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26 June 2014

I'm having a baby and there are loads of new beauty products to try as a result

The Beauty Scriptures
17 week bump.
So you may have noticed that things have been a bit quiet on The Beauty Scriptures recently. Don’t worry, I’ve not given up on this blogging business just yet. I am in fact, having a baby. 

Previously my response to that would have been, “And what? You’re pregnant, not ill!” Alas, I fear my aforementioned lack of sympathy for pregnant women has karma coming back round to bite me on my (ever expanding) ass because, truthfully, I’m finding things pretty tough. Nothing could have prepared me for how so ridiculously exhausting this pregnancy malarky is. I’m just so tired. All. The. Bloody. Time.

And no, I don’t want to hear that “it’s only downhill from here” or “if you think it’s bad now, just wait until the little’un is born”. Nope, that’s not helpful. All I want to do is sleep. Zzzzzzzz.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand. My ever-changing body has opened my eyes to a new world of products that claim to soothe my aching limbs, give me a bit of a boost or prevent stretch marks. It’s the latter which I’m most interested in so I’ve been slathering on a whole host of lotions and potions ever since I found out I was expecting. Some are specifically designed for the job, others are standard body lotions and oils.

But here’s the thing about stretch marks: You’re either predisposed to developing them or not, and no product can really penetrate the epidermis far enough down to actually make a difference. This is where brand marketing and science don’t exactly match up. Having said that, the more natural a product is, the more likely it is to be effective at nourishing the top epidermal layers, so may help reduce light stretch marks. Nut and plant oils (virgin coconut, almond, argan etc) are best because their molecules are easily absorbed into the skin. On that note, I’m always skeptical of scientific-sounding unpronounceable ingredients, but even more so now that I have a human growing inside me - I’d quite like to know what I’m putting onto my body, thanks very much.

Whilst I know the facts and am aware of the limited ability of topical products to make a difference to stretch marks, it makes me feel better to look after myself during this massive period of change that my body is going through. I massage the lotion or oil into my boobs, stomach, bum and thighs after my evening shower, before applying any surplus on the rest of my body. Then I go to bed. At about 8.30pm...
Lotions and potions.
Interestingly, of the products I’ve tried so far, I’ve least enjoyed using the specialist stretch-mark products from a couple of trusted brands. Let’s start with the Champneys Blissful Bump Moisturising Duo (£15.00). This set contains an oil and a body lotion. There are some nice, natural ingredients in there like coconut oil and shea butter, but a whole load of other things which I can’t pronounce too. The oil is a lovely texture and the  body lotion is rich and creamy, but man, this stuff STINKS. I’m not the first mum-to-be to experience a heightened sense of smell - it’s a common side-effect of pregnancy - so I’m surprised that they’ve gone for something so potent. I think it’s supposed to be a floral scent, but all I can smell is sourness. You know when vinegary salad has been lingering in the fridge a bit too long? That. Not for me I’m afraid. I’ve given the set to a pregnant friend whose nose is less sensitive.

Next up is the Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil (£15.95, not pictured). It’s an award winning, all-natural product with sweet almond oil as the base and lots of other skin-loving essential oils in there too. I’m finding I need to use a hefty glug to get good slip across the body and it’s left me thinking that you could easily get through a few bottles during a full-term pregnancy which would work out quite costly. Skin does feel well nourished and moisturised after each use though. However, once again I just can’t get on with the scent. I can see where they’re going with it - it’s really natural, almost botanical - but it’s WAY too strong for me. I’ll finish the bottle (on days when I don’t feel too queasy), but I wouldn’t re-purchase it. 

The ones I have been enjoying using are the Body Shop Coconut Beautifying Oil (£9.00) and the Ragdale Hall Fresh Blossom Dry Body Oil (£8.50). Only a small amount is needed to get good moisturisation and they sink in quickly. Thankfully, the scents are light and fresh - the Body Shop offering unsurprisingly smells of tropical coconut and the Ragdale Hall one has a delicate floral scent. The list of unpronounceable ingredients in the Fresh Blossom Dry Body Oil does concern me slightly though.

The latest addition to my stretch-mark-busting armour is the Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (£3.15). This one is pleasant to use and I like the sweet, familiar scent. It’s by far the cheapest of the bunch too. Again though, there’s a lot of unpronounceables in there and it contains a high level of mineral oil. Mineral oil is not, as the name would suggest, a natural oil at all. It’s a by-product of the petroleum industry and is used to make things like Vaseline. It’s also loved by beauty brands because it’s a cheap way to bulk out their products. Mineral oil (or petroleum) creates a barrier on the skin, but it can’t be actually be absorbed into the epidermis. As a result, skin may feel soft to the touch, but don't expect miracles on the stretch-mark-banishing front.

Apologies for the essay here, but I had more to say than I'd anticipated about the products I've tried up to the four month point in my pregnancy! Are there any others I've missed that I should give a go?

9 June 2014

My Holiday Essentials

I like big hats and I cannot lie.
I’m off to the Greek island of Zante later this week and it probably comes as no surprise to anyone that travelling light is a challenge for me. Over the years though, I’ve learnt that there are a few key items which are essential for a week in the sun. Being deathly pale and prone to being eaten alive by mosquitoes, these mainly revolve around sun protection and insect avoidance. Of course, I'll always make space in my luggage for a touch of glamour too...

The Sunscreen
Perhaps THE most important holiday purchase. This year I’ve opted for Piz Buin Ultra-Light Dry Touch Fluid. It offers broad-based UVA and UVB protection, is beautifully light and blends in easily. I hate the greasy residue which some sunscreens leave behind on the skin and, whilst this one isn’t perfect, it’s definitely the best one I’ve tried. I’ll be doing a whole post about facial sunscreen soon, but I'm currently trialling this Soap and Glory one.


The Hat
I bloody love this navy and white polka dot hat (above) which I bought from Primark last year. It travels brilliantly, adds an old-school Hollywood vibe to proceedings, and the wide brim offers excellent sun protection to the face and neck. My other hat of choice is a straw trilby for when I want a more casual look. I’ve also got my eye on this straw trilby from ASOS.

The Red Lipstick
During the day I don’t wear any make-up. I don’t see the point when I’m relaxing by the pool, or wandering around in the heat when make-up is prone to sliding off. The only concession to that is a fabulous red lipstick for instant poolside glamour. My current favourite is Rimmel Colour Rush Balm in The Redder The Better.

The Budge Proof Make-Up
For evenings I favour a light, shimmery look to emphasise any (admittedly minimal) tan I’m likely to pick up. Tinted moisturiser with sunscreen provides light coverage and protection against early evening rays. I’m taking a discontinued Stila one, but this one from Laura Mercier is also excellent. Powder sets everything in place and keeps shine at bay and I’m currently liking Rimmel’s Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 01 Transparent. A sweep of Maybelline’s Colour Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow in On and On Bronze followed by Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Liquid Eyeliner will not budge, no matter how high the temperature gets. Bronzer is a holiday staple and my favourite is Laguna from Nars. With not a hint of orange, it seems to suit all skin tones (even my very pale skin) and whilst it ain't cheap, it lasts for ages and is well worth the investment. The colour rush balm mentioned above is one of the best stains I’ve tried and it offers excellent staying power, but for something less punchy I like Lanolips Lip Ointment in Rose which provides a subtle sheen and excellent hydration. 


The Conditioner
My naturally wavy hair is prone to frizz at the best of times, but throw sun, sea and chlorine into the mix and things can all-too-quickly turn a bit Monica from Friends. Whereas I usually wash my hair a few times a week, it’s a daily occurrence on holiday and copious amounts of moisturising conditioner is essential for locking in moisture and keeping the flyaways at bay. I’ll be using Toni and Guy’s Nourish Conditioner which I really rate. They do it in travel sizes too (currently on 3-for-2 at Boots), which is especially handy.

The Unscented Stuff
My blood must taste sweeeet because all biting insects seem to love me. Mosquitoes especially. Unfortunately, I don’t love them quite so much. I’m allergic to their bites and frequently end up with huge infected welts where there should be little spots. Attractive. Trying to avoid getting bitten in the first place is a military operation and step one is not using scented products. If you too are a bug magnet, the best advice I can give is to leave the perfumed stuff at home and give up your scents for a week. The Simple range is a great place to start and their fragrance-free shower gel is my top pick.

The Insect Repelling Body Oil-cum-After-Sun
This stuff from Avon should be in every holidaymakers arsenal for its ability to moisturise sun-parched skin and provide protection from insects. Just buy it.

Bug Guards Insect Repelling Wrist Bands
I normally have a constant supply of jungle-strength Deet-based insect repellent creams and sprays on me at all times, but I’m 15 weeks pregnant so, alas, these will not be coming with me this time. With its ability to remove nail varnish (really), I know Deet can’t be good for my skin, but it does a fine job of keeping the bugs away so I apply it liberally at all times. Anyway, these wrist bands combined with the Avon body oil will be insect repelling weapons of choice this year - wish me luck!


So there we have it - these are my holiday essentials. Have I missed anything? Is there something you HAVE to take away with you when on holiday? Let me know!

x

4 June 2014

The Liebster Blogging Award

The Beauty Scriptures
The lovely Adele from Ace Sparkle Star has nominated me for a Liebster Blogging Award! 

The rules are listed at the bottom of this page, but it's basically an online award to recognise and support bloggers with a low number of followers (some rules say it's under 200, other say under 1,000). As a new blogger, this is a great way to spread the word about my blog and share some of the blogs I enjoy reading too. 

Scroll down to the bottom to see my nominations. 

Q & A with Ruth Mojito

Me
Why did you start blogging?
I love writing, and over the years I’ve picked up quite a bit of knowledge about make-up and beauty products, so it kind of made sense to bring the two together. It took me years to get round to finally doing it though! I was nervous about putting myself out there, but I’m really glad I eventually did.

What’s your favourite thing about blogging?
One of the things I like about blogging is having an outlet for my creativity, which the day job doesn’t always allow. I also really enjoy trying out new products and make-up looks and being able to share my thoughts with my readers. My favourite thing though is getting feedback from people – when I hear someone saying they’ve enjoyed reading the blog, or they’ve tried and loved a product I’ve recommended, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction.

Where did the inspiration come from for your blog name?
It was a shower moment after thinking of hundreds of other (rubbish) names. I love the name The Beauty Scriptures – it's memorable and it does what it says on the tin.

Do you prefer a night in or out?
I'm always partial to a night on the cocktails but I’m increasingly enjoying nights in with good food, good wine and good company. Yes, I am officially old.

Describe your ideal day out.
I love food, family, friends, sleep, sunshine and being by the sea. A day which involves any or all of these things is a good day.

What’s your favourite film and why?
I’m not really a film buff, but I could watch Chocolat over and over again. I love the moody French atmosphere, the soundtrack, the actors, Juliette Binoche's amazing wardrobe and of course, the confectionery. Let's gloss over Johnny Depp's questionable Irish accent though....


My two favourites
Do you have any pets, if so what?
I have two beloved rescue cats. I found Atticus (the tabby) as a kitten on my doorstep one cold and rainy November evening three years ago, and I got Buddy from the Cats Protection a few months later to keep him company. Despite the fact that they wreck my furniture, puke on my carpet, cost me a fortune and wake me up at crazy hours, they have brought much joy to my life. I'm definitely a self-confessed crazy cat lady!

If you could choose only one brand of make-up what would it be?
Each brand has different strengths, so this is a tricky one. If I HAD to pick one though, it would probably be Estee Lauder as they do a great range of bases, good lip, eye and blush colours, and their skincare is excellent.


High-End or Drugstore?
My make-up bag is made up of well chosen items from a range of high-end and drugstore brands. I'm always happy to pay for something which does what it claims to do really well, but I'll happily use cheaper alternatives if they are good. If something is effective, or it makes you feel amazing, then it's worth every penny but it should be about value for money, not price. Sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you don't and it drives me mad when premium brands charge premium prices for mediocre products. There are some great drugstore items out there which I really enjoy using.

What’s your favourite colour?

Coral, for its ability to always brighten my day.

What’s the one item of make-up you can not live without?

Just one? I'll narrow it down to three first. 
  1. Concealer to cover blotchiness and disguise dark circles. 
  2. Mascara for my albino lashes. 
  3. Kick ass red lipstick. It brightens my face and instantly makes me feel more polished. 
If you tortured me to make me choose just one, it would have to be the red lipstick. Why? Because hopefully a fabulous bold lip will detract from said blotchiness and albino lashes!

11 random facts about me
A very young-looking me on Neighbours' Ramsey Street
whilst travelling when I was 21
  1. I'm terribly indecisive. I think.
  2. I went travelling on my own around Australia and Thailand when I was 21. It's the best thing I've ever done.
  3. If I had to pick one food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be pizza. Not just any pizza though - a stone baked, super thin Italian pizza, preferably with Buffalo mozzarella, basil, artichoke and pine nuts. Living the middle class dream.
  4. I'm a member of Sheffield's Seven Hills Women's Institute. Yes, we do bake (and eat) a lot of cakes, but no, we aren't all grannys.
  5. I used to be scared of cats.
  6. My favourite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus is such an inspirational character. He does the right thing, despite it being the hardest course of action and it's something we can all learn from. His namesake, my cat Atticus, is just as wise, obvs.
  7. There's a German Baroness in my not-too-distant family tree. Yes, you may curtsy when you meet me.
  8. I helped to organise a Guinness World Record for the most people flipping pancakes in 2012. There were 890 people in total and we're still the record holders! 
  9. My favourite perfume is Dior's Midnight Poison but they've annoyingly discontinued it. I have one bottle left and it's on rations.
  10. I'd love to live abroad at some point. Preferably somewhere sunny, with a view out to sea. You can't get much more different from land-locked Sheffield!
  11. A weekend is not a weekend without at least one siesta. Fact.
My nominations

These are some of the blogs I find interesting, inspirational, or just enjoy reading:

Kim's Beauty Draw
Rinica Writes
So Bad Ass
Pretty Thrifty
Real Ale Women Eat Pie 
Dr JenkinSunts

My questions for you
  1. What made you decide to start blogging?
  2. What's your favourite thing about blogging?
  3. What's your least favourite thing about blogging?
  4. Name your top five ideal dinner guests, dead or alive.
  5. What's been the best experience of your life so far?
  6. Tea or coffee?
  7. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  8. Describe yourself in five words.
  9. Night in or night out?
  10. Do you have any pets?
  11. What's the one beauty product that you can't live without?
And lastly... The Liebster Award Rules
  1. Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.
  2. Display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”. (Note that the best way to do this is to save the image to your own computer and then upload it to your blog post.)
  3. Answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you.
  4. Provide 11 random facts about yourself.
  5. Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 1000 followers. (Note that you can always ask the blog owner this since not all blogs display a widget that lets the readers know this information!)
  6. Create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer.
  7. List these rules in your post. Once you have written and published it, you then have to:
  8. Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it!).