Are you always on the hunt for a stay on lipstick that actually works? How to get your lipstick to stay on is one of my most frequently asked questions, and unfortunately there is only so much you can do short of tattooing your lips. My everyday tips for wearing red lipstick will help you to a degree, but serious staying power? I always thought that was the realm of fantasy. Until I tried this stuff.
In my eternal quest to try all the red lipsticks on the market (how full are my bathrooms cupboards?!), the minute I saw these new Maybelline Super Stay 24 hour Colour advertised I wanted to put it to the test. My test came in two parts, as I didn’t want to invest the money off the cuff on the very slim chance it may actually work, so this is what I did.
FRIDAY
1.00pm- Wander into Target (also available at Priceline and on sale at the moment I think) and start casing the joint to uncover this new lipcolour.
1.05pm- Get distracted by liquid liners before remembering again why I was there.
1.15pm – Find the VM stand for the new Maybelline lipcolour and am amazed at the huge number of colours on offer. Which red do I want?
1.20pm – decide that before picking a colour, I should give this a proper hard core trial. So I paint a slash onto the heel of my hand, following the instructions and waiting for it to dry. this ought to be good given how many times a day I wash my hands. I wonder if it will last more than the next three hours.
6.00pm – Am marvelling to my girls that the lip colour is STILL there! What kind of thing is this?
SATURDAY
9.00am – It’s even lasted the night without any fading. Okay then you stubborn stuff, here’s a real test.
11.00am – Clean the whole house, including bathrooms without gloves on.
3.00pm – Beer and wonderment.. and also a bit of a worry. The lipstick is still there, clean and bright; what the hell is in this stuff??
After such a vigorous non facial test, I decided to give it a go and see how it lasted through eating, drinking, greasy foods and the ultimate pash. AND IT DOES!!
Here’s the thing though, none of these stay on lipsticks are going to remain highly moisture filled, so you do need to keep applying a balm over the top. When you apply it, you need to paint it on carefully with your lips somewhat stretched so they are flat. Then you have to wait about 4 minutes for it to dry and stop being sticky before applying the balm. The feeling is a little odd, like there is a bit of a barrier between you and the world, but for the results it is worth it.
While it doesn’t dry out and crack like others I’ve tried, if you don’t apply the balm, there is a tendency to chew at your lips if it gets too dry and that will simply peel the colour off. But if you can avoid doing this, you will actually have lips that last overnight! And it really doesn’t smear, smudge or kiss off!
So as you can see this was a big winner for me, so much so that I bought three different reds, each fabulous!
Keep Up The Flame – A non shimmery red with an almost warm hue.
Reliable Raspberry – A more hot pink version of red.
All Day Cherry– My fast favourite with a touch of shimmer and a rich blue red, cherry hue.
(Shown in the image holding them left to right – Cherry, Flame, Raspberry. Wearing All Day Cherry.)
Verdict – At around $21.00 these are definitely worth the money and something you should have handy for big nights out or gastronomic adventures when you need to look your best.
I love shoes. And I love shopping. But put these two together and it often results in a heck of a lot of post shopping complaints, tired legs and a box of pain killers.
Yes, I have been told to wear sensible shoes, but its tough when there are so many beautiful ones on offer. I am adding to my collection of more flat-ish shoes, but nothing beats the wiggle inducing stiletto for me. The problem is that you pay for it.
I have arthritis in my knees and suffer from edema.
Without a doubt, the OSIM uSqueeze has made a monumental difference to the amount of pain and swelling I suffer from.
I’ve been trying all sorts of things to help my legs return to their normal selves after a big night out; foot spas, hot towel wraps, even lying with my feet up the wall at 3am after a particularly big night out. None of this has been working very well really, but I the OSIM uSqueeze does such an incredible job the the swelling is almost gone after only 20 minutes!
You’ll remember last month as part of Relaxation August, OSIM sent me a special something to help take away the Hunchback of Notre Dame cramps in my shoulders? This time they suggested a solution for my legs and feet that I just couldn’t resist – the uSqueeze Warm.
This arrived in a great big box on my front doorstep, (which has also proven to be a very handy children’s play thing) and promptly found a home in my living room.
First off I have to say how awesome is it that this model matches my living room furniture?! And given that my furniture is retro-tastic, what are the odds? Anyway, this heavenly piece of kit is a deep red leather with a sort of pouch arrangement at the front to slide your aching feet and legs into. Like so…
Yes, I am in my pyjamas and rollers. This is a proper relaxation effort here.
It has a few simple selections which create a vibration, heat and the most intense massaging rollers you’ve ever felt! Seriously, this is no fairy fingered machine, this is the business. The rollers actually roll and squeeze the entire tops and bottoms of your feet, while another set of rollers squeeze and roll the length of your calves.
It focuses on muscles and pressure points, working them in a kneading motion helping improve lymphatic drainage. The warming feature is so toasty and snug it is even better than having the puppies sit on my feet.
The inside bit where your legs go is a fabric cover that can come off for washing, and opens up with a zipper if you just want to put your feet in and not your whole legs. The whole unit can tilt to different angles depending on how you want to sit, what part of your legs you want to concentrate on, or even tilt all the way around to be a foot rest when it isn’t in use.
But warning – this could very well send you straight to sleep!
Total bliss….
Knowing how much I enjoyed this, and just how many of you are also shopaholic shoe fiends, OSIM has kindly offered to give a special exclusive 10% discount to all our readers yet again!
And do you know what else… after the uPapa hug was such a hit with you, they have offered one of these uSqueeze Warm machines to give away to you too! (Seriously, I’m amazed how much cool stuff I can share with you, it’s the best!)
The schedule I’ve been keeping for the last few months has left me a bit weary. In truth, actually very weary and possibly with a hump… I’m suffering from a lack of sleep, not eating properly, running out of clean washing and I think one shoulder is almost touching my ear from mouse induced cramps. High time to call a “Time Out” I think.
While I can’t put my life or my business on hold, I can make a concerted effort to change my ways for a while and so I’m calling in a Relaxation Month. A week to re-group, to get to bed early without guilt, to find those things that will restore the balance in my universe. And I want you to come along too.
I decided to do something that had been on my list for a very long time – find myself a personal masseuse. Oh the luxury! But reality is that the cost of getting a masseuse to rock up to my lounge room each night might just have put me into the poor house, and I’m not sure that they do 1am call outs.
It was then I had one of those “well duh!” moments, and remembered checking out the OSIM store and all their at-home massage products last time I was in Singapore.
OSIM make those massage chairs that are the rolls royce of at home relaxation indulgence. Sitting in one of those to try out in store elicits an almost indecent response from its occupants. But I’d forgotten until recently about all the other goodies they make. So wanting a champagne experience on my beer budget, I hunted out the OSIM uPapa Hug to fix my back and shoulder woes.
The uPapa Hug is built kind of like a shawl type arrangement. It goes over your neck and shoulders and is weighted to stay put and create the best contact with your body. Inside it are tiny little men with great big hammers that give your shoulders a total work out. (They may be motors or something but I prefer to think of the little men in there). It is a simple plug it in to the wall and press the button to go, type of system. You can choose a Relaxing program or a Power program depending on what you feel like, but you don’t have to set anything complex or strap it down to a chair.
Unlike other at home massage products on the market I tried, it doesn’t rely on electronic muscle stimulation which I actually find rather exhausting in itself. It feels exactly like someone standing behind you giving your shoulders either a gentle or vigorous pummelling. As it cycles through its program you can feel the whole area warming up and your muscles melting into a softer, smoother release. Like giving a big sigh.
The other thing that sold me on the uPapa Hug, is that you can move it around all over your body. Down around your lower back, over your thighs, heck even wrap it around your butt if you’ve been doing too much stair master! I’ve been trying for a while to get my back and shoulders into shape as all this time at the keyboard is doing me in. $130 for each physiotherapy appointment (eek!), $90 an hour for a professional massage and even $45 for half an hour at one of those shopping mall massage places…. At those prices I just can’t give my back the constant attention it is so sorely needing. So coming in at $288 RRP, the uPapa Hug was going to pay for itself it no time at all!
With all this in mind, and leaving their store mightily impresses, I contact OSIM to tell them about my plan for Relaxation Month and to see if they might be able to offer my readers something to help us all take a load off this August. They kindly offered to be a sponsor for Relaxation Month, and sent me my own uPapa as well as one to give away! And not only that, they are offering 10% off for each and every one of your who’d like one of these for your own.
So if you’d like the chance to WIN your own uPapa Hug all you have to do is go here and register your details to be in with a chance.
And if you want one all for your very own self (or even to share with all the family) you can get your 10%off voucher here. Just register here and your voucher will be sent directly to you.
Make sure you leave me a comment letting me know you’ve registered (to help me keep track) and also with any of your favorite relaxation tips! Over the month I’ll link back to you and you favorite relaxifying treats!
If you’d like to check them out in store and give them a thorough trial for yourself, you can find a list of Australian OSIM stores here. They have locations in Victoria, NSW and QLD or the online store has loads of options and information.
Over the rest of August I’ll be writing all about my journey for a bit of rest and relaxation in true Glamour Girl style. How I’m managing to do it or otherwise, and re-charging those batteries to keep creating. Yes, there will still be Daily Outfits and lots of other updates, but also lots of hints, tips, trick and recommendations to help you beat the mid year slump that we all too often fall into. After all, one can’t keep their groove without their mojo!
Learning how to tie a headscarf retro style, is easier than you think.
It’s one of the quickest ways to solve a bad hair day and the varieties are only limited by your imagination.
I’ve been asked many times how I tie my simple headscarf. The one I wear when I’m setting my pin curls and still want to be able to go out on errands looking half way decent.
I often wear my hair up like this when I’m working especially in hot weather, to keep it out of the way. It’s a fantastic way to create a cute look while still getting your hair to do its ‘secret work’ (setting) without anyone knowing.
It’s particularly good if you have an event or big night out and have to work right up until the last minute.
I have a simple video tutorial for you, taking you through three simple and easy to achieve looks with a large square scarf.
Keep in mind this was created way back in 2010, so the quality isn’t brilliant, but the lesson is solid.
There are so many I could show you, but don’t want to overload you by creating a whole two hour tutorial! So here are the first three ways that can be adapted to suit your own style.
For even more ideas and looks, there is a second tutorial on How to Tie Headscarves here as well.
