When Threading Goes Wrong

As part of my pre-Christmas party preparation, I went to get my eyebrows threaded again. I am very lazy when it comes to body maintenance and will leave it to the last possible moment to get hair cut etc. I also wanted to save all of it so I can have a pampering day before getting ready for the event.

I had been previously to this place once before (Sorry no naming and shaming here) and last time I was really happy with the result so decided to go back. This is an actually salon in my town centre that has a walk in brow bar, they also have different stores around the local area. I got beckoned asked to sit down and I explained what it is I wanted (I always say just a tidy and shape as I prefer the more 'bushy' eyebrow).

I let her set to work and was chattering away, with my arms pulling at the skin so it didn't hurt. I was shown the mirror and to me it didn't look that bad, just very swollen as it had just been done. I went home and waiting for the evening to come before I did my make up.

Do you know that feeling where you know something is not quite right? Well I had this when putting on my make up for the night, I brushed it off that the swelling might not be 100% gone and carried on enjoying my evening. It was until the next night where I was cleaning my face that I asked my husband to look at them, and even he said that looked uneven and took a photo (Warning: No Makeup!)

It seemed that my left hand (which is the right in the photo) is more bushy than the right, also the gap in the middle looks one sided. I emailed the company the next day with the attached photo and they replied quickly saying that not only will they get their senior therapist to correct it but give me a £10 voucher as an apology.

I did go back the Friday after Christmas to correct it and even though they do look better, the Senior Therapist did what she could with them. It turns out that the lady I had hadn't been there long and it made her panic a little that I have a scar in left eyebrow (I walked into a coffee table when I was two and had stiches), I fed back that maybe if she didn't feel that confident that some extra time with herself would be better.

This is what I am taking away from this experience: Always get the name of the therapist before you leave if you like how they did the treatment and make sure you get that person again.

Sk:n Clinic Laser Hair Removal Treatment

The joy of being a beauty blogger is that I do have complete random conversations that lead to blog posts. This came about by having a conversation with one of my colleagues at my work place who as I was having a bit of a moan to about the combination of hairy legs and baby bump. Her comment to me was, 'You really should of had laser hair removal before.' thus pulling out her hair less (and tanned) legs for closer inspection, I couldn't help but be jealous.

Source

This had been rolling around in my mind for a while, so when Sk:n Clinic contacted me about the services they provide I was eager and interested to take a peek. They have around 40 clinics throughout the UK and in their 20 years of business have served half a million clients. They only employ experienced doctors and staff to ensure the best care is provided. They also governed by Customer Quality Commission (which is the same governing body that assess doctors, care homes and dentists), as well as Independent Health Advisory Service ‘Treatment You Can Trust’ register and regularly work with the British Skin Foundation. Their clinics have also work alongside Channel 4 on my guilty pleasure shows, Embarrassing Bodies.

Consultations can be booked through their website where you would have an initial consultation, this is give a treatment plan, explain and reassure any questions you have on treatment. It is recommended to have a minimum of 6 treatments for body and 4 for the facial, and at the end of treatment you will be pampered to a deep exfoliating glycolic peel to feel fully refreshed.

Aftercare is provided and at the heart do want to provide the best and leading treatments in athestics treatments. Not only am I looking at the Laser Hair Removal, but the Microdermabrasion and skin peels. Something to look forward to after those sleepless nights next year.

To read more about Laser Hair Removal, process of treatment and pricings please go to the Sk:n Clinic Laser Hair Removal Page

*This is a sponsored post, however all my opinions and writing are my own, as well as my desire for a body overhaul once baby is here.

Razorpit Teneo Razor Sharpener Review and Giveaway

Shaving - not the most glamorous things to talk about. I have talked lyrical about this before in a previous Masterclass on Hair Removal. I still consider myself lucky that companies want to try products out for them, not only did I get to be asked to try this out but I also have one for you guys to try yourself.

The Razorpit Teneo works on the same technology that barbers use strops for - it removes organic matter from the razors blades that can make it dull. By clearing this debris away it means that the blade lasts longer and not need to replaced that often. It can be used on all razors, by applying foam or soap to the strop area and moving the head up and down.

I had this for a few months now and haven't had to replace a shaver head yet. My husband, who normal has no interest in anything I get, was noisy around this and it soon disappeared near his Mac Infusion razor. He as well is also happy with it, and now I have lost it forever to him. He then mentioned it to my dad who then borrowed it, and I had to beg it back so I can then redo my razor.

Thankfully I've managed to hide this new one from them so I can give you guys a chance of grabbing one yourself. You better enter before they find it.....


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is UK only

Razorpit can be found on Amazon for RRP £19.95.

Feeling Spotty? This Might Help

My current skin care hero amongst its new family

As you call know I hit my thirties in April, however this message hasn't quite got to my skin yet as I still break out like a teenager. Not small ones either, the ones where wearing a paper bag becomes the go to accessory.

Witch Skincare a while back asked for bloggers to join the Flawless Friends club, I didn't in (however a lot of blogs I follow did so congratulations to them). As a thank you for applying they sent the hero product - The Blemish Stick. Now I used one when I was around 14 and found that it didn't work, that was purely because I used it once rather than multiply times.

Didn't get much opportunity to use it until a little raised area was coming up on my forehead by my eyebrow, you know the ones it's red swollen and incredible sore. I used this in the morning and evening with putting moisturiser on the area and let the witch hazel do its work.

Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that tightens pores, soothes and supports the healing process of skin. The Blemish stick not only contains this but alcohol to tighten (not for drier skins as this can dry you out further), and Glycerin that calms the skin.

Within a couples of days the redness and swelling was gone, even better the spot that threatened never developed. It goes on like a clear light balm and can even have make up put on top of it. I really like the fact that after 46 years that this still works like when it was originally created, as well as not being animal tested. They're latest release is a anti-blemish BB cream as part of their increasing make up range.

Read about it here http://www.witchskincare.com/

Masterclass - Laser Hair Removal

(Source)

We've talked about hair removal a few times now (If you like to see the original Masterclass and Threading Update click the titles), and like all the beauty industry is something that is ever evolving. Today I want to talk about another emerging home treatment area.

There are two that get linked to around this subject: Intense Pulse Light (IPL) or Laser Hair removal. IPL uses light waves to reduce hair but can also be used in the treatment of skin aliments. Laser hair use those highly accelerated beams to damage the hair follicles thus reducing the hair growth. All of this systems have not been approved to say they "permanently removal hair" as this is a false claim as it reduces hair not removes.

Previously these systems have been exclusively for the people who can invest in £1,000 a whole body treatment. However, with demand now increasing for products that deliver long term results the home market is now booming. With any beauty product it is important to follow the manufactures instructions, not only to get the best results but also for the your own safety.

The benefits of having a at home system do outweigh the cons (In salon taking up to 2 hours of your time in front of a therapist, however that therapist can reach unreachable places). The maths look good as well, you will need to start 8 session over 6 months which works out £125 a session, that doesn't include the top up treatments that will be required.

A good quality home system should set you back about £349 (Award winning TRIA system), and I am on the believe that you get what you pay for. Maths wise it is a wiser investment, on the basis on 8 treatment it works out at £43.63 a session not including the quick top ups you can do yourself whenever you need around your sheadule. 

OK so the big question, does it hurt? On the first treatment you should expect some skin redness and some people have said it can feel like an elastic band pinging against the skin. After 2-3 months hair will begin to grow lighter and finer, at the 6 months mark the hair follicles deactivate and hair is reduced.

I think it may be time to say goodbye to the lady shave.....

This is a sponsored post but the opinion is my own after researching the market and product.

Belated Masterclass - Face Masks

Face masks are a preparation of different ingredients to give a short term treatment for the skin. They provide a deep cleansing, toning, nourishing or refreshen effect through the following actions:

• If it has ingredients to absorbed, dead skins cells, sebum and debris will be adhere to the mask when removed.
• If it has ingredients that are an astringent on the skin, the pores and skin will tighten.
• If it contains emollient ingredients, the skin will then fell softened and nourished.
• If it contains soothing ingredients, then the skin can be desensitised to reduce skin irritation.

There are two types of mask, a face mask which will dry and set and a face pack which remains soft and doesn't set.
Setting Masks are applied in a thin layer over the skin and then allowed to dry, a dried out mask can be become uncomfortable and difficult to remove. They come in different commerical varieties:

• Clay masks - Absorbs serum and debris from the skin surface, leaving it cleansed. It can also stimulate the skin depending on the ingredients used. There are different variety of clays that have different uses, they start off a powder form and is mixed with a liquid to create a mask.
• Gel masks - is a mixture of biological ingredients like gums, starches or gelatin. As soon as it is applied to skin it then starts to dry and then can be peeled off.
• Thermal masks - More mineral based as they warm when put onto the skin to enlarge the pores, making it easier to clean the skin.

Non-setting masks stay soft when applied, others do become firm but they do not contain the tightening functions of the setting masks. Non-setting masks include:

• Oil masks - is warmed then applied to the skin, after a period of time the excess is then removed.
• Gauze mask - is a cloth that has eye, nose and lip holes cut in. The cloth will has some liquid/oil infused into it then placed over the eyes for between 10-15 minutes.
• Natural masks - are made of fruit and vegetables which in themselves have astringent and stimulating properties. Usually crushed up and applied onto the skin.
• Cream masks - are prepared treatments similar to moisturise cream, can be left to absorb in or have the excess wiped off.

Masterclass Update - Threading

aka. The start of revamping myself.

Regular readers would know that one of Masterclass's last month was on hair removal (see it here), I did say that I would follow up on it one day. Due to money problems (having none and any that we had went on mortgage), I had to put a slight brakes on this until well I had enough of looking a little bit like a wookie for interviews.

Terrifying!

I went in search for a threading person who was reasonable and good at twhat they did, in where I live they have popped up all over the place so the market is very competitve around here, I counted in all about 6 places offering it and we are not that big of town. This does mean however that prces can be very reasonable the one I went to was £3.00 (The most expensive was £13.00 at House of Fraser and was dead, wonder why?).

In threading the practicer uses twisted cotton to pick up hairs and pull them from the roots to give a smooth defination shape. The difference with tweezering and this is that the later you are only pulling out single hairs while threading you can pull out a whole row of them.

Does it hurt? Yep, you're pulling hair out, but only the first few times and it really does depends on how taught you pull the skin while its being done and how good the person actually is. I was really luckly the woman I was quick, by the time I was starting to sting she was finished. The skin around the plucked area will swell and will looked pretty bad for a few hours (because mine was so bad it took nearly 24 hours before it calmed down), so not something to be done just before a night out.

Brow-ti-fil!

It had been so long since I had my brows done that the next day I got a little over excited with the brow powder and was sporting a big scouse brow. I did not get any photos but in case you don't know what a scouse brow is painted you eyebrows until they're solid, developed by Jodie from Desperate Scousewives (which sadly I did love the show).

Love the rest of the make up in this

The next step will now be to control the frizzy mane into a glossy wavy haricut, but thats for tomorrow ;).

Next week - Tanning (but not The Apprentice way!)



Masterclass - Gel Varnish's

Carrying on from last weeks discussion on nail enhancements (Here if you missed it), we now look at the ever increasing range of gel varnish's that are now hitting the market. Gel varnishs are the next evolution on gel enhancements, the drying time is quicker and the wear time is longer. The ones I shall touch on here are going to be the ones that come in brush on varnish as I consider these more gel varnish's rather than gel enhancements (the ones that come in pots).

The main difference between the gel varnish vs. enhanements is that with the enhancements you get the added advantage of strength. The finish of varnish is like having them freshly polished but has the long wearing of having a gel enhancement. There is also no waiting time after they have been cured/dried under a UV or LED light, you can go into your handbag after treatment and not chip or smudge your nails. Prices to have this done is salon is £25-£30 for a finish that would last until you get bored (most brands have quoted between 2-3 weeks for hands, 2-4 for feet).

Removal still is best done in salon to prevent damange done to the nails, each system has their own way of removal and if not done properaly can cause some long term damage. The same does also apply to the application as well.

What I wanted to do this week is talk about the main 3 top names in these ranges as well as talk about the do-it-yourself system. First the salon only brands (click the headlines to go to their website):

CND Shellac

When I went to Professional Beauty to talk to these guys about using their system I couldn't get near them, the queue at one point was going back out of the front door. They say that Shellac stand out because of the science and working with professionals for over four years to get the perfect formula that is buitl up in layers, lasts for weeks and is easily removed in 10 minutes. Most professionals I've spoken to have finished their training in this range becuase of ease of use. One word of warning: Shellac is designed to work as a package that includes the equipment, check that everything used has the CND logo (including the lamp) or you will be dissapointed with your results. Currently has 35 colours in the range.

 Gelish by Harmony

Claims to last 3 weeks, has 102 different colours including two new Magneto - the new gel magnet design varnish. Removal time is qouted at 15 minutes. Colours I find are bang on trend and was dribblnig over the colours they have. One of the original companies to do gel since 2010.

Gelcolor by OPI

When OPI annouched that in February of this year they were launching their own gel varnish, the beauty trade went into buzzing mode. OPI are one of the biggest names in the nail industry, I myself have been raving about them since I qualified nearly 8 years ago. This 100% gel formulation is applied like a varnish with it's distinctive bottle and brush, it has also been clamined that is fours times faster than previous gel with a full set done in four minutes. Lab tests have claimed that it is 23% longer lasting with a wear time of 2 weeks (shorter if clients have thin and flexible). At the moment has 30 of their top selling colours from their perament range, with colours being added.

Red Carpet Manicure (DIY Set)

This kit has everything to do the gel manicure for yourself at home, for the price of two salon based treatments (£59.99 or £79.99 for the pro kit). Now I may be a manicurist but I still have problems with my left hand painting my right hand (the other way round always comes out perfect!), and this is my problem with this system. There is no easy clean up if you make a mistake and I worry that people who have had little experiance of painting they're nails would struggle with it. I also have question marks over the quality of the actually product. However, reviews have been glowing for it and they've been featured in a few glossys so it must be doing something right.

Any used any of above and want to add their feedback?







Materclass - Nails Extensions

What we are going to be talking about this week is artificial extensions that go onto the nail, rather than the latest gel varnishes (that's going to be next week, when I'm back).

Extensions are used on natural nails to enhance and/or disguise what is there already, the earliest use was in the Ming dysentery where richer woman wore them to prove they were wealthier and didn't need to do manual labour to provide for their families. Then in early 19th century Greece, higher class ladies wore pistachio nut shells to also prove their wealth. It wasn't until 1954 when dentist, Fred Slack broke his nail at work and was inspired to find a solution, that he joined with his brother to patanted the first artificial nail enhancement.
There are 2 basic type of enhancements: Tips and forms. With all systems, you will need to ensure that the techniction is competant and confident with the best quality of product they can provide you. The cheapest isn't neccessary the best one to go for, and investing that time to find that techiction can save you money and heartache in the long run. All after care must be adhere to as gospel, you don't want to ruin something that you've invested in.

Tips

These are made of a plastic that is then glued onto the nail edge to produce a longer tip. Acrylic is then applied over the nail and tip to re-enforce the tip.

Form

These are fitted over the nail and then an artificial nail is molded out of acrylic.The form is removed and then properly shaped and buffed to a shine.

With enhacnements there are different systems that can be used to make either of the above (as well as acrylic).

Acrylic

This is a mixture of a powder (polymer) and liquid (monomer), which is then painted onto the nail and dried without using a lamp. They can be very strong as well as flexible, and are widely avaialble in salons for an affordable price. However, there is a higher risk of damage to the natural nail plate and if not applied and removed in the correct way can thin the nail plate in the long run. Most enhacement nail art work I've seen has been done using this system as you it's more plyable to use. Word of warning: the smell is very strong!

UV Gel

Gels don't need to be mixed as it is applied straight from a pot, it is built up in 3 thin layers which is then set under a UV light for 2 minutess each time. They have more flex to them than acrylic nails and will have more of a natural finish. The damage to the actually nail is less than the acrylics as well. The cost is much more and can chip easier if not properaly looked after (no gardening or heavy lifting in these!). Starting to become more esier to find since the introduction of gel varnishes.

Fibreglass and Silk

These both are done in the same way, the techniction will stick a nail shaped fibreglass or china silk piece onto the nail and apply a resin to keep in place. This is then sprayed with an activator and left to set for 45 minutes. This is the most natural finish of the systems, looking very close to a nautrual nail itelf. A full set will cost around the same as the acrylics and will be done up to an hour. Some people find the finish of the silk to not to their suiting which the fibreglass has little bend to it. Can be used to also be repair to natural that have split.

Next week - What is gel varnish?

Masterclass - Hair Removal

aka - How not to look like a Wookie

To start a brief history of hair removal we need to go all the way back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Middle Eastern, these times is where woman started to remove hair. They removed everything apart from the eyebrows (yes head as well!), as it was classes as uncivilised. We then go onto the Roman Empire where it was a show of class of how little hair you had. Wealthy Roman women would use pumice stones, razors, tweezers and creams to remove any unwanted hair.

The Europeans didn't really catch up until Elizabethan times, and well even then it was to remove eyebrows and reduce our front hair line to give us a longer brow like the fashions of the time. It as rumoured at the time that mother would either rub walnut oil, or bandages with vinegar and cats poo to stop growth happening. (Hmm classy)

Fast forward until 1915 where the first female razor was invented, then a model was featured in Harpes Bizarre featured a armpit hairless model. It is now more of a social acceptable practice to remove hair to look more appeasing and as with most things it was all driven forward by fashion of the times.

Let's look at the different methods of getting rid of those pesky hairs:

Shaving – The oldest and most used. Started in the cave days with men (and then women) using sharpened flints to scape the skin and hair off. These days its a little less scary by using safety sharpened blades over the skin, with this its wise to use a shaving foam/gel to aid the razor over the skin so it doesn't catch and cause any rashes. You will find you will need to shave every few days to keep things smooth.

Depilatory creams – An ancient Egyptian creation of using sugars and sometimes bees wax was put onto the skin then cloths put over this and ripped off. This can still be found but is now more classed as waxing. The current form is in a cream that is put onto the skin left to loosen/dissolve the hair and then scraped off. This can last for about a week to 2 weeks depending on hair, and always keep to the time instructions as the ingrediants are highly reactive if left on over the time allocated.

Tweezering – Using a pair of tweezers to pull out hairs at the roots, best used for very small areas like eyebrows, and for clearing any missed hairs after treatment.

Waxing – Used warm or cold is spread over the skin and removed using strips, need to have a minimum of 5mm growth before doing so the wax has something to grip and pull out. Gives some of the longest and smoothest results (its also takes any dead skin cells with it as well so a bonus exfoliation) in my experience, and can be really reasonable if you shop around. Can experience ingrown hairs that can be affected and you can get some bleeding, and will have some pain factor to it.

Sugaring – Done by the Egyptians again, but using sugar and has more of a sticky feel to it. Apart from that piratically the same as waxing.

Threading – Became more popular recently from Middle east and has been used from the original times of hair removal. It was kept for special occasions like a wedding or a girls coming of age. It uses cotton thread over the skin and twisted to grab hairs from the skin. It's perfect for small areas that need to be accurately removed, hence the explosion of brow bars and its use. Keep eyes peeled for a follow up on this subject.

Epilators – Are machines that work like tweezers, they are mini tweezers set in the revolving head that pluck the hairs out of the skin. Most people use this in between waxing appointments rather than as singular as for some people it is more painful than waxing.

There are long term solutions out there that are more money but these are the more reacable options for people. If you do decide to go for long term soltuion please put in the research and with any treatment like these and above check the salons qualifications.

Next week – Feet