Treatment of the week: Get a fuller pout in just 15 minutes

What is the world coming to when people spend their hard-earned cash on lip treatments?

That was what I was thinking when I sashayed down to Rush’s new flagship salon — The House of Rush on London’s Piccadilly — to try out one such procedure. Twenty minutes later, I left (nearly) converted. 

The Bliss Fabulips treatment takes 15 minutes and promises to perfect your pucker, so that you leave  looking, in their words, ‘pout of this world’.

It begins with a lip cleanse. After that, your lips are scrubbed to remove dry skin, before a ‘firming’ collagen mask is added. 

How you firm lips is anyone’s guess, but it was quite pleasant.

The last part is the application of a gloss with active ingredients to make your lips plump. 

It worked and I walked out with a fuller pout.  But the effects were short-lived, as, after going for a coffee with a friend, all of the product had worn off.

What did last were my smooth, chap-free lips, so if your mouth is suffering after the recent cold snap, you could definitely do worse than this.

Bliss Fabulips, £26 at The House of Rush, 200 Piccadilly. Call 020 7042 3200.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2110090/Treatment-week-Get-fuller-pout-just-15-minutes.html#ixzz1qiF3Byx1

Avocado Great For Skin Care

Avocado For Skin Care

Avocado is also known as Alligator Pear originated in southern Mexico. It has become a useful ingredient for our daily skin care routine. It is rich in fat as well as protein. These fats are monounsaturated which is good for a healthy heart. The provision of vitamin E in avocado helps the heart to remain fit. It is also known to supply 60% more potassium in comparison to banana.

It is also rich in fiber, foliate (folic acid), vitamin B6, iron, copper and magnesium. Other than applying avocado on your skin, consuming it in salad form can also be beneficial for your skin. Avocado contains vitamins like A, D, and E which has penetrating qualities to improve your skin. Avocado oil is also very useful for skin care. The oil is useful to remove any sun damage or age spots. It also softens the skin and provides a moisturizing effect and can do wonders on damaged, undernourished and dehydrated skin.

Simple Recipes for Skin Care

Puffed Eyes
Cut avocado into slices and place it under each eye and relax with it for next 20 minutes. The changes would be remarkable.

Eye Cream
Make an eye cream by mixing 5 drops of almond oil in 3 ripe slices of avocado. Blend this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it for five minutes then rinse.

Another method of making the eye cream is by using 1/4 cup avocado oil with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. You could also use apricot kernel, grape seed or sesame oil.

Facial Mask
This facial mask is useful for dry skin. Mash half avocado and apply it leisurely on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water. This masque is very good for dry skin.

Smooth and Beautiful Hands
Make a paste by mixing 1/4 peeled & smashed avocado, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply this paste on your hand and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and pat it dry. You would be thrilled by the results by using it regularly.

Facial Scrub
You would need 2 tbsp. flax seeds, 1/2 mashed banana and 1/2 avocado peel. Use a small bowl to mix flax seeds and banana. Scoop the banana and flax seed by using avocado peel. Massage this scoop on your face in circular motion, slowly and gently. Rinse it with warm water.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

6 Tips on How to Clear up Acne

Tips on How to Clear up Acne

Although having acne breakouts is normal, especially for teens, people can’t still help but search for ways on how to clear up acne. Some are finding ways on how to treat it inexpensively while others really saves enough money so that they can pay for the soothing expensive facial skin care which can be availed in most beauty salons. But for those with hectic schedules, and can’t find time to visit any facial salons or dermatologist’s clinic, here are some ways that could help in clearing up your acne.

1. Avoid squeezing or popping your pimples and as much as possible prevent yourself from touching your outbreaks especially with unclean hands. The more you touch or squeeze the puss out of your acne, the more sebum your skin will produce. It will take more time before your pimples and blackheads clear up because of the inflammation and irritation that can possibly occur.

2. Wash your face thoroughly at least two times a day. Proper facial hygiene is the best to way on how to clear up acne as well as preventing acne to appear. Use facial soaps that does not contain oil or soaps that are not acidic.

3. Don’t forget to use moisturizer after washing your face with a sulfur-based soap that is designs specifically for acne prone people. Washing can strip of natural lipids and your skin, so put a moisturizer that suits the type of skin you have (sensitive, normal or dry) so that your body will not produce extra oil that may cause your skin to be more susceptible to breakouts.

4. Most people turn to over-the-counter products that are made to fight acne. This is the first solution they think of on how to clear up acne instantly. There are some topical creams that do not need any prescriptions from a doctor. However, make sure that the cream you will be using may not cause you allergies that can even worsen your current facial dilemma.

5. In case you are indulging yourself in some detoxification activities such as yoga or exercise, make sure that you wipe the sweat from your face immediately after the activity.

6. Use creams that have benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. But keep in mind that even these anti-acne products can still cause your skin to dry even though they help in healing your acne so you still need to use moisturizers. The stronger the medicine is, the higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide it contains. Some users testify that using creams with benzoyl peroxide is one of the best solutions on how to clear up acne.

When all things fail, consult your trusted dermatologist that would give you advice and medicines that on how to clear up acne.

Always keep in mind that even though these tips worked for some, it does not necessarily mean that it might work for you too. Whichever solution is best for you, keep it as a part of your daily routine. No matter what technique you choose on how to clear up acne, you need to remember that your acne problems will never be solved overnight.

4 Necessary Steps You Should Take When Thinking About Getting A Tattoo

Necessary Steps When Thinking About Getting A Tattoo

Obviously there is some concern about getting a tattoo because when you get a tattoo, you risk getting an infection, pain and wonder about the possibilities of infectious diseases. The process needs to be better understood.

1. Can I Get Infectious Diseases From Tattoo Needles?

There has been some concern recently regarding transmittable diseases (particularly Hepatitis-B and AIDS [HIV]) and tattoo shops. Just as in a dentist's office, as long as the area is strictly sanitized, your chances for infection will be greatly reduced.

2. Can I Get Aids From Tattooing?

When needles are passed from IDU to IDU and reused without sterilization, some of that blood remains in the syringe and is passed on to the next user. If infected blood is passed, the recipient can become infected with HIV, which leads to AIDS.

Tattooing is VERY different from injecting drugs. The needles used in
tattooing are not hollow. They do, however, travel back and forth
through a hollow tube that acts as an ink reservoir. The tip of the tube is dipped into the ink, which draws a little into the tube.

3. Can My Tattoo's Get Infected?

Not as long as you take care of your new tat. There is a section in the Ebook that covers healing methods in depth. Some people have trouble healing tattoos with colors they are allergic to.


4. What Are Some Bad Things For My New Tattoo?

Once it is healed, there is very little that will screw up a tattoo. The one exception is prolonged exposure to sunlight. (the other is scarring, but that is patently obvious).

Well, unfortunately it is. The newer inks are better at resisting fading but whatever you do, if you spend lots of time in bright sunlight your tats will fade (over a lifetime, not over a week). Best to try and keep  them out of bright sunlight.

No one wants to become a cave dweller just to keep their tats looking good, so just use some common sense. Think of your tat as an investment--slather on that sunblock so it doesn't turn into a dark blob.

Tattoo art has become very popular and people are getting tattoo's for lots of reasons. Taking good steps in choosing the right tattoo, getting it applied properly and with the proper care is probably the most important things to consider when thinking about getting a tattoo. Read all you can about tattoo art safety and when you're ready to get your tattoo, you will feel much better about your decision!

Anti Wrinkle Facial Creams

Anti Wrinkle Facial Creams

Do you like people calling you younger? Most of us like being young and look beautiful. Women go helter shelter the moment they see a pimple pop up on their face. They try all possible anti wrinkle facial creams to avoid any kind of ageing. They want to look younger all the time and are afraid of the ageing process.  

What do Anti Wrinkle Facial Creams actually do?

Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream is especially meant to remove dead and dry tissues from your skin and give it healthy and glowing luster. It is not just a facial cream but a supply of required vitamins and minerals that your skin is lacking for.

Deficiency of certain vitamins can also cause wrinkles, as healthy skin requires nourished food intake. Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream consist of antioxidant nutrients formula that is required for your skin. It also clears your skin if it consist black patches or age spots.

There are numbers of anti wrinkle companies producing different types of creams every day. It’s difficult to decide which one is the best of the lot. It would always be advisable to go for a cream that suits your skin more. Anti wrinkle facial creams are effective when you apply them twice daily. It starts producing results within four to six weeks of applying. It is clinically tested and can eliminate 60% of the wrinkles.

One of the major drawbacks of anti wrinkle creams is that you need to continuously apply them to see the results. The moment you stop them you can find the wrinkles once again on your face.

Why Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream?
•    Easy to use.
•    Carry no side effects.
•    Fast effective.
•    Eliminate 60% wrinkles.
•    Tested quality.
•    Makes your skin healthy and young.

WAVE YOUR BEAUTY WORRIES GOODBYE

From achieving a winter glow to how to plump your lips safely, January has brought with it a whole host of new beauty dilemmas. Here, Elsa McAlonan asks the experts to solve your cosmetic concerns:

Elsa McAlonan asks the experts to solve your cosmetic concerns 

Q I want to colour my hair at home, but my scalp is sensitive and I don’t want to irritate it

Sensitive scalp or not, you must always do a patch test before colouring your hair. Do this by dabbing a small amount of the dye on to your skin at least 24 hours beforehand to see whether it causes an allergic reaction. Donna Mitchell, of Bonce Salons, warns: ‘Don’t think that just because you’ve used colour before, you’ll be fine. More and more people are reacting to colour due to the increase in chemicals.’

Natur Vital Colour Safe (£9.99, Boots and Superdrug) is a new colour system which is free of PPD, resorcinol, parabens and ammonia. (PPDs are the para-dyes responsible for the majority of allergic reactions in hair colouring.) Or try a temporary colour which can be shampooed in. Naturtint Reflex has a paraben-free range (£9.99, natures dream.co.uk, 0845 601 8129).

Q I am thinking of getting my lips enhanced but don’t want to end up with a ‘trout pout’

Lip enhancement is usually use of filler injections in and around the lip area. There are many products to choose  from, but it’s best to avoid permanent lip fillers as there are more complications with these. And, to be sure you are in safe hands, make sure your practitioner is registered with the British Association Of Cosmetic Doctors (cosmeticdoctors.co.uk).

And, as they’re smoother and more fluid than ever before, your overall result can be as subtle as you want. The doctor will inject small amounts of filler to help plump the overall look of the lips or balance out imperfections.

From left: Bubble Betty, Clarins Everlasting Compact Foundation

Dr Rita Rakus says: ‘These days, people want a natural look from their lip enhancement treatment, so there’s rarely an embarrassing overnight change. I start by injecting a small amount of filler like Juvederm, which is a natural and fully biodegradable filler, and ask the patient to come back a week or so later for a top-up. I would use smaller amounts of filler to get a balanced look. It’s quite a holistic approach. Often I’ll ask people to bring in a picture of what their lips looked like a few years back to get a natural result.’

Lip enhancement treatments from £475. For details, contact drritarakus.com

Q How can I preserve my hair style after a trip to the salon?

While it’s lovely to visit the hair salon before a special night out, gusty or wet and wintry weather can play havoc with a blow-dry the moment you step outside. There’s no better way to preserve a blow-dry when you leave the salon than a hairmate. The retro plastic hood, which can be folded neatly into your handbag, has made a comeback thanks to Bubble Betty, a quirky brand that has given this Fifties’ favourite a makeover. Available in four patterns, they cost £6 each from bubblebetty.com.

Q My skin looks washed-out and pale. What can I do to make it glow again?

Skin can feel and look pale and pasty at this time of year, but a self-tan that may have worked in the summer can look yellow or too false in winter months. A tinted moisturiser is a good alternative to heavy foundation as it gives skin a slight, but natural-looking, colour.

One of the best is Liz Earle’s Sheer Skin Tint SPF15 (£21, lizearle.com), which you simply dot all over your face and smooth in. It makes skin look radiant and is more hydrating than other tinted moisturisers. Or try Clarins Everlasting Compact Foundation (£27, clarins.co.uk), which stays put all day and can be applied lightly or for heavier coverage.

You can still use a self-tan on your face during the winter, but stick to a gradual tan, such as St Tropez Everyday Gradual Face Tan (£14.30, Boots), which comes in two shades, or No 7 Naturally Sun-kissed Gradual Facial Tan (£10, Boots), so you can keep the shade as light or dark as you want.

From left: Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Booster, Naturtint Reflex

Q Will using false lashes damage my own lashes, or can I protect them?

False lashes are big news this year. They’re becoming more refined and easier to use, but make sure you remove them properly. Celebrity make-up artist Mark Cook recommends soaking a cotton bud in eye make-up remover, then dabbing the bud on the lashes, working from the outer edge inwards.

‘This will dissolve the glue, so the false lashes will pull away gently without damaging your own eyelashes,’ he says. ‘You can use any kind of oil to do the same job: coconut oil is a good alternative to an expensive make-up remover.

‘Never re-use lashes without cleaning them as it can cause infection. Pick away the excess glue, wash gently in soapy water, leave to dry naturally, then comb through with a brow comb. And don’t use strips all the time —individual lashes are less damaging to your own lashes,’ he advises.

You should also add a lash serum into your beauty routine. Try Get Lashed Lash Boost Serum (£25, Boots) to help keep your lashes in good condition. And it’s important to stick to good quality false lashes. No 7 Eyelashes 20 Extreme Length (£7.50, Boots) give a natural look. Go for No 7 False Eyelashes 60 Extravagant Lash (£7.50) if you want a more dramatic effect.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2091799/Beauty-confidential-Wave-beauty-worries-goodbye.html#ixzz1plJC65F2

GOLD-MEDAL BEAUTY SECRETS

All eyes are turning to Britain’s Olympians. Heptathlete champion Jessica Ennis, 26, swimming silver medalist Keri-Anne Payne, 24, and track cyclist Victoria Pendleton, 31, have become unexpected beauty stars.

Even with punishing training schedules, they still make time for a regular beauty routine, and yes, they do wear make-up when competing.

Britain's Olympian beauties: From left, Victoria, Keri-Anne and Jessica

What’s the best beauty product you’ve bought recently?

Jessica: I’m very lucky, I get lots of gorgeous products sent to me, but I love buying and choosing my own products, too. My favourite scent is D&G Rose The One (£53.50, thefragranceshop.co.uk). I also love Joico hair products. They really make my hair shiny and more voluminous (Joico Daily Care Balancing Shampoo for Normal Hair, £11.95, lookfantastic.co.uk).

 

Keri-Anne: I’ve been a long-time fan of Max Factor’s False Lash Effect mascara for big eyelashes, so I’m excited by the gold edition for the London 2012 Olympics. Max Factor False Lash Effect gold edition mascara (£10.99, Boots) available now until the Olympics.

Victoria: I love the By Terry Touche Veloutee highlighter concealer brush (£35, Space NK). It really does everything — hides shadows and blemishes, and just makes you look more awake and radiant. It’s amazing.

What’s the most important step in your beauty routine?

Jessica: It’s definitely moisturising. My skin is constantly put through its paces as my training schedule is outside a lot of the time, plus there’s lots of sweating. So it’s really important for me to keep my skin hydrated, but with a product that isn’t heavy and has SPF protection. Olay Essentials Complete Care Day Lotion, SPF 30 (£10.29, Boots) suits my needs best.

From left: Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara, Pantene Smooth & Sleek, Terry Touche Veloutee

Keri-Anne: My top health tips are making sure you have a balanced diet, which is really important, and allowing yourself to have little treats every now and then. Combine that with the right amount of exercise, then your body and complexion always improve. For me, being healthy is also about having a healthy smile.

Victoria: I think for me the most important step is taking care of my hair. It’s crammed into a helmet most of the time for training and competing, so I need to make sure I use a range that cleanses, moisturises and also combats frizz and humidity — so I love the Smooth & Sleek range from Pantene (Pantene 2-in-1 Smooth & Sleek, £4.69, Boots).

What’s the cheapest product you have ever bought?

Jessica: Sure deodorant is pretty cheap but it works brilliantly — and I definitely put it through its paces. (Sure Women 48-hour Dry Deodorant Stick, £2.60, Boots).

Keri-Anne: The cheapest product is my Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste (£3.49, supermarkets) which is easily the best toothpaste I’ve ever used.

Victoria: I really love to have a pot of Vaseline with me. The little tins are really useful to have and my lips get really dry on the track. (£1.80, Boots)

What’s the best tip or recommendation you’d pass on to a friend?

Jessica: When applying your foundation, look down into the mirror. This helps you see the shadows where you need most coverage.

Keri-Anne: Make-up artists have given me lots of great tips, so I’m always trying out new looks. I love creating a smoky eye look with eye-liner and volumising mascara. It’s such a treat for me!

Victoria: Get lots of sleep. I always think that everyone looks their best when they’ve had a good long sleep. I think when you’re tired or you’re a bit run down, it really shows on your skin. Drink plenty of water, too, and wear a sunscreen.

From left: Nivea Body Pure & Natural Rich Body Moisturiser, Neom Organics Moroccan Blush Rose Body Oil, Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation

How often do you go to the salon for blow dries or facials? Or do you have other regular salon treatments?

Jessica: I don’t get that much time for pampering, but when I have a big event I’ll always get my hair and make-up done professionally, and, if there’s time, have a facial. I recently had an amazing one at the Corinthia Spa in London, which left my skin looking so revitalised. (Personalised Facial, £95 for 60 minutes at Espa Life Spa, 020 7321 3050). I have regular sports massages to ease my muscles after training, but they are anything but relaxing — they’re pretty painful.

Keri-Anne: Mark Power comes to my house every three months so I don’t visit the salon. Otherwise I enjoy being a guinea pig for my training partner, Sophie Allen, who is training to be a beautician.

Victoria: I like to go for a facial when I can and I love the Elemis SpaPods (in selected John Lewis and Debenhams stores) and their Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing facial really makes a difference — you can see the results immediately.

What’s your usual beauty routine while you are training?

Jessica: I keep it pretty simple, as I don’t have heaps of time in the mornings. I always wash my face when I wake up. I love the Olay Essentials Daily Facial Cloths (£3.99, nationwide) that foam up with water. Once a week I’ll exfoliate, using the Olay Essentials Smoothing Face Scrub (£2.49), then simply moisturise and protect my skin with a light moisturiser that contains an SPF, followed by a mattifying foundation. People are often surprised to hear I wear make-up for training, but for me I just like to look and feel my best always.

Keri-Anne: When you’re in and out of the pool, a good moisturiser is a must. I also exfoliate three times a week and use a body moisturiser every time I get out of the pool, such as Nivea  Body Pure & Natural Rich Body Moisturiser (£3.57, Boots). Finally, a touch of blusher also works wonders — it makes skin look  instantly healthier. A dab of blusher on the apples of my cheeks is my complexion saviour.

Victoria: I have learned to get ready very quickly due to having early training sessions. I wash my hair and apply a leave-in frizz fighter. Then I use a body moisturiser, and a light facial moisturiser that contains SPF. A hard-working anti-perspirant is also key.

Beauty must-have: Coroliss C3 Leopard Straightening Iron, £124.99 look fantastic.com

Name a favourite beauty must-have

Jessica: I absolutely love the Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak, £32.70 (timetospa.co.uk) — it smells like Deep Heat, and is a real treat in the evenings after a hard day’s training.

Keri-Anne: Hair straighteners are now an essential part of my beauty kit, I don’t leave the house without them. I think they have to be the most expensive product I have ever bought. (Coroliss C3 Leopard Straightening Iron, £124.99 look fantastic.com)

Victoria: Neom Organics Moroccan Blush Rose Body Oil, £30 (neomorganics.com) for some real indulgent pampering.

Do you ever wear make-up when you are competing?

Jessica: Always! So I would wear pretty much the same as I do for training — a light moisturiser with an SPF, then I will always wear a little mattifying foundation, such as Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 (£29). Eyeliner is my absolute must-have — Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £16.50 — and mascara — Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara, £18. I love Bobbi Brown for all of those things. And then I just wear a lip conditioner. MAC does some lovely ones (MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15, £11, maccosmetics.co.uk)

Keri-Anne: I wear Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara (£7.99, Superdrug) and a foundation which has an SPF in it to help protect my skin against the sun.

Victoria: It has always been important to me to look good when I’m racing. I even like to have painted nails when I ride. I like the saying ‘Look good, feel good, go good!’ I definitely think looking good helps you feel more confident, so I’ll wear just a little mascara, tinted moisturiser and some lip balm. I always reapply before getting up on the podium.

Where do you get your hair done?

Jessica: Nuba Hair & Beauty Salon in Sheffield (0114 327 6889). A wash, cut and finish costs from £41.

Keri-Anne: My hairdresser, Mark Power, comes to my house to do my hair. He comes every couple of months for a cut and colour.

Victoria: I go to a little salon in my home town — the Wilmslow Green Hair Studio (01625 536 075) A cut and blow dry costs £42.

Jessica Ennis is the face of Olay Essentials Keri-Anne Payne is the face of Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold Edition Mascara Victoria Pendleton is the face of Pantene Smooth & Sleek.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2105005/Beauty-confidential-Gold-medal-beauty-secrets.html#ixzz1plIfQ4Wp

SPRING CLEAN YOUR BEAUTY KIT

We are only three weeks into 2012 and there’s already a host of new products. But before you buy anything new, it makes sense to clear the clutter first. Here’s our guide to help you choose what to keep and what to buy to refresh your make-up bag.