Archive for the ‘Body care’ Category

Treat cellulite with award winning Murad’s Body Care Regime

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Firming and Toning through The Science of Cellular Water

Introducing a revolutionary whole-body approach to treating cellulite from the inside-out and the outside-in. Minimise the appearance of cellulite with a daily regime proven to hydrate, firm and stimulate blood flow, leaving skin tight, supple and smooth.

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If you are looking to dramatically reduce appearance of cellulite and stretch marks through a comprehensive internal and external approach Murad’s Body Care Regime (RRP £135 for a 28 day supply) is proven to hydrate, firm and stimulate blood flow, leaving skin tight, supple and smooth. It reduces the appearance of cellulite up to 69% and helps skin appear up to 78% firmer. 

Murad Bodycare Group Shot - high res

The Body Care Regime consists of:

Firm and Tone Serum for Cellulite and Stretch Mark Management, 200ml – Improves the overall appearance of skin up to 80%* by increasing skin firmness and elasticity while masking imperfections. Helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by up to 69%.* For best results, massage into clean skin twice daily on areas prone to cellulite or stretch marks.

Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack, 4 week  supply- Patented scientifically based complex supports skin strength by* encouraging the appearance of firmer skin by up to 78% in eight weeks.** Helps to improve the visual texture of stretch marks up to 47% in eight weeks.** As indicated take the entire “DAY” pack in the morning and the entire “NIGHT” pack in the evening, preferably with meals or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Body Firming Cream, 200ml – Patented, ultra-rich body cream improves resiliency by increasing body firmness by 40% in 15 minutes while restoring maximum moisture. For all over body hydration and firming, massage into skin.

I have already used the above tone and firm body creams – I purchased them just over a year ago in the USA, as the products had amazing press in the US and I really do love the results these products deliver. I was interested to see if the supplements made as much difference as they promise!

The supplements come in little daily packets, labelled ‘day’ and ‘night’, so it is straight forward. Some of the supplements are so big in size – but I stuck with the programme (if you are going to spend money on this programme, you need to stick with it), so I think this is a regime for someone with will power and someone who is really determined to get results before their wedding day/ honeymoon.

I have followed the instructions of each product (plus I’ve tried to be really good and drink more water and increase the amount of exercise I do)! The results – my thighs are definitely smoother, more toned and I’m really happy with the results I achieved. It’s not something I could stick to every day of the year, but it is definitely something I would do before a holiday/ special occasion and I’d recommend it to a bride for her honeymoon.

Go to www.murad.co.uk

My top tips for applying a self-tan

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

 Tips for applying fake tan

Many brides opt for a self-tan on their wedding day – a natural looking golden glow is beautiful with a wedding dress. If someone asks me for advice on this subject, I normally recommend that they visit a professional beauty salon so that a trained beauty therapist can apply the self-tan for them. If you decide to use a salon, I would still recommend a rehearsal before you commit – different salons use different brands and you may prefer one over the other. I would also recommend that you request a light natural glow, rather than a darker colour – remember, the tan will look darker against a light coloured wedding dress.

Another thing to take into consideration is that if you are applying your own makeup on your wedding day, you will need to make sure that you have the right colour foundation to match your tan. If you are having a makeup artist on your wedding day, let them know at the makeup rehearsal that you are planning on having a tan, so they can make sure that they have the right colour base on your wedding day (a good makeup artist should carry a selection of bases with them anyway).

If you do not have the budget to visit a salon to get your self-tan applied, or if you want to do it yourself at home, the first thing you must do is select the brand of fake tan that you want to use. Just as salons use different brands that may deliver different results, the same applies when using self-tan at home. Make sure you start trying different brands at least a few months before (my personal favourite is Fake Bake – I find this works well for me and my skin tone). This way, not only will you find the brand that works best for you, you will also have time to practise, so that when your wedding day comes along, you will be an expert at applying it yourself!

Tips for applying fake tan (2) www.bdweddingphotography.co.uk

Here are a few basic tips for applying your self-tan:

PREPARE YOUR SKIN:

Exfoliate: It is absolutely essential that you exfoliate your skin well in the shower/ bath before you start. Concentrate on any rough/ dry areas and apply the exfoliator on circular movements over the skin.

Moisturise: Just before you apply your self-tan, apply a small amount of moisturiser to dry heels, feet, knees and elbows (this can be blended when the self-tan is applied .

APPLY YOUR SELF-TAN

Always wear gloves - this will prevent your palms becoming bright orange.

Apply self-tan starting at your neck, working down in small circular motions. Work down your torso, onto your legs, lightly glazing the product over your ankles.

Be sure to blend the product really well over the areas where you had previously applied moisturiser.

For your face, I personally prefer to use a self-tan specifically designed for the face – many major brands make these now and the ingredients are designed for the face and less likely to block your pores.

Wait about 15 minutes before you get dressed.

MAINTAINING YOUR TAN

My best advice is to keep the skin well moisturised with gentle products that are not harsh on the skin.

Photography: www.bdweddingphotography.co.uk , makeup by Sarah Brock

 

 

Get Waisted Body Shaper by mama mio

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Get Waisted Cut OutMama Mio’s Get Waisted Body Shaper is the holy grail of slimming potions; packed with NINE well proven ingredients designed to help eliminate puffiness, tighten your tum, discourage fat deposits and – most importantly – maximise lipolysis. Lipolysis is the way your body breaks down the fat and a slimmer silhouette. Get Waisted’s ingredients are well proven in lab tests to dramatically increase the destruction of fat.

Your fat cells – the quantity of them – is determined very early in childhood. If you eat more than your body needs, the excess fat is stored in these fat cells, so they enlarge. The breakdown and release of this fat is called LIPOLYSIS.

Get Waisted works by encouraging lipolysis in the fat cells within your skin. The release of these lipids reduces their size – yes, making them smaller. When combined with their double-action smoothing and tightening agents, it has an amazing ‘svelting’ and reducing effect on areas that have excess wobble and sponginess. Get Waisted is packed with no less than 9 individual ‘fat busting’ actives that work together to maximise the long term effects.

1. Phyco R75™

2. Aureamat Samphira™

3. Rhodofiltrat Delessaria™

4. Rhodafiltrat Palmaria™

5. Adipoless™

6. Adiposlim™

7. Caffeine

8. Pepha-Tight™

9. Hydrolysed Wheat Protein

Get Waisted Body Shaper has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Zest and Look Magazine called it a ‘Miracle Body Fix’.

Regular exercise and a good diet is always essential to weight loss and toning – however, if you are looking for an extra boost and increased results of your exercise regime/ diet, this product is a must have – the results are fantastic.

I used this tube, along with my exercise regime and you could definitely see a difference on my waistline – it felt more toned and smoother. It’s easy to use – two pumps is plenty – massage in for at least 30 seconds using large clockwise strokes (helping sluggish digestion, another cause of bloated bellies). Work all the way around your back. Use once a day for 30 days – no cheating!

Perfect for the bride who is wearing a flowing gown which smooths over her waist, or for a bride who is wearing a corset and wants to make sure that her waist looks as fabulous when the corset comes off, this product is £35.00.

To read more about mama mio go to: http://www.mamamio.com/uk/

Leg and foot care for your wedding day

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

On your wedding day, you will be stood up for hours and hours from saying ‘I do’ at your ceremony, to dancing the hours away in the evening at your reception/ party. When helping the bride into her dress on her wedding day, I have seen so many stunning bridal shoes, which are often so much higher and more difficult to walk in than their day to day footwear!

When you purchase such special shoes, you want to be able to wear them for as long as possible – the last thing you want is to have to take your shoes off after a couple of hours as they are feeling uncomfortable.

Even if your shoes feel the perfect fit when you purchase them, I would still recommend taking a few products with you, just in case your shoes start to hurt (and we have all been there at some point before). Gel cushion inserts are perfect – some brides have a several to hand in her bridal kit bag, just in case any of the bridesmaids may need some for their shoes, too.

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American footcare brand apara has finally arrived in the UK bringing its unique gel cushion inserts to make every step of your day more comfortable. First launched in the United States in 2006, apara was introduced as the answer to wearing high fashion footwear without the discomfort.

Unsightly and stressful blisters will become a thing of the past with apara’s invisible gel inserts cushioning the heels, arches and the balls of your feet to let you make any fashion statement in perfect comfort. From high-heels to sandals to flat shoes, apara have everything luxuriously covered. This foot fabulous range launches exclusively at Debenhams across all 105 nationwide stores this month.  The full range includes ‘Heel appeal’ – 2 pairs of clear gel adhesive pads that help keep your delicate heels in perfect place, preventing them from slipping in those highest of high heels. ‘Steppies’ – 2 pairs of discreet gel cushions for the balls of your feet.

 Another top tip (and something you may not have considered) is to have to hand a refreshing leg spray – standing for all of those hours can sometimes leave your legs feeling heavy and for some ladies, swelling can be a problem too.

As a makeup artist I work for hours on my feet (especially on photo shoots), so I was looking forward to searching for a product that I could recommend to brides and also use myself and I am happy to say that I found a brilliant product (it’s a must have for me now after working for hours on my feet)! What I love about it most, is that it is a spray which is great for a bride, as she doesn’t have to worry about putting  cream all over her hands (which could get difficult to apply in a wedding dress) – with this, you can just lift up your dress yourself and spray this product on your lower leg throughout the day.

VITAL LEG CREAM-GEL & SPRAY

[ comfort zone ] vital leg spray immediate refreshing reliever is an easy-to-apply spray with immediate refreshing and revitalizing action that contributes in alleviating the sense of heaviness and tension in the legs, bestowing a renewed sense of lightness and vitality. Recommended during and after travel, prolonged sitting or standing or in excessively warm environments (also perfect for brides getting married abroad or for travelling to your honeymoon).

When you spray this product on to your legs, because of the ingredient of cold-pressed mint juice which is rich in menthol, eucalyptol, flavonoids and tannins it protects, tones and gives you a pleasant sensation of freshness and lightness.

To use, spray directly onto bare legs or over nylons/tights.

To read more about this range and the other fabulous products by [comfort zone] , go to www.comfortzone.it and to find your nearest [comfort zone] salon/spa, call 01827 280 080.

Karin Herzog’s Dynamic Duo toning and anti-cellulite kit

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Drinking lots of water, along with regular exercise is the perfect way to shape up for your wedding day / honeymoon. If you are looking for extra help to shift unwanted cellulite, there are many products on the market, so it can be hard to decide which one is for you.

When I read that Karin Herzog’s Dynamic Duo is used by Victoria Beckham, Uma Thurman, Kylie and Sharon Stone, I knew that there must be something special about these products!

Dynamic Duo

Karin Herzog’s Silhouette and Tonus B12 body creams claim to significantly reduce the circumference of the thighs and buttocks when used together regularly.

So what’s in the formula that makes it so special?

Silhouette contains 4% oxygen and is designed to penetrate the areas  of the body where the skin is uneven and where fatty deposits are most dense.  It disperses adipose tissue  by forcing Oxygen gas deep into the tissues, blasting away toxins.

It is one of the few anti-cellulite products on the market that does not contain caffeine. It is a light emulsion designed to work from the inside, whilst leaving a luxuriously silky residue on the surface of the skin to hydrate and provide comfort. Silhouette increases circulation and improves the skins natural repairing and regenerative properties.

The texture of this cream is gorgeous – what I loved most is when I read the instructions before I used the product, it actually said to apply the cream to the required area and not to spend ages massaging the cream (as you do not want the product to be absorbed by your palms). A last – an anti-cellulite cream that you do not have to spend ages massaging into the skin!

Yes, this product can be purchased and used on it’s own, but to get maximum results, apply this body cream first and then apply the Tonus B12 on top – hence the name ‘Dynamic Duo’.

Tonus B12 delivers a refreshing, uplifting aroma together with a luxurious texture and long lasting super hydration.

Potent Vitamin B12 and organic Green Tea make this product an advanced body tonic. Sesame, avocado, jojoba and jasmine condition and nourish.

Used alone, Tonus B12 will benefit all skin types and all body shapes and sizes. Used in conjunction with Herzog’s revolutionary and world leading oxygen formula in Silhouette, the results are even more pronounced and staggering. The oxygen power and energy rush enables the skin and body to utilise the vitamins, minerals and providential elements of Tonus B12 to maximum effect.

This product tones the skin, slims and re-contours whilst increasing energy and vitality levels. It is ideal for anti-stress, anti-fatigue, anti-ache and anti-ageing.

The results: Immediately after using these products, my skin felt really smooth. After using the products for a few weeks, I can definitely notice a difference on my thighs - my skin feels a lot more toned and does look smoother – I would definitely recommend this product.

Karin Herzog also has many fabulous products for the face – do have a look at the website: www.shop.karinherzog.co.uk/ 

Delicious, delectable, divine – Larynn Crystalline Skincare and Bodycare Rituals

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Larynn Range small (A5)

Where Holistic and Luxurious Meet………

For some brides, the process of organising a wedding alongside working and/or having children to look after at home can be stressful at times and they find themselves trying to juggle several different things at once. Time for yourself seems to go out of the window, but you know that you should be looking after your skin (face and body) in the run up to your wedding day. 

Larynn Crystalline Skincare and Bodycare is a skillful, contemporary fusion of art and product design and combines the lightness and absorbency of up-to-the- minute formulations with base ingredients that are as natural as you would wish. If you are searching for products with luxurious ingredients that will deliver amazing results to the look/ feel of your skin,  this is a range to consider. Combined with exquisite scents and gemstones that radiate with spiritual energy, this really is a luxurious skincare system to soothe, caress and cleanse both body and soul.

There are five elements, or products, in the range. You can use them individually or combine all five for maximum effect. With just one, you will improve your skin tone and mood considerably. With all five, you will effect nothing short of a revolution in your bathing ritual. Not only will you have the softest silkiest skin imaginable, your soul will be calmer and you will glow from within. Each product is designed to be used in accordance with centuries old Eastern concepts of energy flow within the body. You can use the range as a tool to caress and unblock key energy nodes around the body.

To make the most of these most amazing products, take time for yourself – choose a quiet time (preferably in the evening) and indulge yourself in total luxury!

The Larynn Crystalline Ritual 

Topaz Body Wash2 small (A5)

Cleansing – Topaz Body Wash   £40 for 200 ml  

Gentle plant, coconut and sugar derived cleansing and conditioning ingredients combine with topaz micro-gems to release life’s stresses in a sensuously fragranced, luxurious body wash, which left my skin feeling like silk.

Rose Quartz Exfoliator2 small (A5)

Purifying - Rose Quartz Exfoliator £ 40 for 200 ml

Bio-dynamic marine extracts, lotus flower seeds, pumpkin fruit enzymes and volcanic sand combine with rose quartz micro-gems to purify, enhance well-being and infuse skin with radiance. One of the most beautiful exfoliators I have used, it left my skin silky smooth and the fragrance is beautiful.

Sapphire Body Spray2 small (A5)

 Harmonising – Sapphire Body Spray £ 70 for 50 ml

Silky, light, nourishing body oil derived from cold pressed Incha Inchi oil, rich in both Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids and Vitamin E, renowned for its anti-ageing regenerative and moisturising properties. Its satin-like mist is quickly absorbed, hydrating and nurturing the skin, leaving a sensuously rich signature scent and a dusting of pure micro-gem Sapphires to help harmonise and soothe both body and soul to bring inner calmness and balance. For a gorgeous, healthy sheen to the skin (which isn’t greasy) – you could wear this on your body on your wedding day. A very sensuous fragrance – my husband commented on the gorgeous fragrance.

Ruby Body Lotion on white (A5)

Energising - Ruby Body Lotion £ 90 for 100 ml

Abyssinian oil rich in fatty acids, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, canola oil rich in vitamin E and shea butter, rich with our signature fragrance and enriched with ruby micro-gems to energise and balance. Again, another product with a gorgeous fragrance. This is the ultimate treat of a body lotion for your wedding day/ honeymoon!

Diamond Face & Neck Creme2 (A5)               

Nourishing  - Diamond Face and Neck Crème £150 for 50 ml   

Luxurious organic botanical oils, biodynamic marine and plant extracts rich in anti-oxidants, acai oil, avocado and apricot oil and pro-Collagen 3 stimulators make skin firmer, more elastic and super-smooth.  Powered by pure micro-gem diamonds which nourish, balance and give clarity of thought and purpose. All of the products in the range are beautiful, but this product is my favourite – not only does it give an amazing luminosity to the skin, it also is a great makeup base, which is essential for me as a makeup artist.

Stockists include: The Hale Clinic, www.beautique.com, www.larynn.com.

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk & Honey Sugar Rub – for glowing skin

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Not only do your want the skin on your face to look fantastic on your wedding day – you will also want your skin on your body to look radiant and smooth – if you will be wearing a strapless gown, you will want your decollete and arms to look smooth and feel soft and if you are going away on honeymoon after, you will want your whole body to look fabulous too!

As with the face, it is important to moisturise your body but it is also important to exfoliate the body to remove dead skin cells.

Pure Fiji Coconut Milk & Honey Sugar Rub is an extraordinary body treatment, which gently buffs away dead skin cells, cleans and unclogs pores and restores your skin to a fresh, healthy glow.

Pure Fiji _Milk_Honey Sugar Rub

When I first tried this product, when I opened the beautiful jar the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous fragrance! I have used many scrubs in the past, but many of these are very greasy and oily and leave a mess in the shower. This product comes with a scoop inside, you remove a small amount of the scrub, add water and massage into the skin. If exfoliating your body is something that you avoid as it is an extra ‘chore’ then you will love this scrub – not only does it exfoliate the skin beautifully, the gorgeous scent remains on your skin all day and your skin will glow after. I look forward to using this product!

Raw cane sugar and honey will buff away aging skin cells and unclog pores and polish your skin clean. Your new smooth skin is protected with nature’s best source of anti-oxidants and the powerful hydration and nutrients in a blend of pure coconut and exotic drift nut oils. Ideal for all skin types. This generous 8.5 oz  jar (rrp £26.50) will give 15-18 treatments.

With regular use, your body will be smooth, soft and glowing on your wedding day!

 Pure Fiji is available at www.purefiji.com/uk and stockists nationwide including Glitterati Beauty Salon 842-844 Green Lanes, London N21 2RT T: 020 8364 1662

Rawganic – organic sensitive skincare

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Did you know? It is estimated that up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into the body. Feed and protect your skin with beneficial organic oils. On average, organic ingredients contain higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.

If you want silky smooth skin and are a fan of natural, organic ingredients then the Rawganic range is just what you’re looking for.

Manufactured in the UK by Marshall Curtis, the range has been dermatologically tested, is completely free of parabens, contains no artificial perfumes or colourings, is non-GM and has not been tested on animals. Plus, the whole range (which includes fabulous 100% organic cotton facial cleansing wipes, refreshing Apple and Elderflower Body Wash and award-winning Wild Chamomile and Olive Hand and Body lotion) is Soil Association and Vegetarian Society accredited..

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I am definitely seeing an increase in the number of clients who have sensitive skin – in fact, almost 90% of the population will have sensitive skin at some point in their life! For clients who regularly suffer with sensitivity, the ingredients of the skin care products that they use is of the up-most importance to them, as using products which could potentially irritate their skin is something that they try to avoid as much as possible. I am often asked by brides who have sensitive skin which brands of skincare/ makeup I use before they make a booking with me, so I know how important ingredients are to these clients – which is why I was really interested to try these products for my brides and give them feedback on the quality of the products. All of the products in this range are priced under £10 each – so this is definitely an affordable way to use Organic skincare.

The texture of the products is beautiful and the smell is so fresh and clean,  it is definitely a unisex product that all of the family can use. The body products were gorgeous - but I have to say that the biggest revelation for me was the Organic Facial Cleansing Wipes! As a makeup artist, I go through packets of facial wipes! Finding a brand that doesn’t irritate the eye area on every client can sometimes be a challenge – but now I have found the answer, these facial wipes are simply brilliant.

 The wipes are based on a 100% organic cotton fabric that has no chemical binders or brightening agents, just organic cotton so they are completely biodegradable. The wet cleansing liquid is a blend that has been specially balanced for skin contact. It contains natural cleansers, skin conditioners and emollients so they are naturally soothing and conditioning. The pH is carefully controlled to around 5.5 to match the skin pH of most people so it does not sting like some conventional wipes. They are dermatologically tested. I’m a huge fan!!

Visit the website: http://raw-ganic.com/

My secret to revealing fresher, clearer, younger-looking skin

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

MicrodermabrasionAnyone who has been lucky enough to visit a salon for a micro-dermabrasion treatment, will tell you how amazingly smooth and radiant their skin feels after!

This is a treatment that most skin types can benefit from (apart from extremely sensitive skin) – micro crystals sweep away dull/ dead skin cells (on a deeper level than a daily exfoliator can). Oily skins love this treatment as it clears blocked pores and reveals a clearer, fresher skin and it is great for speeding up the healing process of any acne scarring. For ageing skins the results are equally satisfying as the youthful glow the skin is left with is beautiful.

Since having a treatment myself a few years ago and seeing the results, I have been a huge fan of micro-dermabrasion. As someone who does not have a lot of time for salon treatments, I wanted a product that could deliver results at home. Whilst a home micro-dermabrasion product may not deliver the exact same results as a salon treatment, I have found a product which helps me to keep my skin so smooth and only takes a few minutes once a week!

I have been using the No7 Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator for many, many months and have recommended it to so many brides at their makeup rehearsal. I can actually see a difference 4-6 weeks later when I then see them on their wedding day. This is a product that you can ’slot’ into any skincare regime that you have, it doesn’t matter which skincare brand you use either. Once a week after cleansing, massage this product on to your face (not the eye area) and rinse off. Your skin will feel and look so much smoother and your makeup also glide on easier to your skin.

Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Body Exfoliator

When you exfoliate your skin, the other skincare products that you use will be more effective – as if you are putting creams/ serums on skin which has a lot of dead skin cells, the products will not absorb into your skin as easily.

Clients have also been delighted who suffer with blemishes as they have noticed that this has improved – exfoliating the skin in this way will help to avoid your pores getting blocked, which can help to encourage blemishes.

No7 Total Renewal also make a Micro-Dermabrasion Body Exfoliator – again, this is an amazing product that exfoliates on a slightly deeper level than most gentle body scrubs, so you can glow from head to toe!

The No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator retails at £10.50 and the No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Body Exfoliator is £10.00. www.boots.com

Get ‘bikini ready’ for your honeymoon

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Slim Shape SP White 2006 72dpiWe all know that to achieve a bikini ready body you need to eat sensibly, drink lots of water and participate in regular exercise. If you are looking for a body product to enhance the results of  your hard work or if cellulite is a concern of yours, the Estee Lauder Body Performance Anti-Cellulite/ Anti-Fluid Advanced Visible Contouring Serum is the perfect product.

This is Estee Lauder’s most advanced, comprehensive anti-cellulite treatment. The powerful dual-action formula, with innovative Fluidmotion technology reduces the look of cellulite. Formulated with the exculsive thermogenic complex, this advanced treatment encourages skin’s peak performance as it works with a natural skin enzyme for a slimmer, more sculpted-looking surface. With continued use (yes, we all know that you need to commit to any cellulite programme to get the best results possible) it reinforces skin’s natural support to help keep the look of cellulite from resurfacing.

For me, the best bit about this product is that it also minimizes the visible effects of “trapped” fluid, which can lead to a swollen appearance (water being trapped within the skin).

I am always excited whenever I read about the ‘latest cellulite cure’ and have tried most of the products on the market! This product smells so refreshing and the gel glides onto the skin easily. This is definitely one of my favourite cellulite products – I have noticed a difference in the smoothness and texture of my skin and when I apply this product, my legs feel more ‘taut’ and toned.

Price £30 www.esteelauder.co.uk