Beauty Q&A: Sarah Ayoub

By Tammi Ireland

I began writing for Sarah Ayoub’s blog, Chasing Aphrodite, last year in a bid to spread my wings from beauty and wellness writing to relationship columnist as well.  Through this position, I came to know Sarah quite well – know her heart and her passion for writing, family, friends and Paris.  A constant inspiration when I held dreams of being a writer, Sarah has become a great friend since I moved to Sydney and I could not be more thrilled that she has realised her dream and signed a two-book deal with Harper Collins.  Let me introduce to you, the next big thing in young adult writing…

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Sarah Ayoub, 26, Journalist / Blogger / Soon-to-be Author

How did you get into writing? I studied Journalism and PR at uni. It was something I knew I wanted to do since the age of 10. By third year, despite numerous work experience placements, I still didn’t have a job so I applied for my Masters. It was the best year of my tertiary education, and inspired me to get into Feature Writing. At the time, I was writing the events column for The Sunday Telegraph’s Sunday Magazine, so I was getting some basic experience, but when one of my assessments was to write a pitch letter, I took it as an opportunity to test it in the real world. I sent it to Girlfriend and they commissioned me for the story. That was my first paid byline and I have not looked back since.

Lessons on Sexuality, with Tom Ford

Tom Ford is a designer unlike any other. Sleek, sophisticated and damn sexy, he gets it right every time.  Known for his controversial advertising campaigns (which I’ve gratuitously included for you throughout this post), Ford’s latest beauty offering doesn’t deviate – it’s dark, broody and forbidden. The Fall 2012 is for every woman’s alter ego.

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Ford says, “This collection lets a woman express her romantic, ingenue side, or her temptress, femme fatale side, with a kind of indulgent, forbidden pleasure.  These colours have a twist of the perverse to them.” The colour story is made of rose, wine and fur (ingenue) or exotic jewel and voluptious fruit shades (temptress).  Of course, the wine and jewel shades are our favourite.

Back to the Fifties with FitHoop

By Tammi Ireland

There’s a new fitness tool on offer, and it has everyone in my – circle – excited! (See what I did there?)

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The FitHoop is a weighted hula hoop that comes in six different pieces, which you click together to form one large ring.  Slip it on your waste, swivel those hips, shake your hands in the air like you just don’t care, and – BAM – you’re working your abs with a giant smile on your face.

The Winter Facial

By Tammi Ireland

Winter can wreak havoc on your skin. The changing temperatures and dehydration caused from airconditioners and biting wind chill almost always result in redness and break-outs, neither of which are fun.  This winter, take time once a week to have a mini facial at home – your skin will thank you for it.

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First things first – wash all the day off.  Using Garnier’s ExfoBrush in a very warm shower, swirl this magnificent product around and around to slough away dead skin, clean off makeup and stimulate blood to the surface, which will result in plump skin.  The ExfoBrush is my favourite Garnier product – I seriously cannot get enough! Buy one from your local supermarket tomorrow, you won’t look back.

Next comes treatment of any issues you have.

Trend to Try: Plum Eyeliner

By Tammi Ireland

With cooler weather comes a longing for something different in the makeup department; something a little… spicy.  I’ve often turned to a burgundy lip (as seen at the recent Met Gala) when the mercury has dropped, but this season it’s time to let the eyes take the spotlight. Introducing my new winter makeup obsession – the plum eyeliner.

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Used exactly as you would a black kohl liner, the plum look gives an alternative from the predictable black line.  Best of all – it’s suitable for all skin types.  In the photo above, I’ve used Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal EyeLiner in ‘Blackened Plum’, on my top and bottom waterline, as well as along the top lashline on my lid.  Using my finger to help melt the waxy pencil texture, I’ve smudged it lightly for a worn-in feel.  The Estee Lauder liner goes on a dream, and is my pick for best Plum Eyeliner on the market.  It has a blue-black look, which was piercing against my pale skin and deep brown eyes.  I wore it with a sweep of Tom Ford Cheek Color in ‘Savage’ and Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara in ‘Black’ only.  Let the eyes do the talking.

WELLBEING: What Your Sex Drive Has To Do With Age, Libido, Body Image and Desire

By Tammi Ireland

Within our wellbeing section, we’ve talked about healthy eating, drinking right, doing relaxing exercises and being better people, but what makes you – YOU – a better person more than being sexually confident in your relationships, and thus in yourself?  Here at Coveted Canvas, we believe in sex.  Sex to show someone you love them, sex to scratch an itch, sex with yourself, and sex to empower.  Whether empowering yourself or your lover, sexual activity is important in any relationship and in any womans’ life.  So why do women’s libidos seem to disappear faster than a man’s, especially during menopause?

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I was recently sent a copy of Sex Drive: In pursuit of female desire by Dr. Bella Ellwood-Clayton (RRP $27.99), who is a sexual anthropologist, by the lovely folk at Allen & Unwin.  The book questions why a woman’s desire is so much lower than man’s, why society has accepted this as the norm, and explains why it doesn’t have to be that way.  Among the reasoning are tidbits on why sex is good for a relationship and for a woman as an individual. With the topic being spoken about on Mamamia recently, frequent sex in adult relationships appears to be against the norm – but it shouldn’t be.

Q&A with Nice’n Easy Colour Expert, plus Colour Blend Foam Review

By Tammi Ireland

When I dyed my hair back to its natural brown after years of balayage last December, to say I felt neutral about the results is an understatement. I was Switzerland.  What I wanted – although I didn’t know it until I dyed my hair last fortnight – was a deep brown, sexy, solid colour.  Balayage was over in my book, and I wanted to look smouldering – Angelina Jolie/Anne Hathaway style.

Thankfully, that’s when I got the opportunity to chat with Clairol Nice’n Easy’s colour expert Belinda Jeffrey, as well as a shot to try out the new Clairol Nice’n Easy Colour Blend Foam in ’4 Dark Brown’.

First – the hair:

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Another Easter Chocolate (and this one helps you lose weight!)

By Tammi Ireland

Easter can be overwhelming, with more chocolates and hot cross buns available to you than you ever thought possible, and all for only a limited time.  So when I heard of QuickSlim Slimmies (RRP $39.95 for a pack of 30), I was excited at the prospect of eating a chocolate that claimed to stave off hunger.

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Individually wrapped, each Slimmies chocolate looks like a mini-bar and claims to swell up when followed by 300mL of water 30 minutes before a meal.  The idea is that you feel so full you’ll eat less.  So, did it work?

Body Science RTD – Protein Shake

By Tammi Ireland

You may remember when I wrote about Body for Women’s Protein Shakes and how they’d significantly helped me on my way to reaching the goal of running a half marathon this year.  Well, I’ve just discovered Body Science also do Ready To Drinks (RTDs), which are essentially pre-made protein shakes in a bottle that you, well, shake and then drink.

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These have been amazing as I try to get more sleep in the morning.  Literally grab and go, I can shake one of these puppies and down it in no time, in preparation for a harder workout.  The taste is even better than the ones I have to make myself (how do they do this?) but they cost more eventually, so I’d stick with the powder if using everyday.  But if you’re in a hurry, on holiday, or even staying over at your boyfriend’s house… stick a Body for Women On the Go in your purse and …GO!

 

Product Review: Endota Glycolic Polishing Mask

By Tammi Ireland

Endota is one of those brands you can’t help but love, due in large part to their commitment to loving the environment and loving yourself.  Their whole philosophy is inspiring, and that’s why I was excited to test their Glycolic Polishing Mask (RRP $70 for 100mL), which promised to ‘reveal a radiant complexion’.  It didn’t disappoint.

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A small amount of the delightfully-scented mask rubbed circularly into my face and neck proved a calming experience in itself.  The mask is very finely granulated and feels natural, which is always a plus for products you’re going to keep on your face for a while.