waxing questions answered

so here's some answers to some questions, plus a few tips for you all when it comes to waxing:

"i decided to wax my underarms myself i applied cold wax there and kept a cloth on it and tried to yank it in the opposite direction....oo its too scary and too painful but the hair didnt come out with the cloth...my underarm hair is about an inch long...shud i trim the hair before waxing..and also what type of cloth shud i use for waxing plz help"

- when it comes to waxing underarm hair, what you want to do is make sure that the hair is no more than one centimetre long, or the wax won't be able to grip the whole hair, which it must be able to do in order to pull it out from the root properly. so, i would recommend you wax your underarm hair every few weeks, as soon as they are about 1/2 cm they should be ok to wax. if you continue to wax at these intervals, not only should you see a reduction in the amount of hair that grows back, but you won't then have the problem of pre-trimming the hair.

i personally wax my underarms almost every month. i use some cheap cold wax strips from Tesco, it's important to get the mini strips so that you can be specific about where you place the strips and in what direction you pull, as underarm hair tends to grow in different directions. if you are at all concerned about what it should feel like, then go and have them done professionally, it's not always that much more expensive than doing them yourself at home, and it's more of a treat to yourself too! - that's how i started anyway, until i felt like i was able to do it well myself, and then i learned how to do it with hot wax (for a longer lasting treatment) on my course: although i would never do that to myself as it's far too messy.

what waxing product do you use? :)

for my underarms i use the cheap mini cold wax strips (as mentioned above), for my legs i use either large cold wax strips by Veet or go to my local salon, depending on a couple of things: if i'm going on holiday i'll treat myself, but just for regular maintenance i will use Veet - they're pretty easy to use. in my own little salon i use phd honey wax, which smells good and is easy to use on yourself if you practice a bit.

here's some tips for you all:
♥ if you've never had your underarms waxed, and you think it sounds gross, just try it! i guarantee you'll love the freedom of not shaving them every day, and the beauty of the complete lack of hair shadow or stubble (ew)
♥ if you've never had your bikini waxed, then definitely go have that done: it's cheap, and i don't think there's any other way to keep that particular area tidy...make sure to trim the hairs before you go, and wear nice underwear, and also know how much you want taken off before you go so that you can make sure they do what you want, and you are confident enough to let them
♥ if you are afraid of the pain, it might be helpful to know that most people don't actually find it as bad as they think, and that you will adjust to the type of pain over time, although my underarms always hurt loads, but i cope with it! going to your local salon will be a more pleasant experience for you than trying to do it yourself at home.
♥ always pull against the natural hair line, so that you don't end up with ingrown hairs
♥ don't try to wax on freshly washed skin/hair, as the wax won't grab the hairs well enough
♥ if you have any more questions, please ask me...

learning about waxing

so i did my next beauty therapy course: waxing!

it was a weird thing to learn about but not too difficult to do. there were loads of new things i learnt about, and so i wanted to give you guys the opportunity to ask anything about waxing you want...

and i will answer it in the next post. have a fab day!

lucas' papaw ointment: review

i absolutely adore this stuff!!!

in fact this is the perfect lip balm, and i'm going to be super upset when i finish the tube.

i got it the first day i was in oz last year, and i've been using it ever since. it's just amazing value for money, and there's only one ingredient in it - fermented papaya.

i don't think there's anything better, actually I may make this my number one product of the whole of 2009 (and probably 2010)!

the importance of a nice hot bath

this is something extremely important, and is a very natural, healthy thing. A nice hot bath. It cleanses and detoxifies naturally, and is a great remedy for skin ailments.

basically, i can totally tell the difference between when i've been having quick showers and when i've had long soaky baths. my skin is smoother, cleaner and in much better condition after baths than showers i find. i know some people find baths a bit gross, but i know there's nothing more relaxing after a long day at work.

some people find it even better to light candles and have mood lighting, but given i don't have such a luxurious bathroom with space for candles or fancy lighting, i just fill my bath really deep, lie back and close my eyes. sometimes i'll put music on, but most of the time i just appreciate the silence.

i never take a bath if i'm in a hurry, i think that would be the most unrelaxing thing a person could do. also, it sets your mind wrong, if you associate baths with speed then it'll be difficult to unwind next time you're in one.

so the best way to enjoy your bath may be:

• to have it as hot as you like, there's not much point in a warm bath, it has to be hot!
• add some proper bath salts, as natural as you can, and maybe scented with lavender
• have your towel ready, it's such a nuisance to have to search for it whilst you drip
• make sure all the products you need are close to you, you don't want to get out of the bath to get your shampoo or body scrub, that just breaks the magical relaxation
• don't hurry yourself, leisurely massage ever inch of your body until you are clean, it's supposed to be luxurious

baths are also great for warming your whole body up after a winter's day, easing muscle fatigue or unrest, chillin you out and destressing you - which is in turn very beneficial to the skin, opening up the pores on your face - have a cleanser, face scrub or exfoliator at the ready.

go and pour one right now...

i've just made an updated skincare routine video for all of you guys to see too...check it out!

merry christmas!

dear all of my wonderful blog readers,

i just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!! and an extremely happy 2010!

ps. if you haven't seen my christmas looks video yet, make sure to check it out...it's a fairly festive vlog about what i'm wearing this christmas and what makeup looks i'll be doing!

my christmas wish list

isn't it funny how one stupid hater comment can ruin your day. i tried to not let it. but it did.

anyway, here's my latest YT video, that was requested for me to do: My Christmas Wishlist

here's a breakdown of things I would like (ps. i won't get all of this, at all, but these are just ideas!) :

A subscription to Vogue and Country Living, hats (especially vintage ones), Anthropologie vouchers, theatre and cinema tickets, polaroid camera, Folio classic books, socks, driving gloves, craft stuff, cookie cutters, candles, hot water bottles, flavoured tea, cookbooks, fashion and period costume books, blankets, money, a new camera with a focus, the OC season 4, bare minerals stuff, a vintage bike, cooking course, a puppy, and ice cream maker!!

Show and Tell

Here's a bit of an update on what I've been doing lately... and make sure you ask me anything you want to know the answer to, or a video you'd like to see me do!