Beauty basics

I gave in to the Times paywall malarkey. Subscribing is an necessary evil for my work and I've found it really handy and more satisfying than reading Femail and getting side tracked by what is and isn't moving out of the Saatchi home.

If there is one reason to bite the bullet and pay the one off fee rather than a monthly subscription then it is Sarah Vine's Best Beauty Buys (for when you are over 37).  Money and age aside the products really are in the main for any age. 

Some of the items are on the more pricey side but more in the mid price range rather than the high end. In amongst her list is a wonderful beauty basic which I've tried and can attest is the business and it is £8 from Sainsbury.

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Scrub £8

To cherry pick the full list here is the link to it on The Times - Best Beauty Buys

Don't worry sunshine is around the corner

Well, fingers crossed, hey! I'm sure it is, we'll all be able to dust off those sandals and pretty frocks soon enough. However given we are not tripping the light fantastic with those heady days of after works drinks to relish the warmer weather, why not get some preparation in instead.

What really makes a look is the finishing touches and for starters the lovely Mrs Fab has a wonderful DIY Pedi post on her blog. 
Now is also the time to get your hair cut and apply a hair treatment to get it in great glossy mane shape. Why not apply a home made potion on you locks. Sali Hughes did a great review of hair masks for all budgets in The Guardian

When it comes to your wardrobe I suggest you really re-evaluate what you have and get rid of any items you are never going to wear again. These are usually items which are worn and need repairing or you've had them since 1994 and seriously you are never going to wear them again.

Make a list of what you need and look for items that are discounted or wait for the sale as they will be very soon as retailers have been badly affected by the weather and are going to want to shift stock.

In the meantime you can help me decide which sandals to buy. The choice is between a pair from New Look (top) or Zara (bottom) and no I can't get both! Please leave your vote in the comments box as I seem to be inept at adding a voting button below!

Update: I put a voting thingy on the side!
UPDATED Update: 66% of you said 'aye' to the Zara ones. Thank you for helping me in my shoe hour of need. I ordered the Zara sandals into my local Zara store in Kingston. The order into store thingy is marvellous btw!

Keeping nasties at bay

In an attempt to not be too preachy about why I use Arbonne products, I tend to refrain from scare tactics. Who really wants to be told on a daily basis about x or y causing cancer or other diseases. It does make us turn off to the message.

I'm no expert (other than on fashion & film!) but the combination of lifestyle, living longer and exposure to food, sun, cigarettes and chemicals all make for a game of chance. Truthfully most cancer specialists will say there is no rhyme or reason to most cancers in terms of why one person get it or not. However there are obvious culprits, genes, sun and smoking are known to trigger the likelihood. Drink is a potential trigger for throat or mouth cancer etc. There is also the view we are living longer in general but cancer at 84 is vastly different to any other age in respect of life cycle. I think I'd be really cross at getting anything under the age of 70 but pretty sanguine after that. Of course come 70 I might have different views

My interest in products has been lifelong, my first encounter with an off the shelf product resulted in a dreadful skin reaction. I was mortified and from that moment on I delved deep. I'm really fussy. My fussiness has increased with my earnings and knowledge. I've always been a 'natural' girl after that first incident but have in very hard times I have rolled with the products of cheapness.

There are always products that I really like whose contents read like an alchemists list for ...well whatever I would say would be in bad taste as someone has died a death from it. There is no getting away from the toxic nasties whether for cleaning the house or yourself. Yesterday my osteopath mentioned a direct correlation between the use of sun cream and the increase in skin cancer. It was a research scientist type person who mentioned it to him. I don't know the context of the research but I hasten to add there might also be a direct correlation with people increasing their exposure to the sun or sun beds.

What it all boils down to is choice. You choose what you ingest or put on you or use to clean your home. Information is key, understanding the information is beneficial and making informed choices is the result. When I read this article in the Daily Mail, my eyes rolled, mainly
because the Daily Mail is a harbinger of doom on any subject or area of life. The headline is sensational but then towards the end the article gets to the nub of the issue, chemicals do imbalance the body and they are absorbed which can effect you.

The only reason for my layer of fat is food & alcohol intake. I can have no concerns about all my hair, skin & beauty products as they are paraben, chemical free. Of course I'm going to mention some Arbonne products! After all it is my little bit of earnings as I tip tap away writing! Just remember if you ever buy anything online from Arbonne then enter my consultant id 441023472.

My everyday shampoo, conditioner and shower gel is this wonderful trio of no nasties. I love this FC5 shower set at £42 it is pricey; but thanks to Dr Peter Matravers the founder of Aveda and now Arbonne's main man I know everything I put on my hair and skin is safe and does not required me to mix avocado or cucumber plus oil in a mixer. Now all I have to do is fight the flab!

My top 3 sun products

Despite the fact the UK has been under a deluge of rain, in my heart of hearts I believe our summer is just around the corner. Anyway if your off on holiday then sun care products are a must if it is hot climates you are off too.

Mrs MDS is of course supporting her film script writing with being an independant skin care & beauty consultant for Arbonne. Arbonne is a Swiss formulated product company and now has the ex Aveda man Dr Peter Matravers as its head of research and development. At one time, when Mrs MDS first started working after Uni, he was one of the team behind Neutragena and we used to get tons of free sample at the magazine I worked on. I was in love with the Sesame seed oil which you can't get in the UK now. It was fabulous for legs and I still request it when folks go to the US.

The reason I'm an Arbonne consultant is the fact I can earn commission on product sales and I love their clean green products. Their ranges are suitable for vegans and have worked wonders for the poor petit garcon with his eczema. Their baby range is brilliant and suitable for children. My favourite bit is when I make my monthly purchases because I get points and points make prizes. As a consultant you commit to making a monthly purchase approx £70 but I used to spend over that each month due to getting bedazzled by items in either Boots, John Lewis or Space NK. I have actually saved money and have lovely products even my shower gel is superior!

There is of course the inevitable business builder aspect if you want to make serious money but I'm pretty lack lustre about this in terms of will and commitment. I like running my shop most of all!

In my shop I can recommend 3 wonderful products that will see you safely through the summer.
My number one pick is the Renewing Body Gelee (rrp £32.00). It is in the Arbonne Detox Spa range (which is now available at Urban Retreat in Harrods but don't give money to them buy from me!!) The Gelee is wonderful and is particularly fantastic for putting on the skin after being in the sun. I also use it once a week and after going to the gym or for a swim. It truly nourishes and hydrates the skin and is wonderful. The whole spa range is a dream.



At number 2 is the Lip saver with SPF 30 (rrp £7.00) and I use it everyday to keep my lips protected and moisturised. They are in fabulous condition from it and at £7 it is a beauty bonus bargain.


The third product is the Damage Control, water resistant Sun screen factor 30 (rrp £32.00). I have to be honest my favourite sun cream is La Roche-Posay Anthelios factor 50. I would put the Arbonne one at a close second in terms of the product. It is better in respect of its green credentials and probably superior with the Swiss formulation but I prefer the packaging of La Roche-Posey and ease of use - I know stupid, but old habits...! But I'm sticking this year to Damage Control (great name in terms of does what it says on tin) because I want to compare the results. It goes on very well and smells nice, always a requirement. If you want pure vegan then it is the best.

If you are in the UK, Canada, US or Australia then you can buy Arbonne products online from me. All you need to do is put in my id number 441023472. If you do buy then let me know as each month I will be giving away an Arbonne product.

Arbonne offers great discounts to people who becoem preferred clients 20% of on all products for 12 months for a £18 fee. A consultant gets 35% off on all products for an initial £74 joining fee and then an annual rejoin fee of £12. I'm happy to answer any questions about the pros and cons of either. My email address is kate.battrick@gmail.com.

If you buy one thing make it primer

I have to confess to being a no foundation girl. I very occasionally resort to a light smattering and this has only been due to creating a base for other makeup. I really don't suit foundation mainly because I feel it ages me. I'm not very good at doing grown up!

Due to moving with the times I have tried a few primers over the last year or too. But I have to say none impressed me and I stuck to my MAC strobe cream mixed with a tiny amount of foundation when I wanted to created a seemingly flawless look.

Not any more, I finally succumbed to indifference and broke open a sample primer in desperation that I'd been given nearly two years ago. It has changed my life in more ways than one. I cannot convey how silky smooth it is, how flawless a complexion it gives and equally protects the skin. Best of all my eye make up stays in place.


I'm not normally one for loving a photo taken of me as I'm not usually caught in the right way. Mr MDS has long tormented me with his ability to make me look like a right goof ball every time he takes a photo of me. He got it bang on on new years eve, and so delighted am I that I've sold my photo to the devil and paraded it everywhere.


As a stylist I would say it was the eyes that nailed it! The face and eyes were prepared with Arbonne Makeup Primer and I added a mix of 3 eye shadows from Max Factor, Nars and Dior, then eye liner and mascara. My lips were quite pale and neutral by dabbing with foundation and adding a lip gloss. I know I'm selling the damn stuff but I am in love with the primer it is worth every penny!

Arbonne Makeup Primer £25

Project 100 - attitude

There really is no point in giving up or compromising one's style when hard times are threatening but with limited funds at the ready some basics need to be in place to work that wardrobe harder.

This is were attitude comes into play. You need a lot of it to pull everything off. I was reminded by a great giveaway on the Shop Curious blog that neither glamour nor grooming is to be forsaken. Get these two basics right and everything else will be a breeze.

1. Good grooming - I should just direct you to Faux Fuchsia for a lesson in good grooming! FF takes attitude and uses it to good effects. Grooming doesn't mean big hair dos and a brazilian. The essence of good grooming is well cut and washed hair, and clean nails. You can varnish your nails - Coco Chanel never used nail varnish on her hands. She thought colour on nails vulgar! I adore nail varnish, although for years I abstained with my superior Chanel knowledge and kept varnish purely for my toe nails and only red or orange at that. However times have changed and you can't go wrong with a white tee shirt, jeans and painted nails.

2. DIY beauty - save pennies and pounds by setting aside a couple of hours a week to undertake your own personal beauty salon regime. I put on a hair mask (usually a John Frieda on or a freebie), soak my feet in a bowl with lemon in the warm water and a splash of olive oil. Then I undertake pedicure and paint toe nails. I tidy my eyebrows and like a lie down with tea bags or cucumber on my eyes. I finish with a manicure. The manicure never lasts when you do it yourself so be prepared to carry the varnish around with you to top up any chips. When I can afford it I use Barielle products when I can't Nivea creme is my default. As for hair removal well I managed with Veet bikini wax strips for tidiness and use men's shaving products for legs and armpits - I prefer them.
You can have one defining item that is your beauty staple like Sister Wolf who is a red lipstick devotee!

3. Accessories - Choose well. I think you can use costume jewellery to great effect but equally a well chosen piece can add drama to your look. This summer I'm making do with a my lovely Hermes leather bracelet from Mr MDS and a pair of old pearl earrings. I would if I had the money buy a pair of the lovely Wendy Brandes Cleopatra earrings, which you can win on her Polyvore challenge I think they are very glamorous and no wonder they ended up on the ears of Samantha for SATC2. It is an item like this that adds the Martini factor to a look. Another item is this necklace from By Marlene Birger at my-wardrobe


4. The Martini purchase - I can make do with all my clothes this summer. I have no problem with wearing things until they die on me. But I firmly believe you need one wow item that makes you feel fabulous or gives you that Martini moment. For me, this season, it is the jumpsuit. I bought one for work so I had one item that was current and now I would like a few more! I never knew jumpsuits were so much fun. This season the high street has some great ones from Topshop, French Connection, Reiss and Next to provide a selection to think about. You will have the one item that you love - add it to your wardrobe and work it.


5. Get Creative - Charity shops, car boot sales and swishing events all offer opportunities to inject something new or provide retail therapy for a few pounds. Sharon Rose Vintage is the queen of thrifting and is a wonderful example to all for bargain hunting yet staying on trend and stylish. Your personal style is your own and you can find things to bring you joy by searching. I often reorganise my wardrobe to make me look at what I have with fresh eyes and create looks.
One reader asked me about swishing and if they could do it themselves. I would say so! Just invite a group of friends to come around, make it fun by assigning them drink or nibbles to bring too. Each item gets a ticket and then you have a browse period before the grabbing or negotiating starts.

The basic premise of Project 100 is to choose glamour first and find the practical way to deliver without throwing money at it - that's where attitude comes in.

Moisture for less

Diprobase cream is a pot of magic that doesn't require a pot of gold to pay for it. When I need to seriously save money on beauty products I used to default to Aqueous cream which is even cheaper; but if you are going to go cheap then why not select the creme de la mer version of cheap and chic.

If you suffer with dry skin then this delivers. I use it on face and body but add an SP15 for face. I discovered it when petit garcon suffered dreadfully with eczema. I couldn't keep using his so was mightily pleased when after drawing a blank in the high street chemists I could order it online.

The perfect make do aid for your purse.

Protecting the purse strings - beauty products

Summer wardrobe, check. Holiday booked, check. Bikini bought, check. Euros, a few...Money saved for A/W clothes, zero, zilch.

OK, that gives you June, July, August and September to put some pennies and pounds away. I always think that October is the perfect month to make ones purchases. It is easy to be beguiled by the new items filling the shops late August and in September, but if you can sit tight for one more month then some real gems appear from October 1st. You also get a real feel for which way the trends are going - embrace or reject as your views dictate.


One area you can make great savings is with beauty grooming products. It requires effort, a plan and determination. No salon treats!


Essential ingrediants are body scrub, body lotion and self tanning products. A razor, shaving gel, wax products and oil.


None of the above have to be expensive. Supermarkets and Pharmacies stock a great range often with special offers and two for one deals. If you go online to Veet you can get a free SATC beauty guide plus a 20% off token for Figleaves which is valid until 31st December 2008!

Use wax for bikini line and underarm. Use Aqueous cream to sooth skin after waxing and the same for after shaving legs. I prefer men's razor and shaving gel to get a great smooth finish. If you find your legs getting dry then rub in some olive or rapeseed oil.

If you're self tanning your legs or using products such as Johnson's, Doves or Nivea's body glow gradual tanning lotion, make sure you exfoliate before applying. Any body scrub will do - go for a cheap and cheerful one or make you own with Maldon sea salt and some olive oil, it's very easy just mix together.

If you do undertake a mega grooming session then just add a hair treatment product, again you can get sachets from £1.45. By the time you've finished your grooming you can rinse it off and have lovely soft hair to boot.

One other treat is a scrub and buff for your feet, particulalry needed if padding around in ballet pumps and/or flip flops. Use the scrub to invigorate the feet. Soak in hot water with lemon and then apply Scholl Footcare's deep moisturising cream. To get super soft feet apply oddles of the cream and put on a pair of socks for an hour or so.

One salon treatment for all these thing is about £110 verus an initial outlay of £25 - £30. Put the money you save towards your A/W clothes fund and don't forget practice makes perfect. My first bikini self wax was rubbish but now I could give myself a Brazilian at a push!

Purse wisdom for skin

To look good within budget, or to pay off credit card debts, one has to be clever when it comes to all manner of things. This year my bread making and preparing of allotment for future produce has netted me some lovely savings. Of which I splurged on a pair of sunnies as detailed in he who dares wins.

Now I may have saved myself £59 on that purchase but my savings aren't great and my credit card debt is still too high. Once my S/S 08 wardobe is sorted for work and self satisfaction I will be attempting to clear it all by the end of the summer.

Always on the look out to keep the household budget on track, plus incorporate my beauty needs into it, I've made a lot of compromises along the way. My birthday and Christmas list is with out fail Laura Mercier's almond coconut body range and Chanel (no need to narrow the potential). When it comes to products I love Environ, I save dollars and always make someone on a US tripmget me Kiehl's Creme de Corps. When I go to France, it's straight to the pharmacy for Embryolisse and Bioderma Crealine H2O.

So when Emma Cook reviewed SPF moisturisers in the Guardian Weekend, I was captivated by the review for Skin Wisdom's Reverse ultimate lift day cream SPF 15, £8.47, by Bharti Vyas for Tesco, 0800 505555.

Price aside, Bharti Vyas is an amazing facialist. Her recipe for acne which off the top of my head incorporates tumeric, honey and salt - don't rely on me for this one - all combined has saved many a young person from the torment of acne within a month!

Monday morning I hot footed it to Tesco - only to have been beaten either by Janet Street Porter or the Guardian reading population of South London/Surrey. Instead I purchased a detox facial mask for 69p, the energising facial scrub and the creamy facial wash. I'd just run out face cleansers. Across the aisle I was tempted by the bnatural body products, so opted for the conditioning salt scrub and intensive body cream. Having lost the receipt I'm guessing I spent at max £12 for all 5 items.

What do I think? The energising facial scrub is delightful - this is from the person who adores Chanel's Gommage microperle eclat. It delivers the same gentle feel and gives your skin radience. It is March and I've been looking like someone in need of the sun for the last 12 weeks. Perfect start to the day, the lemongrass does the trick. The creamy facial wash is nice and I like the ease of use. But bear in mind, I struggle to find the perfect end of day wash - I've done it all from Eve Lom to Liz Earle. Anything that scrubs me up at the end of the day without a muslin cloth and isn't a wipe, suits me. It doesn't seem to strip the skin and so far so good. I'm saving the mask until the weekend!

As for the body stuff, well the scrub is nearly on a par with Elemis! It is really good! The intensive cream is very thick and is good for knees and elbows but probably not absorbant or nice enough for rest of body - a good staple alongside Vaseline intensive when money is tight.

I'll be fighting you for the day cream....

Image supplied by BMA Communications