True Life Blog

I’d never had my eyebrows threaded until this week. I didn’t really get it, and I suppose you don’t unless you watch and see how it’s done. There have been mixed reactions from people I know who’ve had it done. Some say it hurts like hell, and others say it is 10 times easier than plucking. My verdict is that it was a little painful, but over so much quicker than tweezing and with a better finish too. Ever since I got my fringe I’ve been neglecting the brows, but in future I might look into paying someone else to tidy them up for me using the threading technique.

I also got my nails painted. I chose a very dark plum/black colour. I wanted grey but they didn’t have any so I reckoned this was the next best thing to go with an Autumn wardrobe.

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Warehouse for their press preview (where I managed to try out these extra perks) Stay tuned for pics of their fab Christmas collection. Think beading, studding, Warrior Princess embellishment and shoulder detailing.

Guardian News & Media has today launched a new online fashion store – guardianfashionstore.co.uk – to link in with fashion editorial content from the Guardian and The Observer.

The new site’s been created in partnership with LynkU.com and will enable Guardian and Observer readers to browse through over 150,000 fashion, beauty and homeware items across 2,000 brands and 300 retailers including AllSaints, Whistles, French Connection, Debenhams and Browns.

Rachel Dixon, Acting Life & Style editor for guardian.co.uk, said: “Now readers can buy the products recommended by our writers with the click of a mouse, or read about the latest trend and find the look in store in moments.”

I personally see this as a wider trend within the publishing world as companies look to find more profit in their industry. The newspaper may be dwindling, but people are still materialistic and love to buy. It’s just that by doing it this way, the publisher gets a cut of the money by being the middleman.

Good on them I say. We live in a digital world and the one’s who embrace it will win.

Wear it with skyscraper black heels for a look that will wow in the office or on your next night out. You can forget the jewellery, this dress accessorizes itself.

With invitations flooding in, the search for the ultimate strapless dress, the man you’ve had your eye on for months…. it can mean only one thing – the Christmas party season has arrived!

Wonderbra is literally on hand with their most wanted Ultimate Strapless bra. Its hand shaped support will give you ultimate oomph so there’s no need to worry about it letting you down – it’s been made to stay up as long as you do. I’ve even tried and tested it myself so I know the claims are true.

Win exclusive tickets…

Now here’s the fun bit. Wonderbra giving 40 lucky girls and a friend the chance to get their hands on an Ultimate Strapless bra, and they’re also offering the chance to win exclusive tickets to the ‘Ultimate Strapless Party’, hosted at Soho’s ‘Punk’ nightclub, an exclusive party venue and celeb hangout.

Invite only, the party will be the ultimate girls night out with ASOS putting a on catwalk show and Kirsty Drury, top stylist to the likes of Kylie, Claudia Schiffer and Cat Deeley will also be on hand to share her top tips to ensure you’re looking your best under the mistletoe this year.

For your chance to win, enter at www.ultimatestrapless.co.uk/party *

I’m hoping to be there myself, so let me know if you are a winner and I will be sure to say hello. Good luck everyone.

*Competition closes on 13 November 2009. For T&Cs please click here

Tomorrow I’ll be beginning a 6 day trial of the Nosh ABC plan. It’s a diet that is not heavily focused on gimmicks but uses genuinely healthy meals and snacks. Everything you need is delivered to your door in the evening all ready for the following day which makes it really convenient. This particular plan costs 38.95 per day + P&P which is quite expensive, but ideal for that extra boost when you really need it.

I don’t tend to eat healthily enough do to a very busy schedule, which makes me the perfect candidate for this diet. I want to see how hard it is to stick to, whether I feel rubbish while I’m doing it and of course how much I can lose. It’s the sort of thing that looks like a great idea as a kick start every six months or so, and if it works I might do it again in future.

Sample Menu: Days 1-3 (liquid until 4pm)

• Breakfast, smoothie – Nosh Breakfast Smoothie (oats, banana and soya)
• Snack, small smoothie – Rose’s Superfood Smoothie – shot of Vitamin C
• Lunch, soup – Roasted Mediterranean vegetables and lentil soup
• Snack, small smoothie – Delicious Comfort Smoothie
• Dinner, protein, carbs and salad – Bacon and pea risotto with garden fresh water cress

Sample menu: Days 4-6 (raw until 4pm)

• Breakfast, smoothie – Granola with soya yogurt
• Snack, small smoothie – Rose’s Superfood Smoothie – shot of Vitamin C
• Lunch, salad –Mixed vegetable salad
• Snack, nuts –Omega 3 and 6 seed mix
• Dinner, protein, carbs and salad – Chicken cassoulet and mixed greens

During days 1-3 the body should Rehydrate and Eliminate toxins through taking liquids till 4pm and then a balanced meal in the evening. For days 4 – 6 the body is said to Heal and Rejuvenate, by eating raw foods till 4pm and then a balanced meal in the evening.

The claimed results:

• NO Pot Belly
• Long lasting weight release
• Retraining the mind and body to eat well
• Balanced and Healed intestines and colon
• NO indigestion, flatulence, acid heartburn

I’ll be tracking my daily progress on my other blog, The Style PA at Home and on Twitter. Wish me luck…

Read more:

• DIET – Nosh Detox Diary, Day 4
• DIET – Nosh Detox Diary, Day 3
• DIET – Nosh Detox Diary, Day 2
• DIET – Nosh Detox Diary, Day 1

I’ve been a bit London-centric recently, I guess I’m still excited that I finally live here… but here is a mention of a shopping event in a different part of the UK. Leeds is demonstrating its passion for all things shopping with its fourth annual Leeds Shopping Week from 15th to 25th October, 2009. It is the city’s annual shopping festival showcasing Leeds’ contemporary and cosmopolitan retail offer and highlighting all that Leeds loves about retail therapy.

For ten days, the city centre will be bustling with a unique mix of fabulous events including fashion shows, makeovers and fairs, which have been organised by retailers in the city. Best of all, most of the events are free to attend.

The festival makes a dramatic entrance on 15th October with a Las Vegas ‘Shopping Affair’ in the Victoria Quarter, with 76 stores celebrating the glamour of the 1960s. Also on the 15th, The Living Room on Greek Street is showcasing a ‘Belly Laughter Expert’ where visitors can learn how to laugh in style. On 17th October Leeds Town Hall Crypt will host a vintage arts and crafts fair. On 22nd October, The St John’s Centre is offering a ladies evening with styling from Leeds City College fashion students.

LK Bennett is hosting daily mini fashion shows throughout the festival, where guests can receive styling advice and complimentary drinks. There will also be hotel, restaurant and pampering packages available throughout the city so shoppers can shop and then drop! To celebrate the fact that Leeds Shopping Week coincides with National Chocolate Week (12th-18th October), Hotel Chocolat will be offering sampling in store during the week as well as competitions for children.

Leeds Shopping Week is also offering one lucky winner the chance to win over £2,000 worth of delightful ‘Leeds loves’ products and services, which have been donated by various retailers and businesses in the city.

For more information on Leeds Shopping Week, visit www.leedsshoppingweek.co.uk.

I haven’t worn false eyelashes for a good few years. I don’t find they stay put for long enough generally, but I thought I would give them a second try. I popped into Debenhams on the way home from work and picked up the Nicola Roberts designed false lashes by Eylure. Out of the 5 Girls Aloud sets I opted for Nicola’s because it is the only set that the lashes really flick out at the corner of the eye. The others are all very heavy and quite thick, and I was hoping for something slightly more natural. I already have dark eyelashes so it was just a bit of extra enhancement I was after.The lashes were very easy to apply. I cut them down slightly to ensure a good fit along my lash line and with a few seconds holding them firm they were well stuck. I got lots of compliments on them too although people weren’t sure at first if they were fake, or my own eyelashes which is always a good sign. These are only £5 a set so well worth the money… I might try out some of the other Girls Aloud Lashes too. See the pics below…

False eyelash tips:

• Remove from packaging carefully, sometimes they are glued to the backing board
• Always cut the lashes down to fit your own eye
• Apply your make-up before applying lashes and top up afterwards if needed
• Use a liquid eyeliner on the top lids to cover up where the lashes have been stuck on

We’re all after budget beauty buys that really make a difference, right? Here are some of my must-have products to keep you looking lovely without breaking the bank.

Dead Sea Magik Salt Brushing

After my recent pampering I’m making a concerted effort to do more of it at home too. The occasional salt scrub can do wonders for skin tone and appearance and I’ve stocked up on a few of the Dead Sea Magik Salt Brushing sachets. It’s a best seller and I’ll tell you why. The scrub uses dead sea salts with coconut oil and vitamin E which not only invigorate the skin they provide deep hydration too. Use it on dry skin, rubbing in a circular motion and enjoy the fab citrus scent. Regular use could see cellulite decrease and it has great detoxifying properties which are always welcome.

No. 7 Extravagant Lashes Mascara – Boots – £11.50

First thing to say is that for some reason this product is not rated very highly on the Boots website, and I just can’t understand it. I nearly always buy No. 7 mascara and whenever i stray to another brand I’m disappointed. This latest launch at Boots works perfectly. The square brush is different but by no means difficult to use. You get lots of mascara on with one swipe and it’s not too runny or lumpy, which are my two mascara pet peeves. Save up your points and get yourself some I say.

Barbara Daly for Tesco Oil-Free Foundation – Tesco

It took me years to find a foundation that I liked and one which matched my skin tone totally. I now always buy the Barbara Daly foundation in almond. I apply just around the eyes, chin and between the brows to tackle any unevenness in tone. The fluid is light and subtle while still covering those problem areas. They’ve recently revamped the packaging, added a sunscreen and ramped up the price by over £1. Luckily the formula hasn’t really changed so I’ll be forking out the extra quid. Far easier than starting my foundation hunt all over again.

What beauty products have you been using lately? Let us know in a comment below…