Tesco Advent Calendar - Week Two

This is the second week of opening my Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar and I have to say, week one was pretty brilliant, you can see that post HERE.  This week had much to live up to I think in terms of how good the contents have been, so this is what I have:

Day 8 - Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume Sample. 

Named after the famous Red Door spas of Elizabeth Arden. An initial burst of red roses gradually becomes more of a floral bouquet combining lily of the valley with tuberose, jasmine and freesia.  Now I am personally not a fan of Elizabeth Arden products, they just don't don't do it for me, be it the 8 hour cream or perfumes, I am yet to find something that has made me go wow.  That said, this is a nice scented perfume, though I do feel it is for someone older than me in my 30's.

Day 9 - PRO Formula purifying thermal face mask sachet 

The Pro Formula Purifying Thermal Face Mask deeply cleanses, helps to open pores and absorb excess oils. Enriched with white willow bark and vitamin E complex, in combination with a warming effect, it helps to draw out impurities and clear excess dirt leaving the skin feeling fresh. It is also hypoallergenic.

Day 10 - Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix RRP 

Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area with Viper Venom Eye Fix from Nip+Fab. This refreshing eye gel with a cooling roll-on applicator contains wrinkle minimising liftonin xpress and sy-nake with red algae to decrease the appearance of dark circles. The Nip+Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix is suitable for all skin types.

Day 11 - So Eco Foundation Brush RRP 

So Eco presents the Foundation Brush, designed as a premium make-up brush whilst being completely environmentally friendly. The head, filled with super-soft bristles is hand-cut and tapered to cover under-eye circles and imperfections to achieve a smooth complexion using liquid or powder make-up. The Foundation Brush handle by So Eco is made from ecologically sustainable bamboo providing additional comfort with a recycled aluminium ferule.

The Foundation Brush gift box is made with cardboard from managed forests that have been approved by the PEFC. The So Eco packaging features a window made from cornstarch and is held together using water-based adhesives. The box design was printed using vegetable inks with no harmful effects to the environment.

Day 12 - Korres Citrus Shower Gel

I am a huge fan of Korres products, so am delighted to see this in my Calendar.
It is a soft moisturising showergel, ideal for everyday use. Wheat proteins form a protective film on the skin, maintaining its regular hydration level. It smells absolutely amazing, very citrusy and the kind of scent which is guaranteed to wake you up in the morning when you are half asleep.

Day 13 - Tesco Reflect and Perfect Compact Mirror

Not the best compact mirror I have ever had I have to say. It is quite cheaply made and put together but is alright for chucking in my overnight bag in case of emergency. 

Day 14 - Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Masque

Gentle enough for the most dry and sensitive skins, Delicate Boosting Mask is a smooth and creamy hydrating mask containing Dead Sea Mud and Harmonised Water. It has an Allergen-Free Fragrance and contains no paraben and states it will give skin a fresher look and healthy glow as well as improve the skins texture, remove impurities and is deeply nourishing.

So there it is, week two of my advent calendar and I have to say that once I again I am impressed with the content.  I will use all of those products and cannot wait to see what I find behind the doors of week three!

What do you think?

Are earlobe tribal piercings a good idea?

In certain eastern and African cultures, the insertion of a large disc into the earlobe holds sociological or religious significance. It may indicate allegiance to or membership in a particular tribe, or indicate the person has successfully gone through a rite of passage. However, the practice of tribal earlobe piercing or stretching has become a popular form of body modification for Millennial generation men and women.

The process of piercing and expanding a hole in the earlobe to accommodate jewelry such as a “flesh tunnel,” a “barbell” or a “plug” is time consuming. The person undergoing the procedure can anticipate at least 8 weeks from the time of the initial piercing to the final fitting, with additional piercing procedures needed every two weeks. If the stretching process is rushed, it can result in the earlobe actually splitting in two. There are some hazards involved in tribal ear piercing that aren’t found in traditional ear piercing as well. One is the occurrence of what is known as a “blow-out.” This happens when too much pressure is placed on the piercing tool and skin from inside the hole is squeezed out. The result is a visible build-up of scar tissue.

Once the earlobe is stretched to 12 mm, the earlobe will not regain its original shape if the process is stopped. Unlike more traditional ear piercing, the hole created through stretching is permanent even if jewellery isn’t inserted.

Although this form of body modification has become more widely accepted, there still are several considerations that should be examined prior to getting this type of piercing.

In a 2008 Harris Poll, 32 percent of respondents answered that they considered people with extreme body modifications such as earlobe tribal piercing to be “more likely to engage in deviant behavior.” One specific incident involving the inside sales representative of a box company in Massachusetts found that customers perceived this woman to be “promiscuous” and “emotionally unstable” based solely on her body art. A study done by the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2004 found that 87 percent of human resources managers and recruiters would decline hiring an interviewee based on visible body art or modifications. According to a recent story done by CBS News on earlobe tribal piercings, the British Royal Army forbids enlistees from having any ear piercings other those that hold stud-type earrings. Although many international firms don’t have explicit dress codes that forbid earlobe tribal piercing, the majority will decline to hire a job applicant if he or she has them. And under United States civil law, unless the piercing has religious significance, denying a job applicant a position based on visible piercing is not considered discriminatory. Unlike other forms of body art that can be discreetly covered by clothing, earlobe tribal piercings are quite visible and have a direct impact on one’s ability to obtain employment.

Further, as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and firmness. Combine the aging process with the exaggerated stretching the piercing produces and the ears become reminiscent of those of a Bassett hound. The teenager who looks “hip” with enlarged earlobes becomes the 40-year-old who looks ridiculous.Earlobes that have been stretched can be repaired through cosmetic surgery. This process involves anesthetizing the earlobe, cutting away the excess flesh and reconstructing the earlobe so that it appears normal. Under NHS regulations this is considered elective surgery, but an investment in this cosmetic procedure is an excellent investment if earlobe tribal piercings have become an impediment to career or social success. For information regarding earlobe reconstruction, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners.

Guestpost

Show off True Beauty with an Eternity Ring

Most people assume rings are only shared with a significant other on a proposal or during the wedding. While this is when the majority of rings are exchanged, it is not the only time. Of course, someone is free to provide a ring whenever they desire, and while it should never outshine the engagement ring, there are some options out there that women can wear in order to show the extended commitment from her significant other. One such ring option that is available is known as eternity rings. These eternity rings are constructed out of the same material as a traditional engagement ring, so for anyone worried as to whether it might match the engagement ring or not, this is not a problem. However, it does have very specific meaning behind the ring and it is possible for the individual to select several different variations of rings, in order to ensure the recipient always receives a ring that is specific to them.

An eternity ring looks very similar to the wedding band that is exchanged during a wedding ceremony. It is usually a thin band, constructed out of a precious metal, such as gold or platinum. Along the middle of the ring there is a line of identically cut gemstones. These gemstones are usually diamonds as well, although it can vary from person to person, depending on their particular tastes. The goal of the ring is to symbolize a person's never ending love to the recipient of the ring.

Now, eternity rings are broken down into two sub categories: full eternity ring and half-eternity. With a full eternity ring, the diamonds go all the way around the ring, so there is no real top or bottom to it. An individual can slide the ring onto their finger without any worry as to what side is facing up. 

Full Eternity Rings

Half-eternity rings have diamonds running along just the top half portion of the ring. With the fingers along the ring on the hand, it is not possible to see that the bottom portion of the ring does not have diamonds on it. Typically, this design is constructed in order to cut down on the price of the ring. However, as the gemstones used in the construction of the ring are rather small, the variation of the price typically isn't that drastic. 

Half Eternity Rings

Eternity rings have been around for several centuries. In the 18th century, the design of the ring often featured a variation of different gemstones, including white topaz. However, while the design of the eternity ring has been around for some time, the actual concept of such a ring is on the newer side. The concept of an eternity ring as a gift potentially after the engagement ring came about in the 1960s from De Beers, the world famous diamond merchant. They used this design because the diamond company had to purchase over 90 percent of the small, uncut diamonds produced in the Soviet Union in order to obtain the larger diamonds and they needed a way to sell the smaller diamonds. 

The next time someone is looking to show their love for a significant other, regardless of if they are engaged, married or just looking to prove their love for all time, eternity rings are an excellent option. These can mark a significant anniversary, or someone can use this ring just to prove their love to the other individual. Regardless of the situation though and what someone is looking for, there is going to be the right eternity rings out there for them to use and to give to their true love. So what are you waiting for!!! 

Express your love to your soul mate by choosing one from the exquisite collection of such rings showcased by Laings of Glasgow.

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Win £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers to spend this Christmas, courtesy of Harvey Water Softeners

Harvey Water Softeners is offering the opportunity for one lucky BeautyQueenUK reader to receive £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers** to spend online or in-store.

Harvey Water Softeners is a family-run business based in Surrey that manufactures and installs the UK’s best water softeners. Founded by Harvey Bowden in 1978, the company’s patented twin-cylinder water softeners remove the minerals from hard water that cause limescale and scum to build up inside kettles, washing machines and other appliances inside the home.

The beauty benefits of soft water include reduced risk of skin disorders such as eczema and reducing hair frizz whilst making it more shiny. Home and financial benefits include less need to clean sinks and shower screens, more bubbly, soapy baths and showers and extending the life of household appliances and boilers whilst making them more cost efficient. 

Visit www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk  for more details.

The competition closes on New Years Eve 2014 - so start 2015 with a pocket full of vouchers to spend in the sales! Some of the options are Mandatory and must be completed, if they are not done so (and I check everyone) your entries will be removed from the competition.  This is a UK Only Giveaway.

The Winner has been contacted - Debbie, Congratulations!

** These vouchers have been kindly given for this giveaway