The foundation to a perfect relationship is…..not foundation!

This week is the week for romance. The time when couples the world over profess their love for one another, confess to feelings towards people who may or may not reciprocate, and sometimes, just sometimes….propose.

There is nothing more exciting than a Valentines proposal. But what about when you are expecting a proposal and it doesn’t happen? Is there any way of not being disappointed?

Maybe, just maybe, a thoughtful present will bring a smile back to your face, however small it is and however bad you are feeling. This isn’t about money either, but about noticing something about the person you love to the point that you buy them something that you know will appreciate and use.

And far from make-up being an insulting choice, it is actually a gift that shows you take notice of your loved one and take an interest in what they like. It truly doesn’t mean you think that they are ugly and need to cover up their natural beauty! But if you are going to go down the make-up route, make sure you research what to buy and what not to buy – getting your loved one the wrong make-up could most definitely lead to a break up!

Here’s our mini guide to what is hot – and what is not – in make-up gifts for your very own Valentine.

Foundation

This is probably not the most thoughtful choice, unless it’s an item they have waffled on about so much that you know the exact brand and colour. Get the colour wrong, and you have potential disaster on your hands for sure.  It takes the average woman years to find the perfect match and then technology and brands change so it’s back to the drawing board. It’s best not to mess when it comes to a woman’s face base!

Lip gloss

Lips are for kissing, so this is a good area to focus on when it comes to your valentine. Have a sneaky peek at what her favourite shades and brands are, then use that information to make an informed but impulsive decision. Don’t be tempted to change your partner’s look or insult what she believes look good, but buying a shade slightly different throws an element of surprise into your gift giving.

Body lotion

Perfume is a bit predictable, but body lotion shows that you are in it for the long haul and care about their whole body. Of course, buying  a body lotion based on their favourite fragrance is a wise choice and shows you have done your research, and splashed the cash, but don’t be afraid to go a bit quirky. Body lotions can have contemporary brand and fragrance names that show you think they are young, even if purely young at heart. Don’t compromise on quality – there’s nothing worse as a gift then thin, runny lotions that have minimum fragrance.

Single girl?– I DO want to be a single girl!

Oh Lush, you ultra-cool Britpop band from way back in the mid-nineties –  you were so right musically at the time, but got it so wrong with those lyrics.

When you were crooning “Single girl, I don’t want to be a single girl. Don’t want to be on my own again tonight, don’t want to put a light”, I know you thought it was the truth, but it seriously wasn’t!

So with Valentine’s Day almost upon us again, let’s give the world some real reasons why you WANT to be a single girl whilst showing off that you have the most kissable lips damn well out there.

Fancy yourself as a bit of a vamp? Wear that diva bright red lip shade while you can, because as you get older, that crimson colour will clash with your thread veins. One of the advantages of wearing bright red lipstick as a singleton is that you can keep that photographed model look all night – no nasty snogging to smudge it all over your face like a depressed circus clown.

To prevent that lipstick bleed, use a lip liner to define and shape your lips. By using a shade that is close to your actual lipstick colour, you will add extra definition to the lips. If you can’t find an identical match, go slightly darker by preference.

Prefer your lip colour more natural? Show those Valentine losers just what they are missing by using  a mere hint of luscious gloss that is more suggestive than theatrical. Subtle can still be alluring – choose a brand with added moisturiser as there is nothing more unattractive than chapped lips cracking their way through the shine. Pick a shade to match  to your natural skin colouring – if you have a more pale complexion, pink is the tone for you, and if your skin is darker, go for a lighter brown colour look. Wearing less colour needn’t be boring, so don’t shy away from adding  a bit of sparkle if you want others to be drawn to what they’re missing kissing.

And to make sure your lips stay in tip top condition, try exfoliating them by gently rubbing with a toothbrush or rub granulated sugar over your lips with your fingertip in order to remove any dead skin cells. Follow with a moisturising lip balm and let it work its magic before being tempted to apply any colour. Avoid the long lasting lipsticks if your lips have a tendency to dry out, as this type of make-up is drying by nature.

How to scrub up very well indeed!

How to scrub up very well indeed!

Yeyyy it’s nearly Valentine’s Day!

It’s that wonderfully romantic time of the year when those in love can stop arguing for a WHOLE day and buy each other a HUGE card, then pretend that it’s from a total stranger even though it’s written in your instantly recognisable hand writing. And hey, forget the fact that we’re heading for an unprecedented triple dip recession, go without heating for a week despite the winter frost, and buy your loved one a stuffed teddy holding a heart, that you can then put in a cardboard box in the garage on February 20^th.

Now you may think I’m unromantic, but actually, I’m VERY romantic, but I just believe the joy of romance is in the unexpected, and the little things that we do for our partners without being asked. There shouldn’t be a special day, as every day should be special.

But what we do need, is a day when we love ourselves for once, and what better way to treat ourselves, than with an impromptu spa treatment in the comfort of our own home.

We are talking a good old fashioned scrub. We are talking the face and the body, and in an era of penny pinching being chic, why not go solo and do it yourself?

Body scrub

Make those areas that are prone to cracking and hardening as smooth as a baby’s bottom by rubbing in your very own mix of hard bits and beautiful fragrances. Sea salt is something many of us have readily available in our kitchen, as is sugar (avoiding caster for obvious reasons!) and even oats. Make these your base, then add that other cooking favourite, a splash of olive oil. The resulting mixture is good to go as it is, but if you fancy a more luxurious touch, add aromatherapy oils or even lemon juice. Massage all over the body, then rinse off thoroughly. Finish off with a light body lotion, and your body is good to glow! In fact, why not make larger quantities of your scrub, package in a glass jar, finish with a ribbon and give to your friends as gifts?

Face Scrub

Make people stop and stare by rejuvenating your visage. One of the easiest face scrubs of them all has to be courtesy of the good old banana. Give it a mash, add some oats, a splash of milk, and then bring it all together with some honey. Massage into the skin using circular movements, starting at the neck and moving upwards and avoiding the gentle eye area. Once applied, lay back, relax and let nature do what it does best. After rinsing, moisturise and you are ready to face the world with a smile.