• I'm an E cup. When I was younger and skinnier I was only a C cup and could handle underwires. Then I got pregnant and discovered the bliss of maternity bras. Post babies and breastfeeding I went back to the wires only to find they poked me and now I've got 'birdseyes' in my cleavage. I cannot fathom the underwire. Obviously the person who designed it has never had to wear one. Having big boobs we're all encouraged to wear them, but now I'm old and fat they're far too uncomfortable to contemplate. I'm happy with my 'wirefree' bras. I figured that if manufacturers could make a maternity bra without wires that fitted perfectly and provided excellent support to lactating breasts, they could do the same for large, non-lactating breasts too. I found the perfect fit for me at a large chain store and bought the same type for years. Not terribly sexy, but comfortable and serviceable. Now I've discovered same large chain has a moulded cotton bra in large sizes. Better still, you can order them online when the sales are on and collect them from the store. Bliss! - BeansGran
  • Well put Sonya. I am so glad that you have created this documentary. Also, you have put forward a voice of reason backed up by compelling evidence & your own credibility. I am pro-vaccination, but I understand why it is an delicate decision for many parents. I haven't come across the anti-vax theories (I'd never even heard of the AVN until Mamamia kept writing & tweeting about them). I'd always just followed the immunisation schedule. But I have come across a lot of pushy pro-vaxxers and I have to say, it is a turn off. I understand that it's a passionate issue. But is it an effective way of increasing immunisation rates? Of course not. Some pro-vaxxers make it their full time job to name, shame & harass people opposed to vaccination. Is harassment going to change their position, heck no! Is it going to galvanise their anti-vac position, quite probably! I just think we need to be smarter about this. I know it is not a "debate" in the sense that the science is in on the benefits & general safety of vaccines. But it completely normal to feel uneasy about purposely injecting your child with something most of us know very little about. And then watching their every breath that evening as they process that vaccine. Sonya, I hope that your documentary is the beginning of the change in the way we talk about immunisation. Well done. - Kasey
  • I am very impressed by what you've set out to achieve and how you've come about it. Much of my work these days is in vaccination and I work hard to break down the myths and false beliefs people have about vaccines. I find listening to concerns, empathy and responding with good evidence based information has been the most successful manner I've had so far. I also reassure parents that it is always their choice, but I also share that I am a mum too and that I choose to vaccinate my child fully. And funnily enough that's usually the clincher. Respect, good information and empathy can go a long way. I really hope that many people watch your documentary and help absolve the many concerns and myths surrounding vaccination that are out there. You must be proud of your work :) - The Huntress
  • Not everyone has access too or any interest in the internet, you cannot drive a tractor and watch the internet but you can listen to radio, you cannot drive a car and watch the internet but you can listen to radio, you cannot wash the dishes, the clothes, yourself and watch the internet but you can listen to the radio, you can also lie in bed with Phillip Adams, half my University of the Third Age students go to bed with Phillip. Australia's best journalists were trained by the ABC. What I don't understand Gee is your palpable hatred, how can you be so angry all the time, just relax and learn that we are all different and some of us prefer the quiet nature of the ABC compared with the ranting and rage of radio shock jocks and commercial TV. Your phrase 'slash and burn' is shocking to me, no one I know hates anything, no one I know wants to destroy things or institutions, not even the IPA, why such violence of language? - sue Bell
  • [...] Science says vaccinate! [...] - LET'S TALK (NOT SHOUT) VACCINATION
  • Thankyou Emma for your good work and humanistic attitude towards others. I could not do your job and be nice to others at the same time, i'v e realized. The other ABC journo's et al should be taking notes.......all the best in your career! - louise
  • Why censor the pictures, Ro? Don't call them "young men" either. They are "vicious animals" as their act so clearly evidences. They are not human at all. Are you saying it is "justifiable" for ethnic Nigerians, who have never been to either Afghanistan or Iraq but grew up on the teat of the British Welfare State, to run down and then Halal butcher a complete stranger walking along the street and minding his own business? How can you possibly draw any connection between what happened in London and the alleged mistreatment of Aborigines in Australia? What a fine example of the "straw man" argument! Do you think NATO and other allies were "unjustified" in invading Afghanistan and liberating it from the Taliban? That same Taliban that banned girls going to school; regularly indulge in female genital mutilation and the sodomising of "dancing boys"; blew up ancient Buddhist monuments; regularly carried out executions by stoning and beheading as half-time entertainment at football matches in Kabul and Kandahar; undertook ethnic cleansing against Hazara muslims; banned music and dancing on pain of death; and provided a base for the racist extremists of Al Qaeda to operate completely unfettered? Do you think it was wrong to overthrow Saddam Hussein who had used poisonous gas on the Kurds of Iraq? Whose two mongrel sons crawled the streets of Baghdad looking for women to rape; who executed his own son-in-law after promising "forgiveness' if he returned from exile; who gained power in a coup and then personally executed scores of his own "party"? The problems in Iraq today have nothing to do with Saddam's overthrow and everything to do with the seething sectarian and ethnic hatreds that have plagued Mesopotamia since the Babylonian Empire. Why didn't those two vicious animals condemn the latest round of sunni-shia bombings and murders in Iraq? If muslim women are subjected to the regular sight of dismembered bodies, those bodies were provided by other muslims. Why is it that only this week we saw Syrian women asking Bob Carr why it is that the USA and the non-Islamic world is not interfering in their current civil war? The war is yet another essentially religious/sectarian conflict between a Sunni majority and an Alawi-Shia minority. Why should any young Americans, Britons or Australians risk their lives for these benighted, backward bastards who regularly tell us how much they hate us? Have you forgotten the spontaneous eruption of glee and happiness that occurred in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the "Islamic world" when the 9/11 attack was carried out? It seems to me that you, like so many others, have forgotten the lessons of the period from 1919-1939. Appeasement never works. Trying to trivialise this disgraceful crime; saying that ...well, maybe, it was Britain's fault and maybe if Britain hadn't been and Imperial power 200 years ago and ... really, when you look at that and what happened to the Aborigines here, maybe they were justified in running over a total stranger, who'd done nothing to them or any of their family or relatives, and then hacking off his head with a meat cleaver. The white-washing, the diminution, the trivialising, the justifying has already started in media and the blogosphere. The appeasers and the white-hating racists are already talking this whole thing around so that in a few weeks they'll be wanting to give these two mongrels a medal and have them treated as Prisoners of War. I am so glad the British cops didn't shoot them dead. I want them to suffer in HM Prison System for the rest of their lives. But, knowing the way the British EHRC led by that treacherous hater, Trevor Phillips, operate, they'll probably be named and shamed and given 20 hours community service. - Jack Richards
  • Anyway. So long Latin. I know there will be people close to Hazel who will be feeling sad and confused today. Sad for who she was and confused because she is perhaps better off dead now. And then there is everyone else who were touched by Hazel's contribution to our lives. Thank you Hazel and her supporters. - ro.watson
  • Always thought that Hazel H. was too much in the background type of PM's wife.From the information revealed recently about her I've realised how essential and important she was to Australia. This deception was probably due to the limelight on her ex-husband/PM Bob .He might have been successful politically but how he maintained the persona of god's gift to women for so long, baffles me. He is just another ugly aussie male. He should show more atonement towards such an admiring woman as Hazel. Condolences to her children and their families. - louise
  • Perhaps I am projecting, but there really is something very special about the relationship between a regular cartoonist's work and their readers. A sort of mutual getting to know you abandon. - ro.watson
 
24
Categories:  Beauty, Style

BEAUTY: WHEN TO SPLURGE & SAVE

By Nikki Parkinson
July 19, 2012

Are you a money-is-no-object-when-it-comes-to-vanity kind of woman? Or do you hunt down products that deliver for less?

I have to confess, I swing both ways.

Nothing gives me greater joy than stumbling across a budget beauty item that brings results for a small price tag but, I have to confess, I’m also a sucker for the big guns of beauty.

Sometimes those big guns do not live up to their hype and price but often they do.

I call these beauty items my investment products. Just like my wardrobe has a number of investment pieces, if you were to take a peek in my beauty cabinet, you’d find the high getting on very nicely with the low.

By all means go the splurge option. I have a girlfriend who will not buy anything but Lancome Hypnose mascara.

Yes, it’s a damn fine mascara but there are options out there for you that will still leave plenty of dollars left over for champagne… and shoes.

Priorities, people. Are you ready for some splurge and saves?

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow $50 | Maybelline New York EyeStudio Color Tattoo Eye Shadow $11.95

Cream eyeshadows do remind me of watching my hip step-mum (fresh from London to regional Queensland) in the ‘70s applying her silver and blue colours. Even as a young beauty coveter I could see that they didn’t last her a night on the Mateus. These new-age pots of cream eyeshadow are the complete opposite. They have staying power and I’m addicted. The Bobbi Brown version has a finer texture than the Maybelline but at $11.95, you can afford to stock up on a stack of colours. Bobbi Brown is available at selected David Jones and Myer stores. Maybelline at supermarkets and mass retailers.

 

YSL Touch Eclat $55 | L’Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Highlighter $26.95

This YSL product has a cult following – and has done so with good reason for years. I can’t use either of these products as my actual concealer (I need something more heavy duty). What I do is use them for is to highlight and brighten my eye area over the top of my foundation and concealer. And you won’t be disappointed in how the L’Oreal Paris product works for that purpose – at half the price. YSL is available at Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies.

 

L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil $38 | Schwarzkopf Extra Care Daily Oil Elixir $8.99

Hair oils are genius. They’re a lazy-girls’ easiest way to give hair a leave-in treatment boost after every wash and condition. The salon ones – like this L’Oreal Professionnel one – got me started but I’ve since discovered some fabulous supermarket versions and this new one from Schwarzkopf ticks all the boxes. Whichever way you go, you only need one or two pumps at a time so it’s an economical product. To find a L’Oreal Professionnel salon, click here.

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24 Responses to this article

  1. Mrs Woog July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Supermarket finds all the way! xx

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      I’ve seen your beauty cabinet and know that is true!

       
  2. Sarah Hatton July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I too love all beauty products and will happily pay top dollar for the best result but I’m overjoyed when I discover a product that is more effective and at a budget price. I was in LOVE with Lancome Hypnose mascara like your friend, but my beautician recommnend I try Covergirl (which I would not normally do as I had been loyal to Lancome for the most part of a decade). But I’m giving the big plug for Covergirl Lashblast 24 hrs (1/4 of price of Lancome). It is absolutely fabulous, no clumps, goes on smooth, separates every lash perfectly. Love it.

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Oh Sarah – good find! Thanks for sharing.

       
    • Daphne Alaksa July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      This is the sort of information I’ve been looking for for ages. No matter how carefully I apply my mascara I usually have to wipe some off and re-apply because I can’t quite get it right.
      Covergirl mascara is going to go on my shopping list, and
      so to-morrow I’ll be buying it. Thanks so much. Any good
      advice with regards to cosmetics is so useful. Is it possible that anyone knows a well-priced lipstick brand which has a very good range?

       
  3. Benster July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I just want a waterproof mascara that doesn’t give me panda eyes by mid morning. Lancôme used to have the perfect mascara which was discontinued. I think I’ve tried most brands at a range of prices, and still spend time in the loo with a damp tissue!

     
  4. Alex July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I LOVE a supermarket find but I have some high-end favourites. Cannot go past Laura Mercier foundations and powders but love me a Garnier BB Cream. Also love shopping in the US at Sephora where high-end becomes middle-to-low-end!

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Alex, that will be the heaven I’ll be in in 2 weeks – NYC here I come!

       
  5. A2 July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I’ve always been a high end foundation wearer. I’m happy to try cheap anything else but foundation is either right or wrong and if your foundation is wrong all your makeup looks awful.

    But the other week I found an english brand, W7, that made a foundation that was the right colour. I bought one for the mighty sum of $4.99 and it is perfect. I’m now using it instead of my normal expensive stuff. I haven’t tried anything else from this brand but it’s on my list of things to do. All of their foundations looked good.

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      The tricky thing with foundation is getting that colour match just right – something difficult when you can’t trial a supermarket variety.

       
  6. Nikki@WonderfullyWomen July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Mascara and Panda Eyes have always gone hand in hand with me as I still have very oily skin at 47!, spent a fortune buying and tossing them in the bin, until I bought Avon ‘One GREAT Mascara’ on super special at $4.95 and I am in love with it, even survives a gym workout! Had to track down an Avon lady so I could order more.

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Thanks for sharing your tip, Nikki!

       
    • A2 July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      You’re right. The colour match is everything. I should have said this brand is carried by ChemistWarehouse in this country and there was testers available.

       
      • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
         
         

        Yay for testers … makes all the difference!

         
  7. Bec V July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Bronzers, hair-stuff, and tan lotion… I got a splurge-bug once in Myer and bought three high-price products (never happened before, never since): Scott Barnes ‘Body Bling’ so fat and thick you can squeeze a 1 cm worm onto your palm and then spread it into a 1/4 cup full with your fav moisturiser for all-over body gold (like about $50); Living Proof “Full Root-Lifting Spray”, spray it onto combed, wet hair, comb through, then put hair up into a top-ponytail, leave until dry and when you take your hair down next morning it’s so va-va-voom wait till your husband leaves for work or he’ll make YOU late and the kids’ll never get to school (maybe $60); and Puraceuticals “POD” liquid tan, which does have a smell but more like a sunscreen than tan-smell and lasts twice as long, like 4 good tan days instead of 2 ($50). I’m not exactly sure on prices, as I’ve wiped the memory of exactly how much I spent that day. I’ve long since ripped the receipt to shreds and sprinkled it in various rubbish bags (no proof).
    Oh, and the 1000 hours eyelash dye for a DIY lashtint. about $17 and gives you well over 10 tints. do it twice in the same week and no need for mascara or panda eyes.

    oh, and coconut oil. eat it (it’s the best type of fat, good immune boost, and tastes sweet without ANY sugar), warm a little in your palms and use it as a face food before bed, and wipe it through damp hair ends. in summer it would smell tres terrible but it’s whimsical in winter :-)

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 19, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Love it all Bec! Brilliant. Especially the hiding bit.

       
  8. Rhoda July 25, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Tried the exxy stuff but never stuck with the one brand – which tells me something LOL.

    What else? – virgin olive oil and a warm moist washer. Full cream milk is great to soak your hands and feet in – warm it up a bit.

    Aveeno products from the supermarket are definitely worth a try. I like the baby version of the moisturizer because I don’t like added perfumes. I’ve found the all over body moisturizers like Hamiltons are great on my face though and I have the typical oily T – available at chemists and really work.

    Laura Mercier foundation and primer.

    DIY Clairol for hair colour and every hairdresser I go to remarks on what a nice colour – I kid you not LOL

     
    • Nikki @ Styling You July 29, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Aveeno products are great Rhoda – love them for body balms when you’re wanting to slather it on and not scrimp on the application!

       
  9. Sleuthcity August 3, 2012 Reply
     
     

    POD products (Aussie) , all of them for skin. Urban Decay, everything, from Beautybay.com (UK site with free shipping to Oz) and EmilyNoel reviews on U Tube for reviews of what they call Dupes from the drugstore like Wet’n'Wild, La Girl most of which are all on-line. Try silknaturals web site for some fab makeup, including dupes and the most amazing skin care – made in New York State and shipping is minimal. Use a big tub of pure Shea Butter from a site in OZ, gritty nutty but so good! Remember, stay away from any Shea Butter that is yellow!

     
  10. Sleuthcity August 3, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Olive oil on hair once a week and a scrub of lemon juice and sugar on face works wonders. Use Epsom Salts in a foot bath or just in your bath and a tablespoon of pure shea butter. Cheap and fabulous.

     

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  • BeansGran: I'm an E cup. When I was younger and skinnier I was only a C cup and could handle underwires. Then I got pregnant and d...

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  • Kasey: Well put Sonya. I am so glad that you have created this documentary. Also, you have put forward a voice of reason backed...

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  • The Huntress: I am very impressed by what you've set out to achieve and how you've come about it. Much of my work these days is in vac...

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  • sue Bell: Not everyone has access too or any interest in the internet, you cannot drive a tractor and watch the internet but you c...

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