ME and how we try to look and feel our best, with minimal effort :P

So a dear friend has asked me to do a blog on Make Up and Hair and how to keep things nice and easy for us that have little/no energy. I have to say I am pretty low maintenance from the get go, brutal honesty, I am pretty at best on a good day, I’m not saying I’m a total dog or anything but we all need a little help here and there.

So between us we have come up with a few Make Up and Hair tips that can help us lot, women mostly, from feeling less grim.

Make Up

We have come to a census between us that Collection 2000 is brilliant, and cheap!! So here are our best picks:

• My friend swears by 'Collection 2000 Ultimate Fix Compact Foundation' it is a 3 in 1 of concealer, foundation and powder and she says it takes about 3 seconds to put on and makes you look great. Also its only around £4 or so.
• I'm more of a 'I-can't-bare-anything-but-the-minimum' kind of girl so I go straight for – 'Collection 2000, Illuminating Touch Light diffusing concealer' – God send in my opinion, put some on your raccoon circles around your eyes and dab it into your skin with your ring finger. One application usually does the Trick, but a tiny bit extra will cover a little more, any more than that and unless you use a setting powder (too much effort) you're going to get lines in your concealer.... not a good look.
• Also if you want to add a little definition to your eyes go straight for 'Collection 2000 Longer Lash 100% Waterproof Mascara'. It does what it says on the tin, I usually put a little on my upper eye lashes and leave the bottoms to do there own thing. Plus if you forget/can't be arsed/too exhausted to take you're make up off, this mascara wont move, wont smudge or anything. In fact mine has been known to last a couple of days – grubby I know but when you go into crisis mode you eye lashes are the least of your problems.
• I would also recommend a GOOD moisturising cream for your face before you put anything on, It needs to be thick and good quality and I swear by the oldie 'Nivea crème'. Its a nice base, deep moisturiser and you only need a little pot for your face. And it will last you all day, just put it on your forehead/nose/T-Zone area, cheeks and chin :) You don’t need anything fancy or UBER expensive, you need something that has been tried and tested for years and will work, and is above all EASY!!

Hair

Hmm this is where me and my friend could become divided. I have carers who come in 3 times a day and they blow dry my hair to perfection. BUT even if you don’t the help there are a few tips that we can think of that help immensely.

• A good conditioner, a thick one again, I use 'Tresemme Salon Silk Shampoo and Conditioner', I get my carers to shove it on all over and then it gives me a rest for 5 minutes whilst I wait for it to do its thing. PLUS if you use a good conditioner, and they don’t need to be expensive, in fact mine is usually on offer pretty regularly in Wilkinson’s, it helps get the tangles out, so less effort with brushing.
• Whereas my friend uses Alberto Balsam from the poundshop and says they're great! Only a quid each and last forever, she says 'I have strawberry scented and they smell so good, the conditioner is particularly amazing and leaves your hair soft with hardly any tangles to comb through'.

• 'Frizz-Ease Hair Serum' hmm, this is my suggestion again and I have carers, if you put a couple of drops and smooth it through the ends of your hair first BEFORE lightly running your hands through the crown area, then more manageable hair is right before your eyes.
• We both think that Dry Shampoo should go down for those of us who can't get out of bed/haven't got the energy/or are in a bit of a pickle. We both use 'Batiste Dry Shampoo', just spray it at your roots that are getting greasy, rub slightly and then wait 5 minutes (good rest time), then brush it out. Easy As and you'll find that your hair has more volume and looks less icky. WARNING: This is only a short term solution, to prolong the time between actually having your hair washed properly. Don’t make the mistake of using it for too long in one go, 2-3 days Max I would say. Because the build up WILL make you look like you have a scalp condition that needs urgent medical help :P
• If you want to avoid brushing your hair daily and getting knots in it then wear your hair in either a bun or a plait.

Body

Again we both have some of the same ideas and some different.

• A strong smelling shower gel or body wash. If you can't get to the shower the next day, you can still smell it on your skin – although you do need to still have a wipe around if you catch my drift!!
• Which bring me onto my next point of call and one both of us agree heavily on- EMBRACE Baby Wipes like your best friend. They can give you a wash, take make up off and just generally perk you up a bit. Especially if they're cold, cruel to ourselves but true. And you don't have to go through a whole wash routine which just can take too much on good or bad days.
• A MUST is - Radox Muscle Soak- It does what it says on the tin/bottle whatever lol. Bath + Radox muscle soak + 5/30/60 minutes and you are like my dog after a doggy massage, flat out relaxed and achy free. (Try not to get your hair in the water though pin it up or something because its not good for your tresses.

Other awesome idea's.

• Cocoa butter for silky smooth supple skin that smells lovely
• Simple do a lovely Toner which takes off make-up and leaves your skin feeling fresh as a daisy.
• Preparation H clear gel, commonly known as "pile cream", this wonderous clear gel in a tube works by tightening the skin. Used under the eyes with careful application will work wonders on dark eye circles and puffy eyes. It dries clear (but noticeable) so put it on at night, wait till it dries, go to sleep and then wipe off in the morning with baby wipes. I don't use it all the time and wouldnt recommend it for everyday use.
• Impulse body spray. They have a huge range of scents, they are reasonably priced and if you have to pop out or if someone is coming round and you havent had a bath/shower/wash a quick spritz of Impulse and you smell delicious!

Miscellaneous

• Another point out is that 'Optrex Refreshing Eye Drops' are a wonder to behold. Again, they make your eyes look brighter, and generally less tired, and they will probably wake you up a little as well. WARNING – DO NOT INJEST THESE DROPS, or over use them.Once a day max.
• Collection 2000 do the nicest nail polishes. Treat yourself to your own "manicure" by getting a bowl of warm water and putting a couple of drops of baby oil in it, let your hands soak for 5-15 minutes in there, very relaxing if you've been doing a lot of typing, writing, knitting etc. Simply dry off your hands and then apply some polish. I've been having fun with the latest trend of crackle effect and my friend has also used Mylene Klass nail foils which are time consuming and tricky but looks brilliant when done, a real work of art on your nails!
  
  
  
  
  So these are a few of the things we have come up with that can make our lives easier, nicer and some just to pamper ourselves when we need a pick me up and I hope that you can have a good look through them and add your own suggestions to the comments below.