Make-Up Tips

Celeb make-up top tips
We've never had enough make-up tips have we?
So here's a few more ... From celebrity make-up artist Charlotte Reid.

Make sure your foundation is an exact match to your skin - When you apply a streak it should be invisible. Ask for a mirror and walk to the door to see if the colour looks as good in natural light as it does in artificial light - Or take a little pot and ask for a sample to take home.

Your skin colour changes in summer and winter so you may need different shades of foundation for different times of year.

Apply concealer with a brush instead of your fingers, to avoid transferring grease from your fingers onto your face.

Layering on too much foundation and concealer to hide spots can draw more attention to them and making the problem worse. Try to keep it natural.

Emphasise your eyes. Drawing attention to one feature can take the focus off another.

Always take your make-up off before you go to bed. It's easy to be lazy about it, but thoroughly cleansing your skin gets rid of the daily build-up of grime that can clog pores and can lead to spots.

Thanks Charlotte … for your super-helpful top tips.

Jill

Congratulations ...

Need I say more ?

Jill

Cats Eyes ...

At the same time summer seems to have arrived, bringing the future to our now, the fashion industry seems to be bringing the past to us in the form of retro sunnies ...

According to fashion writer, Lucille Howe, cat-eye frames work wonders for square faces or diamond faces. The sharper edge frames can benefit rounder faces.

Thanks Lucille.
Suggestions from Topshop £16 - £19 approx

Jill

Make £££'s from Car Boots ...

For years I've not been able to resist clearing out cupboards and cupboards and ... of stuff to car boot sales, then folding all the unsold items nicely, placing them in separate boxes: ornaments, clothes, books etc and taking them to the charity shop. Well done I say to myself. And even more smugly, I think, fairly well done too.

To be honest, most of the stuff is sold to other stall-holders, the more serious car-booters, the regulars; the rest, I more-or-less give away. But during the occasional early Sunday morning events and after watching the endless TV progs visiting French Antique Markets / finding treasures in the attic / placing Red teams V Blue and Real Deals, whilst caring for my mum, I couldn't help wanting to scan all the stalls for that special piece.

I never did get around to it. But my friend did. Here's how she did it ...

1. Quick visit to car boot / table top sale / garage sale / Grandma's cupboards.
2. Buy couple of purchases [few pounds max] ~ coloured glass / something silver
/ rich glossy ornament / very old books or magazines / polished mahogany
3. Find an area well-known for antique shops.
4. Take the items and offer them for sale.

Alternatively, find a local auction house - internet search one from your postcode.

Group items together [3 items blue glass] [two similar ornaments] [a trio of silver items]

Items are usually charged per sale plus percentage [10-15%].

* If not sold and not collected within given time span, there may be a further charge.

Good Luck, Jill

Question: How can I unblock my drain without spending almost a fiver on products?

Hello Daughter, Thanks for your question on how to unblock a drain cheaply.
Bathroom drains can easily block with hair and soapy products or food and fat in the kitchen. Try this tried and tested method:

All you need is Baking Powder and Vinegar.

1. Put a cup of baking powder down the drain.
2. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain after the baking soda.
[Put plug in to cover - the mixture froths up]
3. Leave for approx 30 minutes.
4. Whilst waiting, boil kettle full of water.
5. Pour boiling water slowly down the drain.

If the drain isn't fully functioning - repeat the process.

Good Luck, Jill

Potted Toms ...

Now's the time to plant tomato plants. Theyr'e only around £1 per plant. Fill a pot/tub with compost/soil mixture. Secure the small tomato plant in the centre. Place in a sunny spot. Water regularly. Watch it grow. You can insert small frame into soil to protect the stem from tilting. Cherry tomatoes are really easy to grow in a pot. Be careful, too much rain and not enough sun turns them brown and waterlogged.
Harvest. Eat. Share. Show off. Possibly more fun than shopping ~ and cheaper too!
Jill

Hot Lips ...

Don't burn your lips this summer ...

I tried Clinique's Targeted Protection Stick spf 35 and found it great for lips.

Clinique says: 'Steps up protection against the burning effects of UVA and UVB rays for fragile areas-eye-area skin, lips, nose, earlobes, even scars. UVA defense helps guard against premature aging. Conditions, comforts. Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. Oil-free.'
It's around £15 but well worth it.

Jill

Eyes up for Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring ...

Eyelash Tints ...

Easy to apply ? ... Yes, fairly easy - you have to mix the dye cream with the developer liquid. Don't try this task when you're in a hurry. Honestly, it's a bit messy to apply. Be careful not to get any in your eyes - it does sting. I've not suffered any bad reactions though.

Great for holidays - the beach and pool - no need to use mascara in the day.

I found that my eye lashes appeared healthier and looked thicker and longer when I applied mascara over the top for evening.

Can be used to define brows too.

Priced around £4.99 - £6.99 Brown or Black [Brown created more natural effect]

Some products can be fastened and used again [up to one month].

Always follow instructions given with product and do a patch test first.

Jill

Hello Daughters, Mums, Sisters, Aunties, Friends ...

Thought it was time to be a bit more grown up ~ so I'm intending to develop a separate skin-care section.

I was hoping you could help. We can save time and money by sharing our knowledge of products which really do what they say [not literally of course].

I'm looking forward to hearing about your favourite product ~ what's special about it?

Comment, Email [gmhesketh@googlemail.com], Facebook or Post a Message in the Question box.

Thanks, Jill

Saw this ... and thought of you ...

www.wynabbot.com Jill

Rocky ... Choccy ... Thingy ...

Thankyou for your question, Daughter ~ not ~ in ~ Distress ...

What is the recipe for that chocolate thingy you made at Christmas?

Here it is girls ... Make it for a special treat though ~ It's not cheap:~

Find or Buy:

2 packets plain chocolate
1 packet Greens with orange and ginger
Half packet white chocolate.

Chop and mix together small amounts of : glace cherries / almond flakes / crushed hazelnuts / pieces marshmallow / raisins / dried apricots / dried cranberries / other personal choice similar foods.

Line shallow tin [like a swiss-roll tin] with greaseproof paper Melt dark and Greens chocolate in microwave Pour melted liquid into shallow tin Sprinkle heavily with chopped fruits and nuts
Melt white chocolate
Drizzle white chocolate finely over dark chocolate/fruit/nut in diagonal lines.
Allow to set in a fridge
Break chocolate into random 'rustic' shapes
Pile a few pieces on top of each other ~ wrap in celophane ~
Tie with ribbon
Deliver to someone you love !

Jill

Question: Health Cover ...

Thank you Daughter ~ in ~ Distress for your question:

Should I keep my Private Health Insurance Cover? It's so expensive and I haven't had a need for it - yet.

It's a dilemma for sure. Especially if you think that the minute you cancel the cover, you may need it. Health Insurance can help you have peace of mind but at what price? You could pay till you're 50 and never need it ~ let's hope so !

But for now, whilst you decide, you could limit the costs: ~

Tell the Insurance Company you're looking around for a better price.
You should have some 'No Claims' ~ often not offered unless you ask.
Choose the lowest tariff.
Consider an excess.
Limit amount available on outpatient visits. [Includes Consultant/Scans/Blood Tests] You can change the band content each year.

Hope this helps, Jill

Thanks, Thankyou, Thank you very much ...

A sincere Thankyou to everyone for clicking onto my daughters in distress blog, peeping at the pics, scrolling down the topics ...

I really do enjoy sharing all sorts of topics with you ~ hence the 'random' warning at the top of the home page.

Strangely [yes my tongue is in my cheek] ... I don't receive many requests from daughters in actual distress [lucky tho] ... or asking for advice on repairs, affairs, university essays [I have been known to edit a few,] cleaning, mending, menus or planning general domesticity. So is that because all the daughters know all the answers? ~ or just out partying ... I hope it's the latter.

So that's how my habit of dipping into various random topics, often unrelated to daughters in any sort of distress, has emerged.

Keep clicking ... keep reading ... and if you can, press FOLLOW or add a comment.

I really would love to hear from you.

Thanks, Thankyou, Thank you very much, Jill

How Lucky ...

Thankyou youngest son xxx

PS ~ He is 18 years 8 months old though !!

Happy House ...

We're having a craft fair and family fun day at Art Deco Cafe, Stanley Park, Blackpool, on Saturday, May 7, from 10am-3pm to raise money for The Happy House Children's Home. Watamu, Kenya.

Stalls £10.

Bottles needed for a Bottle Tombola, also gifts for Kids' lucky dip and vouches for Raffle prizes.

If you would like a stall or can help in any way please ring me - Elizabeth Gomm on 07905 130 589.

Again, if you can help, please email me via Gillian: gmhesketh@googlemail.com

More Hot Stuff ...

OMG Look at this … A MUST for all students and daughters spending too much time partying and not enough effort scrubbing your house-mates’ spillages from the bottom of your oven … [always best to blame someone else] Do you notice That Smell when you turn your oven on? Does it Smell like something’s burning? Does is smell like something’s Burning all over again? Well, the news is, it probably is ! Whatever has spilt onto the bottom of your oven is being re-cooked over and over every time you turn the oven on. The Answer: Clean the oven with oven cleaner [follow product instructions ~ use gloves, leave product to soak, sponge out mess, probably repeat operation … don’t breathe in fumes etc.] Then … Place THIS wonderful item on the bottom of your oven … Clean Zone Teflon Non-Stick Liner [Approx £9.95] Your oven will love you for it … It’s a Brilliant Invention … Your Mum will be so proud of you !! …….. And the smell will disappear too ! So when the boyfriend pops around for supper, all he can smell … is your perfume. Enjoy ~ Jill

Hot Stuff ...

Now that we’re thinking of Salads ~ spare a little thought for your oven. It’s probably been working overtime during the winter months, preparing all your hot stuff. Give it a treat. Go on, Give it a Spring-clean. Besides the usual hotplate scrub, the INSIDE is usually a part of the oven we pretend we can’t see [ But guaranteed, when your mum calls, she will ! ] For easy to remove Caked-on-Spillage, try this brilliant innovation ~ the Oven Bag … Eg: Oven Pride … Pop the oven’s shelves into the bag … and hey presto … some time later … Clean Sparkling Shelves ! [The cheapest I found were at Tesco £3.57 each – plus delivery] Enjoy ~ Jill

The Mission ...

Holidays ? Uni Fees? Driving Lessons? Friday Night Out with the Girls?

The Mission: Saving Up
The Tasks: Stage 1 - EBAY … Stage 2 - Car Boot Sale … Stage 3 - Auction House
The Plan: Read on
The Result: Satisfaction

Yes, I’m often banging on about recycling. That’s not because I’m mean ~ it’s because I don’t like to waste things that have plenty of use in them. More importantly, the credit crunch has taught [is teaching] us how we’ve been a naughty throw-away society [including me]. And now it’s time to either look after things, fix things, care for them by making longer-term use ~ or recycle ...

Okay, You’ve sold a couple of dresses and a top on eBay ~ got your mum to post the parcels for you as you’re at work / college / uni / too busy.

But now its time for the next stages: Stage 2 - The CAR BOOT. It’s no excuse to say you haven’t got a car. Someone you know will have. Get them involved too. Share the site fee £5-£10.

Some Pointers for an easy ride:
Don’t have ridiculous expectations for how much you want for your precious stuff.

Before you go: - Organise your stuff into categories: Clothes / Bric-a-brac / Books / Toys etc.
- Do your homework – Is there anything worth selling on eBay or at an auction?
- Get a container – Add loose change / felt pen / Labels / Cardboard
- Carton juice / flask / Water

Get There Early !! The dealers and other stallholders will know if you’re a new kid on the block and buy up your stuff to sell on.

**TIP – Sell your stuff cheaper than other stall-holders and get away sooner.

Don’t get caught up buying other people’s stuff !

When you’ve had enough ~
Pack all the really rubbish stuff into a bin bag.
Fold all decent stuff into a box ~ Take the box to the charity shop.

You might end up a bit grubby and tired but you’ll have a made few quid, breathed in some fresh air, cleared stuff and created energy flow in your abode – Plus you’ll be doing a good turn by taking items to the Charity Shop. It’s Satisfaction Guaranteed.

** Auction House Sales Coming up Next…

Jill

Daughters ... It's Mother's Day ! ! ! ! !

Tea or Coffee?
If you've forgotten, there's still time to show your mum you care. Just make her a nice cup of tea / coffee / glass of wine / lunch / dinner ... the choices are endless ...

Enjoy your time together ... Jill

Swirl ... Tap ... Woof ... Brush ...

Just to let you know how I'm getting on with bareMinerals natural effect ... It's Brilliant - [not just saying that because I got a free sample ~ honest] ... It Really Is Brill !

Swirl the mineral enriched powder in the container, Tap off the excess. Brush over face ...

So Quick ... Sooo Effective ...

Angel is demonstrating a concealer - easy to apply and immediately effective ~ Look ~ No dark circles !

Angel seems surprised too !

Jill