Look at this! Make-up for men is finally here! Yes, high street chain Superdrug has launched a brand new range of make-up for men.

 

Good for the likes of Russell Brand, Pete Doherty and all those 18-something waiflike male models you might say, but can you imagine your average cabbie wearing it? Well, the range is called Taxi Man after all.

 

Is this a trend that's reserved for the under-20, non-alpha male, or will it catch on? Fellas, would you consider enhancing your peepers and girls, would you like your men to add that feminine touch on a Friday night?

 

Lawks-a-mercy it's going to be a battle for the bathroom mirror. Still, when us girls run out, at least we can delve into our boyfs' make-up bags! Start guarding yours with your lives.

 

See and order Superdrug's guyliner here.

 

Tell us what you think...

 

 

I’ll never moan about the summertime for as long as I live for it is, of course, the best season of the year. That said, it can get a bit sticky – and this can lead to sweaty, or should I say ‘glowing’ skin. 

 

This, in turn, can also lead to small outbreaks – even in those of us way beyond our teenage years. But we are not alone.

 

Clinical studies indicate that between 40 and 55 per cent of the adult population aged 20 to 40 can suffer with acne or oily skin. Yes, no longer just a teen problem, the condition is now acknowledged as a common disorder. It’s also more persistent than the teen version, because scarring is more prevalent in adults as our skin repairs itself less quickly.

Many products for acne or oily skin conditions are often created for teenagers however, and therefore too harsh for adults. Enter Dermalogica, which has just introduced its MediBac Clearing range, specificlaly designed to treat these symptoms in adults.

A refreshing collection, it helps to cool the skin, stop it feeling greasy during the heat and is specifically designed to clear the pores and prevent inflammation.

The Clearing Skin Wash (£29) which clears away excess oil without stripping skin and soothing irritation

The Clearing Mattifer (£36) designed to clear breakouts, reduce congestion and control shine

The Concealing Spot Treatment (£25.80) an intense treatment with a natural-looking tint ideal for daytime coverage of breakouts

The Overnight Clearing Gel (£34) which reduces excess sebum, sloughs off pore-clogging cells and calms inflammation

The Sebum Clearing Masque (£33.40) a cooling clay masque which absorbs excess surface oil and prevents breakouts.

 

For more information visit Dermalogica.com.

 

 

 

 

What do you think of this Ten Years Younger programme on Channel 4 then? Personally I find myself glued to it on a Tuesday night as him indoors first raises his eyebrows nonchalantly then finds himself gasping in horror as he's forced to look away from the screen during the dental and surgery moments.

 

It really is in-your-face, warts-and-all television and I don't think I've seen a better advert for the beauty industry.

 

'They certainly rise to the challenge' quipped the fella as we watched last night's episode. And when I saw Pandora being introduced to the cameras I was captivated. A 20-a-day smoker, Pandora had lost her teeth, had grey wrinkly skin and, to quote Channel 4, 'was in need of a sprinkling of festive fairy dust'.

 

Listen, I don't mean this from a bitchy perspective, because lord knows the programme's commentator delivers that by the bucketloads. Last night 'he', yes 'he' made some comment like, 'Pandora looked like she'd been hit by a bus and then run over by it several times' or somesuch, which I thought was stretching the boundaries of cruelty on national television by a mile.

 

But my god, when I saw Pandora at the end of the show I nearly fell off my seat. The transformation was SO dramatic I couldn't believe that she was the same person. It made me wonder how beautiful Pandora might have been in her youth. And how that beauty might never have been realised again if she hadn't gone on the show. It also got me thinking how much money can buy you 'looks' as our society becomes increasingly Botox and surgery-focused. But more importantly than all that - how important it is to look after ourselves.

 

Pandora went from scruffy, drawn, wrinkly and grey to quite simply dazzling, effervescent and stylish overnight. Pandora was so pleased with her transformation she became simply brimming with confidence - even her more youthful personality seem to be set free. I would be amazed if anyone could have recognised her from the Pandora she was before.

 

See the pictures on Channel 4's website right here.

 

 

 

Forget the credit crunch, Equitable Life and soaring petrol costs. The debate buxom women everywhere are most concerned about is the 'storm in a DD cup' at Marks & Spencer.

The high street favourite sells around 20million bras a year in the UK, that's 45 every minute. But it has recently padded its costs with a £2 surcharge on bras  above DD cup, saying the cost of the extra work and material justifies the higher price.

Read the full story and the comments from many an outraged shopper at our Money Consumer Champion Blog here.

Join the debate!

The fella is going through a bit of a phase at the moment. He's decided it's time for a style change and is growing his hair. This, coupled with the recent addition of a beard (well, it started out as stubble three years ago and just took over) makes me wonder if I'm going to be married to a Captain Caveman lookalike in five years time.

 

Anyway I digress. The change in style has meant he's been having a bit of a conundrum with hair products. What is a boy to do? Wax just won't cut it on longer locks you see, it's too thick. And gel, of course, is too 'wet look'. Sigh... as if life wasn't hard enough already.

 

But just when you think a problem is starting to take over, enter... Schwarzkopf! Yes this canny brand has come up several little pots of goodness that can take a fella - or laydee for that matter - through any change in style.

 

The new Osis Design Mix range is, in their words, 'inspired by the play of textures and materials in the world of art and design. The collection features six new products which have been designed to fulfil any styling need, be it Smooth, Rough, Gloss, Matt, Light or Strong'.

 

Well, it's been a godsend. And I've been stealing some myself. The Rough and Matt is great on shorter hair for a tousled look, while the Light and Smooth are fab for when it gets a couple of inches longer. For longer-haired ladies such as myself, the Gloss also comes highly recommended for those flyaway ends.

 

To find out more about the range - and to keep your locks in check - contact Schwarzkopf Professional on 01296 314 000 or log on to
www.schwarzkopfsalonfinder.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the Daily Mail may not exactly be famous for its stance on human rights, there's a great piece in the paper today written by Jamelia. The busy mum of two took time out from her recording schedule to visit India and Russia, to find out where hair extensions come from and what really goes on behind the scenes to bring them to Western Europe.

 

As a pop star performing hundreds of concerts and attending dozens of photoshoots, Jamelia has often worn hair extensions in the past. But after seeing what happens to young girls and women in the East, she has vowed never to have them again. Read the article here.

 

 

A friend of mine sent me this fab piece from jezebel.com and I just had to share. A new perspective on dressing to impress: don't follow the stars of Celebville, choose an era that suits your shape. Nicely written too. Enjoy.

 

Travel light this summer, without compromising on beauty essentials, with Neal’s Yard Remedies new travel kit.  Its natural and organic skin and haircare favourites have been slimmed down into travel friendly miniatures, and packed in one lovely re-usable wash bag. 

Formulated with a high natural and organic content it’s an ethical selection - so even if you’re not heading off on an eco get-away you can still be a gorgeous green beauty. And if you’re backing this summer’s growing trend for the eco-friendly option of staying in the UK, this compact kit will help you to travel light.

Neal’s Yard Remedies has selected its most popular hair and body products, many with a deliciously sunny fragrance.  The Travel Kit contains 100ml bottles of:

Geranium & Orange Shower Gel: an uplifting and fragrant shower gel with organic herbal extracts of soothing calendula and refreshing orange
Geranium & Orange Body Lotion: a luxuriously nourishing lotion enriched with skin conditioning oils and with a warm sunny scent

Calendula Shampoo: vitamin rich shampoo with organic calendula and coconut to help restore vitality to dry hair – ideal for sun and sea damaged hair
Calendula Conditioner: a deeply moisturising conditioner containing organic calendula and softening almond oil, for use with its sister shampoo

Remedies to Roll Travel:  an organic and aromatic blend of pure essential oils to roll over pulse points, blended to soothe the emotions whilst travelling. 9ml.
The travel kit costs £25.

For details of your nearest Neal’s Yard Remedies shop telephone the Customer Advice Line on 01747 834634 or visit www.nealsyardremedies.com or for Mail Order telephone 0845 262 3145.

The day before Mother's Day, my brother and I were, as usual, stuck for ideas on what to get our mum and were wandering through a department store when my brother declared he had an idea and stormed off to the make-up and beauty section. He then went on to tell me in a very matter-of-fact way that this particular abrasive scrub from Origins was, quote 'just heavenly for the skin'. Even though I was shocked at his sudden camp personality, I have to say, I agreed with him. We bought my mum the product and I sneak into her room every now or then to use it on myself.

 

It's a very hard abrasive scrub which if you use more than once or twice a week can really irritate the skin but in moderation it leaves skin soft, smooth and feeling clean. Having used products from Garnier and Clearasil which didn't seem to make much of an improvement this is definitely the best I've tried. However, as always, the products I seem to like come with a rather large price tag. At the higher end of the high-street, this product 'Modern Friction' from Origins is a shocking £27.50. Even though it lasts a very long time as you can't use it very often, the price is probably just that bit too steep for me (and most people).

 

I've since tried out St Ives Apricot scrub (simply because it was on offer 2 for 3) and was quite impressed with the results. The finish wasn't as nice as the more expensive product but I loved the smell and the value for money was good. After a while, however it seemed to irritate my skin and so I've since stopped using it. Exfoliating is an important part of any girl's skin routine as it prevents pores from getting clogged and those annoying black heads from appearing.

 

Unfortunately for me, I’m still on the lookout for a good scrub!

 

The week is almost over here which means that on Monday Nic will be back from holiday and back on the blog so stay posted for more tips and tricks from her!

Jess

I noticed a couple of years ago that I had acquired stretch marks on my thighs and more recently my chest. Distraught at the thought of permanent scarring I immediately went to the shop and bought some Palmer's Cocoa Butter moisturiser which was supposed to reduce the visibility of the marks. I love this moisturiser as it leaves the skin extremely soft and also the smell is addictive, however I didn't really notice any change in the appearence of my scars.

I know use bio-oil which was very expensive for such a small bottle but I have to say I really am starting to notice the effects. The majority of my marks are fading right away and are nowhere near as noticeable as before. The product is expensive at around £15 for 200ml but I bought a 60ml bottle and still haven't finished it as you can use it sparingly and it is still very effective. Another option may be to try baby oil which I have also tried and this too appeared to improve the marks and is just a fraction of the price of the other products. The great thing about bio oil is that it also can be used on the face and really helps to even complexion and reduce redness.

 

Even if you don't have strech marks, using these products on a daily basis could help to prevent you from getting them and if you want my advice, that's definitely worth it!