Lips: There’s nothing more cheering when it comes to make-up than a pop of bold colour on your lips. Whether you’re a classic red kinda gal or more of a punchy pink person I, myself will take any shade, as long as it’s bright, comfortable on the lips and long wearing. That is exactly what the Lord + Berry ‘20100 Collection’ offers. They are super creamy in formula and are ridiculously pigmented – My favourite shade is ‘La Fiesta’ a seriously cool lilac that brightens up any outfit.
Skincare: I’ve waxed lyrical about SPF this month, probably something to do with the sunnier weather? My favourite moisturising SPF is the Olay Complete Lightweight Day Fluid which does not break me out in the way that most other SPF formulas do. Seriously hydrating and very reasonably priced at £5.99 I am a big fan.
Bodycare: What would a body care section be included in a monthly favourites blog without an ode to Kiehl’s Creme De Corps? I’ll admit that I was way late on the bandwagon but once I joined, I was converted. It all started with a tester I got from Kiehl’s. The nourishing, seriously smoothing body butter is rich and very, very treaty. It contains shea butter, avocado oil and squalene and smells fresh and lovely. Y’know that ‘just-got-out-of-the-shower scent. I use it after a lush bath, or after a day in the sunshine.
The Wild Argan Oil – Solid Oil from The Body Shop has also fallen back into favour with me and I have been spreading it on dry elbows and knees, as well as on the ends of my hair when it feels a little parched from a lunchtime spent in the sun. A really handy and versatile product that nobody quite knows what to do with, but well worth stashing in your beauty bag for helping out with just about everything from dry skin, to giving a healthy moisturised glow to the face.
Haircare: I’ve been seriously boring when it comes to my hair at the moment, using ‘whatever’s in the shower’ or whatever I find in my haircare box. Gone are the days of my pure delight at a new hair colour, or a new hair care product. Crazy huh? One product that has stood out this month is the Mark Hill Styling Heat Protection. I like it because it is non-sticky, it doesn’t weigh my hair down or, better still dry up crispy. When blow-drying my hair (I never straighten it these days) I don’t get that waft of dare I say, burning hair and generally my hair feels conditioned and soft following heat usage.
TV: I was absolutely blown away by the BBC’s dramatised account of the events that surrounded the conviction of the Rochdale Child Sex Abuse Ring. Entitled ‘Three girls,’ it was such a brilliant piece of television that I watched every episode of the three-part miniseries, twice. I thought the horrific and almost at times, unbelievable events that went on, were fantastically portrayed. Each character was entirely believable too – everything from accents to authenticity. It kind of felt, at times like watching a real documentary, especially the character of ‘Ruby.’ Not only did the programme highlight what happened in the years between 2008 and 2011 from the victim’s point of view, but it also depicted how grossly neglected those girls, as young as 13 were by authorities with the statutory power to convict their evil perpetrator’s. It really, really horrified me how a 15-year-old girl (Girl A in the case, ‘Holly’ in the programme) had to recount time and time again, the painful details of rape and sexual abuse before she was deemed ‘a reliable witness’ – what a world we live in ey? If you can catch it on iPlayer it is a difficult and harrowing watch, but highly recommended. You will mostly feel serious anger and empathy through the events that are depicted.
A really random documentary that I watched this month was on Hannah Hauxwell. Who? I hear you ask. Well to that, I say exactly! Hannah (at the time of ‘discovery’) was a middle-aged woman who lived on a farm in a desperately remote part of what was then known as the ‘North Riding Of Yorkshire’ (Now, Country Durham) She had no electricity, no running water and made £58 a year. It’s hard to believe anybody still lived in such poverty in the 20th century! You can find ‘A winter too many’ and ‘Too longer winter’ which feature Hannah’s incredibly desolate and difficult life on Youtube. Definitely worth a watch, she’s a fantastically, spirited woman who you wouldn’t believe lived such a hard, hard life.
Reading: Did anybody catch the piece published for The Atlantic named ‘My family’s slave?’ I found it through a twitter thread that was criticising the author of the piece and its place as a piece of journalism. It is written by the journalist, Alex Tizon who was born into a family that had a Pilipino woman nicknamed Lola serving them since she was 12 years of age. It’s a really emotional read that I think is an atonement for Alex Tizon’s failings. It contains a quote that I think is especially moving; “I knew there were years when she’d (Lola) dreamed of being with a man. I saw it in the way she wrapped herself around one large pillow at night.”
I also enjoyed this piece on being an adult with Asperger Syndrome from GurlsTalk. It discusses that people with the condition are so much more than a label. Sali Hughes (Yeah, sorry about that also wrote an excellent article on women’s clothing. I for one cannot wear ‘bodycon’ which is all there seems to be for women my age at the moment and Sali highlights this brilliantly.
Listening: Jo Elvin, Editor of British Glamour shared some interesting insight into her life on Lily Pebbles & Anna (Formerly Vivianna Does Makeup) podcast ‘At home with.‘ I find the concept a bit samey and it’s a little awkward to listen to at times, but Jo comes across really well. She said: “There is no such thing as a job that doesn’t have shitty bits.” and I raise my glass to her!
