Archive for the ‘Ask the experts’ Category

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

PAN AM is set to be a mile-high Mad Men, promising a hot, weekly, 60’s fashion & beauty injection into our lives. Based around the iconic, and now defunct airline, PAN AM will transport BBC2 viewers back to 1963, a highly glamorous era when the only inflight safety precaution was a bit of extra hairspray in case of turbulence.

An age when being an air-hostess was the most alluring occupation you could possibly have and it was seen as totally acceptable to weight the stewardesses before every flight to check they hadn’t slipped in their primary duty as totty….calm that internal feminist, see how far we’ve come and then enjoy the immaculately spot-on 60′s fashion and beauty.

Patricia Regan, the head make-up artist for PAN AM, worked closely with Chad and Scott, owners of 3 Custom Color, to create a working palette for the show inspired by the 1960′s stewardesses handbook that, amongst other things, required the gals to ‘Wear a defined eye and coral lips and cheeks’.

“My inspiration comes from extensive photographs of 1963—fashion, documentary, and people, as well as Pan Am history,” says Regan. “I try to combine the style of the past and with the tools of the present to give a fresh new look!” Here’s how she achieved it.

1) Apply a matte finish foundation and I love to use the 3 Custom Clarifying pencil on the inside step to really brighten eyes.

2) Brows are an important part of this look, brush and groom them to define natural fuller shape, fill in and extend a touch with a matching brow shade.

3) Apply eye shadow – in Cool Sky, Cool Celery – both used on Margot Robbie & Karine Vanasse or Warm Lilac – used on Christina Ricci & Kelli Garner – all over your eyelid to just above the crease.

4) Draw a line along upper lashes with either the black or brown Opaline Eyeliner.

5) Apply a couple of layers of mascara, for extra drama, try a couple of individual false lashes on outer corners!

6) Add a generous sweep of cream blusher on the apple of cheeks. Three Custom Color Lip & Cheek Stain in Poppy is the coral I chose for this 60′s look.

7) Finish with a lip balm over the top.

To check out the finished look, tune in to “Pan Am” Wednesday nights on BBC2 – alexia inge

Madonna might have been booed, but James D’Arcy received nothing but adulation at the W.E London premier this weekend. He didn’t rock up looking like this however, his look was perfected by Cult Beauty Expert Emma Day, and here’s how she did it:

“I prepped skin with a mixture of Aesop products which James particularly likes – the Parsley Seed Anti-oxident Toner to cleanse the skin, the Moroccan Neroli Post shave lotion to soothe skin post-shave and then the Sage & Zinc facial hydrating cream to moisturise his skin – all these products smell outstanding and men really adore them.

I used a very light virtually invisible tinted moisturiser by Jouer to even out his skin-tone and concealed where needed with Three Custom Color concealer to take any pinkness out. I then used a colour-less Mac Prep and Prime powder to avoid shine and Alison Rafaelle’s matifying Transparent Finish To Go where needed to finish off.”

Didn’t she make him look priddy… alexia inge

Until recently, Lip beauty trends have been focused on a ‘bigger is better’ ethos, but there’s been a style backlash against all those lilo-lipped, cushion-cheeked celebs. There are much more fabulous ways of looking sexy than channeling that pumped-up, porn pout…Lips come in many different guises, whether bee-stung, rosebud, finely curled or downright pneumatic, they are all beautiful shapes.

The skin on our lips is much thinner (around 5 cellular layers rather than 16 for the rest of the face) with fewer melanin producing cells, so you can see the blood vessels beneath, which is why lips appear redder. This is also why you need to protect them more from the sun. The surface of your lips have no sweat or sebum glands, which is why they have a tendency to become dry with extreme environments.

Dry, Chapped Lips

The ravages of winter are just around the corner and that means flaking and chapping are not far away. When you need to bring out the big guns Pommade Divine is just the kalashnikov you need. Exfoliate the area with your toothbrush twice a week and then use this as a night treatment. Here are some of the cult lip-balms no handbag should be without. Keep up with your vitamin supplements, cracks in the corner of the mouth can indicate a deficiency of vitamin B2.

Ageing Lips

As one of the most frequently moved parts of the body (for some more than others) and combined with the lack of natural protection makes our mouths prone to fine lines and wrinkles. During your daily skin care routine make sure you extend your attention to the area, especially around the lip-line, Payot do a very effective anti-ageing Eye & Lip Contour Cream. The handbag hero for this is the LIP20 by KaplanMD, anti-ageing, plumping, SPF20 and the coolest holster in the west.

DuWop have a brilliant product for anyone over 28 called the Reverse Lip Liner that you draw outside the outline of your lips, this clear waxy pencil fills wrinkles and stops lipstick or lipgloss pigment feathering into fine lines throughout the day.

Enhancing Your Natural Beauty

The trend is to enhance a beautiful bee-stung shape. Highlight your philtrum (grove above your upper lip) with a tiny smudge of illuminator, just along the ridge and then with your ring-finger pat your high pigment lipstick or tint from the centre of your pout outwards (with the densest pigment at the centre and very little at the edge). Then pat lipgloss onto the fleshiest parts of your lip to visually bring the area forward.

Then smile, the sexiest look for your lips is FREE!

alexia inge

Check out how to create the coolest S/S 2012 looks by Cult Beauty expert Chloe Butcher on the How-To Tutorials below.

I know I keep going on about the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, but I’m not the only one. Chloe seems to think the same as me. alexia inge

I just received Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest GOOP newsletter to find that her make up artist created her flawless complexion look for the EMMY’s using the brilliant Beautyblender make up sponge (can you spot it’s brilliant pinkness in the backstage pics above?). I’m addicted to mine and it makes almost any foundation look good. For the foundation to stay looking good, that’s down to the brand you choose.

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation is the one Madonna makes everyone use for her tours as it doesn’t even budge through one of her dance routines and they are TOUGH. alexia inge

We heart Stila, an ultimate cult make up brand, it’s great to have it back in circulation again. Olivia met up with one of Stila’s pro make up artists, Jenn Flannagan, to find out more about their no-brainer, cult classics.

Jenn kicked off creating a beautiful base with the Protect & Correct Foundation, then brought some colour to Olivia’s rather hungover palor with the Convertable Colour Cream Blush, finishing and setting it with their Custom Colour Powder Blush. To define her eyes Jenn first primed them with a smudge from the Prime Pot and delineated the shape with the Smudge Pot in Brown and the Forever Your Curl Mascara. The look was then finished with the beautifully enduring Lip Glaze. alexia inge

If you are suffering from Rosacea, Eczema or Acne, have sensitive skin or are fed up with products that don’t work, read on…

Rosie Huntington-Whitley, Maggie Gyllenhaal, myself and a whole host of make up artists are fans of this beautiful range. The products are mostly made up of organic oils, the masks are jam packed with minerals, both are so natural you could literally eat them. These skin care products work by delivering the ingredients our skin and body cells need in order to function at maximum efficiency, with smooth communication pathways. Much like how a Nicorette patch works by having a molecular structure small enough to pass into the bloodstream, the active ingredients in these products have the same effect.

We were recently granted an audience with the founder of MV Organics Sharon Mcglinchey (image below), a true master of her trade. Here is what she had to say…

Sharon is a no-frills Geordie with an Aussie lilt, whose obsession with beauty products led to her becoming a beauty therapist. Her journey with MV Organics is told with an inspiring passion. I could have listened to her till the cows came home.

MV Organics started when a close friend of Sharon’s developed a nasty reaction to petrochemicals. A mind boggling amount of consumer products from detergents to cosmetics, contain synthetic ingredients derived from petrochemicals, so avoiding them can be tricky. Sharon had just finished a course in making beauty products in one’s own kitchen. She gave a pot of her petrochemical free moisturiser to her friend who’s skin transformed overnight from red and blistered into calm and manageable. Something the dermatologist had failed to accomplish. The dermatologist treating her friend so impressed he ordered a batch.

The secret to Sharon’s success is quality and simplicity. The skin does not need to be bombarded with a gazillion different products. If you have sensitive skin, then even more so. What it needs is nourishment and ingredients that work in harmony with the body’s systems. Here are a few of my favourite things:

Gentle Cream Cleanser; A topical cleanser that won’t strip your face’s natural oils. Two pumps are all you need to rid your skin of make up and everyday dirt. Massage the cream (it’s balancing enough for oily skinned peeps too) gently into your face and neck, then hold a steaming muslin cloth over it until the heat cools. The heat from the water helps release the oils, which in turn, loosens the corneum (2nd layer) of the epidermis so you can wipe them away, revealing the luminous new skin underneath.

Calming & Softening Mask; Mix 2 teaspoons with the Rose Mist or bottled/filtered spring water till you have a smooth consistency. Apply using a fan brush – fan brushes are useful tools for applying masks, they give excellent precise coverage and make little mess. The mask acts in 3 phases. 1) Damp Phase – this is when the minerals from the mask are being absorbed. 2) Cooling Phase – the capillaries slowly contract. 3) Drawing Phase – impurities are drawn into the mask to be washed down the drain. Wash the mask off BEFORE it gets dry. This is an excellent mask to help oily or acne prone skin become de-sensitised and calm. Once skin has been softened and strengthened, the mask can then clear up oils from a hyperactive sebum gland.

Rose Soothing & Protecting Moisturiser; Half a pump is all you need when mixed with one drop from either of the 3 Booster Oils. This product is incredibly soothing to your skin. After shoots that have included many make up changes, I treat myself to a mask followed by this moisturiser and a drop of the Rose Booster. Immediately I can feel my skin calming down. The erratic tingling ceases to annoy plus come the morning, my skin is glowing so much it looks like someone turned up the sun. This product also evens out skin tone to rid you of redness. In the mortal words of Bethan Cole “the more I use this, the less foundation I need“.

Rose Skin Plus Booster; This booster is designed with delicate, fragile skin in mind, its even safe for babies and those on HRT. The steam distilled (otto) Rose oil is used as the main component alongside Rose Geranium. Not only does this product smell as fresh as my Grandmother’s old rose garden, but it also contains properties that help the skin to stay calm and properly moisturised, fighting off any dryness and dehydration. It is a soothing, non-toxic, non-irritant ingrediant that harbors cicatrisant properties. Marry that with its antiseptic, antiviral and bactericidal properties and you have a pot of goodness that helps heal skin after trauma and stress.

Instant Revival; This is the Ferrari of the boosters. If your skin is sun-damaged, tired, mature or post surgery, this is the booster for you. It’s a cordon bleu recipe for your skin, rich and satisfying. A few of the essential oils included are…

Lavender; cell growth stimulator, scar preventor, encourages balance in sebum production and reduces inflammation.

Geranium; circulation and lymphatic system booster, helps improve skin elasticity.

Rosewood; superior cell stimulant and tissue generator.

Neroli; helps with the treatment of broken capillaries and veins under the skin’s surface, stimulates cell activity and growth.

Some tips from Sharon:

“Have a make-up free day, so the skin has a chance to breath.”

“Pure Jojoba oil is 1 molecular bar short of being identical to our skin’s sebum. You can use as much as you like, it won’t clog your skin. It makes for an excellent make-up remover (see Alexia’s blog on jojoba).”

“Don’t take your cleanser off in the shower, take it off before the shower with hot water and a cloth, apply some jojoba oil, then get in the shower. The water will just wash off your face. If you shower with your make up on, the heat from the water penetrates the make up deeper into your skin.“

“Teenagers…buy a natural soap. You can tell if its natural by how squishy it goes when mixed with water.” Squishy = Good.

“Muslin cloths are better than cotton flannels because they do not harbor bacteria as they dry quickly. They are great for travelling.”

“Add the boosters to your moisturiser if your moisturiser is natural“. I love that Sharon understands we can’t all afford her products.

Here’s hoping Sharon’s words and products help to make your life a little easier and your skin that much happier. olivia inge

According to Michelle, 37% of Europeans will continue to use a product even if it’s not doing anything for them. We all know someone who doggedly supports a brand that we know is doing them no favours. A good rule of thumb with skincare is, it you don’t see some improvement in a week it’s not the best product for you. We have Alpha H on Cult Beauty for exactly this reason, it produces visible improvements to difficult skin, quickly and at an affordable price (£15-£46)

The founder Michelle Doherty popped in to see us last time she was in the UK, so I took the chance to ask her a few questions:

Alexia: What made you start a skincare company?

Michelle: I developed terrible adult acne in my 20s which, like any sufferer, I found incredibly debilitating. Having such inflamed skin touched all aspects of my life from work to social interactions, even my marriage (I used to get up an hour before my husband to cover myself in make up, I couldn’t even show him). Nothing worked for me, treatments, drugs, homeopathy, I was like a walking wallet for any fad or company that uttered the magic words, ‘acne cure’. So I decided instead of throwing my money at them, I would invest it into finding a solution.

Alexia: How did you do it without serious money behind you, you have some mighty competitors?

This is why we chose the salon route, proving person by person that this range would not only help their specific concerns, but maintain a skin quality they never thought they’d achieve. If your satisfaction and repurchase rates are extremely high you don’t need to market constantly to survive, word of mouth is a powerful thing.

Alexia: When you started Alpha H 20 years ago, what made you centre in on Glycolics when no-one else was?

Michelle: I worked out that for fastest results I had to somehow harness the skin’s own functions, to make it heal inflammation and strengthen itself. Glycolic acid has so many benefits and was being used by dermatologists in scarcely high doses at the time. In my products the lower dose of sugar-cane derived glycolic acid works by gently irritating the skin, triggering defense mechanisms like synthesising more collagen and speeding up cell renewal.

It also dissolves the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. When dead cells clump together, a blockage occurs in the pores inhibiting the flow of oxygen and allowing the acne bacteria to breed, causing acne. All I needed to do was find the best dose and accompanying ingredients for safe usage by the general public.

We were also one of the first skin care companies to use hyaluronic acid 18 years ago and I plan to be saying the same about ingredients we are pioneering now in 20 years.

Alexia: So your latest launch is the Clear Skin Range, what took you so long to produce an acne targeted range if this was the reason you started Alpha H?

Michelle: All of our products work well on oily, acne prone skin but I wanted to get more specific and create an easy to use range for all ages encountering these problems. I’ve used my years of personal experience in this specific area to bring out a trio of products that will help people like me and the improvements in your skin are gratifyingly fast.

NB Always use a high daily SPF if you are habitually using glycolics because they do make your skin more sensitive to the sun. alexia inge

Dear Cult Beauty,

I’m 26 years old and I have unfortunately had a reaction to the RMS products. I contacted you about this because I knew this was highly unusual and thought you would like to know.

I suffered really bad eczema as a child and do have occasional breakouts and extremely sensitive and dry skin. Even more so now I have had two children. I used to work as a beauty therapist and was especially interested in make-up, now I can’t seem to find any that my skin can tolerate.

RMS’ way of thinking is very like mine. I also use coconut oil to cleanse, and only use pure unrefined oils to moisturise. These are what I have come to use after a lot of research and trying many products. Shea butter and Rosehip Oil are my favourites. You can’t beat them for truly sensitive skin.

I have now been on a three year mission to find make-up I can use. I even wondered if I could try making my own at one point, but this is a lot easier said than done. I gave up looking after trying Inika mineral make-up as it irritated my skin. Also, I don’t really think mineral make up does me any justice, as it just enhances my flaky skin and looks so unnatural.

Then I came across RMS. I thought this stuff is so pure it couldn’t possibly irritate, as other mineral make-ups did. The Lip-to-Cheek colour made my cheeks red and tingly and my lips went a bit flaky. The ‘Un’Cover-Up Concealer felt fine for ages before my skin got warm and tight and went a bit red over my nose, cheeks and forehead. There was no reaction where my skin is healthy along my jaw and eyelids. This makes me wonder if my skin is just very damaged and cracked and the make-up irritating my skin like it would irritate a cut or graze. The Skin Balm was fine for me though.

I used to use prescription creams with good results. These creams all contained mineral oil or petrolatum. I used Vaseline on my face at night and would wake up with great skin. All of a sudden, these products stopped having any affect on me. My skin would be extremely dry and red with a greasy film on top. I also developed sore breakouts under my ears and along my neck. I got pain the same as you would get with tonsillitis. I had prescription antibacterial cream which got rid of it. When I stopped using these mineral oil creams the breakouts instantly healed. I thought it might be coincidence so after a while I tried using them again and the breakouts came right back. This is one of the reasons I believe in natural moisturisers so much.

I would really appreciate any help or advice you may be able to give me. Thank you, J.

Cult Beauty (Alexia) – I am incredibly sorry to hear this and think that the best person to speak to is the founder of RMS herself, Rose Marie Swift (pictured right):

Hi J,

It is so funny that you have written these words to me as this sounds so familiar. All those chemicals have dehydrated the surface of your skin and have unfortunately left a little premature aging on the surface. This is very common with Vaseline and prescription products. The UnCoverUp Concealer is actually just revealing the damage because the colour minerals make it visible. The product itself has not caused this.

Vaseline would never show this because it works like a plastic wrap over the surface, causing the skin to sweat so it looks moist, when in reality it’s drying the skin. Not a good ingredient at all. My suggestion first is to start taking some Pro-biotics (not Acidophilus alone) but a mixed Pro-biotic. I always say the skin is a mirror to your gut. I also suggest to start taking fish oils for dry, overly sensitive skins, I think this would especially help you as Eczema is another symptom of Essential Fatty Acid deficiency.

Cut out sugar, artificial sweeteners, smoking, no soda pop (EVER), avoid pharmaceuticals, cut out dairy and red meat. Go for fish, chicken or turkey instead, start eating food that is more alkaline on the system and eat as much raw as possible.

When the skin has a burning effect like you described it can be because the body is releasing acid. I used to get that from acidic foods, but it went away when I took probiotics and ate more alkalising foods. I guarantee that if you try these changes, you will be able to use RMS without reaction and other products too. Please take the fish oil (or, even better, try Krill Oil) but it might take about 3 months to notice a difference in the skin. Don’t worry, it will go away honey….Good luck and let me know what happens. You need to strengthen your immune system and then the body can kick in to protect itself and be stronger.

Also take chlorella every day 100% for sure. That does wonders and pulls heavy metals from the system. xoxooxoxox Rose-Marie

Hi Rose Marie.

Thank you so much for your reply. You have given me hope!

I am definitely going to follow your advice. I can’t believe I took doctors advice for years to use prescription creams that were actually doing my skin no good. I would apply them religiously to my face really thickly. I guess this must be one of the reasons my face is so much more sensitive and dry than any other part of my body.

Although I do generally eat healthily, I have never looked into changing my diet before to help my skin. This may just be what I am needing.

Thanks again, J xx

Cult Beauty expert and legendary make-up artist Valentine Alexander reveals her new favourite product…

Many night creams claim to do the impossible and promise to correct what gravity and the passage of time have pulled down. Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Ultra Firming Night Cream is truly amazing and one can see the difference after just one night, the overall facial volume is restored and the skin very well plumped.

This cream contains “Tensin Proteins” that bump up the density of the skin. My jawline looks smoother and more taut after one week and the quality of my skin is better. A definite must have for ages 30+ with a brilliant result…

Cult Beauty expert and 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 daily moisturiser.
Medium Tantone: Go for a mousse, liquid, spray or gel-based product.
Dark Tantone: Go for a lotion tan as these are the darkest and will suit dark skintones.

When applying your tan, map out your body in stages so you don’t miss bits, start from the face and work down your body, leave your hands and feet till last.

Layering: Layer your tan up in fine layers, 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 using a mitt. Glide your mitt down your skin, do not over rub or your tan 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.

Latex gloves: 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 full down onto your feet will over tan them, not a good look. Don’t spray too close to your body and make sure it’s at the same distance, 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 go down in 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 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.
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 recommend that you leave your tan on for 8 -12 hours but for best results sleep with your tan on.
10. Cover toenails with some Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to stop them being discoloured by the self tan.

SHOP ALL SELF-TANNING PRODUCTS NOW>>

Cult Beauty expert and A-list make-up artist Emma Day took the Slendertone for a spin – find out how she got on…

“This interesting device actually came to my attention via one of my many slightly obsessive conversations with a dear friend who, despite having nothing to do with the beauty industry seems to know more about the great, good and not so good of the anti-ageing world than I do. One thing we are unanimous about is that we will never touch botox and want to try natural methods to beat the aging process. She was considering buying one of these and asked me to find out a bit more about this product before she parted with her £300… So I dutifully followed this up and contacted the Slendertone people to see if this really does live up to its hype….

How can I describe the look of the Slendertone facial massager? To me it reminds me of a Walkman headset, for some reason I was expecting it to be much bigger but it’s actually a pretty small and neat design which fits easily in a handbag. You attach gel pads onto the electronic sensors, place them over the lower part of your face and then use the guage on the handset to adjust to the level of current that feels comfortable. You can tell quite easily if the current is too high and the sensors in the wrong place as you will get an ‘attractive’ eye twitch and the machine will squeak at you! Initially I found the squeaking a bit disconcerting as I thought I had out the gel pads on incorrectly but soon figured out that it’s actually there to help you with placing the device properly. The gel pads are quite tricky to put on and do need to be regularly replaced as they need to stay moist and once the ones that come with the initial set run out, they do not come cheap, at £25 a set. However, enough of this technical stuff – what you guys want to know is does this baby actually WORK? Is it worth the money?

I have had a few anti-ageing facials in my time and a good one involves working the facial muscles in order to lift the face and restore that youthful perky look that the years and stress can diminish. We can all use the best creams going to get good texture, hydration and eliminate fine lines but what no cream will do is LIFT the face around the jaw-line, that can only be done with surgery and massage. There are three different programs you can do with Slendertone – Lift, Radiance and Massage and you are advised to do this five times a week, for 20 minutes per session. I decided on the Lift program and have now used this for just over a month and although I can’t really say conclusively until I have been using this for a while, at this point I’m impressed readers!

My skin seems DOES seem very even and firm and although I am pretty lucky to have unlined skin for my age, I have gone through the excesses of the Christmas period somehow  looking pretty perky to the point a number of people have commented on it. My skin does seem to be quite “springy” and I’m not having to use much product to make it look good – it seems to be doing it all on its own… However, I’m in my 30s and I am very considered with my skin-care and a non-smoker – I would be interested to see how this works on a lady in her 40s but as far as I’m concerned, I think this one is a winner and I’m going to be continuing using it. Thankyou Slendertone, I’m going to keep up the good work.”

SHOP SLENDERTONE NOW>>

I am a hairdresser hussy, shamelessly flitting from one salon to the next in search of the perfect relationship with a stylist who, like, totally gets my hair… Well after many years of searching I think I may have found The One. Her name is, well… should I tell you? I think I won’t, but she works at the Trevor Sorbie salon in Covent Garden and she managed to turn my lifeless mop into something to be proud of.

A great hairdresser needs to be able to listen to their client, and really hear what they’re saying – what are their concerns? Their hopes and dreams for their hair? How important is it to their personal sense of style, their identity even? If they ask for something truly dreadful, that won’t suit them in a million years; the hairdresser has to find a way of gently but firmly suggesting that this might not be the best thing for their hair. If they insist, they must find a solution that won’t compromise their hairdressing principles, but will still satisfy the customer.

While my hairdresser was trimming, shaping and styling my lacklustre locks, she explained that they were suffering from a build up of product. The Trevor Sorbie range is tested in the salon before it hits high streets across the land, so they know that it delivers on its promises, but they also use different ranges in the salon and my grubby tresses were given a thorough going over with a brand called Pureology, which is vegan, zero sulfate and incredibly effective. It was interesting to hear that while the Nordic market demands products that give volume, hold and root lift, the English customer is more concerned with getting their hair to be smooth and flat.

We debated the myth that during times of recession, people sport shorter haircuts, and as economic ‘green shoots’ start appearing, so people start growing their hair longer. According to the stylists on the salon floor, this is actually true! I asked whether people still come into the salon clutching photographs of celebrities and asking for their hair, and this does happen, but interestingly most women are resistant to the more edgy, ‘editorial’ looks we see in magazines. Just because it’s a hot trend, that doesn’t mean real women are going to request it. A cut like Emma Watson’s gamine crop might have got the fash-pack in a tizzy, but it would take a brave woman to lop off her long, feminine locks to recreate the look, and most don’t. Trends come and go, but what my hairdresser has found is that season in, season out, women simply want hair that’s flattering, feminine and healthy – and that invariably means long (but not too long.)

Trevor Sorbie understands how vital a head of healthy hair can be for a person’s confidence, and that’s why he founded My New Hair, a not-for-profit organisation for people suffering medical hair loss, offering advice and wig customisation. “My New Hair isn’t just about hair, it’s psychological medicine for women suffering from hair loss through illness and for many of the women I have seen, it’s the missing link in their treatment… Finding a cure for cancer and alopecia is a medical task but supporting the wellbeing of those people suffering the effects demands much more than a doctor can provide. How can a patient feel positive and strong when their personal self-image has been rocked to the core by baldness? Giving women back their hair – hair that looks natural, attractive and feminine gives them back a little of the confidence to face the world in their darkest hour. It was my personal experience of helping a family member during cancer treatment that inspired the idea of ‘My New Hair’… This is not about earning money, it’s about using my skills to give people something truly meaningful and now my handpicked peers across the UK are joining me in doing the same.” www.mynewhair.org

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Cult Beauty expert and legendary make-up artist Valentine Alexander reveals her new favourite product…

“Why is the new Givenchy Photo Perfexion Light foundation a cult product?

Magical coverage that evens skintone, but with total transparency. I love the pro-sponge applicator. One of the first things I see on womens’ faces is a “streaky” aspect from putting on the base with a foundation brush- these brushes are fine for pros but not foolproof in the hands of women on the go… The sponge applicator on the Givenchy Photo Perfexion allows for perfect coverage and blending, just under the jawbone.

It comes in a very true range of colours for all skins. Photo Perfexion is high-tech second skin that lasts through the day and also contains an anti-aging serum, so skin is plumped and looks years younger.” valentine alexander

Celebrated make-up artist and Cult Beauty expert Emma Day tells us about her foolproof way to kickstart the new year…

“New Years resolutions always amuse me as invariably they are things that we all burst with enthusiasm about doing for the first three weeks of January and then real life kicks in and we all go back to our naughty habits of old. Over the Christmas period, I take a break from the gym and like most people, eat and drink a little bit more than I should. I then come out of this self-imposed indulgence to transform myself from something rather grey and slug-like into a gorgeous (I wish) rejuvenated butterfly at the end of it. The first thing I wanted to address was the texture of the skin on my body. Don’t get me wrong – I am pretty good at slathering on luxurious body creams and body scrubs (I love the Elemis lime and ginger salt scrub and brush) but something more than a bit of home DIY was required by this point.

I booked in for a Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon therapy treatment and headed off to the Elemis day spa in Mayfair which is a delicious gem of a treatment centre – tucked away behind the main drag of Mayfair. Fairly decadent and self -indulgent for first thing on a Monday morning – but hey, thats the kind of girl I am and thats what got me into this trouble in the first place.  I was ushered downstairs by the lovely Lola into an uber luxurious Moroccan-inspired treatment room. This is designed to be a mixture of quite intense massage to stimulate the circulation all over the body and then more localised massage just under the rib-cage to get the colon behaving itself again and I have to say, I did laugh out loud when I was being pummelled on the backs of my thighs as I wasn’t quite expecting the strength of it, but it was not unpleasant and its also a sign that there are unhappy little toxins under there waiting to come out. Throughout this I was instructed to breathe deeply, in and out. I was then buffed with my favourite Lime and ginger body scrub and covered in the detoxifying fennel and birch peel-off body masque and then wrapped up in cling-film that heats up so the masque could get to work and draw out the nasties. Once this had done its magic, it was literally peeled off my body and I was smoothed over with the Body sculpting lipo-refining serum and firming cream. The final treatment was a really delicious scalp and head massage. If I could have one of these every day for the rest of my life, I would happily sign up.

Once back in my clothes how did I feel? Well my jeans were slightly looser, I smelt like heaven, my skin was clearly in much better condition than when I came in and extremely velvety. I did go straight to the loo and was told that this would happen a bit more regularly over the next few days. However, for this treatment to really have a major impact on cellulite I would say you would have to invest in the two a week, four week program. I would recommend this if you feel like you need a bit of a body re-haul or have a holiday coming up and are going to bare all or even if you are in a new relationship and intending to bare all – after all its Valentines coming up! Would I go back and have another one ? I really like the quality of Elemis products, I love the smells and I totally trust the therapists. Absolutely!”

Cult Beauty expert and A-list facialist Sarah Chapman says clean skin is the foundation of beauty: “Cleansing is hugely important in order to encourage and maintain healthy functioning skin. It’s a step in our daily routine that is highly underestimated. Thoroughly cleansed skin improves its function by removing dead skin cells, excess oil, dirt and pollution and increases blood flow to the surface in order to promote cellular renewal and provide the perfect base upon which to apply your serums or moisturisers, ensuring maximum absorption. Without a thoroughly cleansed skin you may as well forget the rest!

In my experience natural oil-based cleansers are the best for all skin types as the oils have a natural affinity with the skin, allowing it into the pores and to adhere to dead skin, sebum and daily grime lifting it out. The best way to cleanse your skin is to melt the product between your fingertips and smooth evenly over the face. Using a firm pressure with your fingertips and knuckles, massage the product with vigour, spending a good minute or two to really increase blood flow to the skin. Always work from the centre of the face out to help drainage, clearing tough blockages and puffiness.

When the skin takes on a rosy glow remove the cleanser – how you do this is a personal preference. For sensitive or delicate skins you may prefer to just rinse with warm water (avoid it being too hot or cold as this could cause broken veins) or for an added exfoliating cleanse for oily, dry and roughened skins the use of  mitts or a muslin cloth will benefit your skin’s texture further. For heavily congested skin or the removal of a good night’s make-up, you may benefit the skin’s health by doing a double cleanse to really ensure the skin can breathe.”

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With your purchase of a Classic Sonic Cleansing System receive a free replacement brush head worth £20!

Acupuncturist and revered Cult Beauty expert Ross J Bar has put together three great ways to brighten and lift the face and help shift dark rings around the eyes.

Easy to palpate whilst sitting at your desk… Try putting your elbows on the desk and feel for the points using your middle finger. You should find that on palpation the points feel slightly tender. When you’re happy you’ve found the spot (you’ll know) Rest your head weight on to your middle fingers (for each point). Try moving your fingers in a clockwise motion to stimulate the point. Try doing it 3 times for a minute on each point and you and your eyes should feel nicely invigorated.

Make 2011 a beautiful year with our experts’ advice for body and soul…

EMMA DAY: ‘I’m going to be using the Elemis body scrub and body brush as the winter has turned my normally smooth body skin into something a bit grey and rhino-like and I think its needs some love and attention – just because we are all covered up with layers doesn’t mean we should forget our bods! Use a good body cream (try Korres Body Butter) for very dry skin afterwards…”

SARA RAEBURN: “I’m going to be using more hand cream like Seboni’s Heligan Haze Luxury Hand Butter and on my feet too! Hands are the biggest telltale signs of your age and you can’t hide them. As a make-up artist, I am constantly washing my hands, so my hands and nails are very dry – must try harder! Also why do we ignore parts of our bodies when they are not on show? Feet suffer in the winter too so put some hand cream on your feet as well – it won’t be such a shock when you reveal them later in the year. And finally, relax more with a face mask [ed's note: we're loving Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask] – it’s a good excuse to take 15 minutes and breathe – a great stress buster!”

KATHLEEN BEATON: “I am not much for resolutions, as I think that this life is an ever changing practice, but one of my intentions for the upcoming year is to be more mindful of my body; what goes in and on it.  So in that vein, I urge all Cult Beauty readers to make an appointment with a dermatologist to have their yearly skin check up.  Skin cancers can be treated with early detection and it’s one of those things on our ‘list’ that tends to slip by the wayside. So I encourage everyone to make it a priority and to be kind to oneself and indulge in body treatments and anything that honours your body and mind.  Even a simple bath with essential oils can do wonders. Happy New Year to all the readers of Cult Beauty. May 2011 be your best year yet. Wishing everyone much deserved peace.”

READER’S RESOLUTIONS:

EMMA: “To keep up my at-home manicures – just like my nan would have liked!” Save your pennies and get a fabulous home manicure with our chic selection of nail colour & nail care products

SYLVIA: “To grow my hair out – naturally!” Make the tedious process of growing out your hair that little bit more fun and luxurious by stocking up on hair & scalp treatments now…

PHOEBE “To diligently brush my teeth for a full two minutes twice a day and to floss properly (two minutes is a looong time – just try it!) Also to avoid red wine and coffee – I just had my teeth whitened and want to maintain it for as long as possible!”

ALEXIA: “My new year’s resolution is to do Yoga (using my trusty Yoga-Paws), this will hopefully de-stress me, which will also stop me getting these annoying deep spots that don’t go away. My hair is also looking a bit dull and very over-fine at the front, so I think I also need to do more hair and scalp masks (once a week) to strengthen and moisturise my hair, encourage regrowth and stop it falling out! I’ll start with the Hairfix Detox and Recovery treatment for Jan and then move on to the Pure Shot by Neil George for a weekly shot to hair aid.”

I have a problem with my cuticles, they seem to be stuck to the nail and I have tried every product but to no avail. Could you recommend anything?  Thank you, CH

Cult Beauty Expert Teresa Smith suggests

I would recommend she tries SolarOil by CND, apply generously to the enti re cuticle area and leave for around one minute, then gently ease back the cuticle with the hoof end (the thicker end) of a wooden manicure stick. If she does this regularly the cuticle will eventually shrink back. Daily use of AHA Cuticle Eraser by CND will also help by micro-exfoliating the cuticle. The SolarOil will keep them well conditioned & soft.

Hope this helps.

Teresa xx