuum at the bottom, which gently stimulates the ear and helps remove excess wax and impurities. It is optional whether you want the tubes opened up to see how much wax has gathered...but trust me you will be strangely fascinated. I found it a relaxing treatment and it's nice to know my ears have been given a good clean!

Anti-Cellulite Massage

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Think of a massage with pummelling, smacking and knuckling and you'll be closer to knowing what an anti-cellulite massage is - it's pretty hardcore! Whether you're overweight or stick thin, you will most likely develop cellulite at some point of your life, as it's normal fat underneath the skin which can be affected by poor diet, lack of exercise, hormone changes, as well as being heredity. The fat pushes against connective tissues, causing the skin above it to pucker, which therefore explains why massage is a beneficial treatment because it starts to break up those fatty tissues, improve circulation and hopefully reduce some dimples. In time to Pharrell William's 'Happy', we cleansed, exfoliated and massaged the back of each others' thighs with such speed and vigour that I built up quite a sweat by the end! It was hilarious seeing everyone in class jiggle around and screech in discomfort! I thoroughly enjoyed having it done and would start every day with one if I could! 

Threading

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Brought to the UK a few years ago, but practiced in India and Egypt for centuries, threading is gaining popularity due to it being 100% natural and sometimes more precise than tweezing and waxing. It's much harder than I thought it would be!! We were shown two ways to achieve this technique, either with both hands, or one hand and our mouth. I preferred the latter and felt like, with practice, I could give the ladies offering this treatment in shopping malls a good run for their money! It's so simple; a piece of thread is twisted to create a lasso-effect which plucks the hairs out right from the follicle - several can be plucked out at once making it a relatively quick treatment. Lots of people say it's a bit painful to start off with, but after a few treatments the hair follicles weaken and hair won't grow back as quickly or thickly, so it's worth it from time to time. And it's not just brows, it's also great for your upper lip and chin.  I'm looking forward to buying the thread and practising! 

'Fake Bake' Tanning

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Fake Bake is a brand of fake tan which comes in either cream or spray, but we used the cream in class which is applied with hands after exfoliating the whole body and then buffed to remove any steaks or obvious lines. My partner (a fellow mature student) and I decided it was far too tricky trying to maintain our modesty so we went topless and just got on with it. I have to say it was pretty strange having a peer rubbing fake tan on my boobs, and perhaps even more strange for me to rub fake tan onto hers (I felt like a pubescent teenage boy who was experiencing his first pair of knockers and not knowing where to look!!). The cream is a lot darker than what the real tan will look like once developed - it's just so you know where you're applying it - so don't be alarmed if you look like a female bodybuilder; after 6-8 hours, or overnight in my case, it's washed off to reveal the true colour. Mine is a very natural sunkissed tan. Ideal for a special occasion or pre-holiday, or nipping those January blues in the bud...

So........

It's certainly been an enlightening and intimate week getting so up close and personal with my peers and learning lots of great new skills, and I'm thoroughly enjoying receiving all of these lovely treatments on a daily basis (I even had my hair cut by a hairdressing student for a mere £4.50!!). I will be offering some of the above in my salon at some point in the future, so let me know if you're keen to try any out.

Laura x
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Hard As Nails.

1/7/2015

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I've just finished a day's training by Gellux, one of the many brands providing gel nail manicures, and I'm now sporting a lovely shiny French manicure which should last 2-3 weeks. Hooray!

I fell in love with gel nails earlier last year when a friend invited me to have my nails done by her mobile nail technician, who has now become a good friend of mine (you can follow her on Instagram). I couldn't believe that I was able to rummage around my bag for money to pay her, go home, cook and wash up without the fear of it chipping. And this continued for a good two weeks before I had it removed and a new colour applied. I was instantly addicted!! I looked forward to having them done, planning what colour to go for and it always made me happy.

As we're not allowed to wear nail varnish at college for health and safety reasons, you can imagine my joy at hearing that we were to be given training in gel nails and we would be allowed to keep it on for two weeks!! It's the small things....

The process is very simple. Your nail technician will buff your natural nails to create a slightly rough surface for the gel polish to better adhere to. Several products and layers of varnish will be applied, which will need to be cured (hardened) under a UV or LED lamp in between layers. LED lamps are much quicker and safer, as there has been much talk that UV lamps may be harmful for your skin, so you can be done in 30-45 mins and walk away with rock hard nails.

When I rave about gel nails to friends the most common question I get asked is "but don't they ruin your nails?". I can only speak from personal experience and mine haven't been ruined. In fact, my nails are never as strong and as long as when I have gel polish on them. You may notice some weakness if you have back-to-back gel manicures, so it is wise to give your nails a break every now and then, but it's nothing some cuticle/hand cream and perhaps some OPI Nail Envy can't sort. 

The most important thing to be careful with is how the polish is removed, because this is where damage can occur. Most professional nail technicians will take every care to avoid any damage, but only you'll know how your nails have reacted once having them done. The nail polish is buffed to remove the shine, then covered in cotton wool with heavy-duty acetone nail polish remover and wrapped in foil for about 15-20 mins. The polish will then chip and curl off and any remnants will be removed with a manicure stick and nail file. The texture of your nail will feel a bit rough, but will either be buffed smooth if left bare, or covered in more polish.

Popular gel polish brands include Harmony Gellish, Jessica Geleration, OPI Gelcolour, Bluesky, Sensational, Crystal, etc but there are tonnes on the market (some better than others). 

Sensational have some great FAQs should you be interested/concerned - see here.

I'm going to be slowly building up my kit and offering these manicures in the near future, but in the meantime you'll be looking at around £20-£30 for a professional gel nail manicure. If you like shiny, long-lasting talons, I'd say it's a treat worth trying!

Laura x

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Back to School.

1/4/2015

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For my college homework this Christmas I was set the task of designing a beauty salon from scratch. Seriously, how much fun is my course?! We were hypothetically given an amount of money, some of which went on the freehold and a grand total of £150,000 towards doing it up. Yes please!!

My trusty friend, Rachel, gave me a great idea a few weeks ago by randomly asking me ~
Why don't beauty cafes exist? There's cafes with shops attached but why not the equivalent for beauty? Somewhere you could nip in and get a smoothie and get your nails done?"
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And thus my inspiration was born...!! (Thanks Rach!)

I did a quick search and it's true, hardly any exist. There is one in Norwich called Strands, which I'll be checking out sometime as it's not too far from me, but there don't appear to be any in London or any other major cities as far as I can tell.

I excitedly started jotting down my ideas. I decided to name it "Some Like it Hot" - referencing to the classic Hollywood film with the epitome of beauty that was Marilyn Monroe, hot drinks and women aspiring to be hot...bit tenuous, but ya know....

I decided to deck it out with retro and vintage gear to be in-keeping with the film, and have one half dedicated to the beauty salon with mirrors with lightbulbs around them, retro beauty chairs, a manicure and pedicure station as well as a private treatment room for facials and waxing, a 'powder room' featuring a pink bathroom suite, and a room for all your showering/steaming/tanning needs! The other half of the space would be a cafe with 50s diner-style tables and chairs (go to this link immediately if this is your thing, I drooled and want it all!!), bar stools, Smeg fridge, etc serving up milkshakes, coke floats, hot chocolates, tea/coffee, sundaes and snacks.

I'd have rock n' roll and pin-up uniforms; a menu with half beauty treatments, half drinks and food; film nights screening classic Hollywood films; pamper parties, special events, pre-going out parties where you can have your makeup done before hitting the town; and I'd stock skincare from Soap & Glory and makeup from Benefit to treat wannabe Pink Ladies with retro-looking goodies, as well as using the well-known Dermalogica, bareMinerals and St Tropez brands.

Hell, this has been fun! If only I had the money to actually open something like this up....maybe one day!

Would you pop by?!

With love,

The Teacher's Pet x
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That's a wrap.

12/29/2014

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I've returned from a wonderful Christmas break seeing family and friends across the country and I feel all warm and fuzzy from many a catch up and cuddle! I hope you have had a lovely break too, spent time with loved ones and spoilt yourself to lots of yummy food and good cheer! Hic!!

I particularly enjoyed having a facial at Vita Skin Spa in Salisbury, Wiltshire, which was given to me as a present from my boyfriend's lovely sister for being her bridesmaid this summer. It was great to be on the receiving end of a professional facial (and learn a few tricks of the trade!). 

I was especially impressed by the use of a steamer whilst the therapist cleansed and exfoliated my face, and the Natural Spa Factory Bilberry and Chamomile peel-off face mask was fab - in fact all of the products used were lovely. The facial promises to "even out skin tone, lighten blemishes and reduce the appearance of age spots leaving the skin bright and luminous'. I wasn't given any after-care advice and didn't expect my skin to peel in the days following; however, my skin tone has slightly improved, I haven't had any breakouts and it was wonderfully relaxing. The perfect pre-Christmas present to myself! 

I also enjoyed treating lots of special ladies in my life to beauty treatments over the Christmas break and received lots of lovely feedback. It's a real benefit to be able to give someone I care for a nice manicure or facial and see how happy they are with it. I'm fortunate to have so many amazing women in my life, all of whom work very hard and are successful in their careers and/or as mums and who deserve to take some time out and treat themselves. If I can make them feel a bit more amazing than they already are then I feel like I have achieved something in life!

I absolutely loved giving our gorgeous little nieces some beauty treatments (sadly the "glow in the dark" nail polish didn't do what it says on the tin, but they were pleased anyway!). Such tiny fingernails!!

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As usual with this time of year, now is a time for reflection on the past year and planning for the year ahead - and it's very exciting! 2014 has been a big year for me; moving to Suffolk, learning to drive again (previous to this it was on the other side of the road in the US), making new friends and, most amazingly, deciding to stop playing snakes and ladders with the charity sector and go back to college to study Beauty Therapy! Who'd have thunk it?!

It's definitely the best decision I could have made and I'm really enjoying learning again, being around a good bunch of gals, practising my new-found skills and planning where to take them. I'm going to start trying to understand how I can one day become self-employed or run my own business. It might be a while off, but you don't get anywhere by thinking it'll never happen and not setting the wheels in motion.

I already have lots to look forward to in 2015. Aside from several friends' weddings and being a bridesmaid again, I'll hopefully become a fully fledged qualified Beauty Therapist by the summer! When I return to college next week I have two weeks of enrichment and will be learning additional beauty skills, such as gel nails, threading, spray tanning, ear candling (nice!) before knuckling down to the remainder of the course and exams, and am looking forward to attending the Professional Beauty London show in February and hopefully expanding my beauty kit.

I'm also really excited to have started applying for various work experience opportunities for when I'm on my school holidays, such as shadowing professional makeup artists, working alongside beauty editors of fashion magazines, or even getting some hands on experience in a salon or spa. Please let me know if you have any useful contacts in Suffolk or London. 

One last request, please start spreading the word about me! I'll continue to need models to help me with my remaining assessments, and if you know anyone who could do with a little pick me up then do send them my way. I'm as cheap as chips till I qualify so make the most of it whilst you can!! Anyone can read this blog or request to join my facebook group.

Or why not make it your new year's resolution to look after yourself a bit more, after all I'm here to help you achieve it! 

Thanks for your ongoing support and see you all in 2015....

Laura x

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Put Your Best Foot Forward.

12/18/2014

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Feet are probably one of the most important parts of our bodies, rushing us around from A-B, enduring long days and being squeezed into all sorts of shoes, yet they are often associated with negative connotations rather than positive - smelly, dry skin, bunions, verrucas, blisters - the list goes on. Most people I know hate their feet and hate other people's feet even more! 

When I was younger, my Nana always asking me to "sort out her feet" when she visited us, and in all honesty I used to hurl at the thought as her car pulled up on the drive (sorry, Nana!). Rubbing her bunions and trimming her toe nails weren't exactly my idea of fun as a teenager; however, it always made her feel really happy and now I'm honoured she asked me - because look what I'm willingly doing now!!

The good news is that feet can be transformed with a bit of TLC. Nail salons, chiropodists and podiatrists are there to help, but we can also help our little tootsies in the comfort of our own homes. Here is a list of some of the common foot concerns along with some advice on how you can learn to love your feet and they can love you back!
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Athlete's Foot


It would be great if this meant you had to be an athlete to get this, but sadly not, anyone can get it - and it's contagious. Commonly caused by not drying in between your toes after bathing, it's basically when the good fungi living on our feet turn bad and becomes infected, leaving the space between your toes itchy, scaly and flaky. Athlete's foot can be treated with self-help treatment creams in a matter of days, but if it persists then see your GP and get some anti-fungal medication.

Ingrown Toenail


Some people are more susceptible to ingrown toenails than others, and it's usually down to heredity, the structure of your toes and nail plate, tight-fitting shoes causing the toes to squish together and cause abnormal nail growth, and the way you cut your nails. The sharp corner of the toenail digs into the skin and continues growing. If left untreated it can lead to an infection or require an operation. Best way to avoid this is to cut your nails straight across, and keep an eye on any aches and pains.

Corns / Calluses

Verrucas


Corns and calluses are hard, thickened areas of skin that form as a consequence of rubbing, friction or pressure on the skin, and can therefore make walking painful. Caused by squeezing your feet into ill-fitting shoes (high heels are the main culprit!) or simply having certain shaped feet, corns usually appear on the top or side of the toe and can come hard or soft, whereas calluses are hard, rough-feeling patches of skin usually where friction has occurred on the sole of the foot. The best thing to do is identify and stop wearing the cause - last winter's bargain boots?! - and look into buying some comforting plasters. If they become really painful then see your GP or a podiatrist. 

Associated with that school kid who had to wear a verruca sock at swimming lesson, but very common in adulthood. Verrucas are a type of wart and therefore a very contagious virus that can take weeks, months and sometimes several years to get rid of. Usually a white, slightly-raised bump or cluster of bumps on the sole of your foot. You can have a verruca without even realising if it's not causing you any pain; however, they can be very painful and there are several treatments available from DIY treatments to freezing to using duct tape (believe it or not!) all of which may or not work for you. Walking around barefoot or going swimming will spread the virus...don't be mean, cover it up and get it treated!

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How to look after your feet:

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  • Wash and dry your feet thoroughly, especially in between your toes.
  • Buy a pumice stone or foot file and remove hard skin, ideally after bathing so your feet are soft.
  • Apply foot cream after bathing and wear socks and slippers, especially if your feet get cold.
  • Cut your toenails straight across - you can slightly soften the edges but do not cut them at an angle or down the edges.
  • Want to wear heels at work, but need to commute? Get some trainers and enjoy power-walking in comfort.
  • Don't wear cheap shoes all the time. It's easy to pick up shoes at Primark, but wear them often and you'll likely develop a foot problem. I'm not saying you need to shop at Scholl, but do consider comfort AND style.
  • Avoid walking barefoot in public areas, e.g. wear flip flops in swimming pools.

  • Applying nail varnish to your toenails can make your feet look ever so pretty. You'll find that nail varnish tends to last longer than on your fingernails. Do let your nails breathe though, otherwise they may take on a yellow tone...
  • Have regular pedicures which will allow your feet to be thoroughly cleansed, softened, massaged and manicured! Specialist treatments like paraffin wax or a foot mask leave your feet super soft.

I am now offering pedicures in my salon and have a lovely new foot spa and foot bath salts to spoil you with, and I will also require models for pedicure assessments in the new year, so let me know if your feet need some TLC and walk this way!

Laura x
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Bringing Sexy Back.

12/3/2014

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Have you heard of a back facial?! Up until two weeks ago I hadn't either, but now I'm glad I have! 

Favoured by celebrities, especially around awards season, and anyone basically wanting a nice smooth, clean back, back facials do exactly what they say on the tin - they give your back everything a regular facial gives your face...

Why just have a back massage when you can have the full schbang, I say!

The treatment lasts between 30-45 mins and consists of lying down on a couch as if you were to have a massage. Your back is double-cleansed, exfoliated, heated up with hot towels to open up the pores, buffed to create a nice smooth sheen, given a firm massage (the best bit!), followed by a mask to draw out any toxins or blackheads, and toned and moisturised.

Back facials are great for anyone, but they are especially good for "back-ne" or blackhead suffers, common with fitness fanatics, or anyone who wears fake tan, as you will never be able to fully remove every inch of fake tan even with a loofah. If you're going on holiday and know that you're be showing off your back more than usual, or wearing a backless/strapless/one-shoulder dress for your upcoming Christmas party, then these facials can seal the deal and add the pièce de résistance!

I too thought they sounded a bit strange, but I think it's one of the best treatments I've ever had. I was lucky enough to have my second back facial yesterday and it was so good I completely nodded off. It's already started to ease away a few knots that I've recently been suffering with and my back feels smoother than ever. Now...where's that backless dress of mine?!

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I will be offering back facials in my salon, so let me know if you would like to book your back in for some pampering! It's worth trying.

Laura x
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Let's Wax the Whole Thing Off...?!

11/25/2014

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It's the class we've all been dreading at college....the bikini line wax. We practice everything on each other and we begrudgingly take it in turns to model for the tutor to demonstrate on first. Guess who modelled in front of the entire class on this occasion?! Yours truly, of course!! Think visiting the gynaecologist with 14 medical students looking in with horrified faces. CRINGE.

Now I am no stranger to a wax down below. My undercarriage has touched down in Brazil and Hollywood several times and I've learnt to shake off any nerves and just lie back and think of England - but this was an altogether different experience. Lying down under the bright, harsh lights of our classroom, my tutor demonstrated to the class a step-by-step method for bikini waxing. Embarrassing, yes, but I scored some serious kudos from my classmates who consequently avoided a public-arena wax.

Waxing is ideal for your nether-regions. It may be a little bit painful the first time you try it and depends on your personal pain threshold (nerve endings in that area can have long term sensitivity following pregnancy, for example), but it gets better each time and there's no contest when you compare the smooth, clean feeling to that of shaving, and the results can last for a couple of weeks. Yes, you'll then have to let it grow for a couple of weeks (hair should measure about 4-8mm) but you'll always think it's worth it post-wax, trust me!

Whether you're a fan of the au naturale, more of a landing strip kinda girl, or simply happy to remove any rogue curlies from peeking out from behind your knickers - whatever your preference, whatever your thoughts, intimate waxing is big business and can be good fun. Here's a run down of the various styles and trends in case you ever fancied trying something new...
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Bikini Wax*

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Basically your standard short, back and sides. Removing the hair you can see outside of your knickers - bit from the sides, bit from the top and a little bit from underneath. 


Extended Bikini Wax*

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Same as a bikini wax, but a little bit more from all the sides leaving a smaller triangular shape.


french bikini wax*

brazilian wax**

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Looks like a Brazilian with a small triangle or a small line known as a 'landing strip' at the front, but the hair underneath remains. 

Ooh la la!

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The most common style is a 'landing strip' but it can also be a small triangle, a 'postage stamp' square, a heart, etc. All other hair is removed (undercarriage and bottom).

hollywood wax**

go wild!

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Everything off, clean as a whistle! Many people rave about the no hair look but I think it's very much a personal opinion.

(I once had a Hollywood wax done in Hollywood - had to be done right?!).

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Be creative and try out some different shapes, colours and vajazzles! Therapists have heard it all so there's no need to be embarrassed in asking for what you want (sparkly rainbow anyone?)

*Position - Lying on your back, legs bent outwards, no need to turn over. You will most probably be able to keep your knickers on or they will provide you with paper knickers to avoid getting any wax on yours.

**Position - Lying on your back, legs bent outwards, you will need to turn over for your therapist to gain all round access...You don't tend to wear knickers for these waxes but you may be provided with a teeny weeny paper thong.

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What about men?!


Let's not forget to mention intimate waxing for men. 'Back, sack and crack' waxes are fast gaining momentum for exactly the same reason as women having any intimate waxing - it's much smoother and feels cleaner and is less risky than shaving. Often hot wax is used, as the skin is quite sensitive and 'baggy' around the testicles and hot wax only clings to the hair rather than the skin and allows for a much safer and more effective treatment.

For any male readers considering it then here's a good description of the treatment - click here.

It also doesn't stop there - there are Boyzilians, Pejazzles, the list goes on....

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the questions you've always wanted to ask...

Check out these Q&A from Notting Hill's amazing wax bar Strip. They've waxed over one million people, including lots of celebs, so they know their stuff. 
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So there we have it. Whether you care to bare or prefer some hair, it's a completely personal thing, but hopefully you'll feel better equipped for when the occasion arises. 

I will only be offering a basic bikini wax in my salon, as intimate waxing is not currently included on my course. I will require models for an assessment in college soon (it will be relatively private and discrete)...any takers....anyone?! 

Laura x

P.S. I can't write a blog about intimate waxing without mentioning the Wonder Waxer I still go to in London, despite having relocated from there over a year ago! Angel Nails and Tanning Salon on Chapel Street in Angel is THE place to go. The lovely Vietnamese lady is without doubt the best waxer I've ever had, super speedy and thorough and it's only £15 for a Brazilian wax, which is the cheapest I've found! Go see her, I recommend her highly.

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When one door closes, another door opens.

11/8/2014

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I'm usually a bit of a Scrooge and don't like the fact that Christmas starts as soon as the clocks go back; however, this year I've decided to throw caution to the wind and embrace it! 

The independent boutiques along my local high street are really pushing the boat out with amazing Christmas window displays; festivities begin at Sutton Hoo next weekend with a Christmas gift fayre and the house will be transformed into a 1930s Christmas; and my boyfriend simply loves Christmas and has been collecting some quirky festive records for our record player all year (Tijuana Christmas tunes, anyone?!) - so I thought I'd join in with the fun! 

A couple of years ago I was given a Selfridges gift voucher and treated myself to perhaps the most princessy, glamorous and ridiculous advent calendar ever made - full of 24 mini Ciate's nail varnishes!! I had never seen anything like it and looked forward to opening the doors every morning and receiving a new shade of polish, and I still use them to this day! 

Beauty advent calendars have now become a 'thing' and there are loads on the market. With the value of the gifts adding up to way more than the price of the calendar, it's a smart way of getting your hands on travel-size (and sometimes full size) products, and gives you that much needed little pick-me-up every day in a season when you're treating everyone else except yourself.

Perhaps you feel like treating yourself to something a little more exciting than a thin piece of chocolate barely resembling a Christmas character, or you want to treat a loved one, or it'll inspire you to make your own....either way I hope you enjoy seeing what's currently available. 

(One piece of advice, they sell out fast!)

  • Candy Coated Countdown, Benefit - £60
  • No. 7 Beauty Calendar, Boots - £35 sold out online
  • Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar - £50
  • Beauty at Tesco Christmas Advent Calendar - £50 sold out online
  • Selfridges Enchanted Spells Christmas Advent Calendar 2014 - £85 sadly sold out!
  • Ciaté Mini Mani Manor - Nail Varnish Advent Calendar - £49
  • The Liberty Advent Calendar, £149 
  • L'Occitane 13 Pampering Treats from Provence - £45
  • Jo Malone Advent Calendar - £250 available from 10th November
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All About That Base.

11/2/2014

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I recently went makeup shopping with a friend who doesn't really wear any makeup but wanted some sheer foundation. She felt a little overwhelmed by all of the choice and it got me thinking...

Do you feel a bit overwhelmed when choosing makeup? Have you found the perfect foundation, or are you still wearing your trusty one you've worn for years because you don't know any different? Do you need help deciphering your liquid foundations from your BB, CC and now DD                                                                                creams, or your minerals from your mousses? 

I am by no means an expert and I, too, get confused, but here's a little guide to hopefully make it easier for you to find the perfect base from now on.
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liquid foundation

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  • Gool ol' liquid foundation. It's been around for years and is still being reinvented, from sheer to full coverage, from matt to oil-based, from waterproof to lasting 24 hours - you name it, you can probably buy it. Apply with your fingers, brush or sponge and build up as much coverage as you desire.

Recommended product: There are SO many liquid foundations on the market. Earlier this year I tried out No. 7's Match Made service to find my perfect colour and have enjoyed using their Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation SPF 15 (£14.50) and would highly recommend it.
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BB Cream - blemish balm

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  • BB creams bounced into Europe a few years ago following a huge success in the Asian market for many years. It was the first kind of "alphabet" foundation before CC and DD creams followed suit, and acts as a lightweight tinted moisturiser, usually packed with vitamins and sun protection. Ideal for younger skin or normal skin that just needs a little pick-me-up, but also smooths fine lines and imperfections and may even claim anti-ageing benefits. Can be used in place of or in addition to your daily moisturiser and can act as a great primer before a better coverage foundation if you so wish, as it smooths out the skin. 

Recommended product: Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream SPF15 is the original BB cream that still gets rave reviews and at £6.99 it's a bargain, but there are tonnes on the market. 
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CC Cream - colour correction

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  • Off the back of BB cream's success, CC cream then cruised onto the market about a year ago and includes all the benefits of a BB cream, but takes it to the next level! If, like me, you suffer with uneven skin tone then a CC cream might be just the answer. Providing more coverage, evening out skin tone and colour-related skin issues and brightening skin in one, dark spots, acne, redness or generally dull skin will be banished! Plus, some claim to improve your skin tone over time...but it's too early to tell.

Recommended 
product: Maxfactor Colour Correcting Cream SPF10 is about £9.99, or go more high-end with Smashbox Camera Ready SPF 30 CC cream at £29.99.
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DD Cream - daily defence / dermatologically defining

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  • The newest kid off the block, but it doesn't even seem to know what it is!! Supposedly offering a mixture of BB + CC + more, with a specific focus on anti-ageing (and a higher price tag because of it).

Recommended product: Decleor DD Daily Defence Fluid Shield SPF 30 at £29.50.
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mousse foundation

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  • I haven't personally used any of the whipped, fluffy, mousse-like foundations currently available, but I have friends who swear by them. Basically liquid foundation whipped with air, it is usually affordable, easy to apply, provides good coverage and has a long-lasting powder-soft finish. It's quite a thick consistency compared to liquids or BB creams, but glides onto normal and oily skin well - but probably best to steer clear if you have dry skin. 

Recommended product: The classic is Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse at £7.69, or No. 7 have recently brought their Beautifully Matte Mousse Foundation back after briefly discontinuing it (£13.50).
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compact foundation

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  • Another type that I'm not personally fond of having tried it when I was younger and feeling like I was caked in makeup (and I think it's what my Nana used!). However, a very good friend of mine achieves a flawless look with Max Factor's Facefinity Compact at £10.99 so I could be swayed.... 

Ideal for oily skin that needs mattifying, especially when you're on the go! 
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mineral foundation

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  • My current beauty crush. Based on a theory of using naturally derived minerals to provide a coverage like any other liquid/cream/mousse foundation, it's gaining popularity for its organic powers which "enhance skin from the outside in" and it even has a broad-spectrum sun protection. bareMinerals are the current trailblazers in mineral skincare and makeup and I've recently tried out their mineral foundation (I have my eye on one of their starter kits for Christmas - hint, HINT).

Using a huge, fluffy brush, it's all about 'buffing' and circling the powder around your face until you've achieved the perfect coverage. There are cheaper versions on the market such as the cult classic Lily Lo at £13.49 or M&S at £12, and it doesn't just stop at powder - there are also mineral-based liquid foundations and powder compacts, as well as bronzers, blushers, eyeshadows, lipsticks, mascaras - the list goes on.

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I believe less is more and that we shouldn't clog our skin with makeup everyday of the year; however, I know that slapping on a bit of makeup can really pick you up and make you face the day, so I hope you can now consider your options with a bit more clarity. 

Remember "every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top" - but makeup just enhances it.

Laura x

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hallowe'en inspired makeup

10/27/2014

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I've always been a big believer in dressing up as someone random/freaky/ingenious for Hallowe'en and always get a little miffed by the number of "sexy" devils, witches and pumpkins (yes, really) in town around this time of the year. However, times are a'changing and ladies, in particular, are daring to push the boundaries and replace tits and tushy with gory wounds and special effects - finally!

I've been seeing loads of great photos and links to amazing Hallowe'en inspired makeup tutorials, so I thought I'd post my favourites in case you need some help towards your costume at the end of this week...!
Nikki Shelley has recently been featured in Stylist for her incredible and sometimes scary makeup creations. Nikki started practising face-painting on her children and husband 18 months ago and has slowly built up thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter. This effect on the right only really works if you're against a black background, but it's pretty cool.

There are thousands of makeup tutorial films on YouTube. Here's a nice selection from Stylist to inspire you to create characters from Black Swan, Corpse Bride or Hellraiser.

Dia de los Muertos, or Mexican Day of the Dead, has become really popular over the past few years. I remember not knowing anything about it until I spent my birthday in Mexico in 2009, and now it seems to be everywhere. Heck, we themed my boyfriend's sister's hen do around it (see below!).

It's glamorous and exotic, and just a little bit freaky. Plenty of photos on Pinterest and tutorials on YouTube to inspire you.
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33 scary face ideas for Halloween - another link to zombies, characters like the Cheshire Cat and some pretty bloody gruesome effects. I personally love this beautiful crystallised face (above, right).

I saw this YouTube film posted on facebook last week; it's the speediest fake wound creation I've ever seen! I've used liquid latex and putty before for stage makeup, and reckon this looks relatively easy. You can pick up liquid latex, putty and fake blood for £2-£4 each - so it's a cheap way to seriously freak your friends out!!


The more random and freakier the better I say! Have fun and post your photos on my facebook page x
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"If I could offer you only one tip for the future...sunscreen would be it"

10/25/2014

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I know you're probably thinking why is Laura writing about sunscreen when the temperatures are plummeting and the clocks go back tonight, but I believe it's the most important bit of beauty advice I could possibly provide - especially on a lovely sunny autumnal day like today. 

Here's the deal - you should be wearing some form of sun protection EVERYDAY

This is a particularly sensitive subject for me as I was recently diagnosed with Melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation which appears as irregular brown patches on my face and is very common with pregnant women (except I'm not pregnant!). There are a number of possible underlying causes - hormones, the pill, stress - but it was triggered and made worse by the sun. I will elaborate on my experiences with this skin condition in future posts as I research various "miracle" creams and cover ups and re-build my confidence with my skin, but more than anything it has made me obsessed with sun protection. Prevention is better than cure - believe me!!

Let's start with the basics. SPF stands for sun protection factor and is included in all sunscreens and in some skincare and makeup, from as little as SPF 2 in coconut oils (don't go there!) to SPF 50+ in broad-spectrum creams, and is designed to protect our skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

There are two types of ultraviolet rays - UVB and UVA - and these are the evils that cause skin damage, premature ageing and, in some cases, lead to skin cancer. 
  • UVB causes sunburn (which at least you can see develop!)
  • UVA penetrates the skin more deeply but takes a little while to show its true colours through wrinkles, sun spots, sagging and leathering. You know the beach prunes in Benidorm? Pure UVA.

I've been un/fortunate enough to have a UV skin scan of my face by a dermatologist on Harley Street and I burst into tears when I saw the results. What lurks beneath is scary. 

NB. This isn't me! I didn't get to keep my scan. Shucks.
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  1. If you work near a window or enjoy the warmth of sun through the window when you're driving, you're still catching UVA rays and speeding up the ageing process.
  2. On a really cloudy day, 40% of the sun's ultraviolet rays makes its way through the clouds to your skin, so you need to protect yourself even when it isn't sunny.
  3. The highest SPF you have on your body will provide the highest protection - a moisturiser with SPF 15 and a foundation with SPF 15 won't give you SPF 30 protection. You'll only have SPF 15 protection.
  4. From the age of 25 your skin is known as 'mature' and will start ageing, so don't wait until lines find a permanent place on your face or brown spots start appearing. You can slow this process down by wearing sunscreen - whatever you age! 
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so what sunscreen should you wear?

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays everyday - look specifically for this on packaging. You can easily achieve this by making sure your daily moisturiser provides it, nourishing and protecting your face and neck in one. Marie Claire recently recommended some good SPF moisturisers and you can also look out for the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation logo.

The higher the SPF, the better the protection. I'd recommend wearing the same high protection all year round so that you don't have to think about switching it in the summer, but if you'd prefer to mix it up then I'd suggest wearing an SPF 15-30 throughout the winter and SPF 30-50 in the summer (remembering to reapply if you're sunbathing or dipping in and out of the pool). Of course you'll need additional sun protection for your body when sunbathing or spending long summer days outside, but at least you'll know your face is constantly protected if you forget about your body (tut, tut).

The SPF number relates to how much longer it will take you to burn when using sun protection, e.g. SPF 20 will take you 20 times longer to burn than without sun protection. You can do a small calculation to work out roughly what protection your sun cream will offer you:

       How long it usually takes you to burn = 30 minutes  X SPF number you think you need = 20

                                                  = 600 minutes of protection (10 hours)

does makeup provide sun protection?

Yes - a lot of makeup now includes an SPF which will help you even further with your everyday protection, e.g. BB/CC creams, foundations, powder, blushers, lipsticks, etc. However, don't rely on your makeup to give you protection alone as it will not be applied thickly enough or with an even coverage. It is best to use a moisturiser with a broad-spectrum protection underneath and a BB/CC/foundation with an SPF on top. It not only provides a smooth, serum-like base for your foundation, but gives you ultimate protection. Your lips are sensitive to the sun as they have hardly no melanin, so make sure your lip balm or lipstick has an SPF, especially when sunbathing - beware that lip gloss acts like oil and attracts the sun.

what about vitamin d?

There is a concern that wearing sunscreen will act as a barrier for Vitamin D from the sun reaching your bones and teeth, but research proves that you will still get your daily dose even when wearing sunscreen. If you are concerned, then spending 15 minutes in the sun without sun protection will provide you with all the Vitamin D you could possibly need, and of course you can take vitamin supplements and eat lots of oily fish, cereal and drink milk.

It may be sad to say goodbye to the nice tanned glow and freckles of a day spent in the sun, but with great moisturisers, BB creams and bronzers on the market you can now tan more youthfully and beautifully.... and you'll thank me in the end!

Laura x

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Let your eyebrows do the talking....

10/21/2014

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Yesterday, I let somebody do something to me that I thought I would never allow....I let a classmate wax my eyebrows. 

Those of you who were fortunate enough to know me c. 2000 will remember when I was let loose with a pair of tweezers and - against my mum's desperate pleas - kept plucking away until I had removed the majority of my brows, leaving a sizeable gap in the middle. I looked surprised for about three years.

An eight-week volunteering trip to Africa saw me right; I came back with big, bushy brows (not to mention some big, bushy gap yaaaaaaar weaves!) and I managed to shape them into a pair of brows I now love and protect. My brows don't let me get away with anything; they show all of my emotions and make me who I am - and I can do a mean impression of that Cadbury's advert.

Unfortunately, yesterday's waxing didn't quite go to plan. Some of my skin was pulled away and I've been left with red, puffy eyes. It turns out I have sensitive skin around my eyes and waxing was just too harsh. However, you learn these things and I'm proud I finally gave it a go!

I thought it would be a good idea to look into the various ways of maintaining brows and identifying the ideal shape. This is dependent on your face shape and preferences, but here is the main rule of thumb:

Grab a pencil or eyeliner and place it at the side of your nostril (start one side then do the next):

1) Hold the pencil straight up: this is where your eyebrow should start in the middle. 
2) Look straight ahead and pivot the pencil towards the outer edge of your pupil: this is where the highest point of the arch should be. 
3) Pivot the pencil towards the outer corner of your eye: this is where your eyebrow should end. 
4) Hold the pencil horizontally along the lowest parts of the brow - this should match and be level.

Face shapes and ideal eyebrow shapes:

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good ol' plucking

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Plucking has always been my go to method of removing stray eyebrow hairs. It can be done any time, anywhere and it is the cheapest method. I have always used a trusty pair of Tweezerman slanted tweezers, which have allowed me to get to the tiniest of hairs, but there are loads of tweezers on the market (however, if you are cursed with quite thick, coarse hair like me, then you will find it's worth splashing out on a good pair). It is worth replacing them every few years, as they do tend to become blunt and it maintains hygiene (Tweezerman provide a free sharpening service!). 

Word of warning: Don't get carried away! It's best to under-pluck than over-pluck until you achieve your desired look. You can get them shaped by a trained therapist, and then maintain them yourself. If you struggle to see all of your hairs there are some great magnifying and illuminating mirrors.
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threading

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I'm ashamed to say I haven't yet tried threading, but am very intrigued to try it one day, as I have seen such great results on friends and heard great reviews. Threading is an ancient Indian method of removing hair and it has now become very popular in the West. A cotton thread is pulled along unwanted hair in a twisting motion, to trap hair in a mini lasso, and lifts hair right out of the follicle. It's very fast and thorough and can have lasting results (up to 6 weeks). Threading can also be used for removing other unwanted hair from the face (upper lip, chin, full face, etc).

Word of warning: Find a good threader! They are everywhere these days, shopping malls, salons, Debenhams and often very cheap (around £5), but ask friends, search online reviews and perhaps invest in your first trip.
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waxing

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Don't be put off by my experience! Waxing is a very quick and effective way of removing unwanted hair, especially the almost invisible downy hair underneath, above and between your brows, or it can be a great shaping method. Benefit Cosmetics have brilliant Brow Bars in department stores across the world which offer waxing, and most salons will provide this service too. It can last up to 6 weeks and costs between £5-£10.

Word of warning: Beware of waxing if you have sensitive skin (like mine). Hot wax is supposed to be less harsh; this is where the wax is applied to your skin, allowed to cool and harden and peeled off (rather than using wax strips).
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hd brows (high-definition) 

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HD Brows is the new celebrity beauty trend launched this summer. It's a brand name, but is becoming the definitive term for perfectly defined brows, achieved through a seven-step treatment process including tinting, waxing, threading, shading, etc and helps those of you who have over-plucked to regain a fuller brow. It'll set you back anywhere between £25-£35 but sounds like it's well worth it!

Word of warning: There are over 4000 HD Brow stylists across the UK, so make sure you start off with someone who has had the certified training, and take in some pictures of some brows you like!
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Eyebrows can significantly enhance your facial features and make applying makeup lots more fun (not to mention taking away a few years), but don't worry if you prefer a more natural brow. Eyebrows are precious and personal, so be wary and careful and have fun experimenting if you so wish. 

PS. I currently offer eyebrow shaping using plucking and tinting, so let me know if you'd like to book an appointment.
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Welcome to my new blog!

10/15/2014

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I've wanted to write a blog for several years, but never felt I had anything interesting to write about....until now! 

Having recently decided to take a "career break" and learn a new vocational skill, I enrolled on an NVQ Level 2 Beauty Therapy course in September at Suffolk New College. It was a very impulsive decision; I went along to a last-minute enrolment day to find out some more information about the courses on offer, and the next day I was taking part in an induction for Beauty Therapy and started full time the following week - and I haven't looked back! 

It's funny studying with mainly 16-18 year olds, but there are a few fellow mature students in my class and we're all getting on really well - the young 'uns are teaching me a thing or two, I didn't realise I was so out of touch! I'm enjoying being back in a learning environment and generally having a purpose and structure to my life. I'm even enjoying learning all about anatomy and physiology and having homework!

The course is one academic year, so by next summer I will be a fully qualified beauty therapist in the following treatments:
  • Facials and skincare advice
  • Makeup
  • Nails (manicures and pedicures)
  • Waxing (legs, bikini, underarm, lip, chin and eyebrows)
  • Eyelashes and eyebrows (tinting, falsies, etc)
  • Spa treatments (foot spa, flotation bed, sauna/steam room, etc)

Whilst it is a full-time course, this only equates to three days a week so I am about to start working part-time. In my spare time, I am keen to practice my new found skills on willing guinea pigs and will be providing beauty treatments in and out of college. I will need people to come into college to help me pass my assessments (I have about 50 assessments to carry out over the next year!), or you can enjoy visiting my small beauty salon at my home. Please see more information here.

I thought it would be good to have a space to write down my thoughts, post any interesting things I've learnt in and out of my course, or any nuggets of beauty advice that I can pass on to you - and thus my blog was born. I will post updates on my facebook page, but feel free to check in from time to time and let me know what you think! 

Lastly, thank you to everyone who has shown me so much support towards this decision. I feared friends and family would think it was a tadge random, but everyone seems excited about the prospect and is looking forward to a bit of pampering. I've even been booked in to do my best friend's wedding makeup next year...!

Let me know if there's anything you would like to learn more about or have a particular interest in. Just comment on any post or contact me via the contact form.

Happy reading! :-)

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