20 Under £20 - My Best Cheap Beauty Buys

I started this off to test myself. It started off easily and then got harder. I've kept it in the order in which these came to me. Which means sometimes you'll be able to see my train of thought. I tried to keep it varied. I could probably name twenty great black liners for under £20 but I've limited myself - you all know I love MAC Smoulder so I've tried where necessary to go for something less obvious. For certain others, like the product that is first on the list, there is no question that it deserves it's place here. It's unrivalled. I've been recommending it for a decade or so.

What are your favourites? Have I missed anything you think deserves a place? Let me know down in the comments.

Friday Video - Face of the Day 16th January 2014

Using as many reasonably priced products as I had to hand and a bit of a ramble about DIY, moving house and aggressive babies.

Products Used:
Origins Make A Difference+
Garnier Skin Perfector
Avon True Colour Eye Shadow Quad in Mocca Latte
MUA 3 in 1 Contour Pen
L'Oreal Telescopic False Lash Mascara
MUA Pro-Base Palette in Natural Rose
Sleek Makeup Face Form in Fair
Accessorize Mineral Bronzer in Laguna
Sleek Makeup Luminous Powder in 1
Collection Cream Puff in Fairy Cake

Pregnant Makeup - Friday Video

Ok having threatened to do this for ages here is a video tutorial of me doing the makeup that has got me through the first three or four months of pregnancy. Quick to apply (so morning sickness friendly) and with fairly good coverage...

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector
Jemma Kidd Eye Wardrobe Quartet in Metallica
L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim
Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Shadow in Jet Black
L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara
Bobbie Brown Corrector in Light Bisque
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 Medium
Hula by Benefit
Maybelline Dream Touch Blush
Sugarbomb by Benefit
Cover FX Translucent Setting Powder
Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Cream in Iced Gold

All brushes used were Real Techniques

BB Creams - do not be fooled!

This is a post I've been planning for a long time. BB creams seem to be everywhere and I was initially really confused as to what they were as they all seemed to promise different things. The 'BB' seems to stand for Blemish Balm mostly although sometimes it's billed as Beauty Balm and they are basically based on the real BB Creams that are huge in the Asian market and have been for sometime.

However, just because they are based on these creams does not mean they do the same thing at all. In fact, they really don't. The original BB creams soothe and regenerate the skin and help with blemishes, pigmentation and even out skin tone. They supposedly do the same thing here but they really don't.

The Illusive Spring Tan

Since the arrival of Johnson's Holiday Skin I have made a point of trying out that and all similar products on the market. Johnson's caused my slightly sensitive skin to itch so although it worked (in a slightly orange way) I felt it my skin wasn't happy with it so what the hell, I'd try all the other choices. The Dove Summer Glow smelt ok (better than the Johnson's which they have just bought out 'smell-free') but after using it for two weeks and still being pasty white I lost all faith in it. I've recently tried it again to the same disappointing results. However, this is Mumma B's self-tanning moisturiser of choice so it clearly does work for some. Garnier SummerBody was next on my list and this was my favourite so far based completely on the way it smells. I'd like to say that this left me looking like the sun-kissed beauties on the adverts but it did not. It left me smelling nice but still looking like I'd spent the summer sunbathing on my east facing roof terrace in London. Again I re-tried this recently to no avail. I'm still valiantly persevering with the Garnier SummerFace but having gone for a foundation consultation recently and been recommend 'Ivory' I can't say that it's made any difference at all.

Have I been put off spending my money on these products? No. Today I was seen back in Boots examining my options and wondering whether itchy red lumps were really so bad if they appeared on rather orange (rather than see-through) skin. Had Mumma B been closer to hand rather than examining the vitamins a couple of aisles away I may have saved myself a valuable £5.99 but no. Instead I found myself leaving with a bottle of L'Oreal NutriSummer Tone-Up for 'medium skin' (whatever that means). Not only does this give a 'gradual sun-kissed look' but it contains caffeine which will apparently help banish my cellulite. I have to say that although I'm an advocate of using products which are good for you I'm not sure that caffeine sounds like a particularly health conscious option. But I'm determined to make an effort to look good before the summer rather than being taken by surprise as always and therefore blinding people with my glaring skin as I wheel out my summer wardrobe.

I really want to try Vani-T's Body Bronzing Mist. It's 99% organic and is an immediate tan which gives a honey glow whilst moisturising. Available for at Austique for £24 this may be the easiest and most skin-friendly option. In fact instant tan may be my only option after the self-tanning disappointments of the past but I'll keep you posted. xx

Holiday Preparations...

I’ve been ordered to cut down on my writing due to the ever present ‘work related upper limb disorder’, which is what they are now calling the ole’ RSI. I got asked a couple of times whether I really needed to do my writing. The answer was yes but I may have to slow down a little. Not necessarily in immediate preservation of my upper limbs but also due to the new voice activated software I am supposed to purchase which takes quite a while to train. I’m not sure whether this software is going to help of hinder the blog, however. I talk nineteen to the dozen most of the time so the posts may just end up getting unbearably long. Do let me know and I’ll try and keep a lid on it.

I’ve been a bit behind on keeping you up to date on the world of the celebrities recently. I’m blaming the imminent latest series of Big Brother which is due to start next week. It's made me want to become a recluse. The words flogging, dead and horse spring to mind - further proof that Channel 4 really do know how to take something too far, and then beyond. The mention of BB makes me want to switch off my tele, turn away from the papers and disconnect the internet. I don’t care. I really don’t. There are people starving in the world that’s where the money should be going. Not on try hard wannabe’s who prostitute themselves as pawns in some larger Orwellian scheme. I think it attracts fame seekers of the most talentless kind and I have no interest in supporting it. So what is preventing me from taking the aforementioned drastic measures? The third series of Grey’s Anatomy started on Thursday and it was the closest I’ve come to hyperventilating for a long time. I advise anyone who hasn’t seen it to get to the video shop and pick up the first two series. The perfect (and only) antidote to the BB madness that is about to engulf this poor country.

So that rant over what else has been going on. Paris is off to prison and too bloody right. I don’t know why anyone thinks that she should be let off. On the contrary if they are worried about her safety I’m sure solitary confinement would do the trick. I do not see why anyone should pity someone who broke the law repeatedly and is now sad about the consequences. My heart bleeds. It must suck being an heiress and still having to abide by laws – especially ones that may prevent you from killing someone whilst behind the wheel of a ton of metal. But whilst Paris has been trying to get out of her own mistakes (writing a letter to Arnie about how tough jail will be will not work – Arnie would rule that jail) Britney seems to be on the way to repairing some of hers. She has lost the weight and the pasty wiped out look and is back in the dance studio looking refreshed and toned. I only wish that she would spend more time with her kids but the last photo’s I saw they were both present so things really seem to be on the up. I only wish that I could tone up in time for Ibiza in a couple of weeks. It’s not looking promising though. I haven’t been strictly dieting but I have been not drinking too much booze (definitely none during the week), eating cereal for breakfast and no carbs after 4. I have to say I do feel better I’ve just got to start on the toning exercises and fast. It’s not good being a fashion and beauty writer on holiday with girls shaped like Barbie. The pressure is on.

Another part of the preparation is also completely exterior. The weekend before we go I will be getting my hair down and my eyebrows and the dreaded bikini line waxed. Would get the armpits done too but that really is a step too far for me. I’ve done it once before – I’m just too chicken to do it ever again. I also can’t do my legs. Having naturally dark hair and with the sporadic heat waves at the moment I cannot risk the need to hop into a skirt with legs like George Clooney’s. It’s just not going to happen. Little Miss F tried to epilate my legs but as she approached I ran off screaming and locked myself away. Much to her amusement. I’m going to go to the Büty Salon for the waxing. They did a great job with my brows last time so I’ve got my fingers crossed that they’ll be just as good on the more delicate areas! Getting my hair done is another nightmare. My hair has two looks – huge and frizzy (earning me the nick names Bon Jovi, Rod Steward, Dave Lee Roth, Duff McKagen to name but a few) or stuck to my head lifeless flat. Hairdressers seem only capable of achieving the later. I would like to say its not their fault but having told them I want big hair before they even start I’m always amazed by the amount of gunk they apply before using a heavy brush to really jam my hair down whilst they blow dry it. I also ask for the same colour every time and every time they ignore me. However, I’ve been mentally preparing myself for a while now and this time I’m going to be firm… or at least I hope so.

Another problem is the pasty legs. I’m using Garnier Summer Skin but to no avail. Photographers could still use my body as a reflector board. I’ve also been frantically buffering my dry skin bumps but with the new job I feel like I’ve barely had time to wash my hair. I’ve also got to start thinking about what make-up I can take that is not going to fall down my face at the first sight of the Spanish sun. Oh for the Elizabeth Arden Eye-fix now!! You never know, on my pre-holiday Boots trip (always a must) I might find it becomes a necessity. I think I’m going to have to re-read Love Is Not Enough before I go anywhere though – why do holidays make you feel like you have all the money in the world?

So I’m off to think about holiday make-up and products. Please get in touch if you have any ideas or recommendations. I’m going to need all the help I can get xx

Pasture's New

Hurrah. Finally have spangly new job so will finally be doing something new for 8 hours a day! The new job is a little more country orientated so I will probably have to start discussing what make-up is best worn to a shoot lunch or what mascara is going to hold up after four hours sitting next to a river in the rain. However, before then I get to go and buy a new wardrobe, obviously, and having spent some time over recent months trying and failing to track down beautiful skirts today I managed to pick up three!

I have to say that I had rather lost my faith in Monsoon. You occasionally get a cracker but usually only after sifting through a lot of pricey rather mumsy wedding outfits. But now is the time to go. They have so many skirts that I literally had to make my choice and then blinker myself in the queue for the till. Still a few more bits to get - a nice summer coat for a start as the old leather jacket can look a little quaint over a sun dress and has made me feel not unlike Stevie Nicks going for job interviews. But where? any suggestions would be much appreciated. I also need a new handbag but I seem to start at Chanel and work my way up. Unless you can weave a great bag out of longing I think I need to set my sights a little lower.

I do, however, worry that they are not quite ready for the Miss B make-up. I think coming from a background in military history I may sometimes take the idea of 'war paint' a little too far but thats what you need when entering into the unknown. I am also a firm believer in going in as yourself - one of the benefits of this is that you don't come home a complete bitch and swearing like a sailor from being nice all day. Not that we Misses aren't heavenly all the time!

So, the purchase of skirts may seem like a good idea but with the early onset of summer my legs have look like they belong to Caspar and with the temperature soaring you really cannot rely on wearing tights. Now I don't know about you but for me finding the right fake tan is a harrowing and often embarrassing ordeal. However, as always Mumma B had the solution ready and waiting this morning.

The important thing about fake tan is making sure your legs are ready for it. If you apply to unprepared legs there is no way that it is going to look any good and not transfer on to all that touches you. So ladies do what you have to do for hair removal I shave (too chicken, too poor and too dark to wait for waxing) Miss F however, doesn't even need to possess a razor - each to their own. There are also lots of self tan preparations you can use. The Sanctuary a pre-tan exfoliator which although I haven't tried (yet) I'm told is really worth its teeny £4.25. Failing a specific pre-tan product you must moiturise, we all know that you should always moisturise after shaving but many neglect to moisturise right before you put on the fake tan. Just a nice light moisturiser is fine - I love Nivea it's not too pricy, it comes in big pots and really keep your skin smooth. But what fake tan?

When Johnsons holiday skin came out I ran to Boots faster than I think I've ever moved before. However, my skin is quite sensitive and I had to stop using it. My pasty legs were not only exactly the same colour as before just smelling a bit weird, but inbetween my fingers had gone orange. Not a success. Next was Dove's Summer Glow. This smells a little less like baby vomit but again apart from my fingers there was not a lot of change. Finally I went for Garnier's Summer Body. This smells soooo good but thats about it. I don't know maybe my skin is just too glaringly white for these to have an impact, maybe you are supposed to apply five times a day for five months. Either way I don't have the time, the patience or enough excuses for the suspicious stains on my hands.

So onto the real deal. I have never trusted anything other than instant tan. I have heard great things about gradual/progressive tans I just know that if I were to use one (and probably as karmic result of this blog) I would end up looking like Ross in that tan disaster friends episode we all know (yes you do). So, for me, instant tan is the way forward, although you can make it uneven and streaky you are not going to get oranger and oranger whilst at a party with no hope of stopping the process. Another reason why moisutriser is key for instant tan is because it helps prevent streaking and I find makes me more confident with the tan application - you've just applied the moisturiser so you apply the tan in the same way. St Tropez is good but this can go quite dark as can Piz Brun - these are serious self tans. But if they are applied properly these really are worth their quite expensive price tags.

There is not a lot I can tell you without having you all round for a good look at your skin tones and question about which kind of finish you prefer (minds out of gutter please). You really do have to try these on the back of your hand in a good light to really know which is the best for you. However, I will definately recommend Rimmel's Sun Shimmer Instant Tan. It comes with either a shimmer or a matte finish I decided to live dangerously and go for the shimmer. And as usual Mumma B was right - it's my favourite! Rather than making you look like you've basted yourself in goop and then rolled around on a kiddies craft table the shimmer actually really helps the post-Christmas pasty pins, giving them a bit of glow which lets face it, they need having been got out so early in the year!

So go forth Misses and get testing. Help is at hand but it's vital to get it right. No one wants to look like Jodie Marsh on a bad day (...or maybe even on a good day) and it's just too hot for tights! And remember no matter what you say about fake tan being 'cheap' or 'chavy' it's the safest way to make your legs stop looking like beacons! xx