Make use of vouchers

Vouchers have been around for as long as I can think. As a kid, I used to cut them out of magazines and was able to save some pennies on sweets or comic books. Even in our modern times coupons are still around. They do, however, look different than they did some years ago. You can mainly find them online nowadays and it is possible to perform a search for a specific bargain. Websites like Groupon offer a large variety of different deals, so have a look if there’s something interesting for you, too!

Wait for sales

Sales are another great opportunity to save on things. From time to time, especially when a new line of products is introduced, stores and publishers try to get rid of the old stuff and often sell it for dirt-cheap. It is not uncommon to find deals with more than 50% off all products. So keep your eyes open for sales and double or even triple the amount of stuff you get for your money!

Take part in competitions

If you are as interested in beauty and fashion as I am, chances are that you do check out trends and news on new products online and read blogs (as a matter of fact, you have to read at least one blog, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this at the moment ;-) ) on a regular basis. Quite often, websites offer certain contests and give away great prizes. Sometimes it’s all about being lucky to end up winning but often it’s about being creative. Either way, there’s nothing for you to lose. So next time, just take part and maybe you will be the next lucky winner.

Little crevices in your face like the sides of your nose or the corners of your lips are especially prone to flaking. They get even more so when the weather is really, really cold!

All About Dandruff

Dandruff is actually scientifically called Seborrheic Dermatitis, and it affects millions and millions of people worldwide. It's most commonly known to affect the scalp (hence the "snow shoulders"), but can actually affect other areas of the body as well.

When it appears on the face or body, dandruff manifests as patches of dry, flaky skin. In some cases, it can cause redness and itchiness--as if the "I'm-a-shedding-reptile" look wasn't enough!

Surprise, Surprise--What Causes Face Dandruff

Dermatologists aren't actually able to pinpoint the exact cause behind facial seborrheic dermatitis, but it's thought that there are many different factors. Some think that it's the overgrowth and presence of too much malassezia, which is a yeast-like fungus.

The main cause behind facial dandruff isn't dry skin. Shocker, right? It's a factor, but the most common cause behind this issue is--drumroll please--oily skin!!

Stress, fatigue, oily skin, extreme temperatures (usually extreme cold), and the lack of better facial hygiene can all exacerbate the problem.

Remedies for Face Dandruff?

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer Product Image -- for when you really need ultra moisture!

Well, if you're looking for a cure-all that's going to get rid of your face dandruff forever, you're out of luck. Facial seborrheic dermatitis has no permanent cure, though there are topical treatments that can help you wrangle it under control. There are ointments for it, usually containing ingredients like salicylic acid, selenium sulfide and all that fun stuff, but if you want to avoid getting it again, then improved facial care should be a goal.

Washing at least once a day (preferrably at night time, before bed) is already a good start. If it's really cold, follow it with an amazing facial moisturizer that will rock your socks off and help you stop looking so lizard-face. If your face is super duper dry, an oil-based moisturizer might work best for you.

On the other hand, if your skin is mega oily, then it's suggested that you see a dermatologist so they can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you. Sometimes, they can prescribe oral treatments that can help get the oiliness under control. Other times, they'll just give you a drug to stop the flaking.

Of course you can go with non prescription treatments like clotrimazole and 1% hydrocortisone, paired with a great anti-dandruff shampoo.

More Awesome Tips

Avoid using harsh soaps or shampoos, especially on or around areas which are affected by dandruff. This will lessen the chance for further irritation of the skin, which can really mess up your day! Also, remember that if you're washing your hair or skin, make sure all the shampoo/soap is rinsed off completely!

Lastly...don't pick at or scratch at your dry patches. Nuh-uh. Doesn't look good, and won't be good for your skin either!

The Best Lip Care: Always Moisturize Your Lips

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss Swirl

Whether or not the weather is cold, you should really still be moisturizing your lips regularly. Applying petroleum jelly or lip balm after brushing your teeth or after a shower is sufficient on a normal day, but during cold weather you should carry lip balm with you at all times so that you can moisturize at will.

Vaseline makes not only petroleum jelly, but also great moisturizing lip products. However, there are also other brands like Nivea and EOS that make lip moisturizers—along with many other brands out on the market today.

Additionally, you can always top your lips off with a moisturizing lip gloss in case the lipstick you are wearing isn’t moisturizing enough on its own.

Exfoliate once in a while

No matter how often you moisturize your lips, the truth is that they will continue to shed dead cells and you will need to exfoliate to keep them smooth. Exfoliating is part of lip care!

The best time to do this is after you take a shower—simply take an old toothbrush (or one set aside specifically for that purpose) and brush it along your lips to slough off the dead skin.
If you want an alternative, you can use a homemade lip scrub (usually made from sugar) to get the dead skin cells off.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Four Color Lip Palette

Avoid Matte Lipsticks

Many of us love matte lipsticks. After all, they provide a beautiful finish that looks great to complete certain looks. However, most matte formulations are drying. During cold weather, avoid matte lipsticks and use moisturizing formulations instead. Glossy finishes are fine, but there are some lipsticks formulated precisely to keep the moisture on your lips so you don’t need to keep using lip balm.

Stop Licking Your Lips

It’s a well known fact that licking lips far too frequently will result in dry lips. Getting rid of your lip-licking habit will easily make a difference on keeping your lips moisturized.

Drink lots and lots of water

And of course, the last tip is one that has been repeated over and over in the past. Drink a lot of water! Carry a bottle around with you as often as you can because keeping your body moisturized from the inside out also means that you can help your lips retain their own moisture.

Lip CARE Suggestions from Smart Poppy:

Types of Makeup Brushes and Their Uses

Eye brushes

Blending Brush
The blending brush is usually a fluffy, tapered/domed brush that is used to blend away harsh lines. It is also used to blend eye shadow into the crease of the eye in order to deepen it and give the eye more dimension. It can also be used to contour the nose and apply a highlight to the browbone.

Angled/Slanted Brush
The angled brush is used in order to create straighter lines and better angles. With its thinner edge, it can also be used to apply eye shadow on the lower eye lid. Smaller angled brushes can be used to fill in eyebrows.

Cyber Colors Eyeshadow Brush

Flat Shader Brush (Eyeshadow Brush)
The flat shader brush is a great all round brush for applying eye shadow evenly across the eye lid. With the right skill and patience, it can also be used to blend eye shadow.

Eye Liner Brush
The eye liner brush is used to deliver precise and defined eye liner.

Mascara Brush/Spoolie
Although this is commonly known as a mascara applicator, it can actually also be used to groom the eyebrows.

Eyebrow Brush
A staple in every brush kit or set, an eyebrow brush is used for grooming brows.

Lip brushes

Lip Brush
Lip brushes come with a sculpted, defined tip with firm and short synthetic bristles which enables you to achieve an absolutely flawless line.

Face brushes

Cyber Colors Foundation Brush

Foundation Brush
The foundation brush has long, flat (usually) synthetic bristles with tapered ends. It is used for the precise and accurate application of foundation to the face and neck. To achieve the perfect distribution for water-based products, dampen the brush slightly with warm water before application.

Blush Brush
This soft bristled brush is used to apply blush on the cheekbones and cheeks. For a more precise application and for contouring purposes, try an angled blush brush.

Cyber Colors Face Powder Brush

Powder Brush
Much like the blush brush, this fluffy powder brush is commonly used to apply powder onto the face. It allows easy blending of product and a sheerer application of finishing powders over all.

Concealer Brush
Concealer brushes are used to apply product to any areas that may need that extra layer.  They are much like a smaller version of the foundation brush and are used for spot concealing.

Kabuki Brush
The kabuki brush is a firmly packed large bristled brush with a short handle that can give a light, even finish. These work perfectly for buffing on mineral foundation and powder.

The Right Brush for the Right Job

Essential makeup brushes and their uses (Click to Enlarge)

Smart Poppy Brushes

Here are some brushes available only on Smart Poppy! For the entire selection, visit the makeup brush section of the site.

Dog Saliva as Acne Treatment?

Attention acne sufferers! There’s a new treatment method in town, and it doesn’t involve harsh chemicals, scrubs, or smelly sulfur masks. Sounds pretty good, right?

Not so fast.

Before you go out and try to find this wonder treatment, there’s one more little fact you should know. This particular acne treatment is derived from…wait for it…dog saliva. That’s right; your pup’s slobbery kisses might just be good medicine for troubled skin.

The evidence for this fact was discovered by Bijan Frise Skincare Institute, and in response, some French skincare companies have developed products aimed at fighting acne containing this new magic potion.

So… why does it work?

Dog saliva contains enzymes which have antibacterial properties that may help kill bacteria on the skin. It has long been thought that applying dog saliva to wounds might help them heal faster. You might even have a grandmother who followed this philosophy. Dogs are also known to lick their own wounds to keep them from becoming infected. It is thought that these enzymes are also the reason for their acne healing advantages.

More studies are needed to determine how effective dog saliva really is in the treatment of acne. Some researchers are skeptical of this claim, since few studies have been conducted outside the one in France.

So, should you take advantage of this new treatment? That depends. Conflicting research shows that some people may have the opposite reaction when exposed to dogs. If you have an allergic reaction, you could end up with a facial rash even worse than your pimples. The risk of this happening is relatively low, but you should be mindful when using this, or any other acne product.

If you are a bit squeamish about putting dog spit on your face, no matter how beneficial it may be, you aren’t alone. The use of dog saliva facial wash hasn’t caught on in the United States and most other western nations. If you want to use this new miracle cure, you’ll have to order online…or spend more time smooching with your four legged friend.

Even if this treatment isn’t the end-all of acne treatments, it does offer some insight into the nature of pimples. Other treatments which follow the same principles of killing bacteria, and which don’t cause excess dryness, include the use of tea tree oil and honey. Both also have antibacterial properties which may help clear pimples, and they may be more pleasing to think about.

Once upon a time, in the land of shiny white hotpants and the first generation of flare jeans, a makeup revolution emerged. As fashion was changing and the world was changing with it, Diane Ranger used her knowledge of Egyptian Kohl and other natural ingredients to develop the first line of mineral makeup. Her goal was to establish a line of makeup using natural ingredients that didn't include dyes, perfumes or other elements known to damage skin.

Some Ingredients of Mineral Makeup

How Mineral Makeup Was Created

Diane's first idea used Egyptian Kohl, but it wasn't approved by the FDA as a makeup product. Instead, she used iron oxides as a safer alternative. Iron oxides provided a good start but were a little grittier than hoped, so she added titanium oxide. Finally, mica was added to make it easier to apply.

Iron oxides are found in nature. Titanium oxide is known to possess natural anti-inflammatory properties, and as a sun-screen. Mica is a white powder that adds to the staying power of makeup. All these ingredients are known in nature and are unlikely to irritate even the most sensitive or damaged skin.

Diane Ranger coined Bare Escentuals but soon after her products became known, she lost her company to foreclosure. However, by the 1990's, she was back in business. After purchasing the laboratory Body Chemistry, she spent a decade creating new lines of mineral makeup, under brand names like Minerology, Brush Up and Enriched Elements. One of her newest lines, ColoreScience, was created in 2000 and still receives regular input from its devoted owner. All of the mineral makeup associated with her still does not contain any fillers or dyes as of December of 2011.

Mineral Makeup has started a Cosmetics Revolution.

Where Mineral Makeup is Now

Although the makeup revolution began with Diane Ranger, many other companies are following her lead. Even traditional makeup companies like L'oreal and Clinique have jumped on the bandwagon, creating makeup lines with a more natural ingredient base. Today, it is even possible to obtain organic mineral makeup that may benefit women with rosacea, acne and vitiligo. These are skin conditions that may be aggravated by traditional makeup.

The wide availability of mineral makeup has allowed for significant price differences. It is found both at pharmacies and many high-end department stores. That means even the most budget conscious can benefit from natural makeup - a good thing because everyone deserves a healthier choice. With so many options, choosing one kind can be challenging. We all have different skin types but regardless of your needs, there is a mineral makeup match out there for you. In the end, mineral makeup is the difference between caked on, fake-looking makeup and glowing, healthy and natural looking skin.

Sunday, 8pm.

I bought a BRAZILIAN waxing kit today! And there is no way I can wait, especially seeing as my husband is working tonight so I may as well....... WAX! YAHOO! (joking… although... you know I COULD spend this time playing with my new MAC Dazzleglass...)

Let's see how it goes. My last two attempts to wax my bikini line have been disastrous. The first time, I used leg-waxing strips. You know, those plastic strips with soft wax already on them. I cut them in half. I made a huge mess and came whimpering to my girlfriends for help (which came - in the form of olive oil to remove the gobs of wax still stuck to my red and agonised nether regions). The second time, I used the tiny strips which are supposedly made for the bikini line wax. They suck. No difference at all except that the mountainous wax residue left on my nethers was slightly smaller - due only to the smaller size of the strips.

So tonight I've bought a pot of hard wax with application sticks and pre-wax treatment oil. And in a moment I will take some ibuprofen as a preparatory measure. The box says "Wax adheres ONLY to hair, not to skin!" which gives me hope.

I hope to be looking smooth and sexy soon. I've heard it's quite a liberating feeling? We will see. Although I confess I don't think I'm ready to take it ALL off.

Sunday, 11pm

Well I think I'm going to like the effect once the pain dies down... it was surreally, nauseatingly painful - mainly because I did it myself. It's a lot easier to ask someone to shoot you than to actually shoot yourself in the head. Nice analogy, hey.

Basically after the first big rip I was chickening out. But it looked so ridiculous having a sideways strip of my hoo-ha completely bare that I was in a real dilemma. My husband gave me some painkillers from when he had surgery a couple of years ago, to help me finish it.

And NOW, honestly, I'm so high on strong painkillers I'm nearly asleep at the keyboard! I will have to write up all the details later!!!!

But anyway I got it done in the ned. end. I will get a professional next time I think. (WHY oh why didn't I use the time to play with my new Dazzleglass instead?)

I'm going to bed.

Monday, 1pm

OK so this WAS one of my nuttier ideas. I just got all carried away with the idea of looking as sexy as humanly possible.

ROFL - I've been ordering some new underwear so the wax was kinda necessary. I guess I just thought that doing it myself would save the hassle and expense of going to a salon. eg, when to find a time when the kids are not here and I have the money. Not likely, for $65 a pop at my local salon.

BUT..... I am still not sure it was worth it or not! Having taken those painkillers, I suffered ALL night from BAD nausea, fevers and hallucinations...!!!! Yes, really, hallucinations.

However without the painkillers I never would have been able to finish it. I mean, after I'd removed all the hair I could remove without ALSO removing some bones to allow for the necessary contortions, I had to finish off the job with tweezers. I have never actually tried TWEEZING my labia. I do NOT recommend it. Some of the hairs were left in such annoying little clumps I just grabbed them with my fingertips and ripped. They came out. AAAAArrrrrrrgggghh.

And for the sake of all that is holy, how on EARTH does anyone manage to wax their OWN bum crack..? I mean really? I'm a very flexible person, and I found it extremely anatomically challenging... ROFL just typing this is making me laugh...

Well I will see whether I like the effect. I could not move much in bed last night due to the tenderness (put that together with the drug side-effects and I had an, erm, interesting night).

But things are feeling, well, free and soft down there this morning, so far!

Hahahahahaha!

This whole situation is so silly I keep having to laugh at myself....

Oh, I should mention, the mess was unthinkable. I had the forethought to lay a towel on the floor and get a handmirror to help me reach the bits I couldn't see. You need to be really comfortable looking at your girly-bits if you're going to do this! By the end, there were hairs, and chunks and chips of wax, ALL over the towel. It was pretty grim. I shook it into the rubbish bin and threw it straight into the washing machine.

Monday, 8pm

The tenderness has died down a lot and I have been continually shocked all day at how soft and sensitive the skin is. It is enough to shoot anyone's libido up a few notches in one easy step, ROFL. Even with underwear on I can feel every move my clothing makes.

I found it worked better after I got the knack of how much wax to put on at one time, and how to make a little clump of wax near the end of the strip, so that I actually had something to hold onto while ripping it off. But that didn't stop it hurting.

Plus, the wax dried way too quickly. It was SO difficult to time the removal of each strip. And even worse agony if I left it too late and the wax was really hard and brittle.

I don't think the instructions were clear enough on those points.

On the plus side, I got my period today, so, no WONDER it hurt so much!!!! I am more irregular than rain, I never know when my period is coming. PLUS, everyone says the first time is way worse than any other time. The hair is supposed to grow back much finer, and so it comes out easier, plus the area is somewhat desensitised to the waxing pain. I can appreciate this would be true, after having epilated or waxed my legs for about a decade.

So, hopefully next time it won't be so bad. Next time, you ask? After all THAT? Well, yes, I think so. I like the effect. Let's see if my husband does too, that will be the clincher…

IF you are crazy enough to want to do a Brazilian Wax yourself, I recommend you get yourself:

- Brazilian specific Waxing kit
- old, large towel
- hand mirror
- tweezers
- scissors (in case you need to cut bits of dried wax)
- baby oil or olive oil (to remove stubborn bits of wax)
- IBUPROFEN!
- and some serious balls. Er, courage, yes that's it, courage. Either that or stupidity.

No, on second thoughts, just get yourself a new MAC Dazzleglass and play with that instead...