Reader Question: Cleavage Enhancing Bras

   I measured myself and my band size 77cm, and bust is 87cm making me a 32C(US) I would say my breasts are tear drop shaped but at the same time they are wide set. I was wondering if a plunge bra (like the freya retro plunge) would be appropriate to create that nice cleavage /pushed together look or if it wouldn't work due to my widesettedness. The website says I can't return worn bras and I'm afraid I won't get what I want from it.

  Also, can you create the same look with a lower balconette bra like you recommend for tear drop shaped breasts.

   Hi,
       Glad to know you've been fitted well! To answer your questions:

   Do get one or two soft bras for everyday wear first. You might be surprised what a well-fitted soft bra can do for cleavage. I used to have a flat space between my boobs, now I have a valley. Actually, many of the "normal" bras create a nice cleavage, however this effect depends very much on the individual breast shape. For example I know girls that wear that the Panache Tango II gives them a lovely cleavage, but I can't say I have seen the same on myself. So you need to try different bras out and see which cup shapes work best for you. I do like the lift and volume-on-top that the padded Curvy Kates and Masquerades give me. Yes, I'm talking about the balconette models. Generally balconettes push the breasts up, while balconettes may push them together. It all depends what kind of necklines you prefer.

   As you have wide-set boobs, avoid most Freyas as the underwires will be too narrow for you. The retro is an exception here (see my review post) because the cups are made to push the breasts from outside in.

     Yes, the Freya Retro is a great bra for cleavage, but it can be a bit tricky to fit (same goes for the Gossard superboost, and even more for the Panache Inferno). I do not recommend it as your first correctly sized bra, as you won't be able to tell whether you are wearing the right size or not! You need to establish your size first with an unpadded, underwired bra -- here any fit mistakes will be very visible. Also soft bras are best for breast-tissue migration.
    Also remember that cleavage-enhancing bras should not be worn every day, since they do distort the breast tissue. Use them for special occasions, and stick to soft cups with underwires for every day. Your breasts will thank you! That said, every woman needs to own a bra that gives killer cleavage.

Here are a couple of bras that I know that give a great cleavage:

* Freya Retro plunge
* Affinitas Jeanie
* Panache Inferno (great for narrow but deep necklines)
* Gossard Superboost
* Masquerade Aragon
* Masquerade Coquette
* Ewa Michalak -- all of the push-up models

   These bras are more breast-friendlier than your average push-up. The first three work by having a cup shape that pushes the boobs closer together.


   Dear readers,what is your favourite cleavage-enhancing bra for special occasions? Could you recommend daily-wear bras that give a nice cleavage?

Taping Your Wrinkles Away

   From the category of weird but effective beauty tips: scotch tape can reduce wrinkles? Yep, it does work. Think of this as DIY frownies that are much cheaper. It works best on not lines that are not too deep. And you younger ladies -- you might want to start as soon as you see the first signs of lines.   The taping is also great to break the frowning habit: tape between your eyebrows when you have a day alone at home. The tape will make you aware of your frowning and will help you break the habit.
   Now I don't yet have any wrinkles on which I could test this out, but the internet is full of women who have used this method and are satisfied. So, how long do the results last? After the first few times the skin stays smooth most of the day with the lines resurfacing in the evening. However if you tape your lines regularly for a few weeks you will see longer lasting effects -- you will not need to tape  for the next few months.

Which tape to use:

   First tip: try using the medical tape you buy with gauze instead of scotch tape, as the glue is skin-friendly. There are many kinds of tape out there, depending on which part of the world you live in. I tested out the two kinds of medical tape that I had in my first aid kit -- you can see them in the picture above. The white one on the left was very easy to use, but I felt the glue was a bit weak. The one on the right has very strong glue, so weaken the glue by either sprinkling the piece you want to use with a teeny bit of powder, or simply pressing it on your hand several times.

How to use:

    In the evening, put on your night cream, wait till it sinks in, then apply the tape on your frown areas: the nasolabial folds, crows feet, the lines between your eyebrows and the forehead. Pull the skin tight and press the tape on it to keep it smooth. Try to sleep on your back at night or at least on the side. In the morning, peel of carefully. Enjoy your smooth skin!

 
     Ladies, have any of you tried tape on your wrinkles? Or frownies? Did it work for you? Also, do you think this might work for cleavage wrinkles?

Mass review of 28DD bras: Freya, Ultimo, Miss Mandalay, Bravissimo, Gorgeous, Debenhams and more

   I had just one day in Manchester, so I tried to squeeze some bra shopping in there. Well, more trying on than shopping -- so that I would know what to order online later. I am sharing my notes with you guys, because I know that there aren't many bra reviews out there in my size. Forgive me if these reviews are more like notes than proper reviews -- I really had very little time.

   I visited Bravissimo first, which was really lovely with nice fitters, unfortunately the store was really small with a tiny selection of bras. I bought a Panache sports here -- it was every bit as good as I 'd read (review coming soon). Next up was Debenhams -- I liked that there was a lot of stuff here, no Panache though. There was a gigantic rack with heavily discounted stuff -- if your browsed you could find good brands selling for a couple of pounds! I did take a peek into Bravissimo, but wasn't impressed -- most of the stuff was heavily padded, and the stuff that was not didn't appeal to me in terms of design.
   What surprised me a bit was that most of the bras looked uglier than I had imagined -- in fact there was much less stuff tempting me to buy it than I expected. Also, I really regret that there were no Masquerade or Fantasie (luxury sister-brands of Panache and Fantasie) for me to try on. It was annoying that the luxury stuff was represented by brands that came in a miserable size range.

   For reference: 

    I usually wear a 28DD, my breasts are fuller on the bottom than on the top, and I prefer wide underwires.

Freya bras:

   I never tried them before since I assumed that as I prefer the broad Panache underwires, Freyas wouldn't fit me. I was right -- bras that were otherwise well-fitting would give me armpit rolls. The only exception was the Deco, more below.
    I found the Freyas very inconsistent in bands: some were hopelessly loose, some very snug.

Freya Deco Strapless

     The 28DD had too small cups. I tried a 30E and it fitted perfectly, which means that I'd have to take an F cup if I wanted a 28 band (there weren't any I could try). Anyway, I found the bra to be supportive and comfortable, but it just didn't give me the shape and the lift that the Ewa Michalak Strapless does. I'd say my boobs look visually 2 cups sizes bigger in the Ewa Michalak. The top of the cups of the Deco sit flush with my breasts, unlike the Ewa Michalak Strapless.

 

Freya Polyanna:

   A very pretty and girly bra, much more delicate than most of the catalogue photos suggest. It fitted well in the front, but oh, the armpit bulges!

Freya Lauren 

This was simply horrible. The cups are just so weird! I've never seen cups that gape below the armpits before. Also, it was just ugly, very cheap-polyester looking. Who designed this crap?

Freya Rio

    This looks really ugly in real life. No, I didn't try it on.

Bravissimo bras

   I wasn't impressed. I tried the Sherbet stripe (above) and the Alana in denim. The fabric was cheap and very polyester-y, and the cups construction was awful -- the horizontal seams gave me duck-beaks. I tried on a couple and it was all the same. Some also gave me the Freya pucker. I guess that if you would go to a bigger Bravissimo and go through all the models you might come up with a couple that are good.

Gorgeous bras

     This was another inexpensive brand at Debenhams. I tried several of them on and was not impressed, I found them pretty similar to the Bravissimo stuff.

.

Above: Freya Retro in 28DD; below: Gossard Superboost in 30D

Freya Retro

Eeerily similar to my Gossard Superboost. Actually fitted pretty well, even under the armpits -- probably because this model is designed to push the breast tissue from outside to the inside. It does give a nice cleavage. The material the cups are soft, though on catalogue photos it looks like it were moulded / padded.

Ultimo Spy Balcony

    This one surprised me positively. The cups went up pretty high but still sat flush with my breasts and didn't look like armour (although they might be too much for petites). The top edges of this bra are round like in this photo, and very flattering. The cups are constructed in a way that they are shallower on the bottom than on the top, which gives a little bit of lift to the cleavage. The band was nicely snug, and the cups are padded and very firm. Runs a cup size small -- the 65DD I tried fit me well. The underwires were a tad too narrow for my breasts.

Miss Mandalay Paige

    This was my first time with this brand and I can't wait to try on more stuff from them. I was pleasantly surprised -- the band was quite snug, and the cups fitted me well. It's not often that I find half-cups where the diagonal seam is done well enough for the cups to stay round and not look like a duck's beak. The cup size is standard, but if your breasts are fuller on the top than the top edge of the cup might dig in (for me it was perfect). I tried on the screaming yellow-vanilla shade, which looks more youthful and less luxurious than the catalogue photos would have you believe. I would have considered buying it if it were available in any of the other lovely colours it comes in.

Debenhams

     This was surprisingly better quality and fit than the Bravissimo and Gorgeous stuff. There are a lot of masectomy / soft bras, but also a decent selection of the usual underwired stuff. A great option for inexpensive bras.

Sienna Padded Plain Bra

    This Debenhams bra came home with me. Funnily, I cannot find it anywhere online. It is quite pretty -- I call it the poor girl's Masquerade bra (it was on sale and cost me 5.85). The underwires are broad, the band is snug and the whole thing is comfortable. The cup shape is a bit inferior to that of the masquerades -- I'd give it 4 stars.

    So that concludes my bra adventures in England.

Weekend Reads 25-08-2012

      Hi everyone, how did your week go? I have been writing loads of bra posts, enjoying the very hot weather and practicing my new hooping moves!

    Here are some lovely links for you:

* Bras: Victoria's Secret accidentally released unretouched photos. The bad fit of all the swimwear is just mindblowing.

* Funny: lol!

* Smarts: this post on Helen Gurley Brown is fascinating. 

* Photography: This guide to light is amazing.

* Beauty: personally I think freckles are adorable, but if you dislike yours you might like this post on how to get rid of freckles (also relevant for discolourations caused by the sun).

* Life: 10 Ways to Remember Life Loves You

* Bra blog of the week: Undercover Lingerista is a 28FF who has her finger on the pulse of the lingerie world. Check her blog out for everything about the newest bras and swimwear -- all in a big size range, of course.

Beauty Around The World: Greece

       This chapter of the Beauty Around The World Series takes you to Greece!

It's written by Penelope, a New York City blogger who loves to write about fashion and beauty on her blog Penelope's Oasis. Check her out! And if you're interested in participating in the Beauty Around The World Series, drop me a line at eternalvoyageur (at) gmail (dot) com.

    The women of Greece are known for several things, among them having beautiful olive skin, well shaped curves, and thick, lustrous hair. This Mediterranean beauty is typical of the region, where the sun is plentiful, and outdoor activities provides lots of fresh air and movement.

   The diet in Greece (seafood, goat cheese, greens, olives and bread are popular) are super healthy, and combines with a lifestyle that often has the women are outdoors enjoying the air and getting exercise (if you aren't on a mo-ped you are usually walking), and you have a recipe for strong, healthy bodies! What we call hiking in the US is a way of life in Greece, and all those omega fatty acids and vitamins in their food makes for great skin.

Want To Emulate The Beauty Of Grecian Woman? Here are the steps!

1. Eat a diet rich in healthy fats and vitamins, including greens (spinach is terrific!), seafood (calamari is a favorite, not fried of course!), and olive oil. These are healthy for the heart and also great for beautiful skin and healthy hair.

2. Get lots of exercise, and if you can, walk instead of driving to get around. It's great to keep in shape, not to mention a good way to get a little sun and socialize with neighbors and friends.

3. Spend lots of time outdoors where the fresh air makes for great skin and a glowing overall appearance. 

4. Don't be afraid to use some of that famous Greek olive in your hair as a moisturizer for thick, shiny, healthy hair. It's great as a conditioner, and use a much lighter touch if you decide to leave it in (but only use as a leave in if you have thick hair, or it will way your light hair down).

5. Don't be afraid to eat! Greek women love pastries and bread (how do you think they got so curvy) but combined with healthy outdoor exercise, they manage to keep things in great proportion, so eat well, enjoy food, and enjoy life!

6. Go natural -- Greek women depend on the sun for their glow, and not so much on make-up, but too much tanning isn't safe, so for a lovely Grecian glow, go easy on the makeup and keep things more natural (the color you get during your walks will be plenty!)

7. Work with your hair -- Greek women tend to have thick, strong, healthy dark hair, and if it's curly they let it curl, and if it's straight they leave it straight. They work with what they have instead of processing it too much, which is why it always looks so healthy and natural. If you have curly or straight hair, consider loving what you got and learning to make it beautiful, instead of fighting nature and possibly damaging your hair. Remember, there are women who want exactly what you have!

8. When it comes to clothes, classic is best. Because the weather is so hot, white is a popular color, as is cotton and linen for material, and the styles are classic and simple. The focus is on flattering the woman, not being trendy, so pick clothes that flatter you and are monochrome if you want to emulate the fashion of Greece!


    Anyone of you been to Greece, or is Greek? Feel free to discuss Greek beauty in the comments.

Adventures In England

   I've just gotten back from the UK and it was lovely! Sorry for the lack of posts, I didn't manage to pre-schedule any. I spent the weekend at the English countryside at a retreat that I won a ticket to. It was awesome, and I loved the English countryside with its mists, green and rain!
   I had an extra day to explore Manchester -- I really liked the city, with its music, it's nooks and corners. My host, who I found through couchsurfing was lovely -- she explained a lot about the local cultures, and took me around.

Richmond Tea Rooms

Highlights included:

* Having tea and scones in an Alice In Wonderland inspired Tea House (see above). This place was amazing.
* The ticket conductor on the train checking people's tickets with "That looks lovely" and "Oooh, you've got one of those too!". In an adorable accent, of course.
* Doing a 5 rhythms workshop -- seriously, one of the most intense experiences in my life.
* Having a cider in Manchester's oldest pub, and getting quite tipsy (it's got way more alcohol than German beer). Funnily, the drinks were served in plastic glasses.
* Yoga in the morning in the middle of a circle of standing stones.
* Popping my false eyelash cherry -- with the most gorgeous handmade butterfly eyelash (funnily, people kept coming up to me and saying: "do you know that you'r ewearing only one?" They come only in ones!)
* Fire hooping! My second time, was as exhilarated as the first time.
* Seeing a guy opening the trunk of his car, pulling out a saxophone and playing it in the middle of the street.

The Old Wellington

 

Things I liked:

* Museums are for free, like they should be.
* Bras! It was amazing to see sizes like 28B and 34G hanging on store racks.
* People being generally really nice and helpful to me all of the time.
* Sea gulls, even pretty far away from the coast!
* The amazing rain-boots that all British girls seem to own, in lovely styles and colours. I even saw a pair of silver ones!
* Quite a lot of women on the streets with what looked like well-fitted bras.
* The previously mentioned cider. Love the taste. Ale was a bit of  a disappointment, but I'd drink cider any day.
* Electric sockets on trains.
* The humour. Even museum plaques were often tongue-in-cheek.

Um, WTF?

* Stuff was rather pricey, as compared to Germany. Ok, maybe except the trains.
* The Mancunian accent. I never imagined I'd have communication problems in England
* Some of the taps and showers were just weird. I mean, what's the point of having a separate tap for cold and a separate one for hot water on the same sink?
* The very weird Manchester rain. Apparently, they also have rain that stands in the air, waiting for you to walk in.
* Mosquitoes. I had forgotten how annoying these are.
* The chocolate. UK, I am not impressed.
* Leggings worn as pants. I saw way too many of these in the streets. Also, pyjamas, worn on the streets.
* Couldn't get contact lenses without a prescription. I didn't think of bringing my prescription because in Germany you can buy contacts off the supermarket shelves.
* Security cameras, everywhere. Creeped me out.
* Marmite. It screwed with my brain, I couldn't decide whether I liked it or hated it.

   At the end of my stay I was using the word "lovely" a lot and saying sorry when other people hit me with their luggage!


   My teeny haul (doesn't include bras):

   The hand-warmers are hand-made by a woman at the retreat, and the brushes and from Eco Tools (Boots) -- I'm very pleased with them. The dry shampoo was a random thing I got for free in a "buy 2 get 1 free" thing. I tried to get my hands on some E.L.F. cosmetics but didn't see any in stores.

    Coming up: bra shopping experiences with a cluster-review of many models. And a proper review of the Panache Sports bra!

     Have you ever been to the UK, or maybe you are lucky enough to live there? What are your favourite places?

Is It Better To Wash Your Hair Upside Down?

     So, since two weeks I have been washing my hair upside down. I bend at the waist, flip my hair forward and wash my hair over the bathtub. The first time I did it was because I was in a hurry and had already showered some hours before. However, I discovered some advantages of washing my hair like this, and have been doing it ever since. Here are the pros and cons of washing the hair upside-down

Pros:

* It is easier to get to my actual scalp when I scrub my scalp vigoruosly --- without feeling that I'm damaging my hair (especially the hair at the back of the head).
* I actually take more time to scrub my scalp and to rinse, since there is nothing to distract me from my hair.
* I can rinse with quite cold water, since it's not dripping down my back.
* I can apply conditioner, put on a shower cap and go to another room and do other stuff while I wait for the consitioner to work. This means I use conditioners, hair masques etc more frequently since I can use the waiting time more efficiently.
* The back of the head gets extra attention in this position, while shampooing, scrubbing and also when I use rinseas or leave-in conditioner.
* Easier to wash really long hair (if you have it).

Cons:

* Might be hard for places without removable showerheads (seriously, how do you people in the US survive?)
* Some people have major tangling when they wash their hair this way.
* Might give you back pain.


   I'd suggest trying this method out and seeing if it works for you. Especially if you tend to ignore the back of your head. Or maybe you have already tried washing your hair upside down? Did you like it?


PS The winner of the Mystery Giveway is afef! Congrats! I have sent you a mail. To the rest of you, don't worry -- I will have more giveways coming up!

Weekend Reads 12-08-2012

      Hi everyone, how did your week go? I had a picnic in the woods, watched a meteor showe and caught up with friends. And now I'm packing for a short trip -- I actually love packing!
      Here is some fun and some useful stuff for you:

* DIY: barefoot sandal and shoe enhancer

* Bras: The Lingerie Addict has a roundup of sports bras that come in a big size range.

* Beauty: A sweet little lipstick trick.

* Funny: spidercan

* Photography: A great post on natural light!

* Bra blog of the week: Criss of Red Hair and Girly Flair writes about her amazing weight loss, her Star In A Bra experience (she won second prize), body image and more. Check her blog out!

One of the most interesting videos I have seen this year. Watch out for the hidden symbols:

I, pet goat II from Heliofant on Vimeo.

Beauty Around The World -- Australia

   Friends! I'm so excited to present the first of the Beauty Around The World posts, in which women from all around the world talk about beauty routines, popular products and attitudes towards beauty in their countries and cultures. If you'd me interested in participating, drop me a line! Kicking off the series is Sarah from a beautiful story

   Australia is my home and has been all my life (ok, so almost 30 years now!). When I saw the call for bloggers to participate in a “Beauty Around the World” series, I was keen to get involved!  You can find my blog, a beautiful story, over at http://abeautifulstory.net
   Please keep in mind that I am sharing with you my thoughts on the Australian notions of beauty from my own personal perspective. There are many possible points of view on this topic and I would be interested to hear what fellow Aussies think of my post!

   Australia is a culturally diverse nation. As such, people have brought trends and approaches to life – including beauty – from around the world. A large percentage of Australia’s population has Asian heritage, due to our close proximity to Asia and historical factors. Whilst this has been the case for many years, I have personally noticed that only in the last 5 years or so there has been a dramatically increased focus on products that are popular in Asia, which I love! (Consequently BB creams have recently made a big splash here.) :-)

  Given Australia’s history and Westernised nature, beauty trends here are very similar to countries that have a similar history and makeup, like the United States of America and the United Kingdom. However, particularly when compared to the USA, there are some key differences:

1) Preference for natural looking makeup effects and use of natural products. This means a tendency to enhance one’s natural features and show them off without necessarily resorting to use of bold colours, tonnes of false lashes, etc. Products which are naturally derived and paraben, etc, free are also surging in popularity.

2) Real tanning and tanning beds are NOT cool. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. As such, in the summer, there are often awareness campaigns (such as the famous “Slip. Slop. Slap!” – slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat). Some Australian states have also now BANNED the operation and use of tanning beds. Having said this, you will still see some people tanning on the beaches and the tanned look is popular in the summer – however most achieve this with a spray tan these days.

3) Products containing SPF are very popular. This is for obvious reasons (see point 2! ). Until 10 years or so ago it was not easy to obtain sunscreen above SPF 15 in Australia. This may have been due to the rigorous review and testing standards that SPF containing products must go through here to verify the true SPF properties. These days it is easy to find SPF 30+ products but that is typically as high as it goes, unless you are purchasing international brands at higher end beauty counters. I have written more about sunscreens and what to look for in more detail on my blog if you’d like to learn more!

***

   I’d also like to take this opportunity to tell you about some of my favourite beauty products from Australian brands! You may or may not be able to find these locally, if not, eBay is your best bet. Visit my site for more thorough reviews on these star products:

1) Face Of Australia Face Base Primer. This product now also comes in an SPF 15 version and works just as effectively as higher end primers. Light on the skin and your makeup will last all day and well into the night. I like to use this product when I have plans to go out for dinner after work.

2) Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner. This is a refreshing spray toner that is ideal for use in summer and ideal for combination to oily skin like mine. Containing only naturally derived ingredients, it is very good to your skin and body!

3) Australis Ready Set Go finishing powder. Super fine particles set your makeup without a cakey or chalky look. The fact it is translucent rather than skin toned means that it can be used effectively on any skin tone.

All of the above are high performing bargains, retailing for  less than $20 AUD  each!

***

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post! If you’d like to read more from me, please visit a beautiful story at http://abeautifulstory.net


   Do any of you live in Australia? What do you think is typical for the beauty scene over there? Any questions for Sarah?

All About Serums -- Whether You Need One, And How To Choose One

   It took me a while to figure out serums -- what they are, and whether I need one. A serum is a concentrate of detoxing and nourishing substances. Serums have much more active ingredients than regular creams and moisturisers, and they are lighter and often less moisturising. Serums are meant to be used under your moisturiser, to give a boost to the skin, deal with skin problems, and fight aging.

Do you need a serum?

    Every skin type benefits from a serum. If you want to fight ageing or deal with skin issues, a specialised serum will usually work better than moisturisers and creams. If you want to invest on a product, a serum (and good sunscreen) should be it. Use simple, non-irritating cleansers; then a good serum that is specialised to your skin's needs; over that a simple moisturiser, and top it up with good sunscreen.
    Serums are not just something for mature skin. It is true that they are often marketed to 40+ women, because this age bracket spends much more on skin care and serums are often expensive. However most of the ingredients in serums work for younger skin as well, and do a good job of preventing ageing in younger skin as well.

How to recognise a serum

   Sometimes serums are labeled as serums or concentrates, often they are not. Don't be fooled by names -- many products that are actually serums have very fancy names like elixir, potion, "youth activator" "revitaliser" and so on. Everything that comes in an ampule is a serum -- these have the advantage of not needing preservatives, since the contents are used up immediately. Oils can also work as a serum, for example the one from Dr Hauschka.
   

How to choose a serum

   There isn't a perfect serum out there that will work on everyone; it all depends on what your skin needs and likes. Here are some tips to help you choose:
   If you have a skin with special need, look for a serum that fits it (for spider veins, oily skin, discolourations, anti-aging etc). If you don't need anything specific,  I wouldn't really recommend going for a hydrating serum -- your moisturiser should be doing this job. Instead, think of preventing skin damage and go for something anti-aging.

     It is very important to look at the ingredient list, since the product descriptions almost read like poetry. Also, don't think that more expensive stuff must be better -- the ingredients will reveal the true value of the product.
    The anti-aging and brightening ingredients vitamin C, retinol, BHA (salicylic acid) or AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid) make your skin sensitive to the sun, so use at night and don't forget sunscreen during the day. Also, these ingredients may irritate sensitive skin -- if you have never used them before, choose a product where they appear in a lower concentration (For example 20% vitamin C or 1% retinol are very strong and may burn unprepared skin). Don't let me scare you off though -- if you let your skin get used to them gradually, they can do wonders by brightening the skin, removing discolourations and fine lines. Avoid these ingredients if you are already using chemical peels. An exception here is mandelic acid -- this AHA is quite gentle and won't irritate or cause sensitivity.
      If the serum contains collagen, know that it is a great albeit expensive moisturiser but nothing more. Other moisturising ingredients that often appear in serums are glycerin, hyaluronan, Don't focus on these, like I said the serum should focus on doing stuff that a moisturiser can't.
    Most serums contain plant oils and extracts. Green tea and pomengranate are antioxidant; chamomile and comfrey soothe and reduce redness, and so on. Again, what you choose depends on what your skin needs.
Don't bother buying anything with:
* Silicones -- this is a special-effect ingredient which doesn't actually do a thing for your skin, and might clog it up in the long run.
* Alcohol or alcohol denat -- drying and irritating
      Do check the reviews on Makeupalley -- here serums are listed under "treatments".

    On the top is the photo of the serum I am using at the moment: Anti-Age from Alterra, for a "mature and demanding skin" -- but I see nothing in the ingredients that my "immature" (lol) skin wouldn't like.

How to use a serum

   A serum should be applied on cleansed skin under the moisturiser or cream, so that the ingredients can penetrate the skin better. Use it on your face, under the eyes (unless you have very sensitive skin), your neck and decolette. You don't have to apply a moisturiser or cream on top -- most serums are moderately moisturising (even if they feel very light and absorb very fast), your skin might be satisfied with that, especially if it is normal or oily. Dry skin might need a cream over the serum, while combination skin might need cream on the dry parts. Everyone should be moisturising their neck and decolette -- the skin here tends to be dry and delicate. Go for a simple and inexpensive moisturising product, since you only need moisture and the serum will be taking care of the rest.

DIY serums

    Serums are fun and easy to make, because consistency doesn't matter.
Here is my vitamin C and E serum and here is an antioxidant serum from essential oils. Many DIY cosmetic stores sell serum sets which are great because you get control over what goes in there.


   To sum it up -- serums should be a part of of well-rounded beauty routine, whether you are 18 or 80.


    Now over to you: do you use a serum? Do you have any favourite serums that you'd like to tell us about?

Fixing Underwires That Hurt The Sternum, By Pushing Them Through Tunnels

   What to do when underwires poke in the front of the chest?

   Exhibit A: this lovely Curvy Kate Tease Me fits me perfectly, but the underwires pinch me in the front.  I recently found a quick and dirty fix for this.

   (I'm assuming you are properly fitted, right? If not, off you go and measure yourself. Most bra discomfort issues are caused by wearing the wrong size!)

   So, I realised that the underwire of this bra is much shorter than the tunnel for it. In this photo, the yellow line represents the underwire:

    So I did the obvious. I pushed the underwire so that it goes higher up under the armpits and lower at the sternum:

    There, that feels much more comfortable! You can no sew the empty part of the tunnel up, otherwise the underwire will probably work its way back up.


    Of course, this only works for bras where the underwire is shorter than its tunnel. If this method doesn't work, you can always try bending the tip of the underwire away on a flat surface, or try sewing a dart in the front of the bra. Of course, some people just can't wear regular underwires, but generally I recommend wired over non-wired bras because of the superior fit and support.

     Have you ever tried pushing down your underwires? Do you know any other quick fixes for uncomfortable underwires?