1940's/50's Vintage Inspired Hair

 

It was a very cold rainy Thursday afternoon last week and I was feeling in a creative mood after I got home from work, so I decided to have a proper attempt at doing a 1940's/50's inspired hairstyle.

 

I love the glamorous look of that era, which is all about curls, and wanted to try and recreate something vintage looking but still wearable today.

This was no mean feat for me as I am not terribly good at doing anything with my hair except straightening it!

 

I created this look with nothing more than some hair grips, curling irons and some heat defence spray!

 

My hair was already straightened and I started off by simply pinning, with hair grips, the top section of my hair from my ears upwards. I had to do this in three sections as my hair is so thick, and I made sure to push my hair forward alittle to give it some height at the front.

 

Once this was all secure, I used my curling iron to curl the bottom of my hair. I curled around 1 inch sections at a time until it was all done. I made sure to curl my hair in towards my face as I wanted it to fall that way once it was swept to the side.

 

Next I pulled my hair to the side and used hair grips again to keep it pinned in place.

 

Once in place, I used my fingers just to separate out the curls and blend them together more to fall into a longer curly style.

I didn't use any hairspray because my hair is naturally wavy if left to it's own devises so holds curl really well,  but if yours doesn't, then curl your sections and spray with a firm hold hairspray.

 

My make up was nothing special,  it was just my daily work face with the classic 1940's red lipstick applied to complete the vintage inspired look.

 

I was actually really pleased with the end result and I think it is a good style to try if you like the vintage look but can't quite master the very precise styles of day yet!

 

This could easily be worn for an evening out or wedding look if you dressed it up with flowers or crystal hair pins.

 

I would wear this to work ~ why not?? Add a bit of glamour to your day ladies!

 

 

 

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 

Chain Bridge Honey Farm Honey & Beeswax Chamomile Ointment

After I got on my soap box about bee decline a few weeks ago (article here) I decided to try and support the British Beekeeping Industry further by incorporating more honey related beauty products into my regime.

 

 

One of my newly found favourite companies is Chain Bridge Honey Farm, they are a family run business based in Berwick ~ Upon ~ Tweed, they have around 2000 bee hives and not only produce honey,  but a vast number of honey related skincare and household products.

 

One of the products that caught my attention was their Honey & Beeswax Ointments, I personally have never seen a honey ointment before and was keen to try it out.

 

I opted for the chamomile version as I know it soothing and calming properties would be ideal for my sensitive skin.

 

The ointment is 100% natural and is a custom blend of 20 per cent honey, with beeswax, sweet almond oil, thistle oil, oat oil, vitamin E and essential oil of chamomile.

 

 

The ointment comes in a fairly substantial brown glass jar and is a solid balm.

 

 

Honey is naturally antiseptic and it's skin healing properties have been well known for many generations.

 

With this in mind I was wanting to use this ointment for minor scratches and burns that I always seem to have one or two of,  from gardening, my two naughty cats and burning myself on the oven when baking!

 

The ointment itself is rather like a lip balm consistency, however it is far more emollient, and less is definitely more, you just need a very small amount as it spreads along way!

It does have a faint scent, it smells quite botanical but with a medicinal edge to it,  and I actually find this quite comforting, it smells like it's going to do you some good !!

 

It has a fairly soft texture,  spreads out easily and absorbs into the skin well.  I especially like it as a hand balm when gardening, it does 'double duty' as a moisturiser and antiseptic hand cream, because you never know what you may encounter even in your own back garden!

 

I've also been enjoying it as a multi purpose moisturising balm and have found it very effective and soothing on any dry patches of skin or dry cuticles,  I have even used it as a lip balm too!

 

My most successful use for it so far though has been on a small baking tin burn on my finger, and although it was only small it was quite sore!!

 

As soon as I burnt my finger I smoothed this ointment over, it did smart a little initially,  but this was only from the process of application I think,  after that it really soothed it and took out the worst of that awful sting burns have.

I continued to apply the ointment daily and in a few days it was healed up and I've just got a small red mark where it was, which will fade eventually on it's own.

I was most impressed with this and I think that not only did the antiseptic properties help to heal the skin but also the moisturising benefits of the honey aided my skin to recover quicker.

 

So far I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of use I've got out of this ointment and it's effectiveness, it's certainly earnt it's place in my 'bag of tricks' as a good all round multi purpose product.

 

The balm comes in a 50g jar and is very economical, I've used it alot and I've still got well over 3/4 of the jar left!

 

It does have an use by date, mine is 10/13, but this is plenty of time to get it used up.

 

If you are looking for a reasonably priced versatile 100% natural balm then this is seriously worth a look.

 

Chain Bridge Honey Farm Honey & Beeswax Chamomile Ointment retails for £5.95, from Chain Bridge Honey Farm website directly here

 

Disclaimer ~ Please use your common sense when using this ointment, I am not suggesting that it should be used as a total replacement for conventional antiseptic creams,  on massive open wounds etc or instead of over the counter or prescription medicines, if you are in any doubt to it's suitability then please consult your own doctor for advice.

 

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Oils Capsules

I had read so many fantastic reviews about Weleda that I really wanted to give some of their products a try.

 

You all know my addiction to all things Rose so it will come as no surprise that I was immediately drawn to Weleda's Wild Rose range, there are so many fabulous products to choose from it was a difficult choice but in the end I decided to go for the Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Oil Capsules.

 

 

 

The capsules come in a lovely blue glass jar, which I love, and come as a pack of 30 so this can be used either as months supply or just dip in and out of if you feel your skin needs a little extra umph!

 



Each capsule contains a blend of cold-pressed plant oils, such as wild rose seed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, peach kernel oil and evening primrose oil.

 

I have other Rose Oils but they are loose liquids in jars and the idea of individual capsules appealed to me, as it is a measured dose and the oil in theory should be fresher as it is encased inside the capsule.

 



I have been using one of these capsules every evening as my overnight facial treatment, I applied them straight after cleansing & toning, then applied my eye cream and went to bed.

 

The amount of oil in one capsule is, I think, very generous and more than I need for my face and neck, so my decolletage got a treatment too, which is probably no bad thing!

 

This of course will depend on your skin type and condition, if you have very dry or out of condition skin it will accept more oil.

 

The oil really absorbed into my skin well and it felt like velvet as soon as it was applied.  

In the morning my skin felt so soft and smooth and looked plump and a nice even tone, I could really see a difference.

 

I do feel these capsules give a really intensive treatment, my skin has been happy to take a capsule a night as I don't use anything else with it, but you may find 1 or 2 capsules a week is enough for you.

I also wouldn't personally use these in the morning as they just too intensive, however my OV Naturals Triple Rose Oil does a fine job there already!

 

The other thing I've noticed is my lack of hormonal spots this month, I usually only get one or two small ones now but this time nothing at all not one, now I'm not saying this is solely down to this oil alone as there are too many other lifestyle factors to take into account but what I am saying is it's highly unusual and this is the only new facial skincare product I'm currently using so I'm thinking maybe it's the Evening Primrose Oil in the blend that has helped, as it is well documented for easing PMT and other hormonal issues when taken internally.

 

Weleda claim that the oil softens fine lines, and although haven't got any facial lines....at the moment, I do have some fine lines around my eyes, well I am 38 girls!, and I'm hoping over time these capsules along with my other oils and skincare will help to slow their progress down and reduce the formation of new ones!

 

I really like these little capsules and will be purchasing them again, the only negative aspect for me is I am not thrilled with the smell of the oil, it's certainly not as nice as the OV Naturals Triple Rose Oil,  but that's just my personal opinion and it doesn't linger on the skin long so it's only a minor niggle.

 

I think they are ideal for anyone with a dry skin or a skin that needs a little TLC.  They are also perfect for travelling - no spillages and if you decant them out of the pot they will hardly take up any room!

 

~ Ingredients ~

 

 Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Prunus Persica (Peach) Kernel Oil, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Benzyl Alcohol*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Eugenol*, Farnesol*. * from natural essential oils.

 

I purchased my capsules from LucyRose here for £18.95.

 

 

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Dress of the Day ~ All in One Pencil Dress

Today I thought I would share with you something different ~ a fashion post!

 

Those of you who are regular followers will probably have picked up on the fact I love the 1940's and 50's simply because women in those days truly looked like women, they always seemed to be smartly dressed, well groomed and above all feminine.

 

I really admire that look and try to be inspired by it every day in my own dress.

 

Consequently 95% of my wardrobe consists of dresses and I wear one pretty much every day.

 

So I thought some of you might be interested in seeing my style, in a series of  'Dress of the Day' posts,  it's not cutting edge fashion but at 38 years old that doesn't bother me!!

 

I wear what makes me happy and I feel confident in!

 

My dress today was one of my favourites the 'All in One Pencil Dress', it's literally a pencil skirt with blouse attached,  I always wear it with a black patent stretch belt, just to nip in my waist abit more and cover up where the blouse and skirt meet.

 

 I have teamed it up with peep toe heels and the Cath Kidston bag I bought in the sales a few months ago had it 's first outing today too!

 

OK so here goes girls, please be kind!

 

 

 

 

I did really struggle with the photographs as it's difficult to do on your own,  but I'm sure I'll get better with practise!

So there we have it this was today's outfit inspired by the iconic 1950's pencil skirt.

So ladies what's your style ~ do you ever wear dresses? Let me know!

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

 

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spending Ban Diary # Week 2

 

I'm a little bit late this week with my update, it's gone by so quickly again that I didn't realise 14 days, (well actually today it's 17!) have now gone by !

 

I've not done too badly this week, I have had to buy a new headband, as the one I had snapped in two! and as I wear one nearly every day for work I needed to replace it!

 

For some bizarre reason Boots were very low on stock of headbands and didn't have the exact one I wanted so I had to buy a pair of them - they are a bit thinner than my usual one but are doing the job OK.

 

They were £3.49 and I used my Boots Advantage points to buy them so essentially they were free, in my book anyway!

 

Magazines are also on my banned list but I had to buy Gardeners World magazine this month, as every year the have a 2 for 1 entry book and card for visiting Gardens across the UK, I use this every year and it saves me quite a bit of money as I like to visit a lot of gardens !

It was £3.99, but will save me far more than that over the next few months!

 

Clothes & Shoes are not included in the ban, as they are not beauty related but I am still keeping a close eye on my spending generally.

 

 I did have to invest in a new pair of summer sandals for work, I've got plenty of flat sandals but wanted something smarter to wear with dresses and found these in Marks & Spencer, they were £25, which I think was very reasonable.

 

I always have a browse round M&S shoes department as they are one of the few places to sell size 3 shoes and actually have them available to buy!!

 

They are very comfy and as I like to wear stilettos usually these are a good summery alternative, and I like the heel is a little bit different to the norm.

 

I am slowly using up a few products too, that have been lingering in my bathroom!

 

 

Liz Earle Shampoo & Conditioner (not a fan at all), L'occitane Almond Milk Shower Gel mini, Liz Earle Cleanser & Polish and Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash.

 

I think I've done well so far, Ok I've spent £3.99 on a gardening magazine, but I have managed to avoid buying any womens/beauty magazines, although there are a lot of them this month with fab freebie products on them, but I don't need any of them as I have loads of products already - I just think about my huge collection and it's been enough of a put off so far anyway!

 

There are lots of ladies doing the spending ban and if you want to see how they are doing then visit Kat @ Tales Of A Pale Face Blog here for a full list.

 

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 



Sunday Afternoon Tea Bakes ~ Parsnip & Hazelnut Cake

 

This week I fancied baking something totally different, and parsnip is something I'd never baked with before so thought I would give this recipe a go!

 

Parsnip & Hazelnut Cake

 

~ Ingredients ~

 

350g Parsnips Grated, squeeze out any excess moisture

 

Grated Zest of 3 Lemons

 

250ml Rapeseed Oil

 

95g Chopped Roasted Hazelnuts

 

145g Soft Brown Sugar

 

125g Stem Ginger chopped

 

250g Self Raising Flour

 

3 Large Eggs

 

 

 ~Cream Cheese Topping ~

 

125g Butter Softened

 

250g Full Fat Cream Cheese

 

1tsp Vanilla Essence

 

125g Icing Sugar

 

25g Crushed Hazelnuts, plus a handful of halved hazelnuts to decorate.

 

 

~ Method ~

 

Pre heat oven to 190 degrees and grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.

 

 

Mix together the parsnips, lemon zest, oil, eggs hazelnuts and stem ginger.

 

 

Next add the flour and sugar and mix well until everything is combined.

 

Divide the mixture equally between the two baking tins and spread out evenly.

 

Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean.

 

My cakes took exactly 30 minutes today.

 

 

Allow the cakes to cool slightly then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

 

While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese topping.

 

Beat the butter until smooth then add the cream cheese and vanilla essence, and mix, next add the icing sugar and beat until topping is smooth and fluffy. 

 

Finally assemble your cake, spread some of your topping over the top of one of the sponges, then place the other sponge on top and use the remaining topping over the top of the second sponge. Next sprinkle generously with the crushed Hazelnuts and arrange the halved Hazelnuts to finish the decoration.

 

 

Now enjoy with a nice cup of tea!

 

 

This was quite an experimental recipe for me and I'm not sure I would do it again, It's not bad but perhaps more of an acquired taste as it is quite 'parsnippy' !!

I have had some different opinions on it ~ some have liked it others haven't so give it a try!

 

As ever you are all welcome to leave your comments & blog links below, on RedHead Beauty Diaries Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jenny_redhead

Till next time my lovelies!

Jenny xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the winners are............................

A big thankyou to everyone who entered my Bee-autiful Competition.

 

I really loved reading all your entries and hope you will spread the word about being more bee freindly!!

 

 

It give me great pleasure to announce the winners as follows! 

 

 

1st Prize ~ Lucy Lou

 

  Neals Yard  Bee Lovely Hand Wash 295ml & Bee Lovely Busy Bee Balm 15g

 

 

2nd Prize ~ Ana Goes Green

 

Chain Bridge Honey Farm Lavender Gift Box

 

 

3rd Prize ~ Angie Cupcake

 

Bee Fruitful Small Gift Basket

 

 

4th Prize ~ Charlotte Hosking

 

London Honey Company Selection

 

 

5th Prize ~ DaisyRose

 

Apples & Pears Wild Rose Lip Balm

 

 

 

I will contact all the winners shortly

 

Well done everyone and enjoy your goodies!

 

Jenny xx