Weapons of beauty in 21 century

So back at the beginning of last month the lovely Nika, whose sarcasm and dry wit always makes me giggle, she is one funny lady, she wrote THIS guest post here on Lipsticks and Lashes and I am ridiculously honored to have here back again with today’s guest post! She is a fab writer and I think this is such an interesting topic, I would love to hear all your thoughts…..

Nobody is perfect, but on the other side, we have beauty standards that are demanding perfection. How does one cope with that? Should we reconcile with living with imperfections? Do we accept them and look at them from a positive side? Or do we change them if we have the chance? The answer is quite simple actually: it all depends on us. Different people have different view of life and different images of themselves and based on that they’ll decide what it takes to feel self-confident.

Different beauty standards depending on the country (source)

In search for perfection

Women’s hyper-criticism is leading them to have unattainable standards of attraction. They are constantly bombarded by images of perfect women’s body in the media, but even putting that aside, throughout history women always strived to changing their appearance in order to achieve some bigger level of beauty. 

Real-life Ken and Barbie hated the sight of each other (source)

The difference is in tools that are used for such a purpose. In ancient Egypt women used products based on copper, led and malachite to give their faces definition and color. In Middle Ages women risk their health for beauty, by using cosmetics that were blocking proper circulation. In Renaissance arsenic was basic ingredient for face powder. Up to now, make up and cosmetic treatments dominated as a way to beautify. Today, however, as a tool in search for perfection, plastic surgery is becoming more and more popular.

Plastic surgery as a tool of beauty

Plastic surgery today is more popular than ever. One of the reasons is that most of the interventions are pretty affordable, so they are not anymore available to members of the upper class only. Its popularity is also based on growing acceptance of “going under the knife” as a method of beautifying. 

JI YEO

Evidence, news and confessions that many celebs had plastic procedures are making plastic surgery more in demand. It actually makes one feel better about his imperfections, by seeing the flawless look of many stars didn’t happen naturally, and that he too has the chance to look like that. With always popular curves and sexy cleavage, breast augmentation continues to be the biggest trend in cosmetic surgery.

Most popular procedures

Reshaping the nose, or rhinoplasty is on the very top of most wanted procedures. People often have nose job for health reasons, to correct birth defect or breathing problem, or they are simply unhappy with the appearance of their nose. 

Even the most gorgeous of them feel they need to change something

Breast augmentation and enlargement, as mentioned, are extremely popular, due to previously discussed search for perfection, because not all of us are fortunate enough to have firm and well shaped breast, and we all want them. Liposuction is very much in demand because of the obvious reasons. There is no surprise that Botox is still most popular non-surgical procedure. But due to curvy girls popularity, a surprise trend of butt implants emerges, and it’s becoming more and more wanted.

A little touch up here and there

Is there something wrong with a little “polishing” of our nature given bodies? Self-improvement has always been an admirable cause, but when it comes to plastic surgery it is often viewed as unwanted and unacceptable trend. On the other hand, the answer of cosmetic surgery supporters is that the matter is quite simple: “If you don’t like something and you have the opportunity to change it, what’s stopping you?”

- You can find Nika on twitter here. I would love to hear your views on this subject!

Empties #4

I haven’t done an empties post in a little while so here is what I’ve been using up lately....

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation – this is my third tube of this foundation. I really do love it and find it’s not too heavy on my skin. I prefer a natural looking Foundation and this definitely ticks that box. However I’ve decided to be brave and try a new foundation, which is a big step for me, as a beauty blogger I am pretty rubbish at trying new products and shaking up my routine as when I find a product I love I tend to stick to it! I do have a funny feeling I may come back to this foundation though!

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – I have received tube after tube of this stuff in various different beauty boxes and I am finally all ran out! I have to say I’m actually disappointed as I do like this primer. However I do love Benefits Porefessional primer a little more so I think that’s what I’ll be investing in next!

MAC Satin Taupe Eye shadow – I bloody love this eye shadow! It’s my perfect shade of brown and is the one I tend to wear day to day.  I have to admit I already have bought a replacement as I just can’t possibly be without it!!

Stila Smudge Proof Eye Liner – This eyeliner was one I received in a beauty and box and wasn’t sure at first as it’s a very solid black. It has really grown on me and has been a regular product in my make up bag however I think I will be replacing it with a cheaper alternative as I have used better eye liners.

Steam Cream – another product found in a beauty box (yes I subscribe to waaay to many boxes!), I was intrigued to try this as I have heard so much hype about it. It has a very strong herbal scent but once you get past that it’s been fantastic for my skin which is usually super sensitive at this time of year.

Revlon Professional Coconut Uniq One All In One Hair Treatment – BEST HAIR PRODUCT EVER!! I know that’s a ridiculously bold statement but as someone who dyes their hair regularly and suffers from crazy matted hair on a regular basis this stuff has been a miracle worker. It has really helped improve the condition of my hair.

Have you tried any of these products? How did you rate them?

Dating Disasters #2

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I wrote THIS post back in January about my foray into the world of dating and what a disaster it was, well there’s a lot more to the story now so make yourself a cuppa, get comfy and let me update you!

So the guy I went on a date with back in January, a few days after writing the original post and about a week after the date and hearing absolutely zero from him. Well I met up with a friend for lunch and was telling her the story and I showed her a picture of him and it turns out she knows his girlfriend, yes you read that right, GIRLFRIEND! I still can’t believe it, so many people are on dating sites how did he think he could get away with that?! Some men are jerks!!

So after that I took a hiatus from dating, not that one date throws me back out there fully! Life’s been pretty hectic but the past couple of weeks I decided to stop being a complete relationship phobic and try and put myself back out there. So back onto plenty of fish I went, I’ve been chatting to a few guys, none of whom have wowed me. Where the hell are all the nice single hot guys hiding?

One guy, not particular nice to look at (yes I know that sounds awful but I do believe there needs to be an attraction and you need to find them hot!) but was nice to chat too, he randomly tried to add me on facebook. I know you may think that sound like I’m being dramatic and that it seems like a normal thing to do.  Well I would normally agree but I plenty of fish profile doesn’t contain my name and I hadn’t given my full name to him. I queried him on this and he replied that he used to be a body guard and can find anyone who doesn’t want to be found?!! Creepy!

So last Sunday I braved it and went on a date, not with the creepy guy, a different one, we had been chatting for a little while and agreed to meet in Costa for a coffee. Firstly never meet in Costa for a coffee! It was super busy, we were wedged between buggies and grannies gossiping. It was really noisy, hard to hear what was being said and the least relaxing environment you. Oh and I don’t even drink coffee!

Hmm where to start? Well he was late which is annoying, especially on a first date. If any of my friends are reading this, yes I know I’m a hypocrite! I am always late but not to dates!! When he arrived he didn’t look much like his picture and was super short, I mean ridiculously short! I am 5ft 2, I am a Shorty so I don’t look at peoples heights on their profile as 99% of the time everyone is taller than me!  He must have been 4ft something! When I got home I double checked and he had put 5ft 5 as his height, there is exaggerating the truth and then there is exaggerating! I like my men tall and I mean really tall 6ft plus, I also need to consider my future children I don’t want them to suffer with my height deficiency! Then on the actual date all he spoke about was himself! Not one single question about anything else! It was a complete yawn fest!

So that is my update! I am 4 months into the New Year and my resolution of putting myself out there and back into the dating world isn’t going to well! All I have learnt so far is that dating is hard work, I don’t enjoy it, and it feels fake. I want to just bump into a TALL, good looking man who makes me belly laugh and we click. Is that asking for the impossible?! 

March's Health and Fitness Roundup

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Welcome to my third instalment of my monthly health and fitness updates, you can check out last month’s here. The idea behind these posts is to keep me focused and on track, so here is how March went...

Food...

My diet is my big let down at the minute, I completely fell off the bandwagon in February and have been having a nightmare trying to get back on it. I have been so stressed with handing my notice in at work it’s all been a bit too much and I am a comfort eater. I’m also a convenience eater, I eat quick things I can grab on the go and spend very limited time in the kitchen. Well my friends, that is all going to change! As I mentioned in Aprils motivational Monday post, April is all about change and that includes my diet. My new job is based nowhere near any shops so I can’t just nip out for a naughty m&s sandwich, I will have to be prepared! I am going to make a healthy pack lunch each day which I think will make a big difference for me and get my more in control of what I put into my mouth. My other challenge is to start eating breakfast, at present the thought of eating when I wake up makes me feel sick. I don’t get those people who say they wake up hungry, it baffles me! But I know it’s the important meal of the day so I am going to try my best with it. I am heading back to weight watchers, I find getting weighed each week keeps me on the straight and narrow too.

Exercise done in March...

Boot camp x 6 sessions

Rowing x1 sessions (1.5 hours)

Runs x7

The last week in March was a massive write off as I was finishing work and I then had a stinking cold so all exercise was off. Prior to that thought I was managing 2 bootcamp sessions a week, I normally do 3 so was a little unhappy with myself on this one. However I have now thrown running in the mix. As I mentioned last month I have signed up to run a 10k in September so I have started working towards that. At present I can’t run 1k, this is no exaggeration, I run for a few minutes then walk but I am determined to improve and show myself that I can do it!

Progress this month...

	Loss in March in inches	Total Loss in inches
Chest	0.5	1.5
Hips	2.5	4
Left Thigh	2	3
Right Thigh	1.5	2.5
Bottom	2	4
Left Arm	0.5	2
Right Arm	0.5	2
Waist	2.5	5

Weight loss this month:   4lbs

Total weight loss:   9lbs

I also managed to wedge myself into a size 14 pair of jeans so I am pretty happy with this month’s progress! I still have a long way to go and I’m determined to stay on track this month and work really hard. Wish me luck! 

MAC Haul and Face of the Day!

Before I begin today’s post I just wanted to point out something that made me giggle. Recently I spotted someone complaining on twitter that they hated when bloggers wrote ‘Haul’ posts as a haul actually means a load of stolen goods! This made me laugh out loud as I hadn’t thought of it in this way and now feel I need to put some form of disclaimer in front of any haul post! Although I would like to point out to that moaning Minnie on twitter that a haul also means ‘a large number’ which is the way I am using it today or pulling something heavy! So dear twitter moaner, please don’t be so pedantic!

A few weeks ago I was given a voucher for House of Fraser for writing this post, if you know me well, you know my first thought was going to be along the lines of oooh which makeup brand shall I spend this on?! Yep I’m kind of a predictable beauty blogger in that respect! My beloved Benefit Hello Flawless foundation was running out and I needed some more, but a few weeks prior to this when I was last in London I had spent a good hour in the MAC store in Covent Garden and was recommended a good Foundation that I decided would be the replacement. So as luck would have it you can buy MAC products on the House of Fraser website so I decided to treat myself using the voucher to a couple of pieces.

So first as already mentioned I purchased some MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in shade NW18. Ive never really been fussed by MAC foundations before as always find them super heavy and thick which is not something I like at all. I like my foundations to be super light and natural looking, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was introduced to this one in the shop. It’s exactly the type of foundation I like and is a perfect match to my skin tone and as an added bonus it actually stays put all day long! For £28 it is ridiculously expensive and if I didn’t have a voucher I don’t know if I would have paid for it but I have been seriously impressed with it so far and you only need a small amount so I think it is going to last me quite a while.

Next was a repurchase of my favourite eye shadow of all time the MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe Frost. It’s a gorgeous brown shimmer with a purple tone, it’s a really warm shade that suits my skin tone. I have spent many hours trying to find a cheaper alternative to this but I have found nothing that matches its good pigmentation and how long is stays put. I can’t live without this shade and for £13 it’s not cheap but its well worth every penny!

If you pop by this blog often enough you will know I’m a sucker for a bright pop of pink lipstick, so my final MAC purchase is a little out of character for me! The last item I bought is a MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Splurge for £20, if I didn’t have a voucher there is no way I could justify that much money on a lipstick!! Splurge is a deep purple pinky shade and looks a bit vampy, it’s not a colour id usually go for but I really do love it! Oh and as an added bonus it is super moisturising and stays put for hours!!

I put all my new products to the test last Saturday when I went for dinner with a few girlfriends....

FACE: The Balm Cosmetics Time Balm Face Primer, MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in NW18

EYES: MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe Frost, Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir, Benefit They’re Real Mascara

CHEEKS: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose

LIPS:  MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Splurge

What do you think?

Motivational Monday // April

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I’m BACK! Properly, officially, fully back into blogland and so excited for it too! I think in March I managed about 3 blog posts, an all time low for me! I want to feel bad about it but the last few months have been such hard work that blogging on top was impossible, not the fun enjoyable hobby I love, and it became another thing to be ticked off the list. That is something I never want this space to be, so it took a back seat for a while instead. I have had a nightmare with work, I loved the job but didn’t like the management and it made me stressed and grumpy. As it was things I was unable to change I took the plunge and went for another job and I actually got it! I start tomorrow and I am slightly terrified/nervous/excited! I’ve been at my old job for 5 years so I am sad to leave the young people I work with but I can’t wait for a new challenge.

Saying that though I am horrendous when it comes to change, I think that’s the stubborn Capricorn in me, it makes me feel sick and I am such a worrier! However I’ve decided to look at this as a new beginning and I like how that feels! So April for me is about making positive changes, starting this new job, blogging regularly again and still working on improving my diet and fitness, all things I am super excited by! I think this is massively helped by spring finally arriving, the sun is out a bit more, its lighter in the evenings and is my favourite time of year!

How do you tackle change?

The Fabyouless Card & a Giveaway!*

Today’s post is a little different, it’s all about Fabyouless* which is a discount card. They recently got in touch and asked if I’d like to work with them have one of their discount cards. Fabyouless is a UK savings card focusing of hair, beauty and fitness. All subjects you know that I’m a little obsessed with!

With a Fabyouless card you can enjoy thousands of offers from leading beauty salons, nail bars, tanning salons, hairdressers, spas, clinics, gyms and personal trainers nationwide across the UK.  These offers mean a guaranteed 25% off or 2 for 1 deal and your membership is valid for a year.

I am usually pretty sceptical when it comes to these kinds of schemes especially when the card costs £49.95. However I spent a good bit of time checking out their website and reviews of their service online and I have to say I’m pretty impressed! Lots of big brands are affiliated and there are 5 beauty places affiliated in my local town alone and that’s impressive as I come from a small town where we are usually the last people to hear of things like this!

So to use your card all you need to do is hop onto their website and search where will accept your card and what offers they have on. You then contact the venue directly and mention your Fabyouless card when booking! Easy! 

My friends and I made a resolution this year to look after ourselves better and treat ourselves a bit more to a good pampering. So far this year I have had a few massages and I look forward to having more especially now I have this card which will make me feel less guilty about doing so!

The lovely folk over at Fabyouless have kindly offered a card to one of Lipsticks and Lashes lucky readers! If you would like a chance of winning a Fabyouless membership card just enter your details in the Rafflecopter below! This giveaway is open until the 23^rd April so Good Luck!!

Do you use any savings cards or websites like this?

a Rafflecopter giveaway