DIY: Agar Agar Hair Rinse For Shine And Hold -- Great Alternative To Honey

  I present to you the DIY agar-agar hair rinse for shine and hold!

    I was looking for a vegetarian version of the gelatine hair laminating method, because although I lusted after the results, I didn't want bits of baby piglets on my hair. Agar-agar is often substituted for gelatine in cooking and is made of algae (which makes it vegan). I suspected that it wouldn't work exactly like gelatine on the hair, but I hoped to get at least a slightly similar result.

     I dissolved a spoonful of agar-agar powder in a cup of boiling water. It is really important to first dissolve the agar-agar in a teeny bit of cold water, and then add the boiling water -- otherwise you'll end up with clumps. I let this mixture cool slightly -- now this is a bit tricky, because if it cools completely it will turn into jelly (in which case you can use it as a styling gel). You have to use it when it's still warm, and has the consistency of a syrup.

     I used this syrup as a last rinse, I scrunched my hair in my palms as usual and air-dried. Result? I didn't get the DIY-Encanto look, but my hair was a bit smoother, and quite shiny. Most importantly, the agar-agar set my waves and they held their shape for three days (normally at the third day my waves are very limp, not with agar-agar). You can see the result of the photo on the top. I heard that the results are even better on fine hair (which mine isn't ).

    I'd say that the agar-agar rinse is similar to the honey rinse -- both work a bit like hairspray. The agar agar is not as moisturising as honey but is also less sticky (won't attract dust), doesn't frizz when it rains (honey does because it's a humectant) -- and it won't lighten the hair like honey can.

   I didn't notice the agar-agar loosening the curl pattern of my hair. Rather, as I already mentioned, it "held" the shape that I scrunched them into for a longer time.

      On the whole I recommend trying out agar-agar and seeing what it does for your hair. I'm very interested what results would look like on straight hair. You can get agar-agar from health food stores. Mine was a powder, but I hear it can be flakes too. I don't remember the price but it was pretty cheap, and a little pouch like in the photo can be used for many rinses.

      If you do try agar agar on your hair, let me know! Do you know of other DIY hair rinses for gloss and hold?

      

       

Review: Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless in 30D (65D)

    Today I present a review of a bra I have had and loved since a long time. I can't believe I'm introducing you to it only now! Every woman needs a strapless, and after looking through reviews I went for the Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless.

   My breast type: currently my measurements are 68/81. My breasts are tear-shaped (bottom-heavy) and rather wide-spaced; and broader at the root (I prefer wider underwires).

Aesthetics: 5/5

    Wow. The Toffi Strapless is the most gorgeous nude bra I have ever set my eyes on. First of all, the colour, which is light, warm caramel -- is much more gorgeous than the beige most nude bras have. The fabric is just so slightly shimmery. The lace edging is lovely -- it doesn't show up under clothes, well maybe if you wear something very clingy and thin. And it makes a lovely surprise if it peeks out from under a top.

Fit: 4/5

   The cups of the Toffi Strapless are made of thin but stiff foam. Funnily, they look huge when I first took them out of the box -- I though I got the wrong size! Nope, they actually are the right size. And they are lower-cut than they look, so the bra can be worn with deep-cut tops.
   The stiffness of the cups of the Toffi Strapless means they don't cooperate with my body -- when I am standing normally the tops of the cups are kinda flush with my body, but when I bend down or lift my arms the edges stand away (I heard this just happens with smaller busts). Interestingly, this is absolutely not visible under clothes due to the curve of the cup, so I don't mind.
    The cups are moulded in a top-heavy way, and they do push the breast slightly upwards and very much forwards. It's a bit of a Victorian Corset look, which I personally like.
    The band is quite snug, and I wouldn't go down a size unless I wanted to strangle myself. It has a three-clasp closure.
    Here is a tip: when trying on the Toffi Strapless for the first time, chances are you are wearing it too low. I keep on seeing this mistake on photos online. The band is so tight and grippy that it doesn't automatically move to the optimal position (level with the cups) so you might want to check in the mirror and pull it up a bit.
    The underwires are short, both in the front and under the armpits. This makes it comfortable for petites on those with high-placed boobs. The underwires are rather wide, which might not make it a best choice for those preferring narrow ones.

Comfort: 3/5

   The support that this bra gives is amazing. I can do everything I want to, without the thought "ooh, gotta be carefull, strapless bra today" never even entering my head. This is the reason the Toffi Strapless is not a convertible -- there is just no need for shoulder straps, this strapless is as supportive as it gets!
    That said, this bra is not the most comfortable one I own. The band is on the snug side, and the underwires press themselves into me. I would have liked to have the underwires padded, it would make the bra much more comfortable. I'm a bit scared of bending the underwires, but might do it one of these days.
      I had no issues with the silicone on the underwires, but I have heard that girls with more sensitive skin have had them rubbing uncomfortably.

Summary:

   The Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless will always be a staple in my wardrobe, it's one model that I will definitely repurchase if my size changes. It's very good looking, and extremely supportive. Though it will not win the prize for the most comfortable bra in my wardrobe, it's really amazing to have a strapless that I can always depend on. It also has a huge advantage over its competitors for being available in bands starting from a (tight) 30 and going up to a GG cup -- and remember that you can always order custom sizes! The Toffi Strapless also tied for the first place with the Freya Deco in the Strapless Competition by Stanikomania in the D-G category.
    The bra set me back around 31€ + roughly 6€ shipping.

Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless 30D Stats:

Band unstretched: 55cm

Band stretched to the maximum: 72cm

Underwire length: 20cm

Underwire width: 12.5

   These measurements have been taken after appx. 15 wears :)

 More reviews of Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless on Bratabase

   Do you own an Ewa Michalak Toffi Strapless? Did I tempt you to get one? What is the best strapless bra that you own right now? 

Weekend Reads 27-10-2012

      Has anyone else been prepping their garden this week? I have not one but two to take care off. My own has been lying neglected, but I have been putting my energies into the garden of my kids' kindergarden -- where I volunteer. Highlights include earning the nickname "garden fairy" and getting to know some lovely people. I have also organized a clothing swap to which almost nobody came (so rude!), planned a trip to the seaside, ate tons of dark chocolate and diligently browsed through flea-markets. In all, a busy week. How has yours been? Do you love flea-markets too?

    Here are some great links for you to persue:

* Style: St Bustier launched a clothing site for busty ladies. Holly from Full Figured Chest is not impressed, and suggests better (and cheaper) alternatives.

* Skin: Why do under-eye circles appear? Here is the best explanation I've ever read.

* Smarts: Magenta is not a colour. Mind. Blown.

* Body: We ARE Good Enough: Musings on Body Acceptance

* Weird: Number Stations, an unsolved mystery. The Swedish Rhapsody one is so creepy!

* Food: How to eat chocolate. From a professional.

* Couldn't resist adding: this is what you see when you go to work in the morning in Munich, during the Oktoberfest season.

Just my hoopdance idols having fun:

How To Stick To Your Skin Care Routine

     The most important part of  having a good skin care routine is actually following it! I talked about creating a basic skin-care routine. Here are some tips to be consistent in following it:

Tips on staying faithful to your beauty routine:

• Keep everything within reach and organised. A neighbour of mine often has to wake up at unearthly hours (she's a nurse), so she keeps all the products that she uses in the morning on a small tray on her living room table. That way she doesn't have to think too much or search for anything -- it's all right there. Another woman I used to know kept her nighttime products in that gap between her mattress and her headboard, so that she could do her skin-care routine in bed -- pure genius!

• Streamline your products. Get rid of anything you don't like or use -- even if it was expensive (you can just put it out on the curb, that will get rid of the guilt).

• Keep stuff that you enjoy using -- I never miss using Weleda Skin Food on my under eye skin because it smells so good. I also noticed I'm more likely to use stuff that I have decanted into pretty containers. That's just my preferences -- find out yours and make it tempting for yourself to use those products!

• Make your beauty corner pretty and welcoming. Whether it's a dressing table or a bathroom shelf, make it a place where you'd like to spend a few minutes. Good lighting, no clutter, and maybe a small decoration / tiny flower vase / cute photo of you will make the spot much more inviting!

• If you have never followed a beauty routine, start with just the bare bones and build it up gradually. I suggest moisturising in the morning and cleansing in the evening. After this becomes second nature, add sunscreen or a toner or a scrub.

• Don't try to do everything --  if your skin regime has 20 steps, takes three hours and needs 50 products, you will probably get fed up of it after two weeks.

• Have a minimum routine for crappy days. That might be just removing your makeup and doing a spot treatment on breakouts, for example.

• Subscribe to beauty blogs. Like mine ;) Seriously, there is no better reminder and motivation for me than to read about other women's experiments, successes and routines!

             What are the ways you stay regular and motivated in your skin care routine? Do share your tips.

How To Put Together A Skin Care Routine

  I have been requested to write about creating a basic beauty routine. It took me a while to write this post, because, to be frank -- I'm not terribly good at routines. Only in the last few months my routine has been taking shape -- before this I didn't really have a plan or overview when it came to the care of my skin.

   Here I will outline a basic skin-care routine. Please feel free to adapt it to your skin's need and to your lifestyle. Remember that a simple routine done regularly is much more effective than an elaborate one that you don't have the time or motivation to follow!

Morning:

Cleansing:     Depending on how oily your skin is when you wake u, and how much you sweat in the night, you might want to just do a quick swipe with a toner or hydrolate (I recommend rose water, which is both), milk, green tea or use a gentle cleansing product. 

Serum / treatment:    Apply a serum or treatment that either deals with your skin problems, or gives it a boost of nutrients or protects it from aging. Don't bother to apply a moisturiser (unless you have extremely dry skin) because the sunscreen you will be applying next should be enough. Apply the serum on your neck and decollette too!

Sunscreen:   If you need motivation to wear sunscreen every day, check out this truck driver whose right side of the face looks way older than his left side. And yes, this also goes on your face and decollette.

At the end, make the lion pose with your face (great for keeping the facial muscles toned), smile at yourself and give yourself a complement! 

Evening / Night

   Depending on what time you come home and what time you got to bed, you can do the below steps together or split your evening skin routine into after-work-cleansing and before-bed-clown-mask.

Cleansing:
As soon as you come home, remove your makeup and sunscreen with a makeup remover or an oil (works just as well!). After that cleanse your face thoroughly. If your face needs extra cleansing, I recommend alternating cleansing methods. That way what one product might miss today, the other will clean off tomorrow. You can do the oil-cleansing method three times a week, and use some other cleansing product on other days. 

Toning:
Follow cleansing with a gentle, alcohol-free toner (again, I recommend hydrolates). This removes the rest of your cleanser and restores the skin's pH level. Wipe your neck and decollette too!

Moisturising:
According to your skin type, you can use a serum, night cream, moisturiser or oil. You can also use a lighter product after removing your makeup in the evening, and a heavier one right before bed. You might want to use more than one product on the face. Instead of layering too many products, I suggest alternating products every other day.

   Don't forget to moisturise your under-eye area, your neck and your decollette. You can use the same moisturiser / serum / cream that you use on your face if it a basic moisturing and nourishing product, but not if it is meant to fight acne or oiliness.

Extra nourishing:
Do other parts of you need extra attention? You could also use a lash / brow conditioner, a lip product, a spot treatment on blemishes, a nail conditioner, etc. Don't feel obliged to use all of the above -- do only what you feel your body needs at the moment.

Internal Skin Care 

   It's a great idea to include skin-care in your diet. This means drinking enough water, eating nuts and seeds, as well as raw fruit and vegetables. Herbal teas, sea weed, sprouts and other super foods are also great for the skin, hair and nails!

Beauty Spa Treatment 1-2 times a week

Once in a while your skin needs a bit of special attention. I recommend first cleansing your skin very thoroughly, and then nourishing it. 

Exfoliation: try a scrub, chemical peel or microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells and open up pores. 

Deep cleansing: Try steaming (face sauna), a peel-of mask or a clay mask to draw impurities out of the pores. 

Toning: Wipe your face with a toner to close the pores. 

Intensive moisturising: apply a face mask, either home-made or DIY. 

Example beauty routine:

    This is what I do on most days:
    In the morning, I spritz my face with rose water or wipe it with my Konjac Sponge. I follow this up with a serum against discolourations (I haven't been religious with my sunscreen, and I got some weird brownish patches). Finally, I apply sunscreen with I mattify with Hide-A-Pore from Sweetscents. Sometimes I do my whole mineral makeup thing, sometimes just concealer and mascara, sometimes nothing.
     During the day I drink at least one cup of green tea, and I always add some kind of seeds or nuts to my lunch. I also try to remember to drink enough water -- this makes a huge difference to my skin and general well-being.
    In the evening, I will do oil-cleansing if I have been wearing makeup, otherwise I just use the Alverde Clear Waschcreme Heilerde cleanser. I wipe my face with rose water again, follow it with the serum and a dab of Weleda Skin Food under the eyes and on my hands. Off to bed!
 

Weekend Reads 21-10-2012 A Must-Read: Brafitting By Maheda

Brafitting by Maheda is a no-nonsense bra-fitting blog. It´s full of real and unretouched photos and videos of fittings and transformations. Not all of the articles are available in english, but the ones that are are totally worth your time. Here are some of my favourite:

* How a D cup can be larger than a F cup

* Photographic proof how wearing a well fitting bra changes breast shape. Caution: NSFW, nudity ! !!! Here is a SFW version in a bra

* 34C to 32GG transformation. Also answers the question: will tight bands create back rolls on chubbier ladies ?

* Bra fitting above the age of 60

* Is 32DDD the same as 32F ? Making sense of bra sizes in different countries

* How can I help my already stretched ligaments?

* Why can't I tone my breasts with chest exercises?

PS The ´weird´ looking photos are 3d, if you have 3D glasses you can enjoy :)

     

Your Acne Questions Needed!

    Hi ladies, most of us have an occasional breakout and many have a hard time with persistent, heavy, breakouts. Skin can be so hard and rebellious sometimes!
    Last week I got contacted by the writers of a new free eBook ACNE: A comprehensive guide on identifying, treating and generally showing spots who the boss. Guess what, they wanted to know what you would like to see in a book about acne. I was pretty thrilled that the writers of a skin care book are reaching out to their readers and letting them ask the questions.

    Here is how it works: please leave all your questions about acne in the comments. It can be anything and everything related to breakouts. The writers will read your comments and use them for your book. And, here is the great part: they will send us preview 10 copies of the ACNE e-book weeks before it goes public. If you comment on this post with your questions about acne, you will automatically be entered to win one of the 9 copies (I'm keeping one for myself, of course).

   So, what did you always wand to know about skin and breakouts? Ask away!


PS it's possible that I might pick some of your questions and write posts about them.

How to Be A Woman

    After the controversy about my big boobs post, several readers mentioned that they had been struggling with feeling "like a woman" because of having small breasts. That led to many nights where I couldn't fall asleep, thinking about women and femininity. Obviously breast size doesn't definite femininity (Keria Knightley is one helluva woman). Then what does? Feminine looks? Feminine behaviour? Or rather what society decides is feminine at this point of history (by the standards of a hundred years ago most women of today's western world would be judged as quite masculine). If femininity is not in the body and clothing, is it about the "female" psychology? Are women psychologically different from men? How much is this due to the different upbringing that girls get? And finally, the big question: is femininity even something worth aspiring to?


    All these musings, now answers. Suddenly the face of one of my biggest female crushes appeared before me. I present Kara Thrace, or Starbuck from Ballestar Galactica:

    She's not pretty, she is not even feminine, and she doesn't even look like a cute boy (unlike Winona in Boys Don't Cry or Frankie in Skins). The only time on the show that she wears a dress she looks very awkward; and her looks are played down during the entire show. She smokes cigars, punches people and does nothing even remotely feminine (ok, apart from snogging Lee Adama and most other males around her). But she is badass. Tough, strong, reckless and funny. And has the best laugh ever. And that makes her very sexy. She is way attractive to me than conventionally pretty Boomer or even Number 6 (who is played by a gorgeous supermodel with legs for miles).
    The totally un-feminine Starbuck is a helluva woman.


So basically, here is how to be a woman:

You are a woman. It's up to you to define what that means.

   You don't have to prove your femininity to anyone. Or to prove your equality to men. Just be badass, intelligent, creative, strong, sensitive or whatever it is you want to be. None of this will make you more of a woman, nor less of one. Wear tons of makeup or none, dance ballet or take up kickboxing, wear flowy skirts with bows or jeans and t-shirts. None of this will make you more of a woman, nor less of one.

   End of story, well almost. I'd like to mention a book and film I loved that has everything to do with gender identity: Orlando by Virginia Wolf. It's an enthralling novel about a man who one day wakes up as a woman. Oh, and he happens to never grow old and lives for centuries. You can get the e-book for free here. There is also a nice movie version, where Orlando is played by the amazing Tilda Swinton. Go watch it.

Supportive and Unsupportive Bra Bands (Updated!)

   How certain bands may pull the underwires broader and make the cups fit badly. This information might be crucial to you if you wear bigger cups.

Important! I have re-written this post because the old one was quite inaccurate.

   Recently a lovely reader shared her bra-fitting dilemma with me, where her band wouldn't lie flat on the sternum even though it was pretty snug. The photos showed that probably the band construction is at fault here. The band was a three-piece one, and it was not stable enough to stay on the ribcage and keep the cups in place. Instead, it allowed the breast to slightly slip below.

   There are two kinds of bands: ones that go along the entire bra in almost one piece (a part of the band continues below the cups), and ones that are connected only to the sides of the cups (this band is made of three separate pieces). Now, when I looked at my Panache Porcelain, I realised that in a 3-piece band the center part can be either a proper piece of fabric (middle pic), or a narrow band (top pic).

   This is what it looks like:

    A "three-piece band" bra can be more or less stable depending on how big the middle piece is: if it is a narrow tape, try stretching the band and it's likely that the underwires will stretch too, making the cups broader and shallower. (Of course, this also depends on what material the underwires are made of, some are more bendy than others.) This kind of band doesn't hug the torso as tightly as a one-piece band, so it might try climbing on top of your boobs. Basically, no self-respecting bra brand will make bras with such a crappy construction.

   If the middle piece of the band is as high as it is broad, it will actually hold the cups in place and will be almost as stable as a one-piece band.

     A "continuous" band stays below the rib-cage and keeps the cups in place. The cups and underwires are more likely to not stretch when pulled. I'm guessing that these kind of bands take more skill and works to make, as compared to the cheapo three-piece band. You'll notice that most "real" bra brands make their bras with almost exclusively "continuous" bands.

   This is what the two kinds of band look like in real life:

     The bra on the top is Chili from Ewa Michalak with beautifully constructed three-piece cups. The middle one is the Panache Porcelain. The one at the bottom is from a brand that shall remain unnamed.


     So the next time you are going lingerie shopping, take a look at what kind of bands the bras have. Obviously, this is more important for fuller-busted gals, who naturally need more support. Not all bras with three-piece bands are bad, especially if they are from bands with firm underwires and generally supportive bras.


     Have you ladies had issues with three-piece bands that are connected with a piece of tape, or do you find them ok for your breast type? What else do you watch out for when checking the band construction? 

Weekend Reads 13-10-2012

      Hi everyone, I know this is like the most delayed Weekend Reads ever. Sorry, and I hope you enjoy it nevertheless!

* Style: Why you should be wearing slips.

* DIY: How To Stretch Out Too-Tight Shoes -- surprisingly easy!

* Beauty: About The Professional View, why it can ruin you. Oh yes, a thousand times yes!

* Fashion: The impossible wardrobe. Just wow.

* Body: This is real body-acceptence. Or is it? Interestingly, the woman is wearing a turban which only male sikhs wear, probably to avoid too much attention.

* Cute: Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide is an adorable blog.

Tangerine, And An Interview With... Me!

   To find out what my desert island lingerie set is and my love for the "apples in a basket" boob shape, pop over to Invest In Your Chest! The lovely Cheryl has interviewed me, and I must say it makes me feel fab -- like I've hit a milestone as a blogger.
    Also, tangerine in a colour I'm obsessed with these days. It reminds me of Kate Wisslet's character in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, and of course Blair Waldorf at the casino. The nail colour above is from Kiko, and the colour is a tad more red in real life. The lipstick is from Essence.

    Do you love tangerine as much as I do?

Guest Post: Advices on How to Enjoy Skin that’s Fit for the Fall Season

   If you want your skin to be ready for the fall season, it is a must that you go through the right skin preparation since your skin has just experienced the scorching hotness of summer’s scorching heat. Basically, the skin gets too much beating from the gruelling and punishing rays of the mighty sun. Fall is the right time to relax the skin and ensure that it takes advantage of the rejuvenating weather.

    You must now check your skin’s condition, which might have turned badly due to long hours of exposure to UV rays. Visible effects that summer might have had on the skin are discoloration and age spots. People become prone to these skin defects because of limited or even no use of sunscreen. Fortunately, fall is when the sun will not be in full blast; hence, your skin has the chance to heal and reclaim its healthful glow and youthful appearance.

As you want your skin to enjoy the best that it could from a friendlier climate, you only need to go through a few essential modifications in order for your skin to become fit for fall and even in tune with the latest of the season’s beauty trends.

Here are steps that will help you to attain a skin that’s ready to take on the fall season:

Try a Skin Analysis

   A skin analysis is very important procedure that you must go through especially after summertime since it provides you comprehensive information about the damage that your skin experienced during summer.

   Results that arise from a skin analysis will effectively tell you the proper skin care products that you must use in order to deal with whether issue or problem that your skin might have. Expect a skin expert to recommend the best products that will help you to make your skin ready from summer to fall.

   Basically, skin analysis finds out the reasons why the skin is less than perfect. During the whole
diagnostic process, answers will be obtained to help arrive at the use of essential skin care
methods that will help the skin become clear and totally rejuvenated.

   Cost of skin analysis depends from one skin clinic to another. Although results are generally available within the hours of analysis, you might have to pay as much as a couple of hundred dollars especially if the establishment utilizes elaborate skin analysis machines to obtain the necessary results.

Apply Sunscreen Whenever You Get Exposed to the Sun

  Even during fall, you will experience plenty of sun exposure, which is why it is a must that you apply sun screen whenever necessary. Use a SPF 30 sun screen within an hour before going out to ensure full protection from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Take Advantage of Skin Exfoliation

  Summertime promotes the disintegration of sun-exposed and unprotected skin into dead skin cells. As the more inviting fall season starts to set in, you are now afforded the time for some effective exfoliation processes, which takes away dead skin cells to be replaced with a younger and more refreshed skin. During spring time, it is a must that you undergo exfoliation two times a week for best results. However, you shouldn’t overdo the process as this may irritate, redden, and even darken your skin.

  Fall is certainly the best season to achieve a youthful, invigorated, and clear skin. Just by undergoing steps such as skin analysis, regular application of sunscreen, and weekly skin exfoliation; this will result in a natural glowing complexion that you will truly love. Such advices are the best ways to follow to ensure a great skin transformation from summer to fall.

About the Author:
The author has been writing tips about fashion and beauty for many years. She has various articles that help women in grooming themselves with the latest fashion trends. Her inspiration comes from her love for fashion and experimental lifestyle. Through writing, she shares her experiences and feelings
regarding latest fashion news in the market. Follow Clarissa Seaton on Google+.

DIY Simple Moisturising Serum

  I wrote about what serums are and why you might want to use them below (or instead) of your moisturiser. So the biggest complaint about them is that they are expensive. This is mainly a marketing tactic because most serums don't contain really expensive ingredients anyway. So here is a guide on making your own serum:

Simple moisturising serum

recipe from Italiana

5 ml water (distilled or boiled is best)
4 ml hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid)
1 ml aloe vera
1ml panthenol
1ml sodium lactate
6 ml oils -- choose them according to the needs of your skin
conservant -- around 3 drops
emulgator (optional, if you don't use it then shake the serum before use)

   Mix everything together and pour into a bottle. If you are skipping an ingredient, replace it with extra water (otherwise the concentration of the other stuff will be off).


   This serum is meant for all skin types, and can be used for the day as well as for the night. Hyaluronan, aloe vera, panthenol and sodium lactate are all great moisturisers, and the oils help to seal the moisture in; so this serum will be very moisturising but at the same time quite light. Remember that its properties will change according to the oils that you add. Here is a nice guide to oils, and if you tend to get blocked pores you might want to read this. Since you will be adding a very small quantity of oil, you might want to get a fancier one that would be too good for oil-cleansing (for example rose hip oil or argan oil).

    You can also add extracts and other fancy ingredients. Most websites that sell such ingredients will mention how much you can use. For example you will see that you can use between 1% - 3% of this Algae Extract (this refers to the volume, not weight); the above serum is almost 20ml so 1% will be 0.2ml and3% would be 0.6ml. A medicine dropper is the best thing to measure such small quantities. For those of you who are itching to blend something that's perfect for your skin, a detailed post on customising your serum is coming up!

     Here is a list of places that sell DIY cosmetic ingredients.


   Have you ever tried to make your own serum? Know of any nice recipes? Or have you found a great inexpensive product that you love?

Which Oils Will Block Your Pores And Which Won't?

     There is an easy and scientific way to predict how likely an oil is to block your pores, as I learned from the amazing Wielki Powrot Do Natury. If your pores tend to get blocked easily, choose oils that contain less Oleic acid and more Linoleic acid.

     Based on this formula, some oils that should not block pores are: walnut oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, passion-flower oil, hempseed oil, wheatgerm oil, flaxseed oil, watermelon seed oil.
    Some oils that might block pores (but only if your skin has a tendency towards blocked pores) are: olive oil, safflower oil, papaya seed oil, plum seed oil, hazelnut oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, peach seed oil, apricot seed oil.
   You can check the properties of oils on Wikipedia before you create your oil cleansing mix or buy a facial product with oils in it.

     Mineral oil (also called petroleum) is also pretty likely to block pores, as are silicones (they are obviosuly not oils but I couldn't resist mentioning them).

    I have already mentioned that different skins react very differently to things, so it is impossible to predict for sure whether a certain ingredient will block your pores or not. If you find a product that is comodogenic for your face, you can always demote it and use it on your body.


    Would you say that this rule holds true for you? Which are your favourite "safe" oils for the skin? Is your skin prone to blocked pores?

Clubbing Style Tips: How To Look Great And Be Comfortable.

    Based on personal experience :)

* Makeup: when in doubt, just do your eyes dark and pile on the highlighter. It will be dark in there anyway so the rest of your makeup will mostly go unnoticed. A good primer will keep things from melting!

* Shoes: choose comfort over looks. The girl burning up the dance floor in her canvas sneakers is always going to look better than the one making mincing steps in stilettos -- or sitting because her feet are killing her. Seriously, nobody will be looking at your shoes, so feel free to wear whatever you dance in best. I love Rieker Antistress pumps, they are comfortable enough to run in.

* Hands: A nice manicure and a ring or two look great when your are holding your cocktail.

* Jewelry: can make even a simple tank top + jeans club-ready. Sparkle is good, big is good, just make sure it doesn't dangle around so much that it's uncomfortable. For this reason I love statement earrings and cuff bracelets.

* Outfit: you will get hot, so wear something light / short and layer over it (if necessary). A well-fitting bra is a must. Don't forget sparkly jewelry!

* Deodorant: more is more here. Nuff said.

* Perfume: skip it or use something very light. Scents get very intense on hot skin in a hot room, and often bother other people if they are not on the subtle side.

* Bag: less is more. If you can, don't bring one at all and stow your stuff in your pockets / a small shoulder bag / your boots instead.

* Drink lots of water: it's the best way to not get a hangover! Tried and tested by me, many times.

* Hollywood tape and safety pins can be lifesavers. Just sayin.


   Over to you: what are your best clubbing tips?