Even more hideous cosmetics ingredients

You’re probably getting the gist now: make-up and other cosmetics are often made of weird stuff. Here are just two more examples.

Firstly, diatomaceous earth, which is an ingredient in exfoliants. This is basically a form of fossilised algae – algae being the green gunk that makes ponds go all scummy. On this occasion, it’s not as bad as it sounds, because the algae is so old, it’s basically become rock.

Then there’s guanine, which you’ll typically find in shampoo and nail polish. It’s sometimes called ‘natural pearl essence’ which sounds very nice. However, you could more accurately think of it as being ‘fish scales’.

More unusual cosmetics ingredients

Unlike the food we eat, we rarely consider the ingredients that go into cosmetics. To our eyes, they are something in themselves - they are ‘facial cream’ or ‘lipstick’. However, this obscures the fact that many different things go into every beauty product and not all of them are appealing.

For example, shark liver oil is often used. Moisturisers, suns cream, eye make-up, lipstick and bath oils are all likely to feature this ingredient, known as squalene.

Or what about ambergris? It sounds innocent enough, but it’s actually the substance that protects a whale’s stomach from squid beaks and the like. And how do people get it out of the whale? Well, actually, the whale gets rid of it in two ways. You don’t want to know about either. Amergris is used in perfume.

Weird cosmetics ingredients - vegetable oil

The cosmetics industry relies on all sorts of ingredients when making its products. It’s often best not to think about this, particularly when it comes to the inclusion of urine which acts as a skin softener.

Another common ingredient in moisturisers is hydrogenated vegetable oil. In many ways, we are literally greasing ourselves up when we apply cream. Hydrogenated vegetable oil appears in body creams and lip balms.

If you use skin firming products, there is another ingredient you might be applying to your skin: egg white. It constricts when it dries, giving the firming effect that many people are looking for.

Don’t copy the Cher Lloyd look!

OK, so she might be young, and every teenager is prone to making big make up mistakes, but 2010 X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd is one huge walking make up mistake!

Like a lot of teens, Cher is prone to pimples, although rather than covering them up with a bit of concealer and letting them breathe, Cher slaps on about 10 layers of foundation and makes them look even more noticeable. The fact that her foundation is always either 10 shades too light or 20 shades too dark never helps either!

Cher must have access to some of the best make up artists about so she really should try using them!!

Need a new handbag to dance around?

Every diva needs a decent handbag. Where else would you keep all your make-up, perfume, spare jewellery and little black book? And what else would you dance around?

This month, the people at diva bingo are giving handbags away to anyone who deposits £20 before the end of April. So if you are a bingo fan, male or female (the bag would make the perfect present for the diva in your life), put down £20, get the handbag and a chance to win cash prizes.

The handbags are not the only freebies on offer at diva bingo at the moment, though. When you sign up, you get a £5 bonus even without a deposit which means you get to have a look round and try your hand at being a bingo diva before you commit to anything!

There’s a 250% first deposit bonus, a 50% recharge bonus, cash for every friend you invite and 2000 GPs just for liking the official Diva Bingo Facebook page if you are a funded diva… and that’s before I’ve even mentioned the guaranteed weekly pot of £6,000.

So, go to the ohmybingo.com web site to find out how to let your inner diva shine!

Looking good at home too

Nowadays it is not all about making sure you are at your best when going out for dinner or attending a party with friends. No, it is all about looking and feeling great at all times, especially when going about your daily life at home.

There are many designers who are creating comfortable yet stylish gear that can be worn when lounging in front of the TV or pottering around the house. These fashionable clothes are usually made with luxury in mind, but are different to what you would wear to a social gathering.

Accessories are also becoming very popular and when you need eyewear for medical reasons this can be turned into a massive positive. When getting out a good book to read before you go to bed you can still ensure that you are keeping up with the latest fashions. The designer reading glasses now available on the market are perfect for reading, whether you are at home or at the airport waiting for your flight number to be called.

With the latest men’s and ladies’ fashion you can be sure there will be something for you to keep you looking amazing, even when doing the most mundane things at home.

Advantages of Wearing Scarfs

As the weather is getting worse and we are entering into the winter months, it is getting more and more important to wrap up warm to ensure that Jack Frost doesn’t nip at your fingers and toes!

I am a big fan of wearing scarfs; I wear them to keep warm but I also wear then because they are very fashionable and you can wear such a huge variety of styles.

My collection of scarfs range from woolly scarfs in a huge array of colours, to cotton scarfs from India (my boyfriend’s mum used to live in India so she often gives me hand-outs of different scarfs which match my different outfits).

As winter comes closer, get your scarfs out and start mixing it up to create unique looks and styles which you friends will envy!

Are you a trend setter?

I would say I am pretty average in my dress sense, I am not the best ever dresser all the time however I have some of my days when I put particular effort in and get dressed up smart and professional for work. There are also evening out when I am going out on the town when I get dressed up and put on a dress and get my legs out.

I am not a quirky dresser and I don’t set trends with my clothes. However I know from reading magazines and from taking advice from my friends I choose clothes which suit my body shape and size and which flatter my figure.

I am happy to be a normal person rather than a fashionista - I have got better things to spend my money on - ie. having a good time with my friends!

Exercise is part of your beauty regime

You should never underestimate how good exercise is for your appearance. It is no good spending all your time and energy thinking about fad diets and little expedients to sort out your figure, your skin, hair and nails, if you don’t put a bit of leg work in too.

Exercise keeps your skin healthy and keeps your body working as it should do. The result is that you feel a lot better about yourself and this shows outwardly giving you greater confidence. If you stick at it, you’ll also see great results when it comes to toning up your body and gaining a killer shape.

Curves or no curves? The public can’t decide

A lot of people have been praising Christina Hendricks of late because of her incredible body. Her curves have had the gossip columns in a furore and she has been hailed as the ideal woman, but it seems a little odd to bestow such a title on her when celebs are bemoaned for their lack of curves.

Celebrities can’t seem to win regarding their figures as the British public is so reactionary and fickle. When one celeb puts on a little weight she is praised for representing the ‘real’ woman, whilst another could put on a little weight and be ridiculed for it.

The public could do with accepting that a lot of celebs go about their daily business with their natural body shapes. Without a great deal of work, ordinary women won’t achieve the Christina Hendricks look or the catwalk model look unless they are naturally disposed to it. Curves or no curves, the girls in the limelight should probably just be left alone.

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