_Say hello to Liz Loves! Each and every week, our Health & Beauty Director, Liz Hambleton, will be revealing her beauty secrets and makeup must-haves direct from Grazia _HQ...__*
Grown Up Hair…
The recent surge in celebrity haircuts has forced me to question the validity of my own (very long) hair. Should I be losing the length and going for something shorter and chicer, or should I hang onto my #longhairdontcare attitude? Just this week, Kimmy K and Rosie HW shared their freshly-chopped shoulder-length styles on Instagram and I have to admit they looked all the better for it. Both appeared fresh of face and free from the constraints a long mane of hair can bring with it – no more Tangle Teezing, no more intensive conditioning treatments, vastly reduced washing and drying time...tempting. Very, very tempting. My problem would be styling – as we know I’m not very handy with a hairdryer, hopeless with a pair of irons and physically allergic to any kind quaffing, which doesn’t bode well for a style of that length. Perhaps I’ll look into the possibility of a styling-free shortcut and make my decision based on that. Watch. This. Space….
A Truly International Hand cream...
I have what can only be described as a serious dry hand situation. My skin is cracked, sore, red - and don’t even get me started on the state of my nails. I need a miracle worker and I think I’ve found it. This simple but luxurious hand cream from Italian brand L’Erbolario came highly recommended from a very high maintenance friend of mine who has been ‘shipping it in’ from Italy for as long as I have known her – according to her, nothing else will do. And now I know why. This humble Vitamin E and Olive Oil concoction provides intensive, long lasting hand hydration that leaves my skin soothed and glowing. In fact it’s so effective I’ve started to use it as an overnight treatment on other problem areas such as my feet, knees and arms as well my hands. Needless to say one tube is simply not enough. Oh dear, another expensive beauty habit has been formed…
**Five Things I’ve Learnt About Lipstick This Week **
It’s been a tough week here at Grazia HQ – having completed one of the largest lipstick edits I’ve undertaken in my entire career, a few facts have come to light:
- Matte lipsticks are much easier to wear than I thought. Thank you, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks (£23.00) for providing this particular lesson. (Amazing pigment, modern finish, very wearable on even the driest lips)
- Not all corals are created equal – go pinky coral and you’ll feel girly. Go peachy coral and you’ll feel fresh – the latter is preferable and it’s down to Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Coral Tonic, £6.99.
- Press it on, rather paint it on for the most effortless effect. I’ve been practicing with Nars Semi Matte Lipstick in Scarlet Empress, (£20.00) and the result is quite breathtaking if I do say so myself.
- Budget reds last longer on my lips than expensive reds – Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in Rosetto, (£5.49) stays the entire day and even lasts the duration of a hot yoga session
- If you mix lipstick with lip balm on the palm of your hand and then apply it you get a sheeny (note: not shiny) elixir of colour and hydration unlike anything else I’ve ever tried…