Cult Beauty expert & A-list tanning artist James Read knows a thing or two about the art of applying fake tan. This is the man who’s sprayed everyone from GaGa to Mariah (and lived to tell the tale) and here he reveals his top tips for getting your at-home fake tan spot on and streak free…

Products
“When using self tan at home you want to use the right product for your ‘Tantone’ (skin tone); if you use a product that is too dark for you then your tan will look unnatural. test the product on an area on the body that is not on show first to see if they match.

Light Tantone: Go for a gradual tanner or mix self tan with your body moisturiser.
Medium Tantone: Go for a mousse, foam or spray-based product.
Dark Tantone: Go for a lotion tan as these are the darkest.

Layering: Layer your tan up in fine layers, mousses and foams work well for this, this will make your tan last longer and also fade more evenly. You want to treat your application like a real tan. With a real tan your tan builds up, it does not go straight to a dark colour.

Mitt Application: For the perfect application apply your liquid tan, mousse, lotion or gradual tan with a mitt. Sweep your mitt up your skin in big strokes, try and keep each sweep in the same direction and don’t over-rub or the final result will be uneven.

The Flicker: This is similar to the layering technique but this is finer and will stop full down onto the feet. Spray on your body using flickering motions, doing half circles onto your body.

By Hand: Applying your tan by hand can sometimes be the best way to apply self tan as it allows you to really work the product into your skin. But make sure you wash your hands after application and then tan the outer parts of your hands by rubbing them together. Make sure when you are using Latex gloves that you don’t over rub product and also apply with your palms and fingers together. If your hands are all over the place this will cause streaks on your skin.

Sprays: Make sure you cover your feet with a towel otherwise the excess spray taken from covering your body will layer and over-tan them, NOT a good look. Don’t spray too close to your body and make sure you hold the bottle at the same distance all over, this will stop your tan being uneven. Some tans can leak around the nozzle, wash hands after just in case, you don’t want ‘smoker’s fingers’!

Mousse/Lotion/Liquid/Gel: When using these products use a sweeping motion, making sure you are not over rubbing, which will cause your tan to be too dark. After applying a lotion, leave for 45mins and then using a cotton mitt or flannel buff over your body, this will help achieve a more natural, even-looking tan.

Hands: Always apply your tan last to your hands. Do not apply product directly onto your hands, just work the excess down from your arms. It’s really important after applying your self tan that you don’t wash your hands for at least 8 hours, this will stop you getting white hands and brown arms. Make sure your palms are cleaned with a wipe or flannel after tanning.

After you have applied self tan to your hands, rub a small amount of moisturiser on the sides of the hands and in between the fingers – remember these areas don’t tan in the real sun. After applying self tan, use a wipe to clean around the wrist area, then rub a small amount of moisturiser on each wrist and buff with a mitt, to get a natural fade down.

Feet: Work your product directly from your legs onto your feet and ankles, don’t apply directly onto the feet. Rub moisturiser in between the toes and a small amount at the sides of the feet, then using a mitt buff around the feet and ankles to make sure it’s even.

Face: When applying self tan to your face, apply a small amount of moisturiser first, to make sure your tan looks natural. Your face is one of the first places on the body to fade first, so mix a small amount of self tan in with your moisturiser and apply to the face, this will lift your tan on your face and make sure it matches the rest of your body. Remember to rub moisturiser into your hair line after the product is applied, this will stop you getting the tell tale self tan line.

Back: The back is one of the hardest places to get right as its hard to do yourself. Apply product onto some clingfilm and then rub over your back. You can also go for a spray that sprays at 360 degree angle, this will allow you to get to hard to reach areas or get your partner involved!

Golden Rules and Top Tips
1. Wax 48 and shave 24 hours before tanning, exfoliate 24 hours before to remove any dead skin and unwanted self tan.
2. Rub an ice cube over your face before you apply your self tan, this will stop your pores from blocking.
3. Before you apply your tan, rub a wet wipe over your neck, armpits, wrists and ankles – this will get rid of any excess.
4. Moisturise your hands, feet, elbows, knees and any dry areas on the body.
5. Exfoliate 3 days after tanning, so your tan fades evenly, the Kai Body Buffer Sponges are perfect for this).
6. Moisturise daily to prolong your self tan, using a thick moisturiser (James rates bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter)
7. To stop sweating removing your tan, rub bronzing mineral powder under your armpits, breasts and backs of  legs.
8. If you get your body wet and your tan runs, apply a small amount of self tan onto a mitt and rub over the area to blend in.
9. It’s generally recommend that you leave your tan on for 8 hours but for best results use overnight.
10. Cover toenails with an all-purpose balm like Egyptian Magic or Pommade Divine to stop them being discoloured by the self tan.

SHOP ALL SELF-TANNING PRODUCTS NOW>>

A new look for Boris in celebration of the London Mayoral election results. Love the way he name checks Pixiwoo! alexia inge

British brand Laboratory Perfumes has just launched on Cult Beauty, and judging by the initial reaction by Cult followers we think it’s about to go stratospheric. The capsule range consists of two highly addictive scents, Gorse & Amber, each come in an Eau de Parfum & a candle.

Inspired by the flora of the English countryside, Laboratory Perfumes has created two clean, very modern fragrances, evocative of nature. While the gorgeous packaging reflects a love of simplicity, the fragrances are extremely complex and have an evolutionary life on the skin. The elegant, clear glass bottles and candle beaker echo the origins of the traditional perfumer’s laboratory. Check out the recent coverage on Glamour below. alexia inge

No-one wants to smell like everyone else and this boutique British brand, Escentric Molecules, is the perfect solution. Each collection 01, 02, 03 is built around a specific scent molecule (technical term aroma chemical).

Escentric 01 is built around the aroma chemical ‘Iso E Super’ that has made the 01 range such a groundbreaking cult for both men and women. Iso E Super is the molecule that experienced perfumers add to scents that need sexing up, that need a bit more GrrrrRRrr to stop purer scents from becoming too sickly.

Unlike Molecule 01, which is made solely of Iso E Super, Escentric 01 is also blended with Pink pepper, Lime Peel, Balsamic notes like Benzoin, Mastic and Orris Incense in a new balance. Moving away from the traditional fragrance journey through top, heart and base notes, Escentric 01 moves quickly from top to bottom, eventually lingering on a sensual, woody musky finale. alexia inge

Eye-catching, high-performance, addictive and achingly beautiful, ELLIS FAAS became a cult classic the day it was born. If you haven’t already tried it, the time is now. We have just launched the eye collection, which not only does a brilliant job at enhancing your natural beauty, it stays enhancing through thick and thin (if thick is 5 hours in a sweaty club and thin is a day at the beach).

Also with this launch there is a seriously lovely offer. With every two ELLIS FAAS products you pick, we will give you a Milky Eyes in colour 209 for free*. These products all layer beautifully so this one works as a great springboard priming colour (bottom left). alexia inge

* while stocks last.

After some pretty impassioned pleas from customers, and a nod from the expert panel, we’ve extended the Peter Thomas Roth range on Cult Beauty to include his UnWrinkle and Laser Free stories. As their names suggest they are hard hitting anti-ageing and resurfacing ranges aimed at people with more than, ‘just a few smile lines’, who are willing to commit to a four week process to tackle them. Read more about the products here >>

In order to inspire you to try some we’re giving away a luxury sample of UnWrinkle Night – worth £23 – with all Peter Thomas Roth orders over £40.

Cult Beauty Expert Emma Day reports on how she created JL’s look for the UK press launch of Hunger Games, pictured above… “I met Jennifer a year ago as a virtual unknown when doing her make up for the Winters Bone press launch, so I was excited to be part of the Hunger Games junket experience watching her star ascend, it couldn’t happen to a more down to earth, intelligent girl. I also loved the film!

Jennifer has almost poreless, flawless skin, I have never seen her with a spot and the texture is very even and glowing, even with all her travel commitments. I prepped her skin with Sisley Black rose mask for a bit of pampering, let it sink in and then moisturised with Origins Vitazing moisturiser, which people seem to love.

I used Chanel Aqua Lumiere in 20 as her base and created a soft smoky eye, something we did before for her previous junket and seems to suit her well – a sort of young, fresh Marianne Faithful/ Bardot look without any hard edges. Using Illamasqua Pure pigment in Static as an eye-base and in the corners of the eyes to add sparkle. I then created a soft smokey eye with Stila smudge pot in black, Dior Kohl Eyeliner in Black inside the eye and Dior New look mascara which gives very separated, long lashes. Adding my favourite medium length Eylure individual lashes along the lash line creates a natural full lash look that does not look obviously fake – I use them myself on a big night out sometimes. Her cheeks were given added glow with the gorgeous Stila Convertible Colour in Peony – I am mad for apricot blush at the moment, its so soft and pretty. Her cheeks were contoured with Jouer Glistening Brightening Powder on the top of the cheekbones and then Jouer Replenish & Protect Hydrating Bronzer which blends perfectly and is nicely matt. On Jennifers lips I used Tom Ford Nude Vanille and finished with a dab of Stila Kitten Lip Glaze in the middle of her pout for a bit of softness, so they weren’t too matt. The skin also had a mattified finish with T Leclerc Pressed Powder in Transparent and she was ready for the camera.” emma day

Yes, it is the UK, we rarely see such beautiful weather in March and the sun doesn’t feel strong enough to burn, but it is currently strong enough to age your skin, especially seeing as your skin’s natural sunscreen, melanin, will be pretty non-existent now.

Take the day off, get yourself out there to enjoy it while it’s there to raise your happiness and Vitamin D levels, but do wear sunscreen. If you haven’t stocked up yet, we can get it to you in 24 hours and all of the products on the site come expert recommended.

Institut Esthederm Adaptasun range is the best for activating your skin’s natural defences for the maximum deep tan. Invisible Zinc contains no chemical sunscreen, only the reflective zinc oxide so it’s good for people with sunscreen allergies. Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral is a powder sunscreen that can be brushed on even over make up, perfect for the city, and P20 is the star product of the forgetful and the people who find they sweat off other products as one application lasts all day.

I’m blond with fine, dry hair so finding a conditioner that is moisturising enough to give me some shine without a greasy residue, but light enough to retain bounce is a constant quest. Hair masks once a week do help, but I’m constantly on the look out for a leave in conditioner that would help daily.

When one of our experts recommended we check out a Swedish haircare range called Sachajuan my interest was immediately piqued, as the Scandinavians tend to have finer hair. The hook with this brand is something they call Ocean Silk technology, which basically means they extract proteins and minerals from the following sea algae – Enteromorpha Compressa, Himanthalia Elongata, Rhodophycea and Chondrus Crispus. The products are all made using over 50% natural ingredients and the effects are instant.

It was the Leave in Conditioner that sold me on the Sachajuan range, it has a slightly annoying pump spray design but one you get on your hair this stuff is pure bliss. Spray it onto towel-dried hair and then either style or leave to dry naturally, it adds an addictive softness and lightness without any notion you have product in your hair.

This conditioner also works well on thicker hair, but there are many brilliant conditioners out there that do that. alexia inge

There’s lip balm and there’s lip Xanadu… Some moisturise, some tint, some taste nice…KaplanMD LIP20 takes it to another level.

The first thing you notice about the LIP20 is the space-aged packaging, which allows you to open and apply one handed. It moisturises like a dream, contains super-effective anti-ageing ingredients – marine collagen, peptides, antioxidants, vitamin A, Black Cohosh & Seabuckthorn Berry extract – to stop the crease-creap that causes our lipstick to feather. It protects from UVA & UVB rays with SPF 20, AND also contains Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres, which plump lips over time creating a fuller, more youthful mouth.

Show me a mother who doesn’t want that and I’ll ask you to check vital signs…View the range here. alexia inge

You know when you come across design so well thought through it momentarily makes you feel like everything is OK with the world? I’ve just had one such moment, and it is dedicated to the latest Philips Sonicare Toothbrush. It’s genius and this is why we’ve just launched it on the site!

Some bright spark at Philips noticed that for convenience people keep their toothbrushes in a glass by the sink, the brush to clean, the glass to gurgle. They have added a super-safe electric dock under the glass so that when your DiamondClean is resting in there it is charging. The glass also comes away from the dock so it can be used in the normal way. This toothbrush also comes with a protective carry-case that charges the brush from your computer. Geek swoon!

Then they added super-speed sonic technology to the brush with varying wavelengths to suit different needs (clean, sensitive, whitening, gum care & polish). It’s so effective that your teeth still have that just-brushed feeling when you wake up in the morning. The sonic vibrations take about a week to get used to if you’ve never used an electric toothbrush before, but with this little tool you’ll be dentist’s pet in no time. alexia inge

Google is currently morphing, upgrading and changing many things we’ve taken for granted for a while now. Some of the repercussions will be good for speed and relevancy, and some are rather worrying e.g. privacy. For those not operating their blogs on blogger there is one change that is really messing with their traffic, and their ability to compete for readership with blogs hosted on Blogspot – the disabling of their Google Friend Connect facility.

Our friend Lipglossiping alerted us to the effects of these changes for all bloggers on the other platforms and it’s ‘just not cricket’, too much monopolising is not good for anyone… play fair guys!

Please join the conversation here. alexia inge

Cult Beauty has made it into The Good Web Guide‘s Top 5 websites for Make up. Here’s what they said about us:

“With its impressive 48-strong team of global beauty experts, Cult Beauty has established itself as the last word in cosmetics and make-up products. Rather than featuring entire brand lines, the team cherry-pick the cream of the crop, the result being a star quality line-up of beauty products, all of which you can buy through the site. Fabulous.”

We are absolutely stoked at CB Towers, thank you GWG!! alexia inge

Western science has discovered compelling new information about stress and how to combat it. Through the advancement of MRI machines, they are able to track how the brain triggers emotions in response to our environment. They are beginning to have a better understanding of how our consciousness works. What is particularly exciting to me, is the proof that massage has far more reaching benefits with regards to our physical, emotional and spiritual selves than has previously been believed by Westerners. By tuning out of our hectic lives and encouraging blood to circulate, we are able to refresh our bodies, to rid them of toxins and feel a darn site better.

As a practicing masseuse, it’s important to know what other practitioners are doing. I want to introduce you to some of the really good ones I’ve seen recently:

First up is the Chi Yu Wellness Centre. My therapist was the owner, Mami, a beautiful Japanese lady with an uncanny ability to hit the nail on the knot and make it vanish. She is one of the best I’ve experienced. I decided to try the Oriental Aromatherapy in celebration of the year of the Water Dragon. A thorough and precise consultation, whilst sipping a home-made tea, concluded that my kidneys and lungs were off kilter.  Mami then picked out 3 oils. Sandalwood – an excellent moisture retainer for skin and a soothing hand in calming the mind;  Frankincense -  helps clear congestion in the kidneys and lungs which also addresses my water balance as the lungs distribute water into skin; Geranium – helps to regulate the secretion of various hormones, enzyme acids and bile and tones up the internal systems.

Mami (pictured) then got to work stretching, manipulating and performing acupressure on my various muscle groups, pressure points and meridians. At one point she turned ninja on me as she leapt on the bed, straddled me and went to work on my back. This move gives her a perfect position to apply balanced pressure with her both left and right hands. I hate it when a therapist applies more pressure with their dominant side. Every move was precise, with purpose and felt amazing. Her routine flowed effortlessly. It felt as if my body was a mass of circuits and she was refreshing each one, paying special attention to the ones which weren’t playing ball. But at no time did she cause me any pain. She knew exactly what to look for and where to target her moves. ‘Twas amazeballs.

Next up, Cult Beauty expert Annee deMamiel. Annee comes over to the UK seasonally to work her magic from her room at the Beauty a la Carte spa in Fortnum & Masons’ beautifully grandiose shop. Annee starts the 90 minute facial with a consultation so encyclopedic, I wonder if she can read minds too – her background is in Traditional Chinese medicine. This ancient philosophy is based on the balance of Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy, that flows through our body. Our Qi regulates our spiritual, emotional, physical and mental balance and is influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. What Annee is looking to find is where your imbalances are and then she works on rectifying them.

She checks my tongue and takes my pulse. Apparently some people leave out vital information when questioned, but nothing fools Annee for she can read it on your tongue, see it in your eyes and hear it with your pulse. As this was my first foray into acupuncture, she went easy with the needles – two between my big toes, two in my inner ankles, 1 on each shin, 2 a little way up my wrists and one in my 3rd eye, then a cashmere blanket placed over my body to keep me warm.

Her signature facial started with a wonderful vibrating stone placed over each of my chakras. She smoothed hot honey over my face which I wanted to eat, and then using a herb compress, gently but firmly kneaded and rolled it, pressing the honey deep into my skin. I melted into the bed in a state of bliss. When all was said and done, my face looked about 10 years younger. It was bright, glowing and plumped up. It felt like everything about me physically and mentally was restored to a beautiful harmony.

That evening I had a committee meeting, where I proceeded to drink 4 glasses of wine and smoked 2 cigarettes. When I went to brush my teeth later that night, I looked in the mirror and was saddened to see the glow had vanished. The chemicals in the booze and fags had acted like vampires and sucked the life-force out of all the great work Annee had done. I could see how immediate these toxins act, what a wake up call!

Lastly, I’d like to talk about the fabulous Ushvani. The setting for this day spa is a beautiful Edwardian town house in Chelsea, when you walk through the door it’s like entering a Malaysian palace. It is rare to find a spa on this level in a Western city, I’ve only had similar experiences in the far east. It is rare that you see anyone other than your therapist here, so luxurious that it felt like I was the only client in the place.

I opted for the signature Bali/Malay/Thai massage. After a long soak in the hydrotherapy pool, tropical shower and sauna I was ready to be transported to Pandora. The massage was totally relaxing. I loved the hot compress, the choice of music, the harnessing of the power and beauty of the hibiscus flower, the after massage service with accompanying sugared wintermelon and the way Lauren (my therapist) spread my scapula…was the best stretch. I also love the Ushvani products, especially the Ushvani Balm, it gives Tiger Balm a run for its money.

The only thing I think they could work on is the advice given at the end of the treatment. If its not precise, the diagnosis can come out sounding unsure. Have confidence in the truth or don’t say anything. olivia inge

According to today’s Washington Post 400 shades of lipstick sold in America have been found by the FDA (USA Government Food & Drug Administration) to contain trace amounts of lead. This is not new news per se, consumer groups have been campaigning about lead in lipstick since the 1990’s. This is just the first time a significant government body has recognised and published the fact.

The 400 named in this FDA study are not off-the-back-of-a-foreign-lorry fakes, they come from much-loved international brands such as: Clinique, Clarins, Maybelline, L’Oreal, Covergirl, MAC and NARS.

There is a long history of lead in make up, in fact Queen Elizabeth I herself used it to attain the alabaster pallor so fashionable in her day. Until the 1980’s it was widely used in household paint. According to the US consumer Product Safety Commission lead poisoning can:

“Cause irreversible brain damage and can impair mental functioning. It can retard mental and physical development and reduce attention span. It can also retard foetal development even at extremely low levels of lead. In adults, it can cause irritability, poor muscle coordination, and nerve damage to the sense organs and nerves controlling the body. Lead poisoning may also cause problems with reproduction (such as a decreased sperm count). It may also increase blood pressure. Thus, young children, fetuses, infants, and adults with high blood pressure are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead.”

The lead is not deliberately added as an element, it comes along for the ride within the mineral-based pigments these companies use in some colours. Plus the amounts are tiny – the highest level, found in Maybeline’s Color Sensation in Pink Petal was 7.19 parts per million. The reason this fact has been known for years – but not addressed – is the FDA has set no upper limits for lead in cosmetics because they are not designed to be ingested. But neither was paint and there are laws about that. Also anyone who thinks we don’t ingest lipstick is kidding themselves, if it is not being ingested where does it go that it needs constant re-application?!

We are subjected to growing levels of toxins in our daily lives, the levels of lead found in these products is small, the FDA concludes:

“Although we do not believe that the lead content found in our recent lipstick analyses poses a safety concern, we are evaluating whether there may be a need to recommend an upper limit for lead in lipstick in order to further protect the health and welfare of consumers.”

But I would rather not take the chance of it adding to mine. For those who agree with me here is the list from the FDA 400 report.

None of the lipsticks on this list is sold on Cult Beauty… alexia inge

It’s amazing how much difference a little eyebrow maintenance can make, and with brows the most prominent feature of SS’12 beauty looks there’s never been a better time to pay yours some much needed attention.

Gone are the days of plucked minimalism, instead the S/S12 catwalks were stormed by warrior queens with brows that erred, at times, more towards the Frida Kahlo end of the spectrum. Which isn’t to say you should dash off and start frantically cultivating a mono-brow, but a little less pruning is definitely a good way to update your face for 2012 – you’ll look like a sexier, more grown up version of you and nobody will quite be able to put their finger on why. If you are reading this from behind a sparse sprinkling, try the new and improved Peter Thomas Roth’s Lashes To Die For lash growth serum – it works on brows too and if you start now you’ll be able to pull off a full ‘Brooke Shields’ before the daffodils come up this spring.

Look to the new industry darlings Arizona Muse and Bambi Northwood-Blyth (fash-swoon left) for inspiration. Both are the eyebrow icons you need to channel. And far from swamping their unquestionably beautiful foreheads, their bigger brows lend an elegant yet sexy edge to even the most ladylike make-up looks. They’re tomboy-ish, brushed up with clean skin and ponytails; edgy when coupled with lashings of kohl and look archly sophisticated when lovingly groomed (if it was good enough for Elizabeth Taylor…)

If the prospect of growing your brows induces more than a few furrows of doubt, look no further than Anastasia Soare, with her arsenal of products to aid the transition. Much like ridding yourself of a fringe, growing out eyebrows is no mean feat and an awkward interim phase is virtually unavoidable but try to resist the temptation to tweeze.

The ‘definitive eye and brow expert’, Anastasia’s eyebrow range has everything you need to fake a full set, even if you’re decidedly lacking. Use Brow Wiz to plump up sparse brows (the nib is so fine it can mimic individual hairs) then define and set the shape with award winning Tinted Brow Gel.

Or, if you’ve not yet fallen foul of over-zealous eyebrow epilation, be thankful and experiment with what you’ve got. Use Anastasia’s Brow Pen and Brow Powder Duo to enhance their natural shape and draw attention for the right reasons. If you’ve got the confidence to pare down the rest of your make-up, statement brows are not only incredibly fashion forward they add structure to your face, drawing attention to your eye area and balancing out a heavy chin (a great trick too if you wake up with a massive zit!)

A small change can make a big difference so don’t panic at the prospect of growing a set of caterpillars. Tw-ease yourself in gradually and you’ll soon be raising more than a few approving eyebrows.

verity douglas

I have a confession to make – I am a high maintenance blonde. By that I am referring to the insane lengths I go to get my chemically treated, frizzy curly mop look halfway decent. As well as my normal makeup jobs, I now regularly consult for a luxury brand, where I have to look absolutely immaculate. It’s an eternal struggle that goes on pretty much daily so when Urban Retreat invited me to sample their Rahua Omega 9 treatment, I could hardly say no. I have contemplated having my wild locks tamed by a Brazilian blow-dry to save me time – although the chemical side of the process is something that worries me – but a natural way to get my hair looking good is definitely welcome.

I had already heard great things about the wonderfully wholesome Rahua Hair Care range from Cult Beauty’s Alexia, as they were the first to sell it in the UK. I then met the charming people behind the brand last summer and was bowled over by the enthusiasm they had and how natural this collection actually is (free from synthetics, parabens, sulphates). Deriving its potent ingredients from the oil of the rahua nut and ungurahua oils found in the Amazon, the products seek to nourish the hair follicle from within, rather than the usual coating it in silicone to create an artificial shine. Rahua has become a massive hit in the upmarket salons of New york which is another good enough recommendation for me. The shampoo and conditioner do not come cheap but you only need a very small amount so it will last you a long time.

For the £35 treatment the lovely James washed and conditioned my hair – the hair masque is about 15 minutes long – then gave me a fantastic blow-dries that made my hair look sleek, shiny and healthy. I always like my hair best the day after a blow-dry when it has settled a bit  and the best news that my normally coarse and unruly mop still felt soft and shiny three days later which to me is the main test of not only a great blow-dry but also of fantastic products, to which I am now completely addicted. emma day

MV Organic Skincare have just sent us a video (demonstrated by a rather dour lady – I find it hard not to smile when using my MV, it smells so bloody good!) and narrated by the founder herself Sharon with her wonderful Geordie/Aussi accent.

The Jojoba Oil is a spot-on make up remover for sensitive eyes and those who want to avoid all chemicals. The Gentle Cream Cleanser is a godsend to any kind of reactive skin, bringing balance again not matter how bad it was. I’ve always seen toners and mists as something to leave-out-if-one’s-trying-to-budget, but that action of moistening your skin with the Rose Hydrating Mist not only allows you to use less moisturiser for the same level of moisturisation, it smells brilliant. Then there’s the Rose Moisturiser, which just leaves your skin so happy it glows. alexia inge

Are we here again? I haven’t even got to the bottom of last year’s list of resolutions…

There is a certain element of, ‘know thyself’ that needs to be injected into this process. For example, if at no point in your life have you ever been great at mornings, it’s probably not a good idea to decide to resolve to get up at 6am four times a week to go jogging, this simply won’t happen. Here are a few easy resolutions worth keeping:

1. MOISTURISE YOUR HAIR

Just like skin, hair looks and feels better when moisturised. Use a hair mask once a week to give it a boost, this not only makes it look nicer, but moisturised hair is less brittle and won’t fall out as much, leaving you with a thicker mane. Go as natural as you can with this one and it will treat and calm your scalp, which also encourages growth and stops flakes. The Sachajuan Overnight Hair Repair is beautiful and lasts for ages and the Elemis Monoi Moisture Melt is great for both hair and body.

2. LOOK AFTER YOUR FEET

Just like love you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. If your feet fall apart and grow crooked it will effect you daily. When worn for 20 minutes a day Beech Sandals help keep your feet flexible, pain-free & looking good. They strengthen & retrain your toes out of the crushed, distorted shapes that fabulous shoes force them into, realigning them to sit straight. Margaret Dabbs’ Footcare Range will keep them looking lovely on the outside.

3. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

Be aware that unless you are in a windowless room your skin is being aged by the sun. It’s never to late to start and when in 20 years time people are mistaking you for your daughter’s sister you will thank yourself. If you can go for physical barrier protection Invisible Zinc make a lovely daily moisturiser (SPF30+) that also protects from pollution called ESP, Alison Raffaele‘s primers (SPF15) are incredibly lightweight and Jane Iredale and BECCA both make mineral foundations that are also chock-full on minerals to feed your skin. It’s also a good idea to make an appointment to have your annual mole check with your GP today!

4. FEED YOUR INNER BEAUTY

There are times when even the saints amongst us fall fowl of our five a day. Beauty supplements are a big trend for 2012, they not only keep your daily vitamins and minerals topped up, they are focused specifically on nutrients and anti-oxidants to keep skin and hair looking youthful and healthy. If your skin is going through a particularly bad patch Murad’s Skin Clarifying Supplements help remove blemish-producing toxins and strengthen the skin against irritation, Perricone MD’s DMAE Anti-ageing Supplements support the functions that bolster the skin’s elasticity and thickness, and strengthen cell membranes.

5. HELP YOUR HANDS

Hands are great communication tools so make sure you’re sending out the right message. Like bad shoes, chipped nail varnish, chewed cuticles and flaky dry patches on your hands spoil your whole look. Re-apply or take off old nail varnish the minute it chips. If you are a frequent varnish wearer or have sensitive skin Priti do a non-toxic, non-irritant, organic-soy-based nail varnish remover and biodegradable remover wipes that keep you looking chic without harming the environment. Keep a tube of hand cream on your desk and Creative Nail Design do a super effective Cuticle Eraser cream to exfoliate away any dry skin buildup.

6. GET YOUR HEART RATE UP

Regular exercise is one of the hardest resolves to keep up, but also the one with the most benefits to your health, body, immune system, levels of happiness, ageing and skin luminosity. The Tracey Anderson workouts are bloody tough to do, but the results that really show after just 2 weeks are enough to keep you hooked (see left for the example she sets).

7.  DARE TO WEAR

We all get stuck in a beauty rut… black eye liner, black mascara, peach blusher, pony tail anyone? Try taking just one of your regular looks and just change the colour you are using. Prestige Eyeliners have a great range of colours, if you have brown eyes try the purple (Icon) or envy (green), for blue eyes try the gold and those lovely green eyes go for a grey. DuWop do a lovely range of Eyecatcher Eyeshadows that you buy by eye colour (see below), designed to make whatever you have pop beautifully.

8. SPRING CLEAN…FREQUENTLY

Time to wash your make up bag and get into the habit of cleansing your brushes & make up sponges weekly. There is no point in being fastidious about your cleansing routine if you just brush the bacteria back onto your skin when applying your make up. Beautyblender’s Make up Tool Cleanser is a soothing soy-based, low-suds formula that’s strong enough to remove even waterproof make up from your sponge or brushes, without damaging them in any way.

9. MOISTURISE YOUR BODY AFTER SHOWERING

There is nothing better than a hot shower to wake one up in the morning, but the hotter it is the more it strips your skin of it’s natural fatty barrier. The best way to remember to do this is to keep your moisturiser in the shower. Pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing, then lather it on this while your skin is still damp because this helps your skin to better absorb the oils and holds in that moisture. View our full range of cult body moisturisers here.

10. PICK A RESOLUTION AND STICK TO IT

Most beauty regimens take at least a few weeks to have an effect, if you are not a natural choose one upgrade to your routine and stick to it. Set a reminder on your phone, put the products where you see them every day.

alexia inge

If we could all jump into the picture above I don’t think this article would be relevant, unfortunately this eatery only seats 10…

I just read a sad fact about the UK and am sure this is reflected more and more throughout the world. In the last three years the use of anti-depressants has risen almost a third. Times are tough at the moment, and while these pills are helpful for severe depression the current onus on drugs as the first resort is totally wrong. Here are a few things you can do to stave off the January blues without taking pills OR spending money:

1. Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, the resulting feelings of goodwill will send your serotonin levels soaring.

2. Crowbar yourself out of your comfort zone and try doing something really challenging, or even something you find quite daunting. The feeling of achievement elevates not just your mood, but your sense of self worth.

3. Wrap up warm and get out into nature, even if that’s just a local park. Get the sun on your face for at least half an hour.

4. Make friends with your neighbours – this might be one of your ‘out of comfort zone’ resolutions – feeling part of a community is proven to make people feel more content, plus you might make some new friends which is always useful especially if you get locked out!

5. Try doing a random act of kindness every day, it doesn’t have to be big or complicated, I like complimenting random old ladies on their hair

For some more lovely tips throughout the year put the blog Feeling Good Today on your reading list.