Improvability Blog

If you’re looking for disposable lip brushes, makeup sponges and applicators, mirrors, etc., then Sally Beauty Supply have over 150 stores in the UK, and loads more in the USA, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Japan, and Mexico.

For details of your local store go to http://stores.sallybeauty.com/

I have also found several other UK sources on the internet by going to Google UK and typing in ‘disposable lip brush’

http://www.thenailcompany.co.uk/acatalog/G_Strings.html

http://www.opalrealm.co.uk/

http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk/category-Facial-Accessories-ESSFAC.htm

http://www.alpinesupplies.co.uk/salon1.html

By the way, I am not affiliated with Sally’s or any of the companies mentioned here in any way so I won’t earn a brass farthing for telling you this

If you come across any other sources, please let me know and I’ll update this page.

My parents are in the UK for their annual summer holiday, escaping from the excessive Spanish heat!  Can you believe it? 

Every year before they set off, Momma rings me with a list of toiletries that she can’t get in Spain so that I can have them ready for her.  And every year the list becomes more and more vague.  Now don’t even think of putting that down to the little darling just getting older; she’s always been like that.  Momma works on the basis that everyone else knows exactly what she’s thinking and talking about so specifics are never needed to be explained.

Here’s part of this year’s list:

• I’ve run out of that lipstick you bought me last Christmas
  (Methinks, “Good grief, that was 7 months ago and I haven’t a clue what I bought… Thank goodness it was one from my professional kit so I only need to dig out the order form.”)
• That foot powder that you got me in Malaga
  (Methinks, “Malaga is in Spain, isn’t it?”)
• My favourite nail polish - it’s called Rendezvous by No 7*
  (Methinks, “Did I hear this right?  She’s actually given me a full description of what to look for.  No, I can’t have been listening properly…”)

Momma also assumes that everyone watches exactly the same television programmes on Sky that she does and, therefore, that everyone will know immediately what she’s talking about,

• That invisible suntan lotion.  It’s a spray. It’s on offer at one of the big supermarkets for about three pounds something.

Great!  It would be really helpful if I had a vague clue as to which supermarket she means but knowing from experience that further discussion would be utterly fruitless, I decide to use a bit of initiative and head straight for Boots**.  If Boots haven’t got the latest thing in invisible suntan lotions, then surely no-one else will. Right?

* No 7 – skin care and cosmetics range by Boots
** Boots - the UK’s most well-known High Street pharmacy chain

Has your favourite nail polish or lipstick ever been discontinued?

While I’m there, I wander over to the No 7 cosmetics counter to discover that they’ve discontinued Rendezvous nail polish.  I’m not surprised really as big cosmetics companies are always getting rid of their best sellers because they feel they have to stay ‘on trend’, ‘up to date’, and ‘in fashion’.

That’s why I would never use cosmetics from the High Street in my own colour business because I need a range that I can rely on to always be available, that doesn’t change every 6 months.  My clients (including my Mum) want to be able to buy ‘that lipstick you bought me last Christmas’ over and over again because the make-up colours that I recommend actually make them look good every single time they put them on.

For 17 years Momma used Fire lipstick from the Moritz range and would probably have continued using but they decided to discontinue the whole range earlier this year.  Now, don’t get me started on the whys and wherefores or we’ll be here all day and I shall need an extra large brandy to calm me down but, boy, did that cause ructions, and not just with my Mum.  There were hundreds of image consultants, like me, who had relied on this colour-coded cosmetics range for over 20 years, each of us with loads of clients who would regularly order their favourite lipstick, eye shadow, blusher, etc. because they knew that those colours would absolutely always make them look and feel fabulous.

Thank goodness we’ve been able to replace the Moritz range so quickly.  Jane Fardon Cosmetics have filled the gap beautifully!  Jane is an image consultant herself and she, too, wanted a range of colours based around cool and warm concepts that remained constantly available.

Last year, I spent a happy afternoon comparing Moritz to the new JFC range and, after covering my face and both arms with a variety of foundations, blushers and lipsticks, came up with a complete list which you can download for yourself. 

I now recommend that Momma uses Warm Pink to replace her old Fire lipstick; they’re both bright and work for both warm and cool skins as Momma doesn’t drop easily into one of the 4 seasonal boxes.  She has a neutral skin tone and can wear both warm and cool colours on their own or together.

Lipstick suggestions for you

If you already know which season you are, here are some of my lipstick recommendations:

Spring – Coral, Pink Clover and Fiesta
Summer – Pink Jasmine, Amethyst and Garnet Red
Autumn – Soft Cinnamon, Bronze and Ruby Red
Winter – Burgundy, Fuchsia and Cherry

There are 24 lipsticks to choose from.

Check out my brand-new make-up pages for more lipstick suggestions for your season, together with ideas for eye shadow and blusher colours, plus tips on how to choose a foundation.

If you don’t know which season you are, then your need to find out.  Treat yourself to a colour consultation with a good, experienced professional who will help you discover the colours that make you look and feel fabulous ALL the time.

Now available in North America

Just recently JFC were able to sort out the problems that had previously stopped them shipping to North America (something to do with insurance) so wherever you are in the world, you can order online and your lovely new make-up items will be delivered direct to your door.

Then you’ll be able to order the same thing over and over again, whenever you run out. Excellent!

Are you an image professional?

If you’re an image professional, you can use Jane Fardon Cosmetics in your own business.  Rather than blether on for another three hours here, I’ve already written a massive review for you which includes some great photos, a full list of wholesale and retail prices, and details of how to get your hands on the kit.

Back to Momma’s list…

How am I doing so far?

• I’ve ordered the Warm Pink lipstick that I bought her last Christmas
• I managed to find the new version of the foot powder that she can easily buy in Spain!
• I had to give up on the nail polish because it’s been discontinued
• I trawled every inch of the sun-tan counter and eventually found an invisible spray version for about three times the price Momma quoted!

Finally, and with huge trepidation, I look at the last item on the list which completely and utterly knocks me for six:

• “That mascara!  You know, the one they advertise on Sky that’s something to do with false eyelashes.”

I just can’t get my breath! I love my Mum to bits but sometimes she drives me to drink!

PS. Amazingly and against all odds, I actually managed to stumble across the mascara that she wanted and, let me tell you, ‘stumble’ was the operative word. But that story is for another time.  Right now, I need a large gin and tonic and a lie down.

Skin care and make-up tips

My top 10 make-up tips…

1. Make sure the colour of your foundation exactly matches your skin tone
2. Put concealer on top of your foundation. Using a brush will cut down on leaving grease stains from your fingers
3. Avoid using too much black eye liner and mascara. There are plenty of black/brown combinations available or go for brown instead
4. Avoid too much blusher and only put in places where you blush!
5. Lipstick and cheek colours must blend! Pink blusher with a bronze lipstick looks awful!
6. Check teeth for stray lipstick smears
7. Don’t wear make-up colours that don’t suit you, even if they are in fashion. Find out which ones complement your skin tone and your personality
8. Be discreet with your perfume. Please don’t reapply it at every opportunity throughout the day - you may not be able to smell it, but we can!
9. Don’t rub your eyes if you have eye make-up on. You’ll end up looking like a panda!
10. Take all your make-up off before you go to bed - no matter how late

Read more skin care and make-up tips

The Power of Wearing Make-up

A study at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in the UK shows that women can use make-up to affect how others perceive them. I quote:

“The study explored whether 4 Caucasian women would be evaluated differently on 4 social measures depending on whether they were presented with or without makeup. Participants—152 men and 171 women—were split into 2 groups and were presented with the women’s facial photographs either with or without cosmetics.

Women presented wearing cosmetics were perceived as healthier and more confident than when presented without. Participants also awarded women wearing makeup with a greater earning potential and with more prestigious jobs than the same women without cosmetics.

The results suggest that women can successfully employ cosmetics to manipulate how they are assessed, which may be advantageous in social situations where women may be judged on their appearance, such as job interviews.”

Very interesting! Whether you agree or not with the concepts, the fact remains that what you wear tells other people how to treat you:

• If you look tired, wan and unhealthy, then people will be distracted from what you are saying. They’ll be busy wondering whether they should get you a brandy or send for an ambulance.
• If, on the other hand, you look healthy, then they have nothing to distract them (unless you are wearing a large sky blue pink and white spotted bow tie knotted across your forehead, of course), and will be able to concentrate on listening to what you have to say.

I want to be listened to. What about you? Wearing make-up helps you to look healthy, confident and interesting so I know which one I’m going for.

The term ‘wearing make-up’ does not necessarily mean the full works - foundation, blusher, concealer, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, lip pencil, lipstick, a la Pamela Anderson. It could just mean lip gloss and a slick of mascara. Find out what suits you, and what looks appropriate for the occasion.

Make an appointment to see a professional. Your image consultant will be able to give you good advice about the colours you will look healthy in, and she may even include make-up in her list of services. If not, then she will certainly be able to point you in the right direction of someone who does. Browse our image consultant directory to see if we have recommended an image consultant in your area.

Hints and tips on make-up for your skin tone

In the meantime, you could start the ball rolling with some tips and information on how to choose the correct make-up colours for your own skin tone.

Jane Fardon Cosmetics

Did you know we recommend Jane Fardon Cosmetics? Browse the entire colour cosmetics catalogue online.