Tis the season for Plump Lips

As the seasons are changing and the temperatures are dropping the lips can be one of the first areas to shows signs of change becoming dry and flaky. Without the hot summer sun, the desire for thirst quenching drinks drops and results in more dehydrated lips. 

LIP TIP: The lips are like sponges so keep them well hydrated to promote fullness. Moisturize with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and sesame extract. 

Lips are in constant use with eating, drinking & communicating, so the lips and perioral region can start to show signs of aging earlier than other areas of the face. After the age of 30 the skin starts to loose collagen, which is the fiber that gives skin its strength, tone & volume. 

"After age 30, our collagen level drops 1%-2% every year. By age 40, we have lost 10%-20% of our collagen. By 50, we are down 20%-40%," states Renew Alliance. 

Each decade the lack of plumpness becomes more visible through biological change. Prevent and repair feather lines and loss of plumpness with targeted lip treatments. 

LIP TIP: Strengthen the lips barrier with products that include Indian gentian extract which increases epidermal thickness, reduces the fragility and minimizes feather lines. 

Lips are only 3-5 cell layers thick, being thinner skinned they contain less oil glands. Licking lips to rehydrate has the opposite affect because saliva is dehydrating making the lips more vulnerable to dryness & chapping. Lip balms act as a quick fix, but the wrong  ingredients can contribute to lip dehydration and dryness. Heavy mineral based balms can confuse the lip tissue and reduce the production of the lips natural moisture barrier which results in a lip balm addiction. Without the crutch of a heavy balm lips can become extremely dry, flaky and can even split and bleed in harsher climates. 

LIP TIP: Avoid mineral oil or petroleum based lip balms & nourish lips with products rich in plant oils like shea butter which naturally restore the barrier lipids and hydrate the skin. 

The main muscle in the lips is the obicularis oris which is circular and is used to make a pucker up expression. Ageing skin looses its collagen & elastin and combined with dryness feather lines can form. Sipping through a straw or smoking can accelerate the aging process causing feather lines and wrinkles to form prematurely. 

LIP TIP: use a nightly lip treatment that contains apple extracts to provide a saccharide complex to enhance hydration and smooth lines and advanced volumising technology increases tissue volume to plump lips. 

Regular use of lip treatment products that nourish and hydrate will improve the current lip condition and defend against further deterioration of the delicate lip tissue. 

Sunshine, Self Tan & SPF

Last week was my third Skincare Special at Ham Yard Hotel in London. I had just finished setting up and filling the goodie bags when a lady rushed in asking details about this event that just popped up on her phone when she was checking in on Facebook- it was Katy, the Co-Founder of Tan Cream! 

Katy said my business partner and the lady behind the inspiration for this product is in the Restaurant, come and meet her. Gillian had overcome skin cancer and has developed a self tan with sun protection 50, the first combination on the market. The ladies introduced their new product at my event and gave me a sample to try. 

Day One- I wore it whilst on a 2 hour hike in the California mountains, no sunburn and the gradual tan helped minimise my tan lines whilst protecting my skin. 

Day Two- I wore Tan Cream to protect my skin on a 22 mile training run for the Chicago marathon. My skin felt soft and the gradual tan gave my skin a natural glow. 

The pump applicator and light brown cream makes the product easy to apply. The colour gives an instant light bronze sheen to the skin and it helps to see where the product has been rubbed in, it absorbs quickly and protects the skin with water-resistant sun protection. 

Use this product daily to build up a natural glowing tan while protecting the skin from harsh ultra-violet rays. Exfoliate the body with a scrub two to three times a week for soft glowing skin or daily with a buffing cloth to aid natural desquamation. 

Bright Eyes SOS

My best friend, Monica sent me these with a note saying 'try these, you'll love them!', a friend of hers from UNLV had created them. After one use I was hooked, so I flew out to Las Vegas in June to meet Jason, the mastermind and was introduced to his whole family. All with bright eyes and big smiles! 

International Beauty Show- Las Vegas, NV, USA

These anti-aging power house pads are a must for every woman's bag of beauty tricks, and are particularly useful when the eyes are screaming SOS! To Go Spa EYES are travel friendly collagen masques that brighten, hydrate, and de-puff eyes in 20 minutes! They are flat packed in a use once foil wrapper to keep the pads moist and ready to work their bright eyes magic. 

The gelatine pads come in five varieties packed with nutrients to nourish and hydrate the delicate eye tissues and sit comfortably under the eyes.  

6.00am after being up in the night with young kids, these pads brightened & depuffed my eyes after 20 minutes. 

The collagen masques are formulated with ingredients such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid and red seaweed to replenish the skins water reservoir, hydrate and plump fine lines. Aloe Vera helps to soothe, calm and moisturize the delicate eye tissue. Vitamin C brightens and adds to the anti-ageing cocktail of pomegranate and Vitamin E which help reduce lines, pigmentation and block ageing free radicals from the skin. 

To Go Spa Eyes can be used daily to hydrate and brighten or as a treatment to help combat sleepless nights, travel fatigue, over indulgence, or in preparation for an event or photo shoot. For bright eyes apply under eye, leave for 20 minutes, remove and apply eye cream. 

Sneak Peak- Stress Positive Eye Lift

 

The newest addition to the Dermalogica range is launching on the 6th April! Stress Positive Eye Lift.... 

Everyone has stress in their life, but it's how you handle it that affects the skin. Does a deadline give you the adrenaline rush to finish it or fill you with dread? Take the test to find out how you deal with the daily stress life gives you www.stresspositivetest.com 

This new product focuses on the eye area, which is as thin as tissue paper therefore being the first area to show signs of distress. The tube has a metal tip which is naturally cold, so it helps to soothe the eye area as the product is applied. 

 

 

Stress Positive Eye Lift helps to brighten, lift, hydrate and de-puff the eyes. It can be used in the morning or at night as an eye masque or leave on treatment. Check out my video blog about how to apply and energise the eye area https://flipagram.com/f/16HviN2LZ6n 

Join me on April 19th for a hands on demonstration or pre-order yours today for brighter eyes this Spring! 

Retinol 101

Three steps to perfect brow

Eyebrows frame the eyes like a frame showcases a picture. The most expensive piece of art can have the wrong frame and look mediocre, just as a cheap piece of artwork can have an excellent frame and look exceptional! 

 

Three steps to the perfect natural eyebrows: 

1. Thickness- the eyebrow thickness gives definition and helps to open the eye area. If the eyebrows have been over plucked, use a growth serum like LiBrow to stimulate growth and thicken the eyebrows. 

2. Shape- the shape of eyebrows is one of the key factors for bright eyes. Every face shape has a recommended shape so the arch opens the eyes and balances the facial features. 

3. Colour- the colour of eyebrows adds definition and enhances the eye area. If it is too dark it can create a harsh look, and if the colour is too light the eyes aren't enhanced. Eyebrow tint should be done every 4-6 weeks, and needs a patch test before your first treatment. 

 

Eight things to pack in your hospital bag

 

Hands up if you've had surgery... the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons stated that in 2015 over 51,000 Britons opted for surgery. England is about the size of Texas and that's people opting for surgery, there are millions each year having required surgery, so what should you pack in a hospital bag to keep skin glowing? 

Cleanser- a calming wipe off cleanser will help soothe the skin post surgery and is easy to remove if you're bed bound. 

Toner- a gentle hydrating mist with hyaluronic acid to rehydrate skin whilst in an environment that is temperature regulated. 

Hydrating Booster- use a hydrating serum that contains a cross-linked hyaluronic acid that holds 5,000 times its weight in water to quench thirsty skin. 

Barrier Repair- a silicone based moisturizer that calms and protects environmentally sensitized skin. 

Eye Cream- eyes are the first area to show signs of distress, so keep them hydrated and moisturized to help combat fine lines and dark circles. 

Moisturizer- use a thicker moisturizer to help repair the skin and keep it soft and smooth. 

Hair Care- Bring a travel sized set of shampoo, conditioner and smoothing serum to keep your hairy moisturized and glossy if you're staying in hospital for a longer period of time. If it's just a quick stay, pack some dry shampoo. 

Lipstick- Lipstick brightens up a dull complexion so keep some by your bedside to brighten up your smile before visiting hours. 

If you are heading in for surgery, wish you all the best and a quick recovery.