puffy eye PREVENTION

SLEEP SMART... Tuck an extra pillow under your head—the elevation helps prevent fluid from settling under the skin around your eyes. Voila, no puffiness under your eyes the next morning!

{Source: Allure}

mid-week MUMMAS

THIS WEEK'S CELEB BELLA MUMMAS...

Nicole and Harlow, Minnie and Henry, Jessica and Honor, and Isla and Olive... Major cuteness, don't you think?

look YOUNGER TIP #16

LOSE THE POWDER MAKE-UP... Dry makeup makes skin look crepey and old. As you get older and your skin produces less oil, dewy makeup is more flattering.

Consider switching to a lightweight tinted moisturiser with luminizing effects and cream versions of blush and bronzer. And don't forget highlighter: A few drops of well-placed shimmer on cheekbones are the makeup equivalent of good lighting.

bye bye DARK CIRCLES

DISGUISE DARK CIRCLES LIKE A PRO using a creamy concealer—one that comes in a squeeze tube or pot. Pick a yellow-based shade if your dark circles have a blue or purple cast; go with a peachy colour if you have brown circles.

{Source: Allure}

hair LOVE

RELAXED WAVES ARE A MUCH BETTER LOOK THAN FLAT-IRONED HAIR, don't you think?...

To DIY soft, touchable waves, work volumizer through damp hair (if your hair is thick, use a coin-size drop of styling cream instead to reduce frizz). Blow-dry while tossing your hair around with your hands—the bigger it gets, the better. Then take a curling iron and, holding it vertically, open the iron and spiral inch-wide sections of hair around the barrel for a few seconds without clamping the iron shut. Only curl the hair from ear level down—leaving the roots straight keeps the look loose and natural. Once the waves have cooled, rake your fingers through to soften them.

{Source: Allure}

clever CLEAVAGE MOVE

THE SKIN ON YOUR CHEST AND CLEAVAGE has few oil glands and is more susceptible to brown spots. It also happens to be more sensitive, so while your favourite anti-aging cream will work, use it here just twice a week.

And if you're planning on showing a little cleavage... sweep an illuminating body powder over your collarbones. Gorgeous!

bad skin HABIT #2...

STAYING UP LATE... Sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Sleep is also the time when your body repairs the damage from the day, and interrupting that process will slow down cell turnover. In the short term, this can mess with the way blood flows to the skin, which can make your complexion sallow.

Good night - sweet dreams! x

refresh your complexion THIS WEEK

EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN once or twice a week with an at-home peel containing glycolic, alpha hydroxy, or salicylic acid. After the first peel, your skin will look shinier and more taut and after four weeks, it'll look even better.

For normal skin: Use a one-step salicylic or glycolic acid peel.

For oily or combination skin: Choose peels meant to be used every day.

For sensitive skin: Use a gentle peel no more than once a week.

{Source: Allure}

happy WEEKEND

“Friendship, love, health, energy, enthusiasm, and joy are the things that make life worth living and exploring.”
― Denise Austin

{Pic: Dustjacket Attic}

bad skin HABIT

CHATTING ON THE PHONE... {seriously!}

Resting your chin or cheek against a phone—mobile or old-school—can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. Just leaning your face against it can cause friction, occlusion, and heat, all of which can make you break out. If your chatting habit is too ingrained to shake, consider an earpiece or putting your phone on speaker - much better for your brain too {but that's a whole other story}!

{Source: Allure}

friday FASHION FAVOURITE

I'M LOVING Tluxe's new Autumn/Winter 2010 Cocoon collection... {It's all about layering - and layering is perfection for bellaMUMMAs!}

Tluxe prides itself on its locally sourced fabrics and close working relationship with Australian makers, using only the highest quality materials and where possible, organic and sustainable yarns including bamboo, cotton, cashmere and Merino wool. The result is designs that look gorgeous and feel superb against your skin - which is why the label is a favourite with Aussie models Miranda Kerr and Jennifer Hawkins.

‘Autumn/Winter in Australia is all about light layering,’ says creative director and the label’s founder, Rebecca Powell. ‘One of my favourite looks right now is a snug-fit top with extra long arms worn under a loose Boyfriend or Poncho Tee in super fine Merino jersey. Team it with our extra long leggings. The key to great layering is to play on contrasting volume.’

Tluxe is now stocked in selected boutiques internationally. For more info email: info@tluxe.com

perfect SUNGLASSES

THERE ARE THREE FACTORS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN SELECTING THE PERFECT SUNNIES FOR YOUR FACE... and {dah-nah} here they are:

1. THE FACE SHAPE FACTOR

According to the experts, humans have seven basic face shapes. You can work out your face shape by looking in a mirror and having a friend trace a line around your face on the glass with a grease pencil or lipstick.

Check out the face shapes below, match your face to the one that shape that fits the best - and then find select the perfect sunglasses for you – and remember to look for frames that balance your features, rather than exaggerating them.

* Round faces look best with rectangular frames.
* Square faces look good in round or oval glasses.
* Pyramid faces are evened out by cat’s-eye shapes.
* Diamond faces suit cat’s-eye and oval frames.
* Oval faces look best in wide or oval frames.
* Oblong faces are balanced by oversize glasses.
* Heart-shaped faces appear narrower in aviator styles.

2. THE SIZE FACTOR

Your glasses should never rest on your cheeks, and the temples shouldn’t extend more than a couple of centimetres from the sides of your face. Most frames – except narrow hippie styles – should just cover or fall slightly below the tops of your eyebrows.

3. THE COLOUR FACTOR
* Tortoiseshell looks great on almost everyone.
* Shiny black, silver and colourful plastic frames suit fair skin.
* Matte black, gold and pastel frames flatter olive and dark skin.

mid-week MUMMA #2

HEIDI KLUM SHARES HER ANTI-AGING SECRETS in Allure's April issue...

She talks about her skin, diet, and offers body advice. Here's a snippet, "I learned not to go in the sun early on in my career. A tan lasts for a week or two before it fades, and the sun is so damaging—it's not worth it. I put sunscreen on my kids every day before school and before they play outside. They know the routine."

To read more - and see more pix - CLICK HERE

{Source: Allure}

mid-week MUMMA #1

JESSICA ALBA HAS JUST POSTED A BLOG ABOUT HER RECENT TRIP TO AFRICA which she took earlier this month... She went on a listening and learning trip to Senegal, Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya with U2 frontman Bono and members of ONE, with the hope to provide education to all children.

Jess blogged, "I had an incredible week, joining the ONE team on the road in Senegal and Ghana as part of the 1GOAL: Education for All campaign to make the lasting legacy of the upcoming World Cup education for every child.

I’ve wanted to travel to Africa my whole life and when offered the opportunity to listen and learn alongside ONE, it was a once in a lifetime chance that I couldn’t pass up. I’ve always admired the work ONE has done and being able to see the programs you’ve contributed to firsthand was inspiring.

We met African entrepreneurs and academics, spoke with civil society and private sector leaders. We sat with street vendors at a microfinance project, heard from women now able to save their and their children’s lives through ARV HIV/AIDS treatment. We met some amazing people, a new generation of leaders for not only the continent, but for the world.

My goal in going on this trip was to listen closely and learn more about the fight against global poverty. And what I heard repeatedly was that as I’ve always believed, education has the power to lift individuals, communities and entire nations out of poverty. From a promising business idea to a woman pushing cultural boundaries to stand up and speak out, education has been the key."

To read the rest of Jessica's blog CLICK HERE

pre-winter BODY BASICS

SIMPLE IDEAS TO KEEP YOUR SKIN SUPER-SOFT AS WE HEAD INTO THE COOLER MONTHS...

* Dry-brush your skin before showering to help increase circulation, sloughs away dead cells, and make your skin look healthier. Starting at the soles of your feet and working up, use a soft-bristled body brush (available at chemists) and long, smooth strokes, taking care to avoid sensitive areas and broken skin.

* Don't be tempted to turn your shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon. After about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin's lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.

* Switch to richer skin-care products before cold weather sets in will help protect your skin from winter woes, like dryness and sensitivity.

* Use body lotion right out of the shower to lock moisture into your skin.

eye LIFT

TO LOOK FIVE YEARS YOUNGER, FAKE AN EYE LIFT with some artful contouring...

Use a light-coloured shadow near the lash line and a deeper shade in an arc above the crease where the lid is dropping. The lighter shade makes the bottom of the lid more visible, while the darker shade makes the puffy top part recede. The result? A more wide-eyed, youthful look.

{Source: Instyle}

happy WEEKEND

“LOVE recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope.”
― Maya Angelou

friday FASHION FAVOURITE

LOVING VICTORIA BECKHAM'S FALL 2010 range... Her refined fall lineup was inspired by 1940s-era Dick Tracy comic-strips. "It's '30s and '40s-influence mixed with cutting-edge uses of fabric," Beckham said. "To me, it symbolizes a relaxed elegance. It was my personal style goal to be more relaxed, and you can see that in the collection."

{Pics: This Is Glamorous via Style.com}

bazaar DEMI

LOVING DEMI MOORE in the latest US Harpers Bazaar...

Click here for more pix!

prep for WINTER MAKE-UP

THE COLD-WEATHER MONTHS are kind to no one. Light skin looks pasty in the dead of winter; olive skin can take on a dull, greenish tone; and dark skin tends to look ashen. But a few tweaks to your makeup can make all the difference - keep this tips in mind...

· Build a base. Forget heavy foundation; use a dewy formula and a light hand when applying it. Consider matching your foundation to your neck and décolletage: Those areas can be a touch darker than your face, but the effect still looks natural. The one place you should use a heavier hand is with concealer—blemishes and dark circles are even more noticeable when skin is pale or dry.

· Get a glow. Bronzer is not for summer only, but you do need a lighter colour in winter. Pick a powder bronzer that is no more than one shade darker than your skin tone. Blend it over the apples of the cheeks in a circular motion using a big round brush, then top it off with blush.

· Follow the season. Certain looks are winter staples for a reason. For example, you can be more dramatic with your eye makeup when you are wearing dark colours and heavy fabrics. Just avoid frosted shadow—this time of year, it can wash you out. Pick lipstick over stains, which can be drying and look patchy, and gently exfoliate lips once a week.

· Finish it off. If it's particularly windy or biting and you expect to be outside for any length of time, switch to a waterproof mascara. And if you find that your makeup tends to rub off on your hat or scarf, set it with a little pressed powder before you head out the door. It's less messy than loose powder and should help preserve your look.

conditioner RULES

A COMMON BEAUTY MISTAKE IS APPLYING CONDITIONER ALL OVER YOUR HAIR...

Most people apply conditioner as they do shampoo: starting at the top of the head and working it all through the hair - which is a common mistake. Apart from wasting product, conditioning the roots can weigh your hair down and make it look greasy. {The hair closest to the roots is healthy new growth; it's the ends that are older, more likely to be damaged and that are in need of conditioning.}



A better way to do it: Start at your ears and apply conditioner all the way to the ends. You will gain volume and won't have to wash your hair as often.

mid-week MUMMA

THE VERY GORGEOUS NEW MUM Gisele Bundchen in US Vogue... She told the mag that the birth of Benjamin, "was the most amazing experience of my life!"

{Source: Style.com}

mid-week MUMMAS #2

HALLE, JEN, NAOMI AND ANGELINA + gang... Funny how it's always the same mummas out and about?

supermodel SKINCARE

GISELE LAUNCHES ECO-FRIENDLY SKINCARE... The secret to Gisele Bundchen’s gorgeous skin can now be found in a jar!

The Brazilian beauty and U.N. ambassador HAS JUST launched Sejaa, a skincare line that upholds her commitment to preserving the environment. The line’s three products—a day cream, night cream and mud mask—are not only made with all-natural, whole plant ingredients but also manufactured using renewable energy and packaged in recycled materials.

According to the brand’s website, the name Sejaa comes from the Portuguese word seja, which means “to be.” “The sound of it is like when you come relaxed from yoga and say ‘ahhh,’” Bundchen says in a video on the site. “I want it to be a feel-good thing… Everything is done in a thoughtful way. Why get something that’s so complicated?”

For all the details, visit www.sejaa.com

{Source: Instyle}

gwynnie's DO

CHUNKY SIDE BRAIDS might be all the rage on the catwalk, but Gwyneth Paltrow showed off more delicate plaits on the red carpet recently...

This versatile style is a must when you're growing out a fringe—simply part hair in the middle, braid back the unruly pieces and clip in place with mini bobby pins on either side of the head. It's romantic and incredibly easy.

{Source: Instyle}

line FIGHTERS

WANT TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK AND FIGHT FINE LINES? Here's how it's done...
· Every morning: Slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen—it's the best anti-aging product, period.
· Every night: Dab on a lotion containing retinol. If it ends up making your skin red or flaky, dilute it in your palm with some basic moisturiser, and be sure to apply it when skin is completely dry.
· Every other night: Use a glycolic acid peel to speed up cell turnover. Just be sure to use it at least a half hour before the retinol—because the two ingredients deactivate each other.

solve a pedi-problem THIS WEEK

CRACKED HEELS ARE NOT ONLY A FASHION FAUZ PAS, they can be very painful...

Here's how you can solve this pedi-problem...

the cause: “The most common cause is open backed shoes,” says accredited podiatrist, Elouise Carmichael. “They offer limited stability and toes are forced to claw to keep the shoe on. This contributes to the foot rolling in which can create callus formation and cracking.”
“There’s also the theory that continual slapping of the shoe against the heel can contributes to cracking.”

the cure: “Wear shoes with a strap around the heel or ankle to offer stability and decrease callus formation. Use a foot file weekly and a foot cream daily which contains a salicylic acid. If this fails you should see a podiatrist for a professional treatment.”

happy WEEKEND

“TIME you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”
― John Lennon

friday FASHION FAVOURITE

LOVING H&M's NEW GARDEN COLLECTION that is made from sustainable materials (think recycled PET bottles, fabric remnants, and organic cottons/linens). Not only is the concept cool, but the clothes are beautiful-lots of flowery, hippie, boho chic dresses and shorts! The range goes on sale March 18, CLICK HERE for more info!

liner LOVE

LOVING THIS WINGED LINER LOOK...

Flicking liner just past the corners of your eyes creates a flirty, sex-siren effect. For the least theatrical take on the look, extend the line just a smidge past the corners and give it a soft curve upward.

Gorgeous!

beauty CRIME

USING DIRTY BRUSHES...
Eh, why bother, you think. Here's why: Skip washing your brushes and you could wind up with muddied colours, clogged pores, and bacterial infections.

Once every three weeks, lather brushes with a gentle shampoo, rinse well, and let them dry overnight. Another option: Clinique Antibacterial Brush collection—they're treated with a microbial solution that destroys germs. (You still have to wash them, but only about once a month.)

{Source: Allure}

mineral make-up EXPLAINED

EVERYTHING YOU NEED {AND WANT} TO KNOW ABOUT MINERAL MAKE-UP...

What’s the difference between mineral make-up and mainstream cosmetics?
The key difference is in the ingredients - traditional makeup contains talc, starch, perfumes, parabens and other harsh chemicals. Mineral makeup is free of fillers, chemicals, dyes, fragrances, talc and chemical preservatives.

What are mineral make-up's special properties?
* Outstanding coverage
* Very natural finish
* Can be applied over a variety of skin conditions with making them worse
* Covers redness and pigmentation
* Gives a soft focus to fine lines and wrinkles
* Gives a beautiful healthy glow to the skin
* Does not block the pores or clog the skin
* Feels so light-weight that you forget you are wearing it
* Evens out the skin tone
* Easy to apply
* Poses virtually no reactions because parabens, petrochemicals, fragrances, fillers and toxins are not in mineral make-up.

What should you look out for to avoid buying impostors?
True mineral make-up contains no fillers, as opposed to “mineral-enriched” make-up which does contain fillers (namely talc!) - talc and nylon have traditionally been used in make-up as fillers to stretch out the colour. Because minerals contain no talc or other fillers, true mineral make-up is pure pigment, so much less product is required than with traditional make-up. Fillers counteract the benefits of the minerals which by nature are anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, non-comedogenic and water resistant.The pharmaceutical grade ingredients in true mineral make-up mean that prices are higher than traditional make-up brands or brands that are merely ‘mineral enriched’. You need to check labels on skincare and make-up just like you do ingredients on packaged food.

Does mineral make-up offer sun protection?
Mineral makeup usually contains two key ingredients; Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Combining both these mineral ingredients together in an effective amount, act as UV reflectants providing the skin with broad spectrum sun protection, crucial for avoiding premature aging and protecting the skin from skin cancer.

Is mineral make-up okay for all skin types?
Yes - an all-natural mineral brand caters for all skin types – from very sensitive, to dry, oil, and even women with skin conditions. If you have oily skin you'll love mineral cosmetics as it really reduces oiliness. If you have acne, you'll also love it as it provides excellent coverage, reduces redness and is very gentle and soothing to acne. Cameron Diaz claims that her acne actually improved as a result of using mineral makeup. If you have dry skin, the mineral make-up is light and non-comodogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. The result is a very light and natural coverage that does not accentuate or create a problem for dry skin. Women with ageing skin also love it because it does such a fantastic job of covering up pigmentation, rosacea and redness – and the powders don’t settle into fine lines. And young girls love it because of the ability to cover up acne and pimples.

Does using mineral make-up help improve your skin?
Dermatologists recommend mineral makeup. The degree of improvement depends on which brand you use and if it still contains synthetics diluting the concentration and benefit of the minerals. Minerals are anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, contain anti-oxidants and natural SPF.

How do you find your perfect shade?
If one shade of mineral make-up is not a perfect match, you can custom blend two shades together. Here’s how: Choose two shades that are close to your skin tone. Tap a little powder of one shade out into the lid. Tap out a small amount of the second shade and mix together. Apply the powder in a stripe at the side of your jaw line then check in natural lighting if it matches your skin tone. Continue to mix the shades until you get a perfect match. You can adjust proportions of each colour as your skin tone changes throughout the year.

How do you apply mineral make-up?
* Moisturise the skin and wait approximately five minutes. This will allow the minerals to adhere to the skin.
* Make-up tools are very important, so choose hand-tie brushes over cut-to-shape brushes. For the loose minerals use the chisel powder brush, and for the pressed use a powder brush or a flocked sponge. Pick up the minerals by swirling the brush into the container and tap off the excess.
* Use patting motions and start with the left side of the face from the forehead downwards to the cheek area, the jaw line, ear area, ending in the neck and décolletage area.
* Repeat the other side.
* Use a smaller brush to cover over and under the eye area, nose and any blemishes. Also make sure that the minerals are blended into the hairline.
* Alternatively, another coat could be applied for a heavier coverage.
* Spray a moisture mist over the top to lock moisture in and set the minerals.

mid-week MUMMAS

THIS WEEK'S BELLA MUMMAS... Angelina, Gwyneth, Gwen and Naomi...

{Pics: Celebrity Baby blog}