8 Beauty Shows You Need To Watch!

Reality TV Competitions

Glow Up Britain's Next Make Up Star (BBC3 Tuesdays/ iplayer /  Netflix)

Glow up is a British reality show where ten aspiring make up artists compete for a contract assisting the worlds biggest make up artists. For 8 weeks they have to live and compete against each other.  The show is back for a third series, now hosted by Maya Jama with judges Dominic Skinner (global senior artist for MAC Cosmetics) and Val Garland (make up director of L'Oreal Paris and a contributing beauty editor at British Vogue magazine.)  After seeing Val Garlands name beside so many catwalk looks it was nice to put a face to the name. I can see why they chose her because she is very theatrical. The show's assignments involve creating looks for fashion magazines, catwalk shows and backstage theatre make up. Special guests have included Michelle Visage. Season 1 is available on Netflix and Seasons 1-3 are available on  the BBC iplayer. 

Face Off (Amazon Prime. /Amazon prime with Hayu.)

This show follows special effects makeup artists as they compete to win  US$100,000 and a year's supply of makeup from Alcone. It is hosted by actress McKenzie Westmore and judged by film and TV make up artists Glenn Hetrick, Ve Neill and Michael Westmore. It feels like the same set up as Project Runway but Face Off was produced and aired by the Sy fi channel. I loved watching  the contestants working with materials like clay, prosthetics, silicone, latex and moulds. While the first two series were focussed on drama the later seasons concentrated on the artistry side of the competition. 

Season 1 is on Amazon Prime. Seasons 8, 9 & 10 Amazon prime with Hayu. 

Documentaries

Make Up A Glamorous History (BBC 2  Tuesdays 9pm/ iplayer. Youtube Documentaries channel here)

This show takes a historical look at what people applied to their faces in the name of beauty. It is a three part series hosted by renown makeup artist  Lisa Eldridge , who has a fascination for how makeup was used throughout  history and has written the book “ Face Paint” on the subject.  Only this time instead of reading about it you can see what all these handmade cosmetics looked like on the skin. The first show explores the Georgian period, next week will focus on the Victorian period and the last show will focus on the early 20th century (probably the 1920's.) Is it very reminiscent of Lucy Worsely's series on the Georgians and Victorians, although this series has a slightly different perspective because Lisa employs her make up artist background to make and compare authentic formulas. She  uses cochineal (crushed beetles, still used today) applied with Spanish wool to give a natural blush that resembles Benefit Cosmetics Benetint.  The show also looks at the hairstyles of the period as well. At the end she puts all the traditional make up techniques to make up a model and style her hair. It's great if you have a curiosity about makeup, or love learning about history. It's very useful if you are interested in becoming a makeup artist or costume designer. 

Broken (Netflix Episode 1 Makeup Mayhem)
This show looks at the current beauty industry, comparing heavyweight giant L'oreal to indie Youtube Guru Marlene Stell of  Make Up Geek and fast fashion /make up Colorpop. Colorpop explain that they can produce so many items because they manufacture in house in America, which keeps costs down. They then focus on counterfeit beauty and why it is so dangerous. I was really shocked when a girl described buying a fake Kylie Lip Kit that had superglue in it and ended up sealing her lips together! The reporters interview custom officers and the police about counterfeit beauty products. We are shown the infamous Santee Alley which is jam packed with market stalls selling large batches of high end counterfeit make up. The police do try to shut them down but it's an ongoing operation like the game 'Whack a Mole', new ones always pop up. This was the first documentary I watched on the topic and I found it really educational and fascinating.

Beauty Laid Bare (BBC 3 iplayer/ Some clips available on Youtube)
This documentary follows four twenty-somethings with different attitudes towards makeup. They head to America to reveal the ugly truth behind the glamorous, multi-billion dollar beauty industry. First there's Chloe a makeup artist and influencer from Belfast; Casey, who uses makeup to express his identity as a gay man and Resh from Manchester who uses make up to help her self esteem and use as a coping mechanism after an acid attack. Finally there's Queenie, from London who doesn't really care about the beauty industry and is cynical about all marketing claims.

The three episodes cover Beauty Con,  Colorpop and Benefit Cosmetics factory tour, counterfeit products, plastic packaging recycling and the effects on sewage system. They also look at common ingredients such as parabens and talc mines contaminated with asbestos. The most poignant moment was watching the production of candelia wax which uses sulphuric acid in the process. It hits too close to home for Resh when she realises that the ingredient in the creams she uses to treat and camouflage her burns uses the very same acid she was attacked with to produce candelia wax. The workers are not given any protective equipment even though the work is so dangerous. It is a very interesting and eye opening documentary that thoroughly examines the beauty industry-  but beware you may never look at cosmetics in the same way again.

Unmasked Make-Up's Big Secret (BBC 3 iplayer/ The Truth About My Make Up Youtube  )
What makes our lipstick glossy and foundation smooth? Palm oil. It's used in 70% of beauty products but what is this ingredient doing to our planet? This documentary follows Emmy Burbidge, a beauty salon owner and makeup artist taking a trip to Papa New Guinea to investigate the production of palm oil and their consequences such as deforestation, sustainability and unfair trade practices. Supermarket chain Iceland created an animated Christmas TV advert in 2018 that promoted their own labelled products as being free of palm oil. This advert was controversy banned on TV for criticising the use of palm oil, you can see the advert on Youtube here. 

Bargain Beauty A Toxic Gamble ( Facebook) 
This documentary is presented by Natalia Jorquera and it investigates counterfeit beauty products in the UK and uncovers why people buy them, citing the pressure social media has. After sending some counterfeit make up to the lab they reveal high levels of toxic ingredients such as lead, paint stripper and faeces (yes you read that right, poo). They interview dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, who describes the symptoms that using fake make up can cause including skin rashes, allergies and even chemical burns Additionally some of the metals that have been found in fake products have the potential to cause long term problems with the nervous system and brain. They also interviewed vlogger Maya Gibson who did a video using counterfeit products, when she turned the camera off just 5 minutes later she got an acne flare, spots and part chemical burn on her lips. They also showed examples of genuine and fake products and asked beauty therapy students to tell them apart and found that many of them gave the wrong answer.

Based on a true story / Historial Drama

Self Made (Netflix)

This show is inspired by Madam C J Walker who in 1910 became America's first female self made millionaire after founding a company making hair care products and cosmetics for black women. It stars Octavia Spencer as Sarah Breedlove (a character based on Walker) and friend turned rival Addie, played by Carmen Ejogo.  

Blogging Break & 8 TV shows I'm loving!

My long absence from this blog is due to a long bout of RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) which I suffer from occasionally. It restricts what I can do with my hands so I have become a bit of a Netflix addict instead! Here are four shows I'd recommend watching.

I loved Ingobernable, a thriller about Mexico's first lady and president, it reminded me a bit of the show '24' especially the last two episodes that had a countdown timer. Disillusioned with the lack of progress that her husband, President Diego promised Mexico, Emilia wants to divorce him. After a violent argument, Diego falls off the balcony and lands on top of a car. But an autopsy reveals that it was a bullet to the head that actually killed the President not the fall. Emilia is now on the run until she can prove that she didn't kill her husband and find the identity of the real murderer. It's a Spanish Netflix original drama (with English subtitles) starring Kate del Castillo and they've confirmed that there will be a second series, hurrah!

I also enjoyed watching Cable Girls/ Las Chicas del Cable. Set in my favourite era of the 1920's the show is about four women from different backgrounds- small town Marga, upper class Carlota, working mother Angeles and Alba who are all recently hired as operators for a Madrid Telecommunications company.  The show begins with Alba who is the main character. She and her friend Gimena dream of starting new lives in Argentina. They begin to steal from lavish parties to finance their new lives. But an argument with Gimena's lover Pedro ends up with both Gimena and Pedro being shot and killed with Pedro's gun. Alba is accused of double murder by the police, but a corrupt police man offers to let her go if she robs a safe at the Madrid telephone company. Using the alias 'Lidia' she flirts with a manager to get a job there. However she runs into trouble when she meets Francisco, the company director and son-in-law of the owner. Francisco feels there is something familiar about her.  The show is dubbed in American English.

Netflix also dropped season 5 of Orange is the New Black, a show based on Piper Kerman's real life experiences in Danbury women's minimum-security prison. Middle class, law abiding Piper has an adoring fiance called Larry, but her past finally catches up with her. Years ago she transported drug money for her ex-girlfriend  and suddenly finds herself sentenced for year and a half behind bars. Season 5 is a lot darker as it covers the prison riot. It was a good season both plot-wise and the acting, although Piper's character did annoy me sometimes.

Finally I loved watching the seventh and final season of Pretty Little Liars which is based on Sara Shepard's loonng series of books. It all began with Alison Dilaurentis, a mean high school girl who went missing. With Alison gone the friendship group consisting of Emily, Hanna, Aria and Spencer fell apart. Until they received anonymous bullying texts from a person called A who blackmailed each of them. The bullying from the many 'A's revealed across the seasons has only made the group stronger.  I've absolutely loved the show, the mysteries, romance and fashion. I'm so sad it's over!

Usually costume dramas air in the autumn in the UK, and I love watching them on a cosy night in with a hot chocolate, blanket and fluffy slippers. But the BBC have spoilt me with two dramas to watch through the summer. Versailles came back for a second series where we saw Louis XIV engaging in war with Portugal and plagued by suspicious poisonings in his court. The Versailles palace is definitely somewhere I'd like to visit someday - it looks incredibly beautiful! The show is also available on the BBC iplayer or itunes here.

Poldark is set in Cornwall in the late 18th century and revolves around the Poldark family. It is based on the novels written by Winston Graham. We follow the rifts that divide the two branches of families, their fortune in the mines and the hardships they each face. It begins with Ross Poldark returning from the American War of Independence to his Cornish copper mines. When he arrives home, he finds his father dead, his estate in ruins, and his old sweetheart Elizabeth engaged to his cousin Francis. He rescues a young woman, Demelza, from being beaten up and takes her on as a kitchen maid. She later becomes his wife. Ross attempts to help the village by gaining control of the mines sought after by his rival, the greedy and arrogant George Warleggan. While most people see Ross Poldark (Aiden Turner) as the hot brooding topless heartthrob I actually prefer Doctor Dwight Eyns (Luke Norris.) Available on BBC1 Sunday 9pm or  Itunes here

I would definitely recommend watching Clique (available on BBC iplayer here) It tells the story of two childhood best friends- extrovert, impulsive, fun loving Georgia and quieter, slightly shyer Holly. They start Edinburgh University together and are studying business. Renowned lecturer Jude McDermid has founded the exclusive Solasta Women's Initiative, helping women in business. It's a competitive position and Georgia suddenly finds herself accepted into the group. Holly is left out and has FOMO issues. Holly is also haunted by disturbing scenes from her past. When Georgia suddenly behaves erratically, she is worried. Wanting to help her friend, Holly digs deeper and manages to infiltrate the group. At first she sees the glamourous parties attended by powerful and famous business men and women. But when she discovers a darker side she is determined to save Georgia by exposing it.

The Handmaids Tale Channel 4 / Hulu
This show is based on Margret Atwood's dystopian novel. The government of the United States of America has been overthrown and replaced by the totalitarian Republic of Gilead. To tackle low fertility rates handmaids are allocated to ruling elite couples who have trouble conceiving. The main character Offred is a handmaid to Commander 'Fred' and his wife Serena Joy. Every month Offred has to participate in a ritualised rape with the commander in order to conceive for the couple. The life of a handmaid is completely restricted, their movements are curtailed and freedom of speech gone, instead they are forced to stick to a set script of Christian phrases. Ominously Gilead’s secret police force 'The Eyes' are always watching everyone. In flashbacks we see June's (Offred's) previous life with her husband and child. We also get a glimpse of  the events that have led to the Gilead regime. Women's rights were gradually eroded due to temporary anti-terrorism laws that became permanent. Laws banned women from working and owning property or even a bank account. Atwood used examples of female oppression and totalitarian regimes past and present as her inspiration. These terrible events were not imagined but had happened in one society or another. Since I haven't read the book I'm curious to see what happens next even though it's a kinda bleak and a hard watch at times. The acting is superb though especially from  Elizabeth Moss who plays Offred. The Handmaid's Tale is available on Channel4 Sunday 9pm or Hulu.

Tell me what TV shows do you recommend watching? 

November Beauty and TV Favourites

The Body Shop Body Butter in Mango and Olive
These body butters blew me away especially the Mango body butter. I wasn't expecting it to be as moisturising as it is, because I find the Body Shop's products a bit hiss and miss. But the dry skin on my elbows have vanished and now it feels baby soft. Although I knew The Body Shop's body butters were popular, I thought it was just because they smelled so nice, but what impressed me the most was that the Mango moisturiser kept my skin so soft even 48 hours later. It's formulated for very dry skins and although my skin is more on the normal/sensitive side this is perfect as an intensive winter moisturiser. It contains mango seed oil, sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter. It smells fruity and I often catch myself opening the tub just to smell how gorgeous it is! The Olive body butter doesn't smell of olives, but of something fresh, like a cucumber, which reminds me of my tweens for some reason. It's formulated for dry skin and contains olive fruit oil, shea butter and cocoa seed butter. While it isn't as intensive as the mango one, it's still great to use as a winter body moisturiser.

Rimmel Provocolips in 730 Make Your Move
This is a perfect 90's nude brown that doesn't break the bank! This defied my expectations after trying one of the Kate Moss lipsticks which tasted of very cheap candy, but this liquid lipstick doesn't have a taste or smell and what's more is that it's long lasting!

Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 30 Gorgeous Berries
These are touted as a dupe for Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Blushes and they share the same marbled/baked powder appearance and both give a soft focused colour and sheen while at the same time remaining pigmented and easy to blend. Gorgeous Berries is a plummy pink berry colour perfect for winter.

Once Upon A Time
Set in a small fictional town of Storybrooke, the inhabitants are characters from various fairy tales who have been transported to the "real world" American town and robbed of their real memories of their fairy tale lives by a powerful curse cast by Regina The Evil Queen who now resides as the town's mayor. Once upon a Time is a fantasy series that plays with timelines, parallel lives and inverts all the traditional fairy tale stories you thought you knew. Season 5 has been a real game changer with Storybrook's former saviour Emma turning dark leaving Regina the Evil Queen to take on the role of Saviour instead. The show still plays with time as the first two episodes showed Emma as dark and evil and all the inhabitants memories have been wiped. Just as the inhabitants are trying to fill the gaps so are we, as we follow Emma's journey into a darkness that threatens their world. Once Upon A Time is available on Netflix with new episodes on Wednesdays.

The Vampire Diaries
Initially I didn't think I'd like this show as I loved Buffy The Vampire Slayer in the 90's/00's and felt the second wave of vampire books/film/TV weren't nearly as good- yep I'm talking about Twilight.
The Vampire Diaries is set in Mystic Falls, a fictional small town which seems to have more than it's fair share of vampires, werewolves and witches. Elena and her brother Jeremy are orphaned when a car crash kills their parents. Elena later finds out that her classmate Stephan actually rescued her from the crash and decides to stay in her life, enrolling at her school. However Stephen is actually 150 year old vampire and Elena is the doppelganger of his ex girlfriend Katherine. I really got caught up in the love triangle between Elena, Stephen and his brother Damon. Things get complicated when Katherine and a family of Original Vampires are out to harm Elena and Mystic Falls. I think this show must be a great show for the actors involved as they each get to play different characters and different side to the characters as they get turned into supernatural beings. Series 1-6 is available on Netflix and the current season is on ITV 2 and iTunes.