Make mine a Skinny!

I am rarely without my eyeliner, the few times I did go without, I was asked if I was sick or feeling unwell (niiiice!). So, from those comments, you can understand why I wear it everyday, unless I’m having a duvet day.

I have tried all forms of eyeliner and most brands, I have always and still to this day, prefer liquid eyeliner over gel, cake and pencil for top lid feline flicks.

When I was a Pro Make Up Artist, a lot of my clients told me they were frightened to use liquid liner in case they made a mistake, in my opinion, liquid liner is easy to use than gel and cake liner and if I had the patience (and b*lls) to make YT videos, I would show you how easy it is to use.

*Tip: Practice makes perfect (yes, it’s an old saying but so true), practice, practice, practice and take small steps, don’t attempt to draw the full flick in one go, try drawing some dots and then join them up. If you DO find you’ve made a mistake, dip a cotton bud into some micellar water/make up remover and gently remove and rectify.

Eyeko is a brand devoted to eyes only, it’s rare to find a brand specialising on one feature in the beauty world and this is what makes this brand special for me, they specialise in what they know best.

Eyeko’s Skinny Liquid Eyeliner is (most importantly for me) long lasting, due to a key ingredient called Sodium Hyaluronate, making it smudge-proof with intense colour payoff. Have you ever had a black eyeliner that looked black when it was wet but looked grey as soon as it dries? This is why when I test eyeliners in stores, I will walk around and wait for that line to dry, check the colour, then put it through some smudge-proof testing…THEN, I go back and buy..if it has passed my tests.

The point on this eyeliner is very precise and you can control how thick/thin you want your line. It’s great for mature skin (around the eye area) because you don’t need to drag the pen and the formula isn’t drying, it’s actually pretty moisturising.

*Tip: For a feline flick in a single stroke, press the pen gently on its side and swoosh on your line, if you want a Sophia Loren style flick, gently lift the corner of your eye to get a higher flick.

For only £10, this pen is still going strong for me and I have had it for 3 months! It’s also available in 5 colours, I would love to try olive, blue and purple for Spring/Summer.

Available from www.eyeko.com and in the & Other Stories store on Regent St.

Thanks for reading.

F A R R A H  T E L L S . . .

Soft Supple Lips: Top 5 Lip Balms

Lip balms are not just for teenagers anymore, if you belong to my age group, your first lip balm was probably one of the delicious fruity flavours from the Body Shop, in the glass jar with the black lid. Well, we’ve grown up now and we still use lip balm, however our needs (well, some of us) have evolved from wanting a sweet scent lingering on our lips.

The last time I did some research on the UK lip care market, it was worth almost £200m and is continuing to grow and with so much competition out there, how do you find the best lip balm (or in my case, lip balms) for you?

Well, firstly, if you’re like me, you want to experiment and try everything until the best stand out, which is what I have done here. If you would have asked me 10 years ago which my favourite lip balms were, I would have said;

1. CARMEX (classic, as that was the only flavour we had then).

2. EVE LOM Kiss Mix

So, 10 years on, my favourite lip balms are; (in order of the picture above)

1. Rose & Co. Rose Petal Salve

This little pot of Rose scented goodness is an all-round salve, for cuticles, stray eyebrows (me) and of course lips! I also use this on my cheekbones mixed with a bit of highlighter for when I want a dewy complexion. The tin is so adorable that I plan on keeping it when/if I ever finish the pot, which seems to last forever – my ‘magic porridge pot’ of lip balm.

RRP £5 available from www.rose-apothecary.co.uk and House of Fraser.

2. NUXE Reve de Miel

I have recommended this to quite a few guys since my husband is a massive fan and that’s because it has a matte finish, all of my straight male friends moan about the ‘glossiness’ of some lip balms. The key ingredient in this pot is honey which is in the name, ‘Reve de Miel’ translates to ‘Honey Dream’. I remember a long long time ago when my dad told me stories about how soldiers inured in war in India would dip their wounds in honey to prevent infection and to heal the wound. Honey has magical powers (save our honey bees – separate post to come on this subject). Whenever I am in Paris, I ALWAYS leave with around 10 pots of this stuff, good news is you can get it here too.

RRP £10 (depending where you buy it). I have seen it on Feel Unique for £9.50. Space.NK used to sell it, not sure if they still do and I have seen it in some London pharmacies too.

3. KORRES Lip Butter in Pomegranate

KORRES, a reliable, socially responsible and beautiful brand with natural products that actually work! I have been using the lip butters for years now, I always find myself re-purchasing Pomegranate, it is a lovely coral pink and I never go on holiday without it.

RRP £6 available from ASOS, feel unique, Liberty and House of Fraser.

4. CARMEX (classic)

The almighty CARMEX, literally cooked up by a guy called Alfred Woelbing over 75 years ago..in his kitchen. The formula remains the same to this day (apart from the UK’s version which differs slightly to the US formula due to EU regulations). When I was first buying CARMEX, there was only one flavour, now you have a choice of mint, strawberry, pomegranate, lime, vanilla…I just LOVE the smell of classic carmex, it evokes some happy memories for me and it’s totally unique! The packaging is unisex too, so guys can feel cool and confident whipping out their lil yellow pot..or tube.

RRP £2.65 available from Boots, Superdrug, BeautyMart at Harvey Nichols or Primark.

5. Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm

This is EXACTLY what this lip balm is – ‘perfecting’. I’m sure this plumps my lips up a little bit too, my lips instantly look and feel so smooth. This is a premium lip balm, so I am careful with how much I use it, using it before applying my lipstick, which seems to last all day and when my lips feel super dry. Just don’t lose it!

RRP £32 available from Liberty or www.omorovicza.com.

Due to the delicate, thin layer of skin, our lips are often the first to show signs of dryness, so it is important we keep them moisturised for healthy looking lips and my top 5 lip balms are certain to take care of your precious pout.

Thanks for reading.

F A R R A H  T E L L S . . . 

Smooth-V

I started having laser hair removal back in 2011, however the place where I started my treatment became unreliable, my appointments were sporadic, I was having treatments way after I was due for a session, which resulted in the hair becoming strong again, so it was like I was starting all over again…as well as wasting all that money.

I was determined to find (a) a brilliant laser machine and (b) a reliable salon/clinic to carry out my treatments. After months of research, reading about all types of laser and laser machines (I won’t lie, a lot of it went way over my head), I finally found a machine I wanted my treatment with, elos technology by ‘Candela’. Elos technology is the next generation of safe and effective hair removal, it uses combined energies to effectively and gently remove hair of many colours (and wait for it) for ALL skin tones!

The next step was to find a salon (in Birmingham) offering this service with this particular laser machine. So, I contacted Syneron-Candela lasers direct. I was ECSTATIC to hear that the Outline Clinic in Solihull have this particular laser hair removal technology.

I have purposely waited until I was almost finished with my course of treatments to write this review, I only recommend products and treatments I truly believe in, which have given me visible and satisfying results. Also, I think the reason I could never get an appointment at the first laser place I went to was because so many of the readers of my old blog started going, which meant – no appointments for me.

Since September last year (I think) I have had 5 (full bikini and underarms) sessions of laser hair removal and WOW – I have had superb results, especially for my hair type. My wonderful, thorough and super professional therapist, Jo advised me I could need up to 8 sessions to permanently reduce hair growth. For you lucky gals with ‘normal’ hair, you should only need 6 sessions.

This particular machine penetrates the hair follicle with light energy , destroying it at its root while preserving the surrounding skin. It’s high frequency/low energy technology make this treatment very bearable (underarms, completely with some intimate areas less bearable). When contact is made with the skin, cooling begins with the blast of cool air, the laser pre-heats the target spot and then both energies work to attack both inside and outside the target spot.

I actually can’t remember when I had my last treatment, I think it was around 8 weeks ago and I am actually due in for my sixth session tomorrow even though I have no re-growth, but I am going to ask Jo what to do, she usually advises me to wait until some re-growth occurs because the laser needs something to ‘hit’ in order to be effective. This is another reason I highly recommend the Outline Clinic, Jo is so honest and sweet, she is always asking if I’m OK or need to have a break during my sessions. She is also SO thorough, she politely gets in all the nooks and crannies, I am so comfortable with her, I’m like ‘pull and stretch whatever you like, just pleeeeeease get every last grosse hair’.

I HIGHLY recommend this particular laser and Jo at Outline, it only costs £64 per session for full bikini (including the a$$ crack) and underarms (in Birmingham, I assume London prices will be double). I am so pleased with the results that I am now going to start on my face! Woohoo! Bye bye threading!

I am going to continue to have one off treatments, to keep the hair away for good, I just won’t need to go as often, maybe once a year. Laser hair removal (like laser eye surgery, which I have also had) is LIFE CHANGING. Imagine not having to worry about waxing/shaving the vag/underarms before a holiday/hot date? (*cough cough *wink wink at Faye) Why waste all that money and time on waxing every month? I only wish I could have my full body done! (*dreams and sighs)

What are your thoughts about laser hair removal? Would you have it?

Thanks for reading and email me if you have any questions about my treatments.

F A R R A H  T E L L S . . .

You are invited to a beauty event in Birmingham

Dear Brummy Beauties,

You are invited to join my dear friend, skincare specialist Judi Gilbert to experience the latest in hi-tech anti-ageing facial treatments.

Date: Wednesday 27th March

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Venue: Barefoot Birmingham, Harborne High Street, Harborne, Birmingham. B17 9NT    (on the corner of Harborne high street opposite The Green Man pub which has a pay and display car park – £2.00 for 3hrs).

I am a MASSIVE fan of The ‘CACI ultimate’ facial and Judi will be will be demonstrating this 90 minute facial in sections, for you to learn all about the treatment and also allowing you to ask about  any skincare dilemmas you may have.

The ‘CACI Ultimate’ facial includes, the non surgical face lift, originally used for facial palsy and super for tightening jaw lines. Crystal free microdermabrasion which is able to treat sensitive skins, due to the vacuum free new technology which doesn’t drag the skin and removing superficial layers of skin to give a clearer and smoother complexion. LED therapy, which is used simultaneously for improving circulation and lymph drainage. The LED (blue) therapy is used to treat acne suffers and LED (red) for collagen repair. Something called ‘The wrinkle comb‘ (so eager to check this out) is used for deep set lines, plumping the lines and triggering tissue healing, sounds like a definite alternative to fillers or injections with a natural result. Finally, Hydratone treatment is a conductive silicone gel mask that has been infused with powerful hydrating properties, leaving the skin hydrated and firmer.

 

The CACI amino lift peptide complex cream (ingredients mimic Botox) is also available to buy. (I am looking forward to trying this out when I get hold of it).

To reserve your place at this event call Judi on 07875-618268.

Visit Judi’s website to learn more about her work at www.judigilbert.co.uk

 F A R R A H  T E L L S . . . 

Ex-fo-li-ate

 

 

I have got to start this post saying that I HAAAAAAAAAAAATE dull, lifeless skin, which is usually always as a result of not using a good exfoliator. I just cannot comprehend how some girls can spend £X amount on their hair and nails..and even clothes but their skin is…lifeless, in need of a good ol’ scrub! I’m no skincare expert, but my ma taught me to ALWAYS include a good exfoliator in my skincare routine.

There are different types of exfoliators such as scrubs, enzymes and chemical exfoliators. I won’t be going into detail in this post, I am  only going to cover my favourite exfoliators, which happen to be in the form of a ‘scrub’.

1. Kate Somerville’s Exfoli-kate (unfortunately only available in America)

I was recommended the body version of this by Beauty Mouth – Caroline (thanks for making me fall in love with this brand and it’s not available in the UK).

I picked up the Kate Somerville exfoliKate scrubs when I was in LA and I have been using them very sparingly. I was suffering from some super annoying in-growing hairs on my thighs and the body scrub sorted them out pretty quickly, thanks to the fruit enzymes.

The face version is a dark green gel with microsphere beads, also includes fruit enzymes which polishes skin, fades discolouration and renew skin…yep, yep and yep it sure does! I totally need a replen! *as if I needed an excuse to go back to LA.

2. Dr Renaud Mineral Powder Exfoliating Cream (I bought this from my ACE facialist Judi Gilbert)

The wonderful and talented Judi Gilbert recommended Dr Renaud’s Mineral Powder Exfoliating Cream (*Judi, I am totally due to book in with you for my CACI). Created by the same people behind Nuxe I believe (one of my other fave brands).

This scrub is super gentle, containing pumice stone powder and clay powder, it has a very slight grainy effect, similar to how Dermalogica’s Microfoliant feels. I do think this is more suitable for an oily skin as it absorbs excess oil.

RRP £22.50 here

3. Pai Skin Kuikui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator (BeautyBay.com)

If you want organic, then Pai is for you. The 100% natural micro-beads exfoliating gel is rich in essential fatty acids to lock in moisture (so more suitable for dry/non-oily skin *hate using the term ‘normal’ skin, I disagree with it). I love the product but dislike the pump, because the gel is quite thick, I find I am pumping hard to get the product out.

RRP £20 here

So, there you have it! My Top Three Exfoliators. now go and scrub, scrub, scrub.

F A R R A H  T E L L S . . . 

Halal Nails thanks to Inglot

Ever since I discovered Chanel’s Rouge Noir at the age of 15, I was a nail polish convert and wore it everyday, that was until I embraced Islam in 2008. During the beginning of my journey as a muslim, I had to change a lot about my everyday life, one of those changes including praying five times a day.

Now, praying five times a day is not hard, it’s not a burden as some people ask, it takes approximately five minutes for each prayer and fortunately my job allows me to pray throughout the day. There is a cleansing process I must complete before each prayer and as part of that process, water must touch my skin and nails. Well, I discovered that wearing nail polish was going to be a problem if I wanted to successfully complete my prayers.

So, for the last four years, I have asked nail polish brands if they could invent some sort of porous/breathable nail polish which will allow me (and other Muslim females) to be able to wear a pretty nail polish and pray, without having to go through the process of having to take it off at night or before sunset (when the first prayer of the day begins). You would think this would be possible in the age where you can send man to space, change Michael Jackson’s face (Sorry MJ, RIP) amongst other crazy things…..NO SUCH THING…UNTIL the GENIUS Mr Inglot (RIP) invented a range of ‘BREATHABLE’ O2M technology nail polish. If Mr Inglot were still alive, I would email him and thank him for such a genius invention.

Well, I can finally and gladly introduce you to HALAL NAILS! (thanks Kismet Lola for this tag, I LOVE IT).

NO MORE having to remove nail polish before Wudu (cleansing process before prayer).

NO MORE only being able to wear nail polish throughout your monthly (this was SO embarrasing, EVERYONE at work would know when I was ‘on’ if they saw me wear polish).

WE CAN wear colour on our nails now during prayers.

This technology will make SO many women happy, not just Muslims, but girls who want their nails to breathe whilst wearing a pretty polish.

Now, the technology is AMAZING and life changing, however, the range of colours and names of the Inglot colours are not great.

I went to the Inglot website where the polish swatches are…OK but I can’t stand the numbers as names! How un-inspiring…imagine someone asking ‘so what colour are you wearing..’ to reply ‘erm, number 637′. Who is going to remember that? and what colour do you envision?…nothing? thought so.

(So, Inglot, if you need my help naming the colours and coming up with some great new colours, I am available….)

Anyway, as the swatches online were not the best, I picked these colours to begin my O2M polish collection;

#619 is what I would describe as a cherry red with a subtle gold shimmer (the website doesn’t show any signs of shimmer, I am not into shimmers at all, I prefer a block colour, however, it is super subtle). If I had to give this a name, I would call it ‘Lola Cherry Chola’.

#618 is a satsuma orange with an iridescent pearl shimmer (again, not a fan of shimmer, but it is hardly noticeable which is great). I would call this ‘Make mine an Orangeade’, the colour reminds me of the cheap orange fizzy drink as a child (panda pops I think?).

I feel like I have SOOOOO much to say about these polishes and what joy they will bring (to the superficial side) of my life, but I will end on saying they are ACE quality, they glide on nicely, you’ll need two coats and be warned, they won’t be glossy, I am hoping Inglot will invent a glossy breathable top coat – if possible….don’t ask for much do I? either way, I am SO grateful! Thank you Inglot! I LUUUURVE you for this invention.

The Inglot breathable nail polishes cost £11 each and are available online here or in the Westfield store.

What do you think of this new technology, will you be trying them out?

F A R R A H  T E  L L S . . .

Ohhh Ellis, you’re making me blush…

 

GREAT NEWS!!!

Ellis Faas’s AHHH-MAZING blushers are back! I am a massive fan of the whole EF range, so can’t wait to get my manicured mitts on these bad gals!

With nourishing ingredients including essential oils, rose water and Vitamins C & E, these blushers will give your cheeks a fresh dewy glow.

S301 – Warm dusky pink

S302 – Fresh Coral (this is the one I have my eye on)

S303 – Soft Bronze

S304 – Mulled Wine

RRP £21.00

Available from www.ellisfaas.com.

F A R R A H  T E L L S . . .