Beating Winter Skin & Prepping Your Party Face!

Winter means only one thing for skin - dry, tight, blotchy. Add to this eclectic mix of problems we don't want, lack of sleep, overindulgence in the food and booze departments, smokey atmospheres and general pollution and you have got dehydrated, congested, spotty skin with dark shadows and eye bags to boot! But hey, it's Christmas and it's party season and life is for living! Whilst we can't stop work miracles with our hard partying ways, we can invest a little time in our skin to keep it looking fresh, supple and radiant, providing a happy base for our party make up.

Here are a range of our favourite products that you can try to help alleviate your skin woes during the cold months:

Face Mask - Power Berry Facial Mask from Neal's Yard Remedies

Using a face mask once a week will help draw out impurities and unblock clogged pores, leaving your skin looking brighter.

We particularly love this NYR one for its sweet smell and jam like appearance but once mixed with water, transforms into a soft milky liquid that also exfoliates once you remove it.

Rich in antioxidants, skin looks brighter and feels silky after just one use!



Exfoliator -  Modern Friction from Origins

Exfoliate with a gentle foaming cleanser twice a week to keep renewing skin cells and removing dull skin for a clearer complexion.

This Origins exfoliator is great because it aligns it's self with microdermabrasion, but a natural version so even better! But it also promises to reduce fine lines and refine pores - how can we say no?










Cleanser - Sensibio H20 - Micelle Solution from Bioderma

A Make up Artists favourite and cult kit product, Bioderma has only just become available to buy in the UK.

Anyone who reads magazines, has had a facial or had their make up done knows that your daily routine should include cleansing twice a day - morning and night.

There are cleansers out there for all skin types and Sensibio is particularly great if you have sensitive or normal to dry skin. It's a mild, water based cleanser that does not need to be rinsed, is alcohol free and cools as it cleanses.

Sensibio removes make up and impurities and even includes decongestion ingredients to keep your skin look and feel fresh.







Toner - 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz from Botanics at Boots

A toner is particularly important if you are using a cream or non foamy cleanser, like the above as it removes residue of the cleanser and any remaining make up whilst also refining your pores and balancing the pH levels on the skin.

Even if you use a face wash over a cleanser, you can still use a toner to refine pores especially if you find you have an oilier complexion.

Rosewater has been used in skincare for centuries and has great healing properties and is good for dry and oily skin.

We love this fragrance!








Serum - Double Serum from Clarins

Serum is one of beauty's newish wonder products and certainly isn't one to be dismissed. One of its main ingredients is Hyralonic Acid, which sounds pretty harmful, is actually produced naturally in your body and is integral in the cell renewal process. By applying it to your skin, it encourages this renewal boosting collagen and making the skin appear plumper and firmer.

A serum is a thinner consistency than moisturiser allowing it to sink down lower into the skins layers which is where cell renewal takes place. You apply a serum before your moisturiser, allowing to be fully absorbed before applying moisturiser.

Clarins Double Serum also contains 20 plant extracts to help 'boost skins vital functions' so not only does it firm and plump your skin giving it a more youthful appearance, it also gives you a glowing radiance. Sold!






Eye Cream - Extra Eye Repair Cream from Bobbi Brown

If anything is gonna give away you're burning the candle at both ends, it going to be your eyes - dark shadows, puffy, eye bags.

The are many different types of eyes creams, some a a gel which has a cooling effect that's great for puffy eyes. Whilst others, like this Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair cream is more nourishing with it's blend of plant oils and peptides to help target fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dryness. You can use this cream day and night to get the best results.

Apply using your ringer finger as this applies the least pressure to your skin, which is it's most delicate around the eye area. It's also why you need a separate cream here than for one your face. You should also ensure that you do not use your face moisturiser over the eye area as the cream will be too heavy.


Day Moisturiser - Vitamin C Daily Moisturiser SPF30 from The Body Shop

 Your day moisturiser should be different from your night moisturiser. Day creams are usually lighter and contain SPFs and other ingredients to help prevent damage from pollutions.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is used a lot in skincare. It has anti ageing properties and has a brightening effect on the skin leaving you looking bright and glowing. However, if you do suffer with sensitive skin Vitamin C may be too harsh for you and could cause stinging and redness.







Night Moisturiser - Treatment Serum Mask from Paul and Joe

This gorgeous serum is based on a aromatic blend of Almond, Fennel, Mallow and Bilberry which is designed to relax the mind and body and promote a good nights sleep.

As a serum this can be used alone or under a night time moisturiser, although unless you had really dry skin, this would probably be enough on it's own. The serum seeps into the skin to deeply hydrate and repair overnight so that once you wake, you have a dewy, bright and radiant glow.

Paul and Joe even guarantee that this product allows you to get the 'proper beauty rest' that you need, especially at this time of year... We're looking forward to bedtime already!











Facial Oil - Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl's

Facial oils have become more popular recently and are kind of the next step on from a serum. There is a bit of a fear with oils that they are going to saturate your skin and make oily skin feel even oilier. This is not the case! A facial oil will usually come with a dropper or dispenser and you only need to apply a few drops on the forehead, cheeks and chin before using circular motions with your fingers to move the product around the rest of your face before it is easily absorbed, leaving your skin soft, supple and not greasy.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a blend of Squalene, Evening Primrose, Lavender and other essential oils to intensively moisturise dehydrated skin, leaving it looking more radiant upon waking.






Lip Exfoliator - Sweet Lips Scrub from Lush Cosmetics

Your lips are skin too and need a good exfoliate just like the rest of you, and with lips being a big feature for party make up, it's important to keep them in tip top condition.

You should exfoliate your lips once a week using a scrub or an old toothbrush to remove dead skin and keep your lips smooth.

Lush Sweet Lips Scrub is made up of caster sugar and jojoba oil to moisturise and hydrate your lips. Whilst vanilla extract and cocoa absolute provides a yummy flavour to make those lips even more kissable!


Lip Cream - Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant from Elizabeth Arden

Finally, keeping your lips protected from the cold, wind and pollution on a daily basis will help keep chapped skin at bay. Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant is a firm favourite in Make up Artists kits.

It contains Vitamin E and SPFs to protect and nourish the skin and is basically the Eight Hour Cream formula in a stick!

This product can be worn alone or under lipstick to keep lips soft and moisturised.

COMPETITION TIME! WIN - 2 x Makeover and 2 free tickets with the BFI!

As part of the Vivien Leigh season, BFI Southbank are screening the classic Gone With the Wind and we are giving you the chance to WIN a free Scarlett O'Hara makeover for two people with The Powderpuff  Girls at Paper Dress, 2 tickets to watch Gone With the Wind at the BFI plus 2 FREE cocktails at The Riverfront Bar and a Gone With the Wind poster! Opens 22nd November at BFI Southbank and cinemas UK wide.

David O'Selznick's production of Margaret Mitchell's bestseller remains the pinnacle of polished of Hollywood storytelling and Craftsmanship. Released to coincide with the centenary of Vivien Leigh (1913 - 1967), this spectacular restoration from the original negative offers the ultimate big screen experience.

For YOUR chance to WIN this fantastic experience simply tell us below, your favourite quote from Gone with the Wind and Why? 

Be sure to leave your email address too so we can contact you if you win.

The closing date is 12pm on Thursday 5th December and the winner will be announced at 2pm the same day. We will notify you by email before being announced here, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox!

And just for fun; Which Gone with the Wind character are you? Take the Facebook personality test here to find out!

Good Luck xx

Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs - Hairstyles of the past 60 years!

If you haven't yet seen the fabulous Timeshift episode on BBC4 last night (Wednesday 13th November 2013) called Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs, then you should catch up on the BBC iplayer as soon as you can!

This episode documented the changes in both Men's and Women's hairstyles over the past 60 years, from the 1950s up to the Kevin Keegan mullet of the 1970/80s. It was amazing to see how much style changed in such a short time frame. The hairstyle through the decades reflected a social revolution on what was happening socially and politically. Your hair wasn't just who you were but how you lived as well.

Just in case you don't or didn't have a chance to catch up on this amazing look back in time, here is a picture library documenting the changing hairstyles through the last 60 years. Enjoy!

1950s Perfectly Coiffed

Raymond Besson aka Mr. Teasy Weasy

He was the first TV Hairdresser and Celebrity Stylist, known not only for his precision cutting and ornate up dos but his larger than life personality and flamboyant style. Although hailing from Brixton, he spoke with a faux French accent!

Hair in the 1950s resembled the optimism of the decade. It was very neat and tidy, voluminous and smooth. It was controlled and restricted. Women had to go to the hairdressers once a week and spend hours under the hooded dryer to come out looking like the perfect housewife.

 1960s Bouffant - The Beehive

As the younger generation started to come through in the early 1960s, they began to experiment with Big Hair and the pinnacle of this style was the Beehive.

The Elephant's Trunk

Meanwhile, Men's hairstyles of the early 60s coined the names of The Boston or Duck's Ass, The Quiff and The Elephants Trunk, so called named because it had a hairpiece down the centre to give the front of the hair that 'trunk' look and was seen as a status symbol. Big hair = more power.

The Bob

Then came along Vidal Sassoon who started a one man campaign to move away from the solid coiffed structures and wanted to cut hair rather than create these complicated up dos. His crowning glory was first with Actress Nancy Kwan who had to have her long hair cut for a film role. This was where the Bob was created. After Sassoon finished the cut, he got his friend Terence Donovan to take some photos of Nancy and within a few weeks, this haircut was gracing magazines and the Bob was born.

In 1963 Sassoon collaborated with Fashion Designer, Mary Quant. He believed hair could be cut the same way as cloth and wanted to be known as a Designer rather than a hairdresser. Mary Quant was the Creator of the mini dress so she wanted a geometric hair style to complement her garments. Thus, the 5 Point Cut was born and worn by Mary.

The transition from hairstyling to haircutting also made cause for a new revolution of the Blow dry, which allowed for the hair to be styled to fit the head and suit the face.

These revolutionary haircuts also mirrored what was happening in society at the time with the Fashion revolution, sexual liberation and represented people experiencing freedom. Hair was free of product and women were free of the weekly session to the hairdressers. This was early feminism.

The Eton Crop

This iconic hairstyle was made famous by Twiggy. This haircut literally changed her life and launched her career and symbolises the power a haircut can have.

Street Style

By the mid to late Sixties, hair began to get longer for both men and women. Cathy McGowan, TV Presenter of Ready Steady Go started a trend of the Long Bob which was seen on women on the High Street. The Hairdresser, Leslie Russell opened the first unisex salon called Smile on the King's Road which was the antithesis of the Mayfair salons and high fashion. Their influences came from the high street and music.

The Hippy Movement

In the late 60's long hair was the trend particularly amongst men, which did not go down well with the older generation who called it disgusting, effeminate and dirty. It also became synonymous with dropping out and rebellion in the Hippy Movement where neither male or female would have their hair cut.

The Feather Cut

Into the 1970s Men's hair, whilst still long, becomes more tamed and groomed with regular trips to unisex hairdressers over the barbers and highlights. The Feather Cut was popular at this time for both men and women and was also known as The Shag and The Budgie.

The Afro

In 1969, model Marsha Hunt appeared nude on the front cover of Vogue with an Afro. For the first time it showed the natural untamed locks of Black people. For years the Black community had been straightening their hair or wearing wigs to follow the fashion trends and never was their hair seen naturally.

It also took a political stance as a symbol for those at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement by Kathleen Cleaver. The hair in it's natural form was symbolising those who were denied basic civil rights and how they were different from those in control.

It later became a fashion statement however and lost its message in the early 70s, becoming part of the celebrity culture.

The Perm
 
From the popularity of the Afro came The Perm. White people wanted curls and height too... It was also the time when Footballers created crimes against hair thanks to the infamous Kevin Keegan Mullet!

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down hair memory lane. Haven't we missed out on some corking styles! And if you wish to recreate any of these hairstyles from the 1920s to the 1980s, come and see The Powderpuff Girls at Paper Dress every Saturday where we can coiffure, curl and comb to your hearts content xx

Witches Brew

For your party celebrations this weekend, why not add a dose of gory glamour to the occasion and try some of these macabre mixtures to send chills and thrills down the spines of your gruesome guests!

The Corpse Reviver No. 2

An old fashioned favourite dating back to 1930 was featured in Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book. This drink was said to be taken when energy was needed, but drink with care as you could soon take one sip too many and un-revive that corpse! 

RECIPE

Serves 1

1 oz gin
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz Lillet Blanc (a French appertif or use Dry Vermouth as alternative)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
An absinthe rinse
Garnish with a Luxardo cherry

Add all ingredients into a shaker except for the garnish. Shake with ice. Rinse your chilled cocktail glass with 3 drops of absinthe. Discard any excess absinthe. Strain your shaker into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Recipe from www.postprohibition.com

Black Devil Martini

A simple yet spooky looking cocktail perfect for those who have Rum as their tipple.

RECIPE

Serves 1

2 oz. dark rum
½ oz. dry vermouth
Black olive
Orange sugar


Wet the rim of a chilled martini glass (or any other fun drinking glass you might have lying around) and dip in orange sugar. Stir and strain the rum and vermouth into the glass. Garnish with a black olive.

Recipe from www.cookingchanneltv.com

Pina Ghoulada

A terrifying twist on the classic Pina Colada

RECIPE

Serves 10 -12

3 tablespoons corn syrup

red food coloring
20 oz pineapple juice
1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup orange juice
10 oz rum (optional)
ice cube

- Pour the corn syrup into a shallow bowl.
- Dip a toothpick into the red food colouring, and stir a very small amount of the food colouring into the corn syrup; stir until it looks like blood.
- Hold one glass by the stem, and dip the rim of the glass into the red syrup and turn the glass to coat the entire rim.
- Turn glass upright. Allow the syrup to drip down the sides of the glass (to resemble dripping blood). - - Dip the remaining glass in the same manner. Set the glasses aside.
- To make the pina colada mix, whisk together the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, cream, orange juice and rum (if using).
- Place about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of ice cubes in a blender, and add 1 cup of the drink mixture. Blend until smooth. Add more pineapple juice (not more pina colada mix) if mixture is too thick.
- Carefully pour the pina colada mix into the cocktail glasses, being careful not to disrupt the "bloody" red rims.
- Repeat with remaining drink mixture and ice.

Recipe from www.food.com

La Bru-Ja-Ja

If you fancy a spot of adding a hint Dia De Los Meurtos to your proceedings

RECIPE

Serves 1

1 1/2 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco
2 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
2 teaspoons fine sugar
1/2 oz lime juice
Sugar (to rim glass)
1 lime wedge


Combine Don Julio Blanco, pomegranate juice, fine sugar and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well
Rim glass with sugar
Strain ingredients into rocks glass
Garnish with lime.

Recipe from www.Latina.com

It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year... HALLOWEEN!

That's right gorgeous guys and gals, it's that magical time of the year again when we embrace our inner vamp and experiment with make up beyond our usual mascara, lipstick and liner. Here are some fabulous Halloween looks and products for you to check out and perhaps try for yourself....?! I mean, who doesn't want to look Devilish at least once a year...

This year, MAC have teamed up with Special Effects for Film Make up Artist, Rick Baker to bring a collection of ghoulish palettes and colours just right for helping you achieve that from beyond the grave Halloween Hunny look! Featured above is the Spider Queen pro palette great for anything Frankenstein's Bride or Zombie Queen and the forever faithful lip colour Cyber, perfect for embracing your inner Vamp. Finally, set your make up with the translucent set powder to keep your make up in place.

Also new for this Halloween is Illamasqua's Bat Lash Duo with uniquely designed Bat Wing false lashes and black glitter Swarm nail polish, just the perfect finishing touches for anyone choosing Vampira, Elvira or Lily Munster as their inspiration! And if you wanted to pale down your skin colour, try their Rich Liquid Foundation in 100 either mixed with your own everyday foundation, just to add a subtle deathly pallor or wear alone for that full on Bride of Dracula look.

If you wanted to try something a bit more out there and paint your face as a Candy Skull or Skeleton, try using Kroylan's Aqua Colour paints with water and a sponge, to cover large areas and really build up dense colour. Kroylan are masters of special effects make up and you can be rest assured that no matter what colours your after, no matter how bright, they will have them.

Alternatively, try French brand Make up Forever, their Aqua Black waterproof cream Eyeshadow would be ideal for creating a heavy black smokey eye that wouldn't look out of place where the Gothic subculture first begun back in the 1980's The Bat Cave! (see below if you don't believe us!)

(Images: EverMagazine, Illamasqua, bitchy-lau.tumblr.com, MakeupGeek.com)

The most glamorous Christmas Party Ever?‏

Eat, Drink & Be Beautiful... 

  Celebrate with glamour and sophistication with a pampering & gourmet treat in  

the heart of Shoreditch. Sip on Bellinis while The Powderpuff Girls work their magic,  

providing hair styling and makeup to ensure everyone looks close up beautiful and  

ready for the night ahead.

 Your 3 course lunch or dinner will be served by The Hoxton Grill in  

your own private dining room, on platters for a great laid back experience.  

After your meal you can relax in The Hoxton lounge.  

There is a DJ on Friday & Saturday night.

 

Perfect for smaller groups and girly get togethers! 

click here to download the PDF 

It's easy to get your head around Christmas party planning with our easy packages and 

event services... 

Planning something bigger and fancy us girls packing up our pampering kits and heading out to you for pampering at your party?

FIND OUT MORE HERE: http://www.thepowderpuffgirls.com/powderpuffgirls.htm 

Ever wondered what it's like to live and breathe vintage?

Then take a peek inside the envy-inspiring wardrobe of our very own Miss Powderpuff Katie Thomson.   

Always wondered where she gets all those amazing clothes from? Katie reveals all to 

my.daily.co.uk click here to discover more > 

WIN a gorgeous lipstick pouch by Sewlomax as seen in the stylist!!

Oh boy glamourettes, do we have a treat for you... 

WIN this too-cute-for-words lipstick pouch from our lovely friends at www.sewlomax.com

 (as seen in last weeks STYLIST) 

stuffed full of all our favourite products just for you!! 

To ENTER simply tell us: 

What three ways you can enjoy a Powderpuff pamper for your hen party and email us your answer to  dolls@thepowderpuffgirls.com 

You will find all the clues you need on this very blog, just keep reading.... 

Good Luck 

The Powderpuff Girls xx 

Calling all make-up addicts

We invite you to raid our stocks at our Columbia Road Powder Room. 

We are having a massive make-up sale with up to 85% off all our favourite beauty brands

PLUS Vintage clothes and Furniture also for sale. 

Join us over two August weekends for beautiful bargains galore. 

FREE gift with every purchase!! 

click here for directions 

Make-up SALE

see you there 

The Powderpuff Girls xx 

Event Inspiration: Press Day Pampering

We believe that there is no better way to make your guests feel special than to treat them to some me-time. Journalists, bloggers and stylist are often rushed of their feet going from meeting to event to interview without a minute to spare to reapply their lipstick. Our beautifying services could be just what you need to impress the press and make a a lasting impression on these ladies so that your brand and it's product stick out from the crowd of things they are bombarded with daily. 

Our pretty professionals can provide you expert hair, make-up, nails and massage to make sure your guest's are pampered and preened to perfection. It's the perfect solution for press days and networking events alike.  

Here are just two examples of recent press events we have worked on in 2013

George at Asda Blogger's Picnic Press Event: 

Bloggers were invited down to a showroom in the heart of Carnaby Street to preview George's  new summer collections. Their collection was showcased within a picnic theme which was perfect for the lovely sunny day they had chosen for this event. (lucky them!) They supplied an amazing array of refreshments, and soft seating in the form of  beanbags for the guest's to relax on, as well as having us Powderpuff Girls on hand to pamper their guest's to perfection. 

 "We were also treated to hair styling, manicures and makeovers by the Powderpuff Girls, I had my hair pin-curled. I'm absolutely rubbish with anything beauty or hair related, so it was nice to be pampered properly for once."  Leigh Travers of http://www.foxandfeatherblog.com

Read Leigh's blog about the day here: http://www.foxandfeatherblog.com/2013/04/george-at-asda-bloggers-picnic-press_21.html

Jam PR host an event for Transform’s Feel Good Campaign: 

Us gals were part of the pampering team that were on hand to make people 'feel good' throughout the day at this event for Transform, the aim of the event was to emphasise the reasons for cosmetic surgery, the emotional impact and the confidence it brings. 

Jam PR wanted their guests to leave feeling empowered, positive and confident so we were on hand to offer pampering services such as nails, hair and massage. As well as this guest's were treated to tasty treats and refreshments in serene surroundings. 

Girls and boys alike enjoyed their pamper and everyone left the event with a smile on their face. Job done girls! 

Emails us now for more inspiration on how to make your next press day pamper-tastic!!  dolls@thepowderpuffgirls.com or call us on 0844 879 4928