Win a trip to South Africa at Goodwood’s Ladies’ Day

And sure enough, it will be an occasion to cherish again this year, when the photographers will be out in force to capture the best of the ladies’ fashions on show. But in recent years, the Friday of festival week has become another day when dedicated followers of fashion have a field day.

That’s because it offers the chance for one lady race-goer to win the trip of a lifetime to South Africa as winner of the L’Ormarins Best Dressed competition.

The prize for the victor is a trip for two people to Cape Town to the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate fixture at Kenilworth Racecourse, taking place on Friday, January 5, and Saturday 6, 2018.

As well as flights, airport and raceday transfers and hospitality at the races, the winner will enjoy five nights’ luxury accommodation, a tour of the world-famous L’Ormarins vineyard and dinner at the Grand Café and Beach Hotel.

Both the 2015 winner Rachel Hawkins and last year’s victor Sarah Weston would testify it’s a prize well worth winning.

To enter the competition, ladies will need to be seen at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Friday, August 4, wearing the signature L’Ormarins light blue and white.

A team will be on the lookout around the racecourse for those dressed in the most beautiful, original outfits, before a shortlist is drawn by an independent panel of judges and representatives from L’Ormarins.

The final winner will be chosen from the 12-strong shortlist in the Parade Ring, shortly before Goodwood’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate race – a Group 3 race that is one of a number of high-class races planned for the fourth day of Glorious week.

The judges will be looking for those who are dressed elegantly but express originality and will take into account all aspects of the outfit; dress, shoes, hat and accessories, all of which should befit the L’Ormarins colour theme.

Guests in all enclosures will be invited to enter and should look out for the team of photographers on the day.Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk | http://www.marieprom.co.uk/cocktail-dresses-uk

Dispatches From a Feminist Bride

Queer and same-sex couples have the same subpar options as opposite-sex couples when it comes to choosing a last name upon marriage: keep original last names, have one partner take the other’s name, hyphenate, or mutually choose a new name. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: there are no good options when it comes to last names, people. However, unlike opposite-sex couples, the reasons behind same-sex couples’ last name choices may be specific to the experience of living in a country that has only recently begun legally recognizing their marriages.

Because of “shaky legal protection,” some couples have viewed sharing a last name as extra insurance “in case of an emergency, such as a trip to the hospital.” Others feel that sharing a last name gives their marriage more credibility in the eyes of a culture that understands marriage to be between a man and a woman.

But this is not the case for everyone. Some same-sex couples understand the tradition of one person taking the other’s last name to be rooted in a patriarchal, property-based history of marriage, in which a woman is subservient to her husband, and they therefore want zero part of that. Cindy of Missouri says this was definitely the case for her: “We both loved our names and adamantly did not want to change them.”

Others see the opportunity to share a last name as a challenge to the institution of marriage itself. After all, would your great-grandfather ever have imagined that one day his sister, Marge, and her lifelong roommate, Judy, would be known as Mrs. and Mrs. Jones? He’d be all, “So you’re telling me marriage is now a legal arrangement between two consenting adults instead of a way to staff the family farm? What will they think of next!?” Melinda of Ohio explains, “People often comment that gay people were trying to ‘change the institution of marriage,’ and some would deny that, but I think we have changed it, but for the better.” She explains that the legalization of gay marriage is just one way that marriage traditions have evolved: “People aren't going around trading their daughters for goats anymore or figuring out how to create political alliances.” So when it came to choosing a last name, “We didn't want to just recycle the tradition of the woman taking the man's name since there is no man here, no one is anyone's property, and sadly, no goats were exchanged during this process.” Instead, Melinda and her wife, Patti, elected to combine their names to create a new last name. Patti summarizes, “Marriage is the intertwining of two lives, and we even wanted to intertwine our names.”

Tony and his husband also chose to combine their last names after their wedding. The name they chose “was our hashtag for our wedding guests. A friend always said it was our ‘Brangelina’ name, and we never even considered it until we got such a positive response from our guests.” Tracy and her wife did the same: “My name was Schakett and her name was Williams. It was either Schwilliams or Willhakett (which is mass murderer-sounding). As we have been together for 11 years, many of our friends had already called us the Schwilliams for a long time.” These affectionately bestowed couples’ nicknames signify their community’s role in recognizing the legitimacy of their partnership, in spite of the larger culture’s reluctance.

For same-sex couples in which one partner chooses to take the other’s last name, there are a variety of factors to consider before choosing—the choice is not based on gender alone. For instance, maybe one person just has a nicer-sounding name. Or there may be a variety of sentiments attached to one name that the couple prefers. Brandon, a hair and makeup professional in Virginia, elected to take his husband’s name. He writes in a piece for Catalyst Wedding Magazine, “My former name was just fine. But then I got married and suddenly cared about my name. I don’t consider myself a traditional person; however, changing my last name to my husband’s excited me.” He talks about what this new name symbolized for him: “A ‘Kirk’ is a caring and compassionate person. A ‘Kirk’ is someone who holds family and loved ones close to their heart and is affectionate and nurturing. These are values I’ve learned to adore in my new family. So, it seemed fitting that I would choose this name after getting married in hopes that I might embody everything this names means.”

Opposite-sex couples could learn a thing or two from same-sex couples when it comes to choosing a last name. Because there is no precedent, same-sex couples are forced to have intentional conversations around values, identity, and family before choosing how to approach the last name issue. These conversations often go unspoken for opposite-sex couples who are more likely to do what’s expected rather than have some of the hard talks. But you know what they say: no pain, no gain, don’t expect her to take your last name.Read more at:evening gowns | http://www.marieprom.co.uk/formal-dresses-uk

How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin

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I can’t stress enough how important it is to apply sunscreen daily to prevent skin cancer. Unfortunately, research shows that not enough people do.

According to a 2013 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 14.3 percent of men and 29.9 percent of women reported that they regularly use sunscreen on both their face and other exposed skin. Aside from skin cancer prevention, sunscreen helps your skin stay looking younger for longer.

According to another 2013 study, people who applied sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day were 24 percent less likely to show increased aging than those who didn’t apply sunscreen regularly. A sunscreen with a SPF between 15 and 50 is recommended by most medical professionals and organizations. Anything less or more hasn’t been proven to effectively absorb or deflect harmful rays. Personally, I prefer and recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for daily use.

Now, while I absolutely believe in applying sunscreen daily, I know there are plenty of us out there who have experienced a bad sunburn or two. While this may seem all too common—and therefore harmless—it’s important to educate yourself on the danger of sunburns. Experiencing more than five serious sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increases your risk of melanoma by 80 percent and of non-melanoma skin cancer by 68 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Scary stuff!

There are two types of sunscreen. Those comprised of organic chemicals, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are often a thicker consistency than typical sunscreens and are incredibly safe and effective. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays.

In contrast, avobenzone and oxybenzone (inorganic chemicals found in many popular brands of sunscreen) absorb the UVA and UVB rays. This causes the ingredients to break down and release heat, which protects your skin from sun damage and sunburns.

Did you know that how you apply sunscreen is also critical to achieving maximum protection? Typically people apply their sunscreen from the center of the face outwards, rather than working inwards. Many cases of skin cancer and sun damage spots can be seen along the hairline and sides of the face because they were missed during sunscreen application.

Choosing the right sunscreen for your skin needs is about more than just spf—especially if you want a daily skincare option that will do more than just block harmful rays. Mineral sunscreens in particular have proven to effectively reduce inflammation, which can minimize the appearance of acne and reduce symptoms of rosacea. Sun damage protection, skin cancer prevention, and anti-inflammation—talk about a win-win! There are also plenty of two-in-one formulas that harness the power of antioxidants and peptides to block the sun’s harmful rays and repair existing damage. My personal favorite is the tinted anti-aging sunscreen by Rejuve.

Sensitive skin

If your skin is reactive and on the sensitive side, you may want to choose a sunscreen that’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient. If you have skin irritation or allergies, avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives.

Acne-prone skin

Avoid heavy, greasy sunscreens—gel formulas usually contain alcohol, which can benefit skin that’s prone to breakouts. You can also try using a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. These sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed, so your skin is less likely to react poorly to it.

For the little ones

Though spray-on sunscreens are popular and convenient, they’re not the best option for children, as they typically have sensitive skin. I recommend lotion or cream sunscreens with—you guessed it—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.These are better tolerated and can usually be found in sunscreens for babies and children.

For everyone

When in doubt, the Skin Cancer Foundation offers a seal of recommendation for a variety of sunscreens that meet specific criteria for effective UV sun protection. The program covers many categories of sun protection, each with its own specific standards. Sunscreens may be granted the Daily Use or Active Seal, while all other sun protection products may be granted the Traditional Seal.

Be on the lookout for this next time you go shopping, and make sure your skin is safe as you enjoy the rest of the summer.Read more at:white prom dresses

Why Red Hair Colour Washes Out So Quickly

History has long had an obsession with redheads, and current celebs like Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Christina Hendricks, Susan Sarandon, Florence Welch and our own Isla Fisher have further fuelled the hair colour trend.

Though if you're not a natural red, you can fake it (we're looking at you, Rihanna), but before you do, there's a few things you should know about coloring your hair this hue.

Who does red hair suit?

"Most natural redheads have fair skin, with or without freckles, so this complexion really suits red hair best," Virginie Gayssot, Franck Provost Education and Talent Manager told HuffPost Australia.

"However, there are many tones of red -- from pale copper through to deep mahogany, so there'll be something in that range to suit almost everyone. As a general rule, the darker your skin tone, the darker red your hair should be."

"Just remember that when you change your hair colour to one that isn't in your natural 'palette', you may need to alter your wardrobe and makeup. Often that favourite lipstick or shirt just doesn't work anymore," Gayssot said.

Why does red fade so fast?

A vibrant red colour is striking, though if you've tried this shade before you'll know that it quickly washes out, becoming dull and a little dirty-looking. The reason comes down to the size of the red colour molecule.

"If your natural hair colour is blonde or brown, it doesn't support the red hair molecule as well as a natural redhead, which has a better 'undercoat' because it's naturally red. The red hair colour molecule is larger and heavier than any other hair colour molecule, therefore it has difficulty penetrating the hair shaft. For that reason it sits on the surface and washes out of the cuticle more easily when you shampoo your hair," Chloe Benoit, Franck Provost Paris educator told HuffPost Australia.

"This is why you should wait as long as possible to wash your hair after you've had your red colour. As soon as you shampoo, the warm water swells the cuticle and the action of scrubbing your hair makes the red dye molecules loose and prone to being washed away,"

Brunette to red

Brown hair wanting to go warm by way of a red shade can do so quite easily.

"For brown hair to be coloured red, it would depend on how dark the brunette was and how light or intense the red shade is they want. If they were very dark and wanted to go a light strawberry blonde, for example, then some lightening would be required. Similarly if they wanted to go a very intense bright red," Benoit said.

"However for most natural brunettes, the application is enough, without lightening. If they are a coloured brunette, the same applies. If there is a lot of build up of artificial colour in the hair, a gentle deep cleanse may be necessary to get rid of the artificial colour, as this will affect the desired result. The idea is to get the hair to a suitable undercoat to support the red molecules and the particular shade wanted."

Blonde to red

For blondes it might be a little more complicated, but that will come down to the individual colour and condition of the hair.

"For blondes, it depends on how light or how damaged the blonde is, but for a perfect result, a pre-colouration is necessary. It is going to ensure a true shade and a longer lasting result. Pre-colouration is a technique used to give pigment to hair that is too blonde or porous hair. It is a very important step to get the best results in a colour transformation," Benoit said.

Red colour maintenance

Not surprisingly, red-coloured hair takes a lot of very careful upkeep.

"Anti-dandruff shampoos strip colour and deep cleansing shampoos can also have a peeling effect, so both of these should be avoided. Specifically designed shampoos and conditioners for coloured hair are recommended. Certain brands have red pigmented hair care ranges for at home use to refresh the colour in between salon visits. The Pureology Reviving Red range is great for this. Redheads should also avoid salt water and chlorine. They should only wash their hair maximum two to three times a week to ensure longer lasting colour. Dry shampoo will get you through between washes," Benoit said.

It also pays to fork out for both in-salon and at home treatments.

"An in-salon treatment to lock in the colour is also must, then weekly at home treatments will help your hair to stay radiant between salon visits. Make sure you use a shampoo, conditioner and masque created specifically for colour treated hair, such as the Kérastase Réflection range, which will maintain radiant hair colour for longer," Gayssot said.

As for how often you'll need to have your colour redone, get ready to visit the salon fairly frequently.

"We recommend to any client with colour services in their hair to visit our salons every three to six weeks to ensure a perfect colour everyday. Whilst some balayage blondes and brunettes can get away with longer periods in between visits, for redheads this regular maintenance is a must," Benoit said.Read more at:purple prom dresses | yellow prom dresses