How far will you go for beauty?

The title of this post is something that I've asked myself a few times - how far will you go for beauty? I used to think I'd be willing to do certain cosmetic procedures, but when I really think about it I have to say I just can't bring myself to. The idea of doing something permanent that means I'll look in the mirror and see a different me kinda freaks me out. That thought alone makes me realise that anything that bothers me, clearly doesn't so much that I'd like to take the risk of changing it.

But having said all that, there's also the question of the 'inbetween' level of beauty.... the botox/fillers etc side of things. This is something I'm a bit more on the fence about. Whilst I feel too young to take the botox plunge yet, I don't rule it out and I'll definitely consider other types of treatment.

One thing I recently did was have a treatment called 'skin needling' from Dermaeraze. The treatment is designed to heal scars and fine lines. Essentially it involved small needle incisions into the skin along the 'flaw' (scar or fine line) to essentially cause it to turn into healing mode and repair the skin.

I had the treatment on my eye area to help soften some fine lines. I'm not a fan of needles at all - and the idea of going 'to the next level' essentially with beauty treatments did make me very nervous. The treatment itself reminded me of when I went with a friend to a tattoo parlour - that sort of vibrating needle thing. 

Numbing gel was applied first so it didn't hurt at all, but there is something uncomfortable about needles near the eye. The aspect I found the worst was the healing time after - naturally the skin is red and can develop scabs. So I felt very self conscious for almost a week after the treatment and wore much heavier make-up to cover up than I normally would.

Results wise, I'm happy with it. I definitely feel like my eyes look better than before. Although I feel the results are better on one eye than the other, but the overall results can take a while to show (I had this treatment around a month ago - I wanted to wait to write the post to give it the best chance for healing fully). One thing I have been loving is applying the 'miracle oil' that was provided to help with aftercare - a combination of Almond, Avocado and Olive oil - to really hydrate the area (have been also using on my hands) and help it heal. This has been an amazing night treatment for my skin overall.

Overall, I'm happy with the results and happy I took the plunge to try this treatment. But I don't think I'll be rushing to do another needle based treatment yet. I'm just not sure that overall I'm ready for the 'next level' of beauty yet - so will be putting my faith in lotions and potions for now. But this is a very personal decision, if you are perhaps ready to take this next step but not quite sure about botox etc then this is a potential alternative for you.

For more info on Dermaeraze please see the website.

Treatment provided for review.

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

I really hate to admit it but I do have to think about anti-ageing stuff a bit now, I was thinking about this the other day and I thought it would have been nice to have a bit of a grace period between worrying about spots and teenage skin and having to start thinking about ant-ageing, but nope - no grace period for me!

The main thing I have as a concern at the moment is lines mostly caused by dehydration around my eyes, which is why hyaluronic acid is one of my favourite skin care ingredients - it really helps hold moisture into the skin, which in turn has a plumping effect...thus reducing lines.

I'm always curious about new 'hero' ingredients and Vichy Laboratories have recently launched a new range called 'Vichy LiftActiv Derm Source' which is described as 'a breakthrough anti-ageing skincare range to target the Derm Source to help reactivate youthful skin so it looks re-plumped, velvety smooth with the luminosity of youth'...

Some pretty big claims, but the total sucker for big claims in me is really curious! Who doesn't want re-plumped, velevety smooth skin with the luminosity of youth... I have a tube of the latest product in the range, Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 to test out, so I will be reporting back  - but this is just a little heads up to those of you out there who are thinking about anti-ageing skincare.


The LiftActiv Serum 10 contains a new 'break-through' ingredient 'Rhamnose' plus Vichy Thermal Spa Water and Hyaluronic acid and I have my fingers crossed for exciting results.


The Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 is available exclusively at Boots at £29.50 for 100ml.


Sponsored post.

Max Factor Elixir Lipstick

Max Factor have launched a new range of 'Elixir' lipsticks, that are meant to be flattering for all ages but really pampering and especially good for older lips which might need a bit of a moisture boost to keep them looking plump and kissable.

The packaging of these lipstick looks far more luxe than the price - with lovely gold outer casing. Colour indicator bits on the bottom and 'X' embossed on the lipstick itself. There are 15 shades at £7.99 each - here are swatches of 7 of the shades that range from pale pink through to deep Mulberry...

L-R: Angel Pink, English Rose, Pink Brandy, Bewitching Coral, Burnt Caramel, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday

With Flash
L-R: Angel Pink, English Rose, Pink Brandy, Bewitching Coral, Burnt Caramel, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday

Natural Light
L-R: Angel Pink, English Rose, Pink Brandy, Bewitching Coral, Burnt Caramel, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday

My favourite colours from these seven are English Rose and Bewitching Coral for day to day and Ruby Tuesday for night. The lippies are nicely pigmented, but still sheer enough you can layer them up and build the colour so it's more dramatic if you like - or keep it more subtle. 

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipsticks are available from Superdrug (currently 3 for 2) for £7.99

PR samples.

No7 Protect & Perfect Trial: Final Thoughts

I've now been using my No7 Protect & Perfect moisturiser routine for a good month, so feel ready to share my final thoughts on the products.

My first thought when it comes to No7 Protect & Perfect is how nicely balanced and moisturised my skin has felt whilst using it - despite the crazy, changeable weather, going from Autumn to mid-Summer... my skin has stayed nice and even. Which is no mean feat, my skin generally tends to get very dry when the seasons change, with horrid flaky bits - but none of that to be seen, so far!

Wrinkle-reducing wise, it's a little hard to say for sure - I don't think there has been a dramatic reduction but I do think the moisturisers and eye cream have kept the eye area really hydrated, so the lines are less prominent than they can be and therefore look less obvious.

My only little wish for the products is that they would be available in a bottle with a pump rather than a screw top pot. It's probably just me being a bit fussy, but I'd love to see these available in that sort of portable-friendly packaging!

I can happily say that this combination of moisturisers, the day, night and eye-cream are ideal for mid-late twenties skin - I haven't found them heavy or causing breakouts at all. But they really do the job of keeping skin soft and hydrated.

You can find out more about the individual products I have been trialling below:

No7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream (SPF15) - £21, 50ml

No7 Protect & Perfect Night Cream - £22, 50ml

No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream - £18, 15ml

Sponsored post.

No7 Protect & Perfect Trial: Update

I've now been using the No7 Protect and Perfect range since early September, so it's time for an update. 


This might sound a bit odd, but the best thing about the range I have found is that I don't notice it, my skin hasn't reacted in any negative way, it's stayed fairly even, hasn't got drier or more oily - it's felt nicely balanced since I started using it. 

Whilst saying a product hasn't really grabbed my attention might sound a bit odd, when it comes to skincare I actually think this is a total positive - you want something that's no hassle, just blends in with your routine and is easy to use and that's exactly what I have found with the Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect.


Of course, as I mentioned in my first post my eye area is where I am really watching to see a difference. The lines haven't vanished (and I wouldn't expect them to) but I do feel that the eye area is nicely hydrated so they aren't as prominent as they can be if my skin is dry. I really like the eye cream from the range as it's light and contains light reflecting particles to help brighten the area up - I do prefer not to use in the evening though.

Before

So what do you think? The lines are still visible, but they feel a bit less obvious than before - my eye area feels nice and moisturised. Now I just need to sort out getting glasses so I don't squint all the time and make them worse!


To help me with my quest to have perfect skin (and to slow the ageing process as much as I can) I had the chance to ask a few questions to expert, Dr Mike Bell. Below are my questions, plus his answers. Hope you find these interesting/useful?!

Can diet affect the ageing process; if so what foods do you recommend avoiding/eating more of?

Yes, it is likely that diet can affect the skin ageing process although few studies show direct evidence for this. Cosgrove et al published an epidemiological study in 2007 that showed a link between facial ageing appearance e.g. lines and wrinkles and nutritional intake in 40 to 74yr old American women. Higher intake of Vitamin C (found in fruit and vegetables) and linoleic acid (found in grape seed and sun flower oil) were associated with a more youthful appearance. The study also indicated that higher fat and carbohydrate intake was linked with a more aged appearance. A life of sugar indulgence is not likely to help you look younger. Sugar can build up in skin in the form of Advanced Glycation End products (appropriate acronym AGEs) which bind to collagen for example making skin more rigid and less flexible.  Studies have also shown that eating tomatoes, which contain large amounts of the red carotene, lycopene, can protect the skin during sun exposure.

How important is cleansing when it comes to ageing?

Skin cleansing will always be an important step in any anti-ageing skin care regime. Removing surface dirt and contamination is likely to make the skin more receptive to the anti-ageing regime that follows, allowing for improved active ingredient delivery to the skin. Whilst soap based cleansers are now quite rare, harsh cleansers can cause damage to the skin’s barrier, drying the skin and making it more vulnerable to the effects of the sun as well as slowing recovery after stresses, try N^o7 Gentle Foaming Cleanser to cleanse without harming the skin.  An aged skin appearance is often associated with dryness, which will enhance the appearance of fine dehydration lines. These can be exacerbated by using the wrong cleansers for your skin type that dry the skin. Inclusion of a microdermabrasion step into a cleansing regime causes temporary trauma to the skin, which then leads the skin to repair itself naturally. In so doing, younger looking skin can result – I’d recommend N^o7 Microdermabrasion Exfoliator.

What's the best way to deal with spots that can't be blamed on teenage hormones anymore?!

Many of us have “bad skin days” when our skin is more prone to spots and redness. Good cleansing is of course important as spots can result from blocked pores (Try N^o7 Gentle Foaming Cleanser, twice daily). However, often spots are due to heightened skin sensitivity as a result of skin barrier damage. This can be triggered by so-called extrinsic factors such as the sun, wind, and diet but also intrinsic factors such as stress, lack of sleep and hormonal changes. Keeping skin well moisturised will provide more resistance to these triggers as will using daily moisturisers that deliver SPF15 and 5 star UVA protection, like N^o7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream which contains both SPF15 and 5-star UVA protection. When spots are present whether teenage or adult skin the same remedies usually apply. Cleansers containing salicylic acid will help unblock pores and leave skin looking clearer. Benzoyl peroxide containing products or corticosteroids or antibiotics may be required if the spots spread and become more persistent. If your skin is prone to spots use light and non-comodogenic moisturisers and a lower level of make-up that can block pores.

So overall, so far I'm very happy with the No7 range, I'm mostly happy with how naturally it's slipped into my routine without any drama. Hopefully the happy, calm skin will continue! I will report back with my final update in a few weeks. 


If you have any questions let me know in the comments and I'll make sure I answer them as best I can.

To find out more about the range visit Boots.com


Sponsored post.

No7 Protect & Perfect Trial: Intro

 

This is a quick introduction to a trial I am doing over the next month. I am using the infamous No7 Protect and Perfect range to give it a proper tried-and-tested review. The range how now been tailored for different ages, so there is something for everyone. I fall in to the 25-35 category, so Protect and Perfect is ideal for me - to face the first signs of ageing. The other ranges for each age bracket are outlined below:

o Protect & Perfect range is formulated for women aged 25-35

o Protect & Perfect Intense range is formulated for women aged 35-45
o Lift & Luminate range is formulated for women aged 45-60
o Restore & Renew range is formulated for women aged 60+

The products I am using for the trial are:

 

No7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream (SPF15) - £21, 50ml

 

No7 Protect & Perfect Night Cream - £22, 50ml

 

No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream - £18, 15ml

 

(FYI - at the time of posting there is a 3 for 2 across the No7 range...stock up!)

 

All together they are described as 'a collection of hardworking products providing active ingredients that work together to firm fine lines and wrinkles, while making skin look younger and feel smoother'. The main thing about the Protect & Perfect range is that there are clinical trials that prove that the active ingredients actually work in helping to reduce the signs of ageing.

 

Basically, if you haven't heard of Protect & Perfect then there is a pretty high chance you have been living under a rock... back in 2007 the original Protect & Perfect Serum made headlines when it was launched and promptly sold out within one day. But headlines aside, I want to know if it really does the job!

 

 

 

 

My main current skin concern are the fine lines that I am noticing more and more around my eyes, so these will be what I focus on for this trial. Below is a picture of my face, taken this past weekend - with make-up on and a close up on my eye area so I can judge how much of an impact the products have over the next few weeks. They aren't deep caverns or anything, but as I have now passed the 25 mark (but not at the big 3-0 yet) this is one of the areas I am concerned about and want to keep looking as young as I can!

 

Here's a bit of a close up of the eye so you can inspect the fine lines... (lucky you)!

 

 

So wish me luck on my trial, I will give you an update part way through and at the end. If you have anything you want to ask skin-care/anti-ageing wise then please leave a comment below!

 

This is a sponsored post.

Sponsored Post: ESPA Skincare Review

This is a sponsored post.

For the past month I have been using the following range of moisturising products from ESPA to prepare to write this post. I umm-ed and aah-ed over whether the ESPA range was right for me or not as it's designed for 'dehydrated' or 'ageing' skin. Now my skin is ageing (everyone is, when you think about it) but I think what they really mean is older skin, I'm in my mid twenties, so this is too early for me and I was worried it would be too heavy. But I do have dry, dehydrated skin. So on that front it is ideal for me... so I decided to go ahead and give them a go. The products I have been using are:

- Lift and Firm Moisturiser

- Lift and Firm Intensive Serum
- Lift and Firm Intensive Eye Serum

- Lift and Firm Eye Moisturiser

- Lift and Firm Mask

Having used the products for a while now, below are my thoughts:

- Lift and Firm Moisturiser (£38 for 25ml)

This is my favourite product of the bunch, it's moisturising but light-weight. Absorbs easily and keeps skin hydrated. It's quite a 'organic/herbal' smelling lotion, which bothered me a little at first but once I got used to it I was fine.

- Lift and Firm Intensive Serum (£47.50 for 15ml)

Another lighter than expected product, a transparent gel that absorbs nicely and again leaves skin soft and smooth. Despite using this for a month I really can't think of much more to say about this - this is a bit of an 'extra' product for me - not an essential.

- Lift and Firm Intensive Eye Serum (£55 for 15ml)

This is another product that I've really liked using, Like the intensive serum it's a light, consistency and transparent - absorbs easily and (in combination with the eye moisturisier) has really helped to keep my eye area moisturised and the fine lines less prominent. This is a lighter, more liquid version of the intense serum.

- Lift and Firm Eye Moisturiser (£40 for 15ml)

Like the above Eye Serum, this has been a real help in keeping the area around my eyes moisturised (as it's this area and my cheeks that are mostly prone to dehydration and dryness) this is a thinner, lighter version of the face moisturiser in my view - so more suitable for the eye. It definitely hasn't been too heavy for my skin at all and has been lovely in the morning to make my eyes feel really 'quenched'.

- Lift and Firm Mask (£45 for 55ml)

The face mask has a thick creamy texture, it definitely leaves skin moisturised but I found it made my cheeks and nose feel a bit sensitive so I only tried this twice. This is probably the only product from the set that I would say is more suitable for older/ageing skin rather than dehydrated.



Swatches above L-R: Face Moisturiser, Eye Serum, Eye Moisturiser,
Face Serum, Face Mask

 My overall view?

Love: The Lift and Firm Moisturiser - it simply works an absolute treat, leaves my skin soft and lovely. Plus the long thin tube packaging is a win with me. I took this and the eye serum & moisturiser on holiday, using one of those roll-up travel wraps, they all fit into one pocket really easily so very portable.

Like: The two eye products - the serum and the moisturiser are both really nice if you (like me) suffer from dryness around the eyes but don't want anything heavy. I'd say these are both ideal for younger but dehydrated skin types that want a boost. The only reason I put these in the like section rather than love is that I can't decide which one I like best.

Leave: Personally, I'd leave the skin serum and the mask at the moment - I find these are too much for my skin at my age. The serum feels like an un-necessary step that doesn't really add anything to my skincare routine and the mask was just too heavy at the moment. I would say that these are the products in the range more suited to older, ageing skin.

So there we have it - the one other thing I wanted to add that really converted me was when I had my facial at The Chelsea Day Spa, the therapist asked what skincare I was currently using - when I replied ESPA she said that it was really good and that my skin definitely wasn't dehydrated - which is a first in a long time. Every other facial I have had in the last two years I have been told I have dehydrated skin - so that really did help me secure my opinion on the range.

You can buy ESPA products from the website.

This is a sponsored post and products were provided for review.



Sponsored Post: Paula's Choice

This is a sponsored post.

Paula's Choice is a range of skincare created by Paula Begoun, who has been working in the beauty industry for more than 25 years - so has really taken the time to learn what works and know what skin care ingredients really live up to their hype - to make sure women are getting the best value for money with skin care. A couple of 'hero' products from the range include:


Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

The antioxidant serum promises to help skin to generate healthy collagen to resist the signs of aging and contains antioxidants to protect against the environmental damage. The serum works to repair damaged cells and prime skin for make-up.

Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid

There seems to have been a lot of talk about products with Alpha Hydroxy Acid as a good exfoliation/peeling treatment for skin to keep it smooth and glowing. The 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid product promises the following:

- reducing signs of ageing, including wrinkles, sun damage & discolorations
- corrects uneven skin tone
- restores a healthy, radiant, firmer look to your skin
- calms skin with potent anti-irritants

It also contains 0.5% salicylic acid to help clear/exfoliate skin. I like the fact that there are anti-irritants included as sensitive skins can be prone to redness with some glycolic treatments.

Both products are priced £25.15 and available from Paula's Choice. Links to specific product pages are below:


Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid

WIN! Afternoon tea with Paula!

If you fancy the chance to bend Paula's ear about all things skin care, then you can win afternoon tea which will include a personal skin care consultation.

To enter, all you have to do is:

Subscribe to the Paula’s Choice monthly newsletter before 31st May 2011 and be in with the chance to enter the prize draw. Plus there are a selection of great Paula’s Choice prizes for the runners up. As a newsletter subscriber you will receive exclusive monthly Paula’s Choice offers, helpful articles on all things skin care and beauty related plus pre-sale deals on Paula's Choice products.
The prizes!
1st prize: Three people will win afternoon tea sessions with Paula Begoun (including transport to London).

2nd prize: Two people will win Paula’s Choice skin care sets (worth £135 per set).

3rd prize: Ten people will win a personally autographed copy of Paula's best-selling book 'Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me.'

Winners will be informed via email by 1st June 2011. Restricted to UK citizens only.

You can find out more on facebook.


This is a sponsored post.

Sponsored Post: The Big British Beauty Poll PART 2

This is a sponsored post.

Back in September I posted about The Big British Beauty Poll... that was on the hunt for responses. Well, the poll has been counted and the results are in. Not just any poll, but a poll with a whopping 20,000 consumer responses. Covering everything from spending habits, to beauty icons to views on cosmetic surgery. Here are a few of my personal highlights of the census:

• Classic beauty: Audrey Hepburn continues to come out on top as 'the most iconic beauty of all time'.
• Not just a pretty face: Us British women aren't just pretty faces, 62% want to see 'clinically proven to work through research' as a top motivator for anti ageing purchases. 
• Beauty wishes: Having endless good skin days is top of the list when it comes to our beauty wishes, even on top of good hair days.
• Money, money, money: According to the poll, £23 is the average monthly spend of the British woman... I'm sure mine is in that region too....ahem....

As part of the survey there was also a great big consumer survey of Olay's latest anti-ageing innovation 'Olay Regenerist 3-Point Super Serum' of the 13,000 strong consumer test a huge 98% of respondents would recommend the serum to a friend.

This isn't all when it comes to the results, the feedback doesn't stop at the end of the survey - Olay are doing a LIVE wave cast where they will be discussing the results of the beauty poll. If you want to get involved then the details are below:

When? Thursday 25th November 2010

What time? 16:00

Where? http://www.olaybigbritishbeautypoll.co.uk/ 

I'll be checking out the discussion, will you?

**The Small Print**
This is a sponsored post via Handpicked Media. For more information on my policy on sponsored post please see my blogging policy page.

Current moisturisers: No7 and Skin Doctors

Yet again I have been mixing up my skin care by changing my moisturisers (I have been using mostly Dermalogica for the past few months pretty consistently) and I'm currently using Skin Doctors Supermoist SPF30 (for daytime) and No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Night.

I'm really enjoying using both of these and have had no adverse reactions at all. Both feel lovely to apply and absorb easily and leave my skin quenched.

The Skin Doctors Supermoist leaves my skin mositurised but not greasy - which is my ultimate problem when it comes to finding a daytime moisturiser that has SPF but doesn't make my skin greasy. I don't know why but it's taken me AGES to dig this moisturiser out of the 'to test' pile - I've probably had it sitting around for close to a year (bad beauty blogger) but finally I did and I'm loving it. It's made me very curious to try more from the Skin Doctors Range - they seem to do a good range of products that aren't flashy, but do the job. Just my sort of thing. If you have tried anything from the range that is worth checking out, let me know!?

The No7 Protect and Perfect Intense is another one that I normally pass my mum's way, but I wanted something a bit more hardcore for winter so tried it out and love it. It is heavier (as a night cream usually is) but absorbs easily and has a very distinct fragrance that just makes me think of Boots Soltan... maybe just me though! I love how pampered my skin feels in the morning after using this. I would say that this is quite a heavy duty moisturiser, but I love it. It really helped this past week when I had a cold and my nose did that charming winter crusty thing. Two nights of this cream and it had gone. Plus I like the idea it's fighting lines as I sleep too...

The Skin Doctors Supermoist costs £24.95 from LookFantastic.com

The No7 Protect and Perfect Night costs £22.50 from Boots.com


**The Small Print**
Both provided as PR samples for review.

To botox, or not to botox... that is the question.

Botox seems to be something that splits opinion.

When I talk to my boyfriend, friends and family about it, it elicits pretty much the same response in them all - they think it's ridiculous that such a thing has even crossed my mind, especially at my age. My friends are very good at listening and supporting, but you can see by their expressions that they think I'm slightly crazy for considering the treatment.

But regardless of this I have becoming increasingly conscious of the 'smile lines' that have appeared around my eyes, I've noticed them since my late teens but over the last year or so have become worse and worse. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with having some character on my face but the fact that I can see these lines starting to move further down onto my cheeks makes me very self conscious.

Moving towards using injectable solutions isn't a first solution, I have been using anti-ageing eye cream since I was about 21 and obsessively hydrate the eye area (I have been using a couple of fairly impressive products recently that I will blog about soon). But I also know that the problem isn't easy to tackle as I'm confident it's genetic - I hope my siblings wont mind me mentioning this... but my younger brother (who is 19) and my older sister (in her 30's) have similar fine lines in the same places. Whilst this may be expected post 30, but when my teenage brother has the same thing and I do in my mid twenties it's fairly safe to say that there must be something genetic behind it (none of the three of us smoke by the way).

So anyway, long story short is that I have premature wrinkles under my eyes, it's making me self conscious and I want to do something about it. Not something so others will notice, just something so I can feel and see the difference.

This is where The Private Clinic of Harley Street steps in. I was contacted by their PR a while ago asking if I wanted to ask their expert some questions and ended up booking a consultation appointment to have a chat with a nurse about skin and ways to treat the problem. I had no hesitation in going for a chat with the nurse - until I found myself walking down the infamous Harley Street thinking about needles and scalpels and all sorts of horrendous 'extreme surgery programmes'....

Of course that was just my overactive imagination kicking in. When I walked into the Clinic I found it welcoming and luxurious without feeling too 'clinical'. Staff were friendly and didn't look like blown up Barbie dolls - so that was nice.

I sat in the chandelier-clad waiting room filling out a form and noted that the other patients all looked very normal - not a sunglasses wearing celeb-type with suspiciously bruised nose in sight. There were a couple of men and about three women waiting to be seen.

The nurse, Wendy, came to find me and took me through to a treatment room for a consultation (this isn't the usual setting - they have dedicated consultation rooms but they were all booked) and we sat down for a chat. Wendy had a look at the lines I have mentioned and explained the different options - covering costs, pain factor, the amount of recovery time needed and any risks associated.

Wendy recommended that botox would be the cheapest and most effective solution to soften the lines and prevent them from getting deeper as my collagen levels in my skin deplete with age. She also covered another injectable solution of hyalauronic acid (an intense moisturiser - like the Dermalogica one I recently reviewed) but this needs more frequent treatment and costs more per time.

I was given ample time to ask questions and didn't feel rushed at all. I was offered the chance to book in for treatment that afternoon if I wanted - but not put under pressure to do so. I chose to go away and think about it before committing.

I think that going along for a no-commitment consultation is an excellent idea if you are considering something such as botox, or even surgery. It's a way to get all the answers you need to make sure you are informed enough to make the choice to go ahead or go another route - and as I said, I didn't feel pressured either way.

Now the tough choice is - which road do I go down....

Skin treatment consultations at The Private Clinic Harley Street are free of charge. For more information please visit http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/ or call 0800 599 9916

M&S new beauty launches

Today I did a magic juggling act between my day job and my life as a beauty blogger and left work early to rush across town to go to a couple of beauty press events, although in the end I was so busy chatting I never made it to the second....

The one I did make it to was the unveiling of Marks and Spencer's latest range of beauty products and I have to say I am extremely impressed with what I saw. The whole range of M&S beauty has been made-over for 2010, and not just the packaging - formulas have been re-worked too. The skin care formulas have been streamlined into different categories catering for different skin needs, from sensitive skin (Formula Essential Care), the first signs of aging (Formula Age Defence), plus two formulas for mature skin (Age Repair and Age Restructure). Plus on top of all this is the Advance Formula range of products to treat specific issues.

As if that wasn't enough - the new make-up bits are equally impressive. Stand out pieces for me were the Chanel-esque eye shadow quads, a pretty lip gloss from the essential range in the colour 'tangerine', a deep purple mascara, the make-up brushes (very soft, and something a bit 'Sonia Kashuk' about them), a white-pink eyeliner, the perfection skin finish blushers.... the list goes on!

I have been given a selection of the new products to test out, including the six 'Beauty Heroes', one of which I am hoping might be a more affordable treatment oil (Age Repair Phytoceramide Treatment Oil, costs £7.50) the the Anne Semonin I recently tried out. So I will get on that and report back. But check out the pictures for a bit of a preview - as not all the products shown are available in store yet.

SkinCeuticals: Phloretin CF

SkinCeuticals' Phloretin CF is the latest hot-name in the anti-oxidant fight against ageing.

Launched in the UK in March 2009, as the culmination of over five years of research, Phloretin CF contains a powerful antioxidant derived from the skin and flesh of apples along with root bark from pear and grapefruit trees. Combine pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), which has been clinically proven to stimulate collagen synthesis along with ferulic acid, a powerful plant derived antioxidant that seeks and destroys free radicals and improves the performance of vitamin C.


Phloretin CF is an anti-ageing cocktail is perfect for oily and problematic skins as well as normal skin types and contains:

• 2% Phloretin (a natural extract, derived from apples and root bark of pear and grapefruit trees)
• 10% L-ascorbic (the only form of Vitamin C that the body or skin can use as far as topical treatments are concerned. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that has been proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen)
• 0.5% Ferulic acid (a powerful plant derived antioxidant that seeks and destroys free radicals and improves the performance of vitamins C and E)

I have been using Phloretin CF for about three weeks now and can report a marked improvement in the texture of my skin. The serum comes with a pipette applicator, making me feel a little like a mad scientist when applying it- which is not a bad thing!) I would suggest only using a couple of drops if you have fairly young skin like myself, as pure vitamin C has been known to cause reactions, so take it slow and allow your skin to adapt to the concentration.

Living in London, I like to apply this product in the morning if I am heading central to offer some added anti-oxidant protection against the smog of the city (and the grimy tube air!) As Phloretin CF is a preventative serum, the true effect of this product will only show over time, so we will have to wait and see how good it really is, but in the short term I am pleased.

The point that hasn't been mentioned yet is the price. This is not a cheap product, priced at RRP £128.00 for a 30ml bottle (eek!) but remember it is the product of over five years of research and is still a lot cheaper and less painful than botox (not that I have had botox, I am too scared of needles) but as they always say, prevention is better than a cure.

Random beauty product... Golden Emu Oil Hand and Body Lotion

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought I would be writing about the benefits of Emu Oil then I would have laughed at you, and thought you were a little crazy. But here I am, about to write a review of one of the strangest named products I have ever experienced "Golden Emu Oil Hand and Body Lotion".

Apparently Emu Oil is now well known in the UK, having made headlines following Paula Radcliffe’s world record breaking run in the 2003 Flora London Marathon. Before the race it was in doubt over whether Paula would even be able to compete, having been involved in a collision with a cyclist whilst out training and picking up severe cuts and grazes, a damaged shoulder and a broken jaw. Emu oil was applied to her injuries however and they were seen to heal a lot quicker than expected.

Sports and fitness side aside, the oil is an excellent moisturiser and is renowned for its soothing properties. Supposedly Demi Moore, Goldie Hawn and Melanie Griffith all swear by it for the oil's anti-aging properties.

It was recently published in a top scientific journal that when emu oil was applied to skin defects they healed twice as quickly, when compared to controls. This strongly suggests that emu oil has skin cell regeneration properties, which should not only help with the healing of wounds, but also with skin rejuvenating and scar and wrinkle reduction. Combine this evidence with the fact that emu oil contains natural anti-oxidants, which help combat oxygen free radicals, the main culprits blamed for aging skin, and you begin to realise the massive potential that this ‘age old remedy’ has in a modern world, where everyone is trying to look those few years younger.

Golden Emu Oil Hand and Body Lotion not only contains emu oil, but combines it with a sunscreen and fruit and nut oils, which are packed full of vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Lavender oil is one of the most versatile and soothing oils available. It is wonderfully relaxing and is known for its rejuvenating properties. It leaves the skin scented and senses relaxed.
Orange oil can help stimulate skin circulation and promote the production of collagen, used for tissue repair. Orange and Lemon oils are also known to aid with the removal of toxins from the skin and control sebum levels, the cause of acne.

Apricot oil is particularly helpful for dehydrated, delicate, mature and sensitive skin.
The benefits of almond oil come from the fact that it is high in minerals, protein, naturally occurring vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6 and E) and in mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids; all important for healthy skin. The oil is often used to help with skin itch, irritation and dryness.

Avocado oil is said to stimulate collagen metabolism, increasing the proportion of soluble collagen in the dermis, retarding visible signs of ageing and remarkably softening the skin.

The result of combining these ingredients is an exquisite lotion, which is a true gift from nature. It instantly soothes, protects and revitalizes from head to toe. Easily absorbed it leaves the skin with a younger, softer and smoother looking complexion.

The thought of rubbing 'Emu Oil' into my skin made me a little uncomfortable, but if it is good enough for Goldie, then it is good enough for me (especially if I manage to look as good as her at her age). I have been trying this lotion for over a week, and it is a perfectly nice moisturiser. No remarkable results yet, but my skin does feel soft, and I don't smell like an emu. My sport-playing boyfriend is keen to try it out for its healing qualities so next time he is having a whinge about his aches and pains, I will pass him the Emu Oil....

Available from http://www.pion-tc.co.uk/ priced £14.99 for 250ml.

Love Laveré: Cellulite busting luxury

Laveré is a premium anti-ageing skincare line from the creators of pioneering natural cosmetics brand Lavara. The range has been re-launched with a brand new, ultra luxurious new look (silver is apparently the hot colour for beauty packaging now).

Body effect is a six product range, packed with innovative, skin-loving organic ingredients and natural essential oils to suit skins changing needs through the years. The products unite 100% certified natural cosmetics with 100% high-tech anti-ageing ingredients all topped off with 100% luxury.

All products in the Body Effect line deliver effective 24 hour restorative and moisturising care to help maintain a younger firmer figure.

The Body Effect range includes a firming body scrub, cellulite-tackling body lotion and a firming oil spray. This becomes a three step process to firm up and tackle the dreaded orange peel. The scrub is oil based and leaves skin smooth and nourished. The firming adds to the skin softening effects of the scrub. To top it off, the firming oil spray is the finishing touch, when massaged firmly into those wobbly bits it really feels like it is effective.

It might just be the smoothing effects of the scrub and a good dose of moisture, but I am certain my skin seemed less dimpled after the Laveré session!

LAVERÉ is available from quality health food stores and organic apothecaries including Entrading - Glasgow; Essentials Pharmacy - Covent Garden; Grassroots – Glasgow; KuBu Spa – Henley-on-Thames; Mollycoddles – Rochester; Pure Beauty – Kirkcudbright, Dumfries; Revital – Solihull; Sante – Colchester, Essex; So Organic – Greenwich; The Valley Trading Post – Chew Magna, Somerset, and by mail order. Call 01557 870568 or visit www.lavere.co.uk

Anti-oxidant Virgin?

I was first introduced to Virgin Vie beauty products by my sister who held ‘Virgin Vie’ parties to sell the products. I was also lucky enough to be given a selection of their lovely products including some yummy lip glosses (which really are good enough to eat), eye shimmers and a gorgeous bronzing make up kit.

Anyway, onto the products in hand, Virgin Vie have two skin care formulas containing anti-oxidants to protect the skin, these are:

Beauty Essence Superfood Serum with Coenzyme Q10 and Pomegranate Extract (£15 for 30ml)

The beauty world craze for serum refuses to go away (for good reason) and this is a top-spot competitor. Firstly, as a sucker for packaging, I was already impressed by the stylish silver and white packaging before I even tried it out.

As with most serums you only need a small amount of the delicate velvety serum to nourish skin and leave it soft, smooth and energised. I have to say, the serum doesn’t smell too tasty, but since you’re not meant to eat it (despite it being ‘super food’) then that should be overlooked. The serum melts into skin and works as the ideal base for make up, with the added bonus of the protective anti-oxidants working to protect your skin from premature ageing to keep your complexion youthful, fresh and revitalised.

Face the Day (£17.50 for 30ml)

Face the Day, like the whole Virgin Vie range has really simplistic, pretty packaging. This non greasy, ultra light SPF 15 lotion is designed to be applied underneath or on top of your usual day cream.

The anti-ageing benefits of wearing an SPF face cream every day cannot be over stressed, and this is the ideal light weight version which gives you the protection you need without feeling like you are coated in thick, greasy sun block. Face the Day offers anti-oxidant protection against free radicals as well as medium protection against damaging UV rays – the perfect base for summer skin.

Face the Day includes UVA and UVB filters offering a broad spectrum of protection from the sun and premature ageing, Hyaluronic Acid to enhance your skin’s ability to retain moisture, Purple Laver Extract (a liposome encapsulated Seaweed Extract to supplement the UVA protection) and Anti-oxidant White Tea Extract to help aid the fight against free-radicals.

Elave Dermo-Cosmetic Skin Care

The Elave dermo-cosmetic range is the first of its kind and has been tipped by those in the know to become a cult product. Originally created to be used post-cosmetic surgery, sold exclusively through selected dermatology clinics in Ireland, the range has since developed a word of mouth reputation as an effective anti-ageing skin care.

Endorsed by celebrity make up artist, Jemma Kidd, the products are designed for use following cosmetic procedures such as Botox, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing when skin can be super-sensitive and needs suitable care. The elave range has been specifically formulated to be extra gentle on skin. Made with purified water, anti-ageing vitamins and anti-oxidants and developed by experts in dermatology, elave dermo-cosmetic is free from unnecessary sensitisers like perfume and dye and harsh chemicals which can dry out the skin.

Although the range was developed for post-cosmetic treatment, it can also be used on sensitive skin, as it only contains ingredients necessary to hydrate, plump up and repair the skin, leaving it unbelievably soft and smooth.

Products in the range include:

Daily skin defence SPF 30+ (£31.00 for 32ml)

Protects delicate skin from the ageing effects of the sun with SPF 30+, UVA and UVB filters as well as anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, C and E. This day-cream also includes allatonin, an anti-inflammatory agent to help stimulate the growth of new and healthy skin tissue and alleviate the symptoms of parched, dry, inflamed or irritated skin, restoring elasticity and suppleness.

The cream has an iridescent look, so is an ideal base for make up, or can be used alone for a fresh look on make up free days.

The skin softening results of the cream are fantastic, and it does leave a healthy iridescent glow. First time I used this cream I did find it a little oily for my skin, and had to apply a dusting of powder to combat the shine. But by applying less next time I found this was more suitable for my skin texture. Apply the cream lightly as a little is plenty (and means the cream will last longer).

Intense moisture surge (£24 for 32ml)

A non-greasy lotion specifically created to help repair and intensively surge moisture into dry skin leaving skin soft and smooth out dry lines and wrinkles. The cream contains a unique blend of emollients to help defend the skin against ageing and improve cell regeneration. Shea butter and coconut oil rehydrate and give a boost of moisture whilst calming and re balancing inflamed, dry or sensitised skin.

This cream is ideal as a night-time skin treat; the texture of the lotion feels quite light but does offer an intense surge moisture as promised. Similar to the daily skin defence you only need to apply a small amount to get the benefits.

Super Simple Skin Serum

Skin serum has been a buzz word in the beauty world for some time now, especially since the sell-out mania that was No7 Protect and Perfect Serum (which is as good as the hype by the way!) The skin boosting benefits of vitamin E are also well known, and now Simple – the UK’s fastest growing skin care brand – has combined the two into an innovative product.

Part of the age resisting, Regeneration product range, the vitamin E serum products also include avocado oil, glycerin, and allantonin to give skin a convenient, pampering dose of vitamin goodness with no perfume, no colour, and no harsh chemicals.

I would recommend using these products once a week, before bed as a quick and easy pampering treat. Applying the serum before bed and leaving it over night gives the vitamin E a chance to really penetrate skin and do its thing. You will be happy to wake up with soft and glowing skin.

Priced at £3.99 for 16 pads and available from Boots, Superdrug and leading pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide.

Garnier Vital Restore Complete revitalising eye cream

Enriched with orchid extract, NEW Garnier Vital Restore is a complete anti-ageing range developed to revitalise the look of mature skin. Now, I don’t have ‘mature’ skin, but I am aware that prevention is as good as a cure.

Using a unique combination of orchid extract and soy bio-proteins to rehydrate, reinforce skin’s structure and protect against the appearance of age spots, so the skin’s radiance is restored and looks revitalised.

The range includes: Garnier Vital Restore Day Cream SPF 15 (RRP £9.99), Garnier Vital Restore Night Cream (RRP £9.99), Garnier Vital Restore Anti-age Spots Serum (RRP £11.99) and the Garnier Vital Restore Eye Cream (RRP £9.99).

The eye cream is really light and absorbs quickly, leaving my eyes feeling refreshed and moisturised. My dark circles seemed less obvious, and lines were plumped. Garnier Vital Restore eye cream is a product worth trying: to refresh young skin, disguise late nights or to give mature skin a moisturising boost.