Fashion and beauty mysteries- what are you too afraid to ask?

[AlwaysSleepingBeauty]

I hope that someone might help with mine... how on earth does one pronounce Space NK please? I was going to ask in the shop, but the man in the blue eyeshadow is too scary

M&S were out of stock but I've ordered some others from elsewhere

I will have a look at aldi there must be some in now

I must have been going round with my eyes closed for years

Hi Wife of Doom and Iaintdunnuffink: Re that "Just Washed Hair" trick: Have you tried Batiste dry shampoos? They have a range of scents, and they give your hair real va-va-voom. Just apply to the roots, leave for 30 seconds and brush or shake out. All lankiness or greasiness is removed. I know I sound like an advert, but to prove I don't work for Batiste, there are other brands of dry shampoo which also work. I just like Batiste.

I have a question for the oracle inspired by a quick trip into Boots at lunchtime - I was looking at buying a couple of lipsticks.

Why are there no mirrors where they sell make up in Boots??? There are rows of make up, but nowhere to see if the lipstick actually suits you (NB I NEVER apply directly, but I will dab some on with my fingers). One of the concessions (L'oreal perhaps) used to have a tiny mirror I would use, but even that is no longer there now.

Do they expect you to buy lipstick from just a swish across the back of your hand? Do I have to start carrying my own mirror?

Tanyaaah, Shu Uemura is pronounced shoe oo-eh-moor-ah.

OneHundredSeconds and thenightsky

Sorry, not had time to read full thread so this may have been mentioned, but regarding your eyeliner question -

my friend had a make up tutorial from a Bobbi Brown rep and she explained that some people's eyelids are shaped so that the the underside of the top eyelid (just underneath where the eyelash roots are) is visible when you look straight at their eyes. I was a bit, WTF?! but sure enough we looked in the mirror and my friend's eyelids are shaped like that and mine aren't.

The woman advised her to line the the inside of the upper eyelid (just like you would line the inside of the lower eyelid for a smokey eye) and it wouldn't then look like there's a line of pink skin between your eyeliner and your lashes.

Friend tried it and it does work.

clartycarol - thats what i suggested - so glad someone else said it so i don't just seem like a lunatic shoving eyeliner up my eye haha!

Abby - I have bad contact dermatitis, and dry, cracked hands. Have tried loads of things: Aveeno, diprobase, epaderm, Neal's Yard, L'Occitane etc. The ONLY thing that works is Flexitol cracked heel balm - it's 25% urea. May sting slightly at first on deep splits but it really works.

grotbagz

I have the aldi Lacura handcream for, ahem, mature skin and it's really good.

ah no i didn't, i just checked to see how much i'd made no sense trying to explain what you managed to do so well, there was another post about it though maybe thats why i didn't in the end! at least i know I'm normal now

I have single-lidded eyes (ie, no crease - like a Chinese or Japanese person, although I'm European). How do I apply eye make-up other than liner? Or am I doomed to just liner? I've experimented a bit with shadow but it just looks a bit much going up to the brows. Bloke in Space NK was no use - he told me to highlight the crease I don't have - very observant of him

I don't wear make up every day so am not an expert like some of you are! I'd just like to be able to do smokey eyes etc and all the instructions you see in magazines don't help as they assume you have double-lidded eyes. Have seen a few tutorials online for Asian eyes but they all seem to focus either on liner or on putting shadow all the way up to the brow (maybe I need to learn to blend better)

minesabottle have you tried the little eyelid stickers you can use - i imagine they are probably very annoying and itchy but just incase they might be something you're interested in - think its called double eyelid tape - sorry if thats not helpful at all!

Littlermisstan perfect eyeliner flick!

www.discoveringbeauty.co.uk/2011/04/flick-eyeliner-stencil.html

grotbags how bizarre, I hadn't heard of that! Hmm, I don't actually want to change the shape of my eyes though, also I'd probably fiddle with it the whole time, I can't stand my eyes feeling funny Thanks though!

Minesa, there are loads of youtube video's doing tutorials on this.

MinesaBottle yes it is quite strange - i imagine they're as irritating as false eyelashes anyway so you're probably better off without them, sorry i couldn't be of more help!

MinesaBottle Lisa Eldridge did a great tutorial for hooded eyes, might that be of use? Obviously you might want to adapt it as you see fit.
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/25422/smokey-look-for-hoodedmature-eyes/
I think I am in love with this woman!

I feel much more relaxed showing my entire fanjo and bum hole to my lovely beautician than to my GP.

I use an epilator on my arm pits - very sparse regrowth and no shadow. When I used to shave I had 2 thick hairs coming out of every follicle and major stubble.

Porkster, just for a second there I read GP as grandparents

How do people look so glam and stylish when Id look like a maniac

And

How on earth do I hide the blackheads/open pores on my face? When I smile some stretch for miles.

My chin spots (i'm in my 40's) are improved by
Avoiding alcohol and
Exfoliating

Facial fuzz is not universal though as I don't have it.

I am properly weirded out by the idea of asking a stranger to wax my arse including bum crack. I never come across this type of waxing in swimming pool changing rooms but have read threads here where smear nurses claim 50% of women have totally hair free arses.

How often do you need to wax? Does it become less frequent the more you do it? I am 42 and never been brave enough to wax ; am keen to give it a go if it'll last a good week or two for over my summer holiday!

Love that Lisa Eldridge video! Did anyone answer the bb cream question?

one hundred and the nightsky I was shown how to get a really close eyeliner line by a lady at the Bobbi Brown counter: basically you have to pull your eyelashes up and taut with one hand, then draw the line underneath your lashes with your other hand. Takes a bit of practice and is a bit eyewatering to start with, but it works v. well.

Also, Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is amazing for anyone who finds (like me...) that foundation generally just sits on their skin and looks really cakey.

Now, does anyone have any tips on evening out very pale and blotchy skin, other than piling on the make up? Please?!

Thank you to all the people who have explain about the eye liner thing. Who'd a thunk it... I have forward facing lids. I can see that now. I will definitely be trying the suggestion of putting the liner UNDER my lashes. Hopefully it won't wash away too quickly. I'll let you know how I get on (will do it tomorrow morning before work).

Does anyone achieve a really good result on long, thick, straight hair with a relatively reasonably priced hairdresser?

ie. can go to sleep with it wet not think about it and still looks brilliant sort of result.

Otherwise, will stick with spendy one 3 or 4 times a year.