Dear Boyfriend, Men ARE Useless, Love The Beauty Hall

Image courtesy of menareuseless.com

My boyfriend doesn't read my blog because, in his words, he's 'not interested in girly beauty products'. That's fine, because his political blog makes me want to pluck out my eyelashes. Well, not quite, but trust me, it's not the same as reading about the latest lipstick shades!

Anyway, last night I noticed that Men Are Useless, the genius male toiletries delivery company, are following me on Twitter and this prompted me to explain to The Boy what they do after reading about them on London Beauty Queen's blog. Now, The Boy is a professional soap boxer: he loves politics, works in policy and loves nothing more than a good rant (I'm painting a bad picture, but he is divine, I promise). "Men are useless?" he begins. "That's a ridiculous idea! When have I ever run out of anything?!" Although he will never read this, here follows a list of what my beloved has run out of, and the substitutes he has found that belong to me, normally at five times the cost of his own products:

• Boyfriend ran out of Neutrogena face scrub and replaced it with my Clinique Sparkle Skin BODY scrub (yes, you read that right: body scrub. Plus he used half a tub in five days. Half a tub on a human face, I ask you...)


• Boyfriend ran out of Head and Shoulders and continued to use my Pureology Hydrate shampoo, like you can just pop to Boots and replace it, maybe even getting it on 2 for 1 if you're lucky


• Boyfriend occasionally buys a face mask sachet from The Sanctuary. Since I bought Bliss Steep Clean, he somehow finds time for a facial every week


• Boyfriend has never before been interested in eye cream, but he sure does like to use my Espa 24hr Eye Complex

Do we see a theme here? Supermarket basics vs high end luxury: the nerve of him!!! Now, I am more than happy to share the love, but as we have a joint account for our bills and shopping, I'm seriously considering using it to buy my products, seeing as he gets so much use out of them. He may not always run out of razor blades and shower gel, but I know one boy who would certainly benefit from an upscale delivery of products from Men are Useless, possibly entitled 'Men really are interested in girly beauty products: just shut the bathroom door and don't tell anyone!' Oh, and as long as I can borrow them, too!

Best of the blogs!

Wow, the pre-birthday weekend has left me feeling exhausted! I've spent the morning in the garden with my folks, soaking up this very welcome sunshine - a rarity in Manchester. It's been a brilliant weekend and I'm really sad to be heading back to London so soon (although I know there's plenty of fun in store for me when I get there!) Happily, I've managed to catch up on all my blog reading today, so here's my round-up of things I'll be doing this week:

Using a toner: I have just discovered The Beauty Mouth blog, and am devouring (excuse the pun) the advice dished out by the lovely Caroline. She's written a fantastic post on the importance of using toners, and I am heading straight out to buy one of her recommendations. Since I've been using Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and Bliss Steep Clean, I have been getting a few breakouts, which is a little unusual for me. I'd previously put this down to my skin purging all the badness, but having read Caroline's advice, I think it may be down to the fact that I am not redressing the balance of my skin after using some fairly heavy duty cleansing products! Check out her advice here.

Eating!: I think you'll all have realised by now that I love food, and these peanut butter crispy bars from the Smitten Kitchen look like such a naughty but amazing treat. I am sure that I'll make them and quickly devour the entire tray, but surely indulgence is a key component of any birthday celebration?!

Adopting 'the claw': No, this is not a foray into wild animal care but a technique I've observed on two great blogs, involving massage with a rather witchy-looking hand! Ruth of A Model Recommends has recorded a brilliant series on general body gorgeousness, and shows off a great technique for reducing the appearance of pesky cellulite. A similar claw is demonstrated as a 'tool' for facial massage at The Beauty Mouth, so I will hopefully be pummeling myself towards a better body and brighter face this week!

Getting creative: Fee at Makeup Savvy is a wonder at creating amazing nail looks, and she's inspired me to think a little more imaginatively about my weekly at-home manicures. I love her version of the YSL French manicures and will keep you posted on what I manage to create. You should expect a lot less precision from me than you see in Fee's work!!

Finally, don't forget that I still need your recommendations for best MAC lip and eye neutrals for my shopping trip tomorrow. All you need to do is sign up to become a follower and then post your comment here for a chance to win a MAC treat! Hurry, though: only 24 hours to go!

Looking fierce while yawning...A 'How To' guide!

After the makeup and the products used. Still looking sleepy, but it's an improvement!

*Inserts match sticks under eyelids and stifles a yawn*

Good morning, all. I hope you're feeling a bit brighter than me today. I got about four hours sleep last night and my Bliss-face has been replaced by something altogether less desirable. Make up application on days like today feels extra special, as it's sole purpose is to hide and disguise what lies beneath, so I always let myself go a little more experimental with colour than I would do on a normal day. I also like to treat myself very nicely when I'm tired: so a large sushi lunch is already on the cards. This all makes being tired a lot easier (and actually maybe incentivises it somewhat!)

Now, I must point out that a dedicated blogger would probably post a 'before' makeup shot, but I am not going to do that. Why? Because my tired, pre-makeup visage is something that MI5 and the CIA are probably looking for to aid them in extracting top secret information during interrogation. Maybe not that bad, but I don't want to risk you seeing this before you've had your Cornflakes.

So what's my tiredness makeup routine? Your key words should be; conceal, brighten, define. Your base should provide coverage, but must still have a sheer/radiance enhancing component. Greyness should be covered, and your face needs definition today like no other day! Also, look to warm shades - anything that can make you look a little more healthy is always a plus.

I started with Bliss Triple Oxygen energising mask. Before I found this product, I'd never do a pre-work mask, but as this only takes five minutes, it seems crazy not to. It's also the first time I've used it when I've really needed it, and I am pleased to say, my skin looks so much brighter.

Now onto the products. I prep my skin with my usual moisturiser (at the moment Crema Nera by Armani), and then start with my number one brightening product, Benefit's Lemon-aid,a yellow concealer which is perfect for covering grey. I mix Clinique's City Block Sheer SPF 25 with the Body Shop's Tinted Glow Enhancer in 2 and apply this as my base (you can add some foundation if more coverage is needed). I top with a MAC cream concealer where needed (under eyes, around nose and chin) and we're starting to look human.

Eyes can often look heavy so it's essential that you open them up as much as possible. I use an eyelash curler, and if needed, you can line your waterline (inside your lower eyelid) with a flesh toned pencil (don't use white: it's too harsh and looks unnatural). I apply Jemma Kidd's I-Silk in Vintage and then Maybelline's The Falsies to boost my lashes.

Now for colour! MAC's Blankety lipstick topped with their Big Baby lip gloss. MAC's Mineralize Warm Soul blush on the cheeks and their brow liner in the lightest shade to bring out my very fair brows and that's it! Now you should be able to tolerate the pic, although the eyes are still a little heavy!

Hope this helps you on your sleepy days! Do you have any brightening beauty tips, and what are your favourite 'comfort' products when you're not feeling quite yourself?

State of Bliss

My boyfriend remarked last night that the display of my haul in our bedroom looked like some 'beauty version of the harvest festival display we used to have at school', which tickled me slightly! Anyway, I couldn't fight it any longer and cracked into the Bliss products this morning. I am in love.

First the Steep Clean mask (by the way, it’s currently half price at Harrods - £17.50 – and yes, I am going to stock up later!) The product has a single pump with two spouts, dispensing one blue gel and one yellow. Pump the gel and combine the two to turn the mixture green, just like your first art lesson at school. It’s then applied to your face and neck, and you relax for 15 minutes while it works its magic. And boy, is this stuff good. I rinsed the product off and was left with firm, glowing skin, and I’d say 70% of the blackheads in my t-zone had vanished. The few that were left behind were significantly smaller, looking like tiny pinpricks. This is enough to have me devoted to the good folks at Bliss for the rest of my life.

Then I used the Triple Oxygen energising mask. The product foams on your skin and is quickly absorbed where it’s needed most. Your skin is given a shot of oxygen and vitamin C – essential for radiance. 5 minutes later, and I looked like I’d spent 2hrs being primped and primed by a facialist - success! And all for the price of a single facial!

Alongside Dermalogica’s Overnight Clearing Gel (review to come), these are the fastest-acting skincare products I’ve ever used. Instant results are infinitely desirable yet not always delivered, so it’s a revelation when I find a great product that works right away. If you’re looking for an instant skin fix, head to Bliss for a chat with one of their specialists. Steep Clean is a once a week product, and the Triple Oxygen mask can be used up to three times a week, and you get a lot of product for your money - we like good value here at The Beauty Hall!

Has anyone else used any Bliss products? If so, what did you think of them? Naturally, your recommendations are all it will take to get me back there and buying more!

A major haul!

The past two days have seen a haul of such epic proportions, it's made my head spin. Meet my new happy hair and skin care products, and a few nail polishes for added gloss!

Back row from left: Bliss Triple Oxygen face mask, Pureology split end treatment, Pureology Essential Repair shampoo and conditioner, Pureology Hydrate Shinemax, Bliss Steep Clean face mask.

Front row from left: Diptyque Olene perfume, Seche Vite topcoat, Essie Tartufo, Essie I Need a Vacation, OPI Florentine Fuschia, Diptyque Vetyverio.

Front of picture: Pureology Volume Boost range.

So far, I haven't tried any of the products but expect reviews over the next few days - I'm so excited! With thanks to the lovely Laura of lollipop26 for the tip off on beautyzone2007's ebay shop for fantastic polishes at amazing prices!