What may feel like an addiction is actually a psychological effect that occurs when you have gotten used to your lips feeling soft and supple immediately after applying lip balm. Due to the fact that most lip balms are petroleum based, lips can potentially become ‘addicted’ to these, meaning that they will have to be used more and more often to have any effect. A definite no-no is lip-licking, which will hydrate your lips for a very short period of time, but once the moisture evaporates, lips will feel drier than ever.

If you have ever heard the myth that certain lip treatments are spiked with addictive ingredients, which in turn, will cause our lips to be continuously chapped and in need of balm? Ignore that myth, as there is no scientific evidence to support this rumour.

Any type of moisturising barrier between your lips and the environment is essential, especially during summer and winter, so whatever lip balm or treatment you’re reaching for, make sure that it doesn’t cause any irritation, as the skin on your lips is extremely sensitive and when you compare the three to five layers of skin cells on your lips to the fifteen elsewhere on the body, it is imperative that you use the lip treatment that is right for you.

If you’re in search for the perfect lip balm, why not try Carmex http://australia.mycarmex.com/ or http://www.mycarmex.com/how-it-works/default.aspx It is more than just a lip balm. It has moisturising, protecting and healing properties and can also be used for drying out blemishes, softening cuticles and smoothing elbows and knees - just to name a few things.

Here’s to soft, kissable, non-chapped lips.

That’s all for now.

Until next time……

Oh! tillie xxxx

What’s fabulous about fake lashes is that they allow your eyes to flutter and flirt and it is now completely acceptable to sport them during the day.

So if you’re willing to divulge in a little high drama, there are a few different options to choose from:

· Individual lashes will look more delicate and natural whilst filling out sparse areas. By using different length individual lashes and placing the longest ones on the outer corners you’ll achieve a more seductive look.  

· Tiny clusters of two or three lashes are often all a woman needs. Placing one small cluster of lashes (with tweezers) into the real lashes just at the outside corner of the eye will achieve a less dramatic look or by placing clusters closely together, along the natural lash line; will create a fuller effect.  Have a look at Harlotte’s Too Sweet Half Lashes http://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=10&productid=77

· Strips or rows of false lashes which will thicken and intensify the entire fringe but can be slightly trickier to put on and should be cut to fit. Place glue onto the band, then place the strip on the lid just above the real lashes.  Check out Harlotte’s Drama Queen Half Lashes http://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=10&productid=78

Applying mascara to natural and false lashes ‘fuses’ them for a more natural result. To camouflage the base of false eyelashes smudge dark eyes shadow over it or fill in any gaps with eyeliner.

Remember to be very careful when dealing with the glue as it can stain your clothes or furniture, much the same as good old fashioned super glue.

When removing fake lashes try not to yank them from your eyelids or lower lash line as it is guaranteed to make your eyes water just a little; instead, use your fingers to massage them gently with an oil based eye makeup remover. If you don’t have an oil based eye makeup remover or the instructions for the lashes specifically state not to used it, slowly, very slowly peel off the lashes, especially if they are able to be used numerous times.

That’s our lesson for today on how to gradually become as daring as Lady Gaga, one eyelash at a time;
so until next time…….

Oh! tillie xxxxx

]]> http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=438 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=423 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=423#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:37:57 +0000 OhTillie! http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=423 If you’re feeling creative and want to stand out from the crowd, then perhaps this make-up look is for you.  Pink orange, purple and blue looks amazing on brown or blue eyes, but why not try deep green, dark purple and yellow on hazel or green eyes to really make them stand out.  Just one tip, remember to blend - you want to follow the colourwheel http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=58, not look like one.

Until next time……

Oh! tillie  xxxx

Step 1. Start with a flawless canvas.  Foundation has come a long way in the last twenty years, so if you prefer Loose Mineral Foundation http://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=2&productid=16 make sure you apply it with the correct brush, ie. a Kabuki Brush and lightly dust it all over your face in a circular motion.  Otherwise your trusty liquid foundation will do just fine.

Step 2. The Power Brows.  Not everyone has the luxury of having a beautician at their beck and call to shape unruly brows, but with the help of a Brow Kit such as this onehttp://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=0&productid=0 creating striking eyebrows just became a whole lot easier.  For a more realistic look, the trick here is to apply a colour that is no more than two or three shades darker than your hair colour. Perfectly polished and groomed is what you’re going for here.

Step 3.  The Cat Eye.  I love this look as it makes a girl feel flirty, cute and sexy all at the same time. The idea is to just extend the line of your liner on top slightly and give it a flick towards your temples. Nothing too big or exaggerated, just a touch.  Any black eyeliner will do, but if you’re feeling very brave and have a steady hand, liquid liner is the way to go for an extra touch of glamour.

Step 4.  Eyelashes.  If the mere thought of an eyelash curler makes your eyes water, then perhaps faux lashes are for you. http://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=10&productid=78 Easy to apply and they will give you that old school look in seconds.

Step 5.  Lipstick.  To create this overall glamourous effect, I personally prefer a lighter lip,http://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=9&productid=29 but it all depends on how daring you’re feeling on the day and it also depends on where you’re going. A lighter lip will draw more attention to your eyes and eyebrows, whereas a darker lip can be more obvious, but is also bordering on yesterdays look .  This is supposed to be an alternative to that image.

Step 6. Cheeks. I prefer using a bronzer as opposed to a blush in this instancehttp://www.ohtillie.com.au/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=4&productid=19. A bronzer will highlight and contour your cheekbones, giving you a more chiselled 90’s Supermodel appearance.

There you have it, a glam 90’s look.  Glam or Grunge, the choice is yours.

Here’s to a fabulous decade.

Till next time……

BB……Oh! tillie

Hmmmmm, what look will I sport tomorrow?  Any suggestions?

So welcome, to Look Number One……the 90’s.  Being in the prime of my teens during the mid 90’s, I have to say I am thrilled about the fact that they are back in a big way, fashion, make-up you name it, the 90’s are back and rocking it bigger and better than ever.  For those of you who missed it the first time around, never fear as we’ll tell you all about what make-up the kids were wearing back then.

Today I thought I would sport the dark lip/lighter eyeshadow look aka the ‘Courtney Love Image’.  Why would anybody want to imitate Courtney, one may ask?  Well she has been known to have her good days and the pic below portrays just that……a good day.  In this pic her eyeliner is a little heavy, so what I did was alter the look a bit, as my complexion is slightly darker than Courtney’s and as to not appear too gothic  (we’ll leave that look for a later date)…. After applying Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation in Shell, I used Youngblood Lipstick in Sheer Passion, and to make sure the lipstick didn’t ‘bleed’ as they say, I carefully outlined my lips in Youngblood Lipliner in Brique.

Now for the eyes, I dusted Harlotte Eyeshadow Highlight in Hissy Fit all over my eyelids and then lightly drew a line on the rim of my eyelids and the lower lash line, with Harlotte Smudge eyeliner, for extra effect you could use your finger to smudge the eyeliner to create a “I Just woke up look”.  Don’t forget to apply a few coats of your favourite mascara (Oh! tillie has some great mascaras) and for a final 90’s touch, a few seeps of Youngblood Pressed Mineral Blush in Tangier.

So there you have it, an easy way to create a bygone look, which has been revitalised in 2011.  It’ll go perfectly with your little floral dress and Doc Martens.  Do people still wear Doc Martens or have I just taken the 90’s look too far?

Till next time……

BB……Oh! tillie

PS.  Stay tuned, because in tomorrow’s post we’ll talk about another hot look of the 90’s, check out the Vogue picture below for a sneak preview.

Have you ever thought about how many individual cosmetic products there are on the market? It’s virtually impossible to fathom. Cosmetics companies have made billions of dollars out of inventing an item for every cosmetic/make-up/beauty need. Here are just some of the different uses your beauty products have.

Vaseline Can be used as lipgloss, make-up remover, hair smoother/glosser (make sure you only put a  very tiny amount on your palm, and then smooth lightly over finished hairstyle, it will keep the style in place as well)

Bronzing powder eyeshadow

Intensive moisturisers cuticle softeners for hands and feet

Eye Cream lip balm

Baby Oil eye make-up remover, bath oil

Baby lotion make-up remover, face, body and hand moisturiser

Facial sprays pre-styling hair dampener and/or conditioning spray

Pink/Rose/Coral lipstick or gloss cream blush (just dab lightly though and be sure to blend it into your skin)

Clay face masks hand/foot masks

Exfoliating Cream shaving cream (it will make your legs silky smooth)

Cream coloured Eyeshadow under eye concealer (dab your foundation on top)

Hand Cream shaving cream (will also make your legs silky smooth)

Eyeliner eyebrow pencil (just make sure it’s one or two shades lighter than you’re actual eyebrow colour) lip liner (also make sure it’s a light brown or a colour that will match your lipstick)

Clear Mascara eyebrow gel

So next time you run out of your expensive make-up remover or have just used the very last of your under eye concealer, just remember that you have something in your make-up bag or cupboard that will fix the problem.

PRIME

Apply Youngblood Mineral Primer to create a smooth surface

BASE

Apply Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation in Suntan, Sunkissed or Golden Tan to the contours of the cheeks, nose and any other areas on the face that may need coverage, blend well (no need to apply to entire face if you’re in a hurry)

Highlight the cheek bones with Youngblood Lunar Dust in Sunset

Using the Youngblood Contour Blush Brush, lightly apply Youngblood Mineral Radiance in Sundance to areas that you want to highlight

To apply warmth to the cheeks, apply Harlotte Blush in Peach Frenzy to the apples of the cheeks and a sweep of colour also to highlight

BROWS

Groom and define brows with Youngblood Artiste Brow Kit. Always choose a colour for your brows that is one or two shades lighter than your natural brow colour

EYES

Smudge Harlotte Eyeliner Pencil on the top and bottom lash lines.

Apply Harlotte Hissy Fit Neutral Eyeshadow Highlighter to the eyelids and brow bone

LIPS

Apply Harlotte Lipstick or Lippie Pot in Topless or Starkers and add Harlotte Lipshine as a topcoat

For a crisp finish, line the lips with Harlotte Naked Beige Lipliner

Finally to set makeup for a natural, dewy finish and to rejuvenate skin throughout the day spray Youngblood Minerals in the Mist.

So there you have it a step-by-step instruction guide on how to release your inner Lauren Conrad!

Till next time……

Oh! tillie

xxx

]]> http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=317 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=304 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=304#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:47:02 +0000 OhTillie! http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=304 In case you haven’t heard the good news, chocolate can boost your health, beauty and happiness!! Just a couple of squares of dark chocolate brings you vitamins and minerals – including potassium, magnesium and iron. All of these substances can cheer you up and keep you looking and feeling younger for longer. Chocolate is also thought to have protective powers that could also help to reduce blood pressure as well as ward off degenerative diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

And if you’re one of those people that turn to chocolate for a mood boost, never fear, research has shown that this could be good thing because chocolate contains chemicals that can help fight the blues. But don’t overdo it; if you can, just opt for a square or two of very dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids, like Cadbury Old Gold Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa - it has the benefits of a larger bar of milk chocolate, with a lot less fat. Munching on chocolate can also be a way to boost flagging energy, because it contains sugars and fats that your body can metabolise quickly and substances such as theobromine and caffeine that helps to increase your energy and focus as well as phenylethylamine which is thought to stimulate your brain. If you need to beat the afternoon slump have a couple of squares of dark nut chocolate with a cup of tea. The nuts in the chocolate will help to curb your hunger pangs.

If you’ve been fighting free radicals that can cause aging then dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help to neutralise the free radicals that attack body cells and damage collagen. If you want to indulge and treat yourself to something a bit special, then why not book in for a chocolate spa facial which promises rejuvenating anti-aging effects. The treatments use fine grade cocoa powders containing vitamins and minerals that fight anti-aging and stimulate cell renewal.

However, if the chocolate facial sounds a little too extravagant then perhaps using a cocoa butter based products such as Palmers Cocoa Butter New Facial Care range  to treat your skin might be more practical. Cocoa Butter which comes straight from the cocoa bean, is a fabulous treatment for rough, dry skin. It is a rich natural emollient that melts at body temperature, so it glides smoothly over the skin where it imitates the natural lipids and helps to defend the moisture barrier. Cocoa butter is commonly used in the cosmetic industry due to its softening and nourishing effects. It is often found in products such as lip balms, cleaners, moisturisers and scrubs. One of our favourite products for body moisturising is also Palmers Cocoa Butter Body Lotion It is quickly absorbed by the skin to give long-lasting moisture. The sweet aroma of cocoa butter is slightly chocolately so it can help to lift your mood as mentioned above.

So no need to be battling with guilt over having chocolate after dinner or in the afternoon when you’re suffering from 3.30itis, because feeling bad about eating chocolate is bad for us, and guilt produces as many negative effects as pleasure does positive. Just remember not to over-indulge and that moderation is the key – you don’t want to become addicted to a good thing…….that’s a whole other blog post.

Till next time…..

Oh! tillie

This is the first blog post from Oh! tillie for 2010 on the first day of 2010 and for those of you who were up all night celebrating the new year we thought we would help you through the next few days by giving you some tips on how to fool your friends and family into thinking you’re fresh- as- a- daisy with our guide to covering up a sleepless night.

Step 1- REVIVE SKIN

To revive your skin start the morning with a facial exfoliator and/or a soothing mask. Look for products with camomile or aloe vera such as Aloe Gentle Exfoliator from The Body Shop. Products with these ingredients have calming, anti-inflammatory properties which will increase the blood flow to your face.

STEP 2 – REFRESH EYES

Eyes show off a late night more than anything so it’s vital to brighten them up again. Get rid of redness with eye drops and pat on a cooling eye gel such as Biore Cooling Eye Gel . If you have some extra time on your hands, lie down and wear a chilled eye mask and relax for ten minutes.

STEP 3 – CONCEAL AND FAKE RADIANCE

Only apply concealer and foundation on blotchy or darkened areas such as under your eyes and don’t be tempted to add too much as too much base can accentuate fine lines on dry and dehydrated skin. Now add a touch of blush on your cheeks and highlighter on your cheekbones for a fresh, dewy finish.

STEP 4 -BRIGHTEN EYES

Curling your lashes will instantly open up the eye area and make eyes appear wide awake, but remember to keep the focus on the top half of the eye and away from the lower half where darkness is more prominent. Line your upper lid with brown or black liner and your lower lid with a cream liner. Add two coats of black mascara to your top lashes, but just comb through the bottom ones with clear mascara.

STEP 5 – HYDRATE SKIN

If you have a long day ahead of you and would like your skin to appear dewy all day, keep a rose water spritz on hand like Jurlique Rose Water Spray . Not only will it hydrate your complexion all day, it will help make-up to stay fresh. As for your neck and décolletage, give them a light veil of moisture as well.

STEP 6 – ELIMATE TOXINS

Lastly, if you’re whole body is in need of a wake-up call, disperse toxins with a natural body bristle brush. Work up your body in long, gentle sweeping strokes in the direction of your heart.

So there you have it, the six steps to breathing life back into your skin the morning after a late night. Follow these refreshing pick-me-ups and cover up any tell-tale signs with well-applied make-up.

Happy New Year everyone and here’s to 2010. May the year bring with it health, happiness and beauty tips and trends that will make us all look and feel fabulous!!!

Oh! tillie

xxx

PS.  If you’re looking for Beauty Resolutions check out one of our previous posts http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=229

]]> http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=276 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=253 http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=253#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:36:04 +0000 OhTillie! http://ohtillie.com.au/Blog/?p=253 Have you ever watched daytime soap operas and wondered why the actor’s hair always looks immaculate, shiny and lustrous?? Apart from the fact that they have on set hair dressers following them around, they probably have an effective hair-care routine as well. It’s more than likely they don’t neglect their locks by leaving them to the ravages of sun; surf and sweat like the rest of us do, but never fear, you too can have a great hair day, everyday with the use of the right products and some tender loving care.

Finding the best cut, colour and haircare for you – and your lifestyle isn’t always easy but it’s actually never been easier to achieve salon results at home thanks to the array of brilliant products on the market and the expert advice provided by your hairdresser when you do visit them. No longer is the diagnosis of ‘split ends’ the end of your hair analysis, it’s almost guaranteed that your hairdresser, if asked will go into far more detail about your type of hair and its individual needs. However, only you can ensure that your hair is being looked after on a daily basis and the first step to shiny happy hair is to get yourself healthy, both physically and emotionally. Make sure you’re always eating well, getting enough sleep, exercise and plenty of fresh air, because your hair needs oxygen too. We often forget that the stress of daily life can result in hair that is dry, brittle and lifeless so therefore it is essential that you try and reduce stress levels wherever possible, because remember healthy hair depends on a healthy scalp and a healthy scalp comes from having healthy skin.

Healthy cells, be it skin cells or hair cells need the correct nutrients in order to function properly and there are a number of foods that can contribute to feeding your hair the right diet and they are:

· Fresh vegetables

· Yoghurt

· Wholegrains

· Almonds

· Figs and dates

· Olive oil/ Sesame Oil

· Pumpkin Seeds/Sunflower Seeds

· Fish

· Pure Water

As well as supplements such as, vitamins B, C and E, fish oil, linseed oil and zinc.

Hormonal fluctuations, weather extremes and pollution can also affect the condition of your hair and here are some other hair villains that can cause some serious damage:

· Bleaching, tinting

· Hair straightners, curling tongs

· Blowdrying at a high temperature

· Too much brushing with a sharp bristled brush

· Head and neck tension, which disrupt the supply of vital nutrients

· Anxiety, depression

· Crash dieting

· Some pharmaceutical drugs including antibiotics and sedatives

· Illness, shock and trauma

· Smoking

Even if you have been attacked by one or more of the above hair villains never fear, as your hair is not beyond repair. Start with a regular deep conditioning treatment to restore the health of your hair. Once a week, massage a treatment into your hair, such as Charles Worthington Takeaways Mineral Hair Spa.    Wrap your hair in a warm towel, and leave it on for 30 minutes then rinse. If you find that there is no improvement after four weeks, seek professional help as your hair may require a series of salon treatments or perhaps in more serious circumstances you may need to see a doctor or dermatologist if you have long-term or acute hair problems.

FA (Hair)Q’s

I’ve just been swimming in chlorinated water, how do I get the ugly green tinge out of my hair? First of all try and restore your hair’s blonde tones by rinsing it in mineral or soda water, the bubbles will help to lift out the chlorine. Alternatively try rinsing your hair with tomato or cranberry juice – the red pigment will neutralise the green tinge: simply pour the juice through your hair, leave for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

How quickly will I see results after I start using intensive conditioners or hair masks? You should see immediate improvements but long -term results require frequent use of the conditioners or masks. Make sure you apply them once or twice a week.

I notice that there are still some 2-in-1 products available, will they do the trick? Yes, if you’re in a hurry try Nature’s Organics 2- in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner,  but if you use any 2- in-1 product on a long-term regular basis, your hair may not get all the conditioning it needs.

Is it necessary to shampoo, rinse and then repeat? Unless you have been caught in a dust storm, or frequently trail your hair through mud, double shampooing your hair is generally unnecessary. So why do they suggest the double shampoo technique on the back of the bottle? Well, because shampooing twice uses twice as much shampoo. Think about it.

Is sitting out in the sun in summer with lemon juice in my hair a natural way to lighten it? The acidity of lemon juice combined with sun exposure will dry out your hair just like any unnatural blonding method and it’s more than likely to sting your scalp as well.

Is my hair alive? Your hair is made from protein cells that are totally and utterly dead. The only part of your hair that is alive is the root.

What is the best way to wash my combs and brushes? Try and wash combs and brushes that are used frequently – once a week with warm water and a little shampoo. Or dissolve a tablespoon of bicarbonate soda in warm water, add a little antiseptic and allow the brushes to soak for about 15 minutes, then rinse and leave to dry.

Anti-dandruff shampoos don’t seem to be working for me, are there any alternatives?

You can make your own anti-dandruff tonic, with equal quantities of mouth-wash and witch hazel . Shampoo, and then apply conditioner to the ends of the hair only. Rinse well, dry gently with a towel and, before styling, sprinkle the mixture all over your scalp. Comb through and leave for half an hour and then rinse with warm water.

Hopefully, some of your hair myths have been demystified. Just remember, as superficial as it sounds, your hair is the first thing that people notice, and it usually portrays your sense of style, personality, possibly even your age and social status, so make sure you always set aside some time to achieve soft, healthy, lustrous, touchable, moveable hair like the characters in your favourite soap opera.  

Till next time………….

Oh! tillie xxx

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