Showing posts with label self-tan. Show all posts

Priceline Haul & Blonde Prep Update

Hello little birds!
A quick little post, I popped into Priceline today and picked up one or two bargains, and some VIBP (Very Important Blonde Products) before my hair appointment tonight!



First I grabbed a new can of Schwarzkhof firm hold hairspray (because my brother keeps ‘borrowing’ mine without replacing it) and John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting shampoo (extends your colour for up to two weeks – truly!). I love using John Frieda for my blonde hair, because the brand understands what your hair needs – the toning conditioner is excellent and cancels out all possible brassiness, whilst softening your hair after the trauma of bleach and foils.


I also grabbed some St. Tropez tanning products, as they’re currently marked down. I’ve always heard great things about the brand, but it’s so, so pricey! $50 for self tanner? On a student budget? Whilst also being blonde (at the time)? Er, nope. But down to $31? That was a little more do-able, for a one-off (as it’s my 21st birthday party tomorrow night!). To be safe I picked up the St. Tropez tanning mitt as well, as I would hope their mitt is designed to suit and help along their own product. I chose the mousse option as I find they dry a little bit faster, don’t leave an icky residue, and are easier to control than a spray.




Australis Stay Put foundation has quickly become one of my new favourites, as it actually does stay put! The only problem I had was I chose a shade suited to my (falsely) tanned skin, which didn’t suit my naturally pale beige complexion. I plucked from the shelves the shade ‘nude’ which will hopefully blend a little better. I also replaced my Face of Australia matte eye-shadow primer, as my last little $7 pot is nearly empty. 

I'll give the full run-down of my other preparation for going blonde on my next post, after my (eek!) appointment! 

Tweet tweet xx

Summer 2014/15


(A photo of yours truly, as I accurately appear during the summer season)

Summer. Sun, sea, sand, surf, skin and sangria.
Also heat equivalent to what an individual must feel at the doorway of hell, in Australia at least. 

As the weather slowly, but surely, starts to warm up, it's gotten me thinking about not only my favourite parts of my favourite season, but my general tips and tricks for surviving some of the harshest conditions that can be thrown at a lil' bird. 

For starters, if you're pale, don't kid yourself. Slap that sunscreen and, in some cases, invisible zinc on, and just deal with it. Don't try to tan, because believe me, I have had enough summers attempting a natural glow only to end up with a glow similar to that of a HOT STOVE. Sunburn HURTS, it SUCKS, and it can damage your skin (to the point of melanoma!). A great thing to do is use a body moisturiser that already contains SPF, so even if you forget to use sunscreen or are planning on staying indoors for most of the day (whether that be for work, school etc.) at least your skin is a little protected. 
My top picks are
Palmer's Cocoa Butter with SPF 15+ https://www.priceline.com.au/skincare/hand-and-body/body-moisturisers/cocoa-butter-formula-spf-15-body-lotion-250.0-ml
Dove Gradual Tan in Fair-Medium SPF 15+ https://www.priceline.com.au/skincare/sun-and-tanning/instant-tan/summer-glow-gradual-self-tan-body-lotion-fair-to-medium-400.0-ml
Invisible Zinc SPF 50+ https://www.priceline.com.au/index.php/skincare/sun-and-tanning/sun-protection/spf-50-4hr-water-resistant-lotion-50.0-ml

Unfortunately when you fall into the above category of white, sunburn does occur
When this does happen, I have a few sure fire ways to soothe my skin and heal the damage.
First and foremost, ALOE VERA IS THE BOMB DIGGITY. The plant, absolutely, but the gels that you can keep cool and ready in the fridge are amazeballs, super soothing and calming. Although they are, unfortunately, sticky and take a little while to seep into the skin, they instantly cool any heat and make it easier to concentrate on whatever it is you want to be doing besides feeling the pain of the burn.
Coles have an excellent aloe vera and green tea gel that goes for about $7 a tube. I have one at home, one at the boy's house, my best friend has one in her fridge... you get the idea.
If you're not up for the stickiness of the gel, Aloe Vera sprays are also a quick way to relieve the heat and pain.
Aloe Aftersun Spray https://www.priceline.com.au/skincare/sun-and-tanning/after-sun-care/aloe-aftersun-spray-250.0-ml
And if you're as desperate as I was last Thursday, and in as much pain and overheating, follow the below steps. 
1. Wet a face towel
2. Place in freezer for 10 minutes
3. Take out of freezer
4. Place on burn until it's no longer cold, and feel the relief!
(Also HYDRATE. Your skin is in shock and dehydrated, your body is working super hard to fix your skin, and you've also been out in the sun. DRINK WATER.)

TIPS & TOES
Summer means thongs, sandals, open toe wedges and pumps, and bare feet running quickly across burning sand. This means there's a tiny bit more pressure than usual to have a nice(ish) pedicure and polish happening. 
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li8kk8vxkb1qezpw2.jpg)

OK, don't feel pressured to do anything as cute as the above, because those skills are reserved for the beauty elite. Also if you're working a lot this summer (like yours truly) there simply isn't time for tricks and patterns, so my favourite polishes are quick-drying and one-two coats. Throw on an episode of your favourite TV series and chill while they dry, so you can be 100% sure they won't scuff or smudge. 
Rimmel 60 seconds dry https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/nail-polish/60-seconds-nail-colour-8.0-ml6
I love shades of blue, turquoise and jade for summer - they're such deep, jewel tones that go along with many trends, and look so pretty against sandals or peeping out of a cute pair of flats.
Sally Hansen Complete Manicure https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/nail-polish/complete-salon-manicure-14.7-ml
I also love a pop of pink or orange on the toe, whether they be pastel or rich, as they compliment a nice (fake haha!) tan and also go with summery colours and tones. 
Another trend I still love from Summer 2013 is the all-white manicure. Use smooth, soft strokes to ensure your polish looks like polish, and not White-Out.
Maybelline Color Show in Porcelain Party https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/nail-polish/color-show-nail-color-7.0-ml

In terms of manicures, my line of work means keeping polish un-chipped is IMPOSSIBLE. Which is why I absolutely love love love LOVE press on nails. They don't damage your nails like DIY stick-ons, and they look AMAZING and last for about 2-3 weeks depending on how rough you are with your hands.
House of Holland offer AMAZING textures, colours and shapes, but come in at around $17 a pack https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/false-nails/house-of-holland-nails-royal-explosion-1.0-kit
Fing'rs are a little more affordable and ADORABLE https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/false-nails/prints-girlie-glam-on-the-dot-1.0-kit
And my go-to are Broadway nails - they're quick, easy, and the packaging is a prime example of someone seeing an opportunity and TAKING IT, and I appreciate that https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/false-nails/b-press-and-go-nails-190-call-my-agent-24.0-pack

Stay tuned for another post about how to live, as well as survive Australian summers! 

Until then, tweet tweet and much love my little birds xx

WHEN TANS GO WRONG

I'm so sorry I've been away from so long - work, uni, and getting sick at the same time hasn't left me much time or room for my little birds, but I'm back!

And BOY do I have a doozy for you!

I have cardinally sinned (in beauty terms) - I tried to apply MORE tanning mousse over my already fading, patchy tan, and the results weren't pretty



 Not pretty folks. Not pretty at all. 

 So today I used a tried and tested method for removing/fixing fake tan that I've been using for around two years now. It's super simple, all you'll need is

2-3 medium to large lemons, halved
1/2 cup raw sugar, or enough to make an almost watery-paste

1. Halve your lemons
2. Juice your lemons
3. Pour in the sugar
4. Take a bath!

(NOTE: you don't HAVE to take a bath. This stuff works in the shower too, but I find a bath lets me get a really good scrubbing before it all washes off too quickly)

I also added some epsom salts, as they also aid in getting that tan off as well as soothing any tight muscles.


Now grab a handful of your lemon-sugar concoction and give yourself a good scrub! Once you've done this leave it for 2-3 minutes, as the lemon juice gets into the skin and the acids lift the tan away from the skin (without being too harsh, of course). 

Take a clean face washer or small towel and rub this over the skin before rinsing. Make sure it's one you can easily wash, as the towelling will lift and rub off the tan in small, brown flakes.
Soak for a little while the tub after rinsing off the lemon juice and sugar, as this gets into the skin a little more as well as softening it.

Today I was DESPERATE to get this awful tan off, so after I hopped out of the tub I jumped into the shower and used the Swisse Body Exfoliant - it's a VERY gentle exfoilant that smells lovely, and it helped to get those darker, stubborn bits of tan to fade. 

Here's the result: 



As you can see, my tan hasn't completely faded, but it's far more even than earlier today. Once you've used the lemon-sugar scrub it becomes MUCH easier to exfoliate and get more of your tan off. I'd recommend leaving your skin a day or two between using either the lemon-sugar scrub or a harsher exfoliant, so your skin can recover from the scrubbing. 

And I PROMISE to never EVER tan over an already fading tan EVER again!

Also, using a gentle self-tanner, like Dove Summer Glow between tanning stints helps to  moisturise your skin and even it all out as your tan fades out. 

Until next time my little birds, tweet tweet! xx
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