Designed for babies’ bottoms to ward off infection, sores and to keep skin smooth, the wonder cream has to be one of the best anti-ageing moisturisers I have ever tried. At just £2.54 a pot, it is a must have in your beauty cabinet. Baby Bottom Butter by Waitrose is my Number One skin care product. I apply it in the evening before bed and I wake up with my skin looking fresh and feeling moist. It can be used during the day but use only a small amount as it can make you skin look waxy, particularly if you have Botox, when it can make your face look like a mask! But apply liberally before bed. You won’t believe how good Baby Bottom Butter is. It flies off the shelves so when you find it in stock, buy several pots at a time to ensure your supply.
Best shower gel I’m Plant Based original source body wash
If you cannot afford Jo Malone or Molton Brown shower gel then try a gel packed full of Original Source plant based good stuff & consciously sourced natural ingredients. Pop the top for a lavish lather of lush, blooming lavender, harvested fresh from the field, along with evergreen sprigs of just-plucked rosemary. Naturally gentle, animal-loving, and oh-so-foamy. Immerse yourself in nature with their 96% Natural Origin body washes created to stimulate your skin & senses for a fresh, sensorial shower experience. I carry this in my gym bag and it is a must have at home. At around two pounds you cannot go wrong. https://www.originalsource.co.uk/products/im-plant-based/lavender-rosemary-body-wash/
Baking Soda gives body to the hair
Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with your favourite shampoo, apply to wet hair, then rub in well and leave for a minute. Rinse and condition then style. This will add body and shine and give your hair a new lease of life. Repeat every two weeks. It’s also better than most deodorants – just apply a teaspoon under each arm. But be careful not to use baking powder as it’s not the same as baking soda….
There are so many expensive hair loss treatments out there. Hair transplants can break the bank. At the first sight of hair loss, or if you just want to thicken the hair, try Watermans Grow me. Watermans was founded by Gail and Matt Waterman, who both suffered for many years with different variations of hair loss problems. In 2012 Watermans was launched and now today they sell a product every 30 seconds across their network of distributors around the globe. The company’s main focus is making products that actually help others in some way, by using the finest ingredients and putting customer results first before profits.
They donate their hair growth shampoo called ‘Grow Me’ to chemo wards across the UK and other Waterman’s products to the NHS and Ukraine, also supporting many grassroots and football teams across the country along the way. Matt & Gail Waterman pride themselves on giving back to the community through charity or when someone needs that helping hand.
It was hard not to snigger briefly at the sign on the old faithful London Underground, “DO NOT STARE”.
How can you possibly avoid making eye contact (no matter how hard you try) with that man who is picking his nose so hard his finger is almost coming out his eyeball?! Or that couple that are so engaged in kissing it is hard to know where to look, especially as they break contact for a second and she moves her tongue into his ear.
Let’s not forget the joy of living in London’s cosmopolitan city; the amazing, stylish people travelling through or living here. The Tube can be a reality show with a new episode every time you travel or change lines on your journey.
I personally loved going to the airport early for the joy of ‘people watching’ as they were just fascinating. I loved it in the days when the loudspeaker would call out, “Mrs Jones, please come to desk seven. You have an urgent message,” much as I stopped short of going to see who she was.
My mind was filled with plots that maybe she was running away with a lover and he had changed his mind, or the likes. Yes, I am sure it was something dull and simple but having an active imagination has got me through the best and worst of times.
The joy of observing life and its cast of characters is something that keeps me going. After all, Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.”
But back to the London underground that has been with us since 1863. Of course, I did not immediately notice the smaller print: “INTRUSIVE STARING OF A SEXUAL NATURE IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND IS NOT TOLERATED”.
I get the point now. Ten years ago, I interviewed twelve page three models about dating and sex. Not one had not been sexually assaulted on the tube one way or another, from being brushed up against to actually being touched, especially in rush hour. Certainly people should feel free to travel without any fear of sexual assault of any kind.
It is time, however, that we had some other signs put up and very clear announcements for travelling to remind people to make their journey easier, safer and better for others. Much as staring can be unpleasant, it is not as dangerous as some of the common practices I observe daily.
Here is my list for London Underground to add to NO STARING:
Please uncross your legs when travelling. No one wants your footprint on their clothes when the train comes to an abrupt stop.
Please take your backpack off and place between your legs. We do not want an eye taken out as you swing around, especially during rush hour.
Please remove your bags from the seat next to you and allow others to sit down.
It never goes out of fashion to offer an elderly person a seat or a lady who is expecting. Do not just look at your Iphone or newspaper and pretend you have not seen them. BUT DO NOT STARE.
Refrain from bringing fast food or any eatables on the tube. This is not the Orient Express; there is no dining carriage and people travelling do not want to arrive at their destination smelling like a KFC, MacDonalds or a number 12 meal from Mr Wok.
Please use the escalators safely. DO NOT STOP AT THE TOP to look at your phone because you now have a good signal, or to rearrange your shopping bags, forcing the unfortunate person behind you to either jump past you or be pushed back. MOVE CLEAR.
If someone touches you in a sexual manner report immediately.
We are SO lucky to enjoy one of the best undergrounds that is legendary around the world. Please let’s love it and travel safely with a little consideration for others.
If Sadiq Khan does not hike the prices to that of the Orient Express, it is still an affordable way to travel. But remember, DO NOT STARE, even if that Colin Farrell lookalike wearing rugby shorts gets on.
Dying to be beautiful the downside and the ups of the Aesthetic – Cosmetic world.
Now trust me I am a big believer on looking after yourself. If you start to look a little withered and that moisturiser or body contouring cream is not helping turn the hands of time back the way you want them to.
Then by all means it might be time to pay a visit to a qualified doctor to have a sensible treatment that might just hold age back or make you look that little fresher.
It is not vain -if your house starts to crumble, or the walls look like they need a coat of paint. No one will lift and eyebrow as you call the decorators or builders
The incredible Pete Burns RIP
But tread carefully for every master of the craft of aesthetics or cosmetic surgery There is a con person or the unqualified want to be -waiting to take your money. Unfortunately, the aesthetics world is still unregulated.
Despite campaigners such as Antonia Mariconda who heads Safety in Beauty campaigning to outlaw those who have not trained in the craft or let standards slip in a business that after all comes under the medical umbrella. We live in world where we are drowning in information while starving for wisdom?
The saying goes that it takes seven years to train to be a doctor, and twenty seconds for a receptionist to think they are one I have observed this phenomenon myself standing in an aesthetic doctor’s reception room, listening to the doctor’s wife practically screaming at patient that “she did the consultations in the clinic” – and in fact, provided some of the treatments. Her medical qualifications? She was simply the doctor’s wife.
It is quite terrifying to realise the sheer number of people who now think they are medical experts, despite zero training. There is nothing wrong seeing what they call an advisor but let’s make it clear that’s not a doctor and all they should be sharing is their own experience the price and booking the appointment to see the doctor.
Under no circumstances should they be suggesting treatments A good clinic will offer a consultation with the doctor sometimes there is a charge often taken off the procedure you choose. The high end you simply pay for the doctor’s advice These rules out time wasters and after all a private gp costs for advice.
One Sunday after a wonderful afternoon celebrating the life of my dear friend actress Sally Farmiloe Neville who has passed on three years to the day. Sally was a woman who embraced all that you could when it came to beauty.
I came home to a shock there plastered over the papers and the internet was a picture of a man I knew well. “MIRCALE HAIR LOSS “cure. It went on to claim that a treatment that he had many months ago had given him a new head of hair. My issue was that six months ago he had been abroad to have a hair transplant and the picture was of the results of that.
We have spoken about the treatment he had at the clinic, and he thought though widely expensive he had little or no results maybe as he said little fuzz, he rang me when he was abroad having the hair transplant. I won’t go into why he agreed to do the article.
But it was very misleading, and lotion and potions and snake oils have no room in the aesthetic business and for sure it should be criminal to mislead the public like this particularly as the clinic new he had been abroad. Sliming treatments is a billion-pound business.
Apart from sensible exercise, and diet truly I am yet to see one that really does what it claims. Sure, many may give temporary feel of weight loss. Certainly, the technician who has measured will marvel after your first treatment that you are now so skinny they can hardly see you.
One woman who telling everyone a treatment had done what Liposuction could not or exercise looked fab in the magazine she appeared in. Just three weeks late however at an event the room was a buzz about how photo shopped the pictures were. One friend asked if she was pregnant.
Another who was selling courses of Fat Freeze was extremely overweight “I am allergic to the cold “she defensively pointed out and apparently the other treatments on offer too.
Sure, many people have thyroid issues and other conditions leading to weight gain, but they do not need aesthetics slimming they need a proper doctor dealing with those issues.
The truth is no slimming treatment will work long term unless you eat. healthily and exercise. Some are downright dangerous Linda Evangelista had a rection to one treatment that caused her to be physically deformed.
Many who have adventured abroad (cosmetic tourism) have lost their lives in the pursuit of beauty. Aesthetics and cosmetic surgery in the right hand is a beautiful science that can boast self-esteem correct many physical deformities and make you look your very best.
Providing that it does not become an addiction (that we have seen in so many cases amongst some celebrities in the news and glossy magazines) aesthetics can be a real plus. Good doctors I have to say keep an eye on client’s healthy aesthetics treatments turning into an addiction.
If you are considering aesthetics or a cosmetic treatment check 1 Check qualifications A useful way to narrow your search down is to compare the credentials of the surgeons you have found to the list below.
You should look for a surgeon who is:
• Working for the NHS
• Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Listed on the GMC’s the area of practice relevant to your procedure
• A member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
• A member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• An expert in the part of the body you want operated on.
This is when the receptionist comes into play, she can help provide you with evidence or direct you how to find the proof. Get recommendations.
You may want to speak to friends and family members who have undergone the procedure in question or visit online forums to get their recommendations.
Other sources of valuable information include:
• Your GP
• The General Medical Council’s (GMC) specialist register
• British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
• British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• Royal College of Surgeons Go to see several doctors and do not rush into a treatment unless you are a hundred precent confident.
Even something that sounds as simple as Botox The wrong practitioner can cause damage lasting months. Do your homework And have a safe aesthetic cosmetic treatment.
In the 70s and 80s dinner parties were a regular thing. With shows like “Come dine with me” and the rise in costs of eating out, dinner parties are making a huge come back.
Though some still entertain at venues outside the home such as restaurants, there is nothing more intimate and fun than having a group of friends or interesting people at your home for a private dinner party.
But as much as a good host can make it a terrific night to remember, the wrong recipe for an evening can make for a bad dinner party that can have your guests talking for weeks to come for the wrong reasons.
When you are holding a dinner party for those who are wine connoisseurs or food gourmets, the dinner conversation will be primarily about both food and drink.
Believe it or not the best dinner parties do not always revolve around either. Although putting on a nice show that does not have you locked in the kitchen away from your guests is indeed a good idea.
In fact, at one of the most amusing dinner parties I attended, the hostess (who was not known for her cooking and often took people out for dinner) called me a week before to invite me over to see her new kitchen and dine.
The day after she phoned, “Darling, would you do your marvellous chicken fajitas on Friday?” I asked if she was doing potluck (when everyone brings a course) as fajitas do not travel too well.
There was a silence and then she continued, “Oh I thought you could cook?” I responded with, “No, it is your turn” and I hung up! Arriving at her stunning Hampstead home on the Friday to see the table beautifully set and the new oven lit, I was suitably impressed.
The hostess had that ‘pleased with herself’ look written all over her face as in fairness, this was not her forte. Wine flowed and nibbles were served but one and half hours later no food had been served.
Looking at the oven the chicken was still as raw as it was on a Waitrose shelf. “My love, is the oven actually working?” I gently enquired. Another hour and we were no further along. The hostess declared that the new oven was faulty and called for Chinese.
We laughed and put the world to rights until two thirty in the morning and it was just an amazing night. Topped off by the call on the Tuesday that when the repair man arrived the diagnosis was, she had simply not turned the oven on!
I could not help but ask when she was auditioning for “Come Dine with me”. She had so many strengths but cooking was not one so how was she was going to compete? “Darling, you’re coming over and doing it for me.”
However, for the run of the mill dinner party, if you are not having food delivered, do not cook something that keeps you in the kitchen half the night or that is not tried and tested.
Your guests have come to see you socially, not see you stressing in the kitchen. It is a good idea to pre-cook as much as you can beforehand.
Always check what your guests eat. At one dinner I went to they served an enormous piece of goat’s cheese to start with; I would honestly suck someone’s feet rather that eat that.
I did the trick of eating and not chewing rinsing it down with water. Every time I looked back at the plate it seemed no smaller. Eventually the host noticed and I had to admit I could eat no more.
They looked less than impressed. It is a good idea to have some eggs or a vegan option on standby just in case a guest has not been forthcoming with their dietary needs.
What really brings a dinner party together is the company. Years ago, a socialite who was an expert at entertaining shared some tips. Never bring the same type of people together.
Lady X would be much more interested in sitting next to an up and coming artist than another socialite. Invite those that sing for their supper as they are interesting, amusing, can tell a good story or know about the latest in style, books or theatre.
Bringing five actors together unless they are in the same production could spell disaster as they try and outdo each other.
Being a good host is more than just checking everyone is eating and topping the wine up. It is making sure all your guests are enjoying themselves and get to speak.
We have all been there when that narcissist is dominating the conversation: even when they stop, they manage to jump straight back in to make the evening about them.
As a host it is your job to intercept, giving others who are not so forward a chance to speak by asking questions about books, films, theatre productions or art, anything that might interest them. As a good host, pushing the evening to be controversial is a bad idea.
Sure, a great debate with people you are sure about can make for an interesting evening, but do not go out of your way to do this as it could potentially end your night on a sour note. Other topics to stay clear of are age, weight, salaries and politics.
One evening at a dinner I was hosting one guest said to another, “You know when we get to our age it all needs a little lift, but I love my forties”. The guest was livid, “I am 32!” she cried, getting up and excusing herself.
Let the conversation flow and, unless you’re lucky enough to have a great orator for the night such as Stephen Fry, make sure everyone gets to talk. Please do not be that Machiavellian host who starts the night off with, “So who voted for Brexit?!”
A bad dinner party, and one I will remember for a very long time, had all those wrong ingredients. We went out to eat so the food was good for some of us. There were quite a few of us dining that evening.
It started off badly; prior to our arrival someone I love reprimanded one of the other guests joining us for running late. This caused me great amusement as “Pot, Kettle, Black,” jumped to mind.
They were the last person who should be reprimanding anyone for being late as they had never been on time ever in all the years I’d known them. Me pointing this fact out caused offence and they were still seething as we arrived at the dinner.
The host Mark, though lovely and amusing, wanted to talk about one topic: a certain lady whom we will refer to as ‘Alice’. He and Alice were once close, but no more, and that obviously made her a target.
Now I love a gossip and to hear who is doing what to whom and all the news. It can make for an amusing part of the evening. Everyone says, “Steven knows all the gossip”, but those that know me will tell you I never name names and I mostly just tell amusing stories. I am educated enough to entertain without using gossip.
For those that knew ‘Alice’, this monologue of indiscretions and faults seemed to be keeping them entertained. All that was missing was ‘Alice´s’ corpse as she was being verbally hacked to death.
An hour later our host was still talking about himself and ‘Alice’, only interrupted by “let’s get another round in” and the slight amusement as a guest starter was sent back for the third time.
Our host was blissfully unaware that some of the guests were looking at their phones and one gestured “Come sit with me!” My suggestion, that now we had ascertained ‘Alice’ was a c— , perhaps we should not give over our time to her, was met with a harsh “Mark is talking sssh!” I would have walked out at that point but I was staying with one of the guests.
Just as I thought the evening could not get worse, a very late guest arrived who I will nickname the cuckoo as she had replaced Alice in Mark´s affection.
For a brief time she talked about one of my other least favourite subjects: Diet. Then talk moved straight back to ‘Alice’ in which the cuckoo revelled.
All that toxic energy being thrown around was making for a very unpleasant dinner experience. Our host was a very smart man but certainly no Oscar Wilde or comedian, and was only aware of his own voice.
Luckily, I was smoking so there were some breaks. I got a text from a guest which simply said “help!” as they were so bored. It is so important that everyone gets a chance to talk, and you ask other questions, so they are included, but there was no chance of that happening at that particular dinner.
This is my last tip when entertaining: much as we are all adults, if you are hosting drinkers, arrange for them to stay over somewhere if they are driving, or book a cab: there are even companies that send someone on a bike to drive your car home.
As you pour that last tequila shot you do not want to hear that one of your guests was in an accident on the way home. Happy dining!
2Shades Magazine 