A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

…side effects, that is.

I was sent a tube of Prai’s new o2 Infusion last month which is described as an “innovative formula (which) contains oxygen molecules to help deliver additional oxygen to the surface of the skin, giving lackluster skin a more youthful and a refreshed look”.

I’m in two minds about this product.

For me, it does what it says on the tin.  After using it just one time, my skin did look brighter… the tone seemed more even and gave an impression of (dareisayit) outright perkiness!

But the next day?  My skin was ALL kinds of flakey.

So, I brought my ever-faithful, heavy duty skin oils into play and a week later my skin was back to normal.

Being me though, I couldn’t help but eye up this lovely, neat tube of product every time I stood at the sink washing my face and it wasn’t long before I was slathering it over my skin again, watching it get foamier and foamier as I waited the requisite 2 minutes before rinsing it off.

“Oooh, nice fresh looking skin again!”

Until the next day, when I was back to square one and looking more Mumm-Ra than Yummy-Mummy.  My foundation looked like crap and I was moisturising 3 times a day just to try and inject some life back into my skin.

Third time’s a charm right?  Wrong.

I feel like this…

I experience no sensitivity when using it and no dryness issues immediately afterward.  I moisturise straight after use and in fairness, I suffer from normal/dry skin anyway.

So what do I do… do I recommend?

Well… at under £20 for 40ml it doesn’t break the bank (and a little goes a VERY long way thanks to the foaming action), so I’m happy to recommend under one condition; you have oily skin.

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Ingredients List” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”b0c4de”]Water (Aqua), Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Sorbitol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mica, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Zingiber Cassumunar Root Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (CI 16035)[/stextbox]

If you have a propensity toward dry skin?  I would stay away as I think this might just be a tad too harsh for our sensitive souls.

Prai o2 Infusion with Vacuum Technology should be launching on QVC this month, priced at £19.75

* Press Sample

Also known as the “ultimate skincare survival kit” by Premier Model Management’s founder Carole White.

It’s been launched to coincide with a new TV series called “The Model Agency”, an inside look at the realities of this so-called glamourous lifestyle!  The series starts tonight at 10pm on Channel 4.

The Premier Model Skin kit consists of seven 30ml products (each described as model essentials!) housed in a transparent zip-up pouch, making it perfect for travel.

Products included: Hand & Nail Cream, Facial Scrub, Radiance Balm, Night Cream, Blemish Treatment, Cleansing Wipes and Collagen Eye Pads.

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Carole White says…” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”b0c4de”]

A model’s life is spent almost constantly on the move, whether in an airplane or on a location shoot. This hectic, stressful lifestyle plays havoc with the skin. During the course of my many years as a model agent, I have tested literally hundreds of beauty products in search of a pure and simple, yet effective skincare solution, but have never found what I was looking for.

So I decided to create a line of beauty staples which were not only the best quality, but could easily travel and would be affordable for the younger models. I discovered Monu a few years ago, and approached them as a potential partner for a Premier skincare range.

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The Model Kit from Premier Model Skin will be available for £45.00 on line from March 1st at www.monushop.co.uk

Will you be tuning in to The Model Agency tonight?

There are some things in life that one really should avoid doing but we do them all the same.

One shouldn’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach, never swallow chewing gum, and don’t cross the road to avoid a charity collector, that’s just… uncharitable.

I’m going to add “wear your cleansing balm as a perfume” to this list.

Weirdness aside, it’s doubles up as a rather lovely cleansing balm too!

Compared to other cleansing balms that I’ve used in the past, Monu Essential Care Cleansing Balm feels a little rustic by comparison… and by rustic, I mean… artisan, less mass-manufactured…

This is both a good and bad thing.

I get the feeling that quality is something that hasn’t been skimped upon.  The ingredients list is full of delicious oils and emulsifiers boosted with some heavenly natural fragrances.

And it’s the combination of those fragrances that make this cleansing balm an absolute joy to use.  It’s a citrus explosion without being remotely kitchen/bathroom-y.  I’m really particular about citrus scents and they have to be ‘just’ right.  Not too sweet, not too tart.  This has the perfect balance that makes you want to inhale deeply whilst massaging the balm into your skin.

The flipside of this ‘rustic’ quality is that the packaging and feel of the product isn’t as luxe as I would expect for something that costs £35 for 150g.

When I opened the sample I was sent, I was surprised to see that in actual fact… it isn’t really a balm at all.  It’s half balm/half oil and in it’s current state of ‘not being able decide whether it’s a solid or a liquid’, it’s not the easiest product to scoop from the pot without making a bit of a mess.  I also wonder what effect warmer weather will have on it’s consistency.

Texture concerns aside, all is forgiven the moment I start massaging this into my skin.  The scent (have I already mentioned the scent?) focuses my mind on the job at hand and the slip ensures that there is no drag on the skin as I encourage the product to get to work on removing my makeup.

And remove my makeup it does, dissolving everything I throw at it without any fuss.  I’m terribly oaf-like when it comes to eye makeup removal… I don’t bother with being especially delicate.  I rub product onto my eye lashes gently by rolling between my thumbs and index fingers and hope that when I’m done I haven’t given myself temporary blindness and searing eye pain.

I haven’t experienced any horrible eye problems with the Monu Cleansing Balm though I’m not about to grind product into my eyes just to make sure!

It emulsifies quickly and completely in warm water and washes away without leaving any residue on my face, hands or sink.  I do still double cleanse out of habit and the one time that I didn’t (to test dryness), I wouldn’t say that this leaves my skin feeling any less dry than other balms or oils… I still need to head for the moisturiser before my skin begins to tighten.

If you’re looking for a cleansing “balm” that does what it says on the tin, is paraben-free with only natural fragrances and makes you want to leave some behind on all your pulse points after cleansing… this would be the one for you.

Monu Cleansing Balm is priced at £35.00 and available online.

We’ve all seen products that stake lofty claims on the packaging and using them can often leave behind a single raised eyebrow of “hmm… really?”  Take The Day Off*… really does take the day off.  And the night before that if you’ve been a lazy sink-dodging mare.

With dry hands, scoop out a 10p piece sized blog and massage over dry skin to remove all traces of makeup.  The solid balm transforms into a silky oil that glides over skin with ease.

I’m a long-standing cleansing oil fan and my face simply doesn’t feel clean to me until I’ve double cleansed.  Cleansing balms are something I’ve bought in the past but I generally prefer to use a pump bottle of oil than scoop product from a jar.

Last time I returned from holiday and opened my suitcase to find oil-soaked clothes put pay to that little preference.

I’m also finding balms to be more compatible with my Clarisonic.  The slip feels a little dryer than with my usual oils (though still perfectly workable) and I use my delicate brush head in conjunction with a low speed setting before washing off.

It leaves my skin feeling smooth and squeaky clean.  Drier skins may find this a little drying but oilier types should appreciate the product’s ability to cleanse thoroughly without too much stripping of the skin’s natural oils.

Finally?  It leaves not a scrap of residue behind.  It emulsifies fully with water into a creamy, milky fluid that washes away with ease.

It’s unscented which will please many (though I wouldn’t have minded a touch of fragrance tbh), gives me absolutely NO eye irritation (despite massaging it into my lashes!) and contains no mineral oils.  Win.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is priced at £19.50 for 125ml.

Do you use cleansing balms?  What are some of your favourites?

*press sample

At the LMS Spotlights launch I attended last month, I had the opportunity for a little chat with Lucie Jones: 2009 X-Factor contestant, model, West-End star and current ‘face’ for LMS Spotlights.

Hi Lucie, Can you name 3 of your makeup bag essentials?

Cleanser is my top priority.  I think that no matter what makeup you wear, it’s so important to take it off properly.  Especially because I work in theatre I wear quite a lot of heavy makeup and when I get home, no matter how tired I am… I make sure to cleanse and tone properly.

No face wipes then?

Well if you’re ‘on the go’ then I think, fine… and for your eye makeup? Maybe… but for me and my career, it’s so important to keep my skin clean and clear.

What else… I think that a moisturiser, maybe a tinted moisturiser is always a nice thing to have (in your bag) and the third thing? Genuinely, my little LMS Spotlight ‘cos it’s so good.  It looks like a little lipstick – it’s quick and it really does work.  Three times a day, no side effects.  Swear by it!

So if you had to pick just one, which one product could you not leave the house without?

If I was to go out for a date and I could only apply one piece of makeup on my face… I think it would be mascara.  Generally, my skin is alright… I get the odd bad spot but “zap, zap” (she holds the LMS Spotlight to her face)… I don’t wear lipstick normally and I’m just back from holiday so have a bit of natural colour.  Mascara would be the one!

You released your first modelling shots last year… do you find yourself more conscious of your physical appearance since entering the public eye?

You know, I really don’t!  And specifically since I’ve started modelling I’ve become more confident.  You have to be, you can’t stand there and feel like a fool because you think you look stupid.  If you go in being confident, the ‘bad’ things about you won’t seem so bad.  Do you know what I mean?  Also, the agency that I work with are just lovely, really caring… so they would never let me feel like that.

Ok, that moves us on quite nicely to my next question… What are your top tips for feigning confidence when you feel you’re not looking your best?

Smile and wave!  Smile and wave… In the words of Madagascar!  But seriously, if you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable about something, just forget about it and focus on something good about yourself!  If you’ve had a bad ‘eating’ day and your belly’s bloated, focus on… your legs! Or do a nice face and makeup.  Concentrate on the things that you’re feeling happy about and the things that you’re feeling unhappy about will blow away!

Sound advice, so what’s next for you this year?

Lucie:  Well, I’m in Les Mis until June.  I will be auditioning for other musicals in the West End, I’ll be doing TV castings and trying to get into acting a little bit more.  I’m writing my own music and have been working with song-writers and producers so we’ll see how all that goes really and I’ll carry on doing modelling aswell…

A bit busy then?

*laughs* yeah, just a bit!

With all that in mind, what advice would you give young girls who hope to follow in your footsteps?

Career-wise, I would say to someone… just be yourself, don’t try and feign that you’re someone else.  If you think that someone will like you more if you act in a certain way, they’re obviously not the right person to be around or to be working with.  There’s always a team of people out there that you should be working with and you should be happy with the people around you.

Remember yourself, remember who you are and don’t change.  You are the only person who can get you to where you want to be, so why become someone else?

LMS Spotlights is a new skin care range that uses red light therapy, a natural skin treatment that’s clinically proven to help clear spots fast.  Available online at www.lmsspotlights.com and at Harrods.

I’ll be putting the device through it’s paces over the next month and will report back on whether it lives up to the hype!

…a.k.a the most overdone post in the blogosphere in recent weeks.

Everyone is different… with different needs, different tastes and different budgets… so what works for me may not work for you but these are the products that have made this Winter a far more comfortable affair.

It’s probably useful to let you know the kind of issues that Winter has been dishing out to me first right?

Skin: A touch of seborrheic dermatitis that flares up with greater prominence when the seasons change and in cold weather. Dryness (with the odd patch of scaliness if left untreated for too long) around the edges of my nose, eyebrows, hairline, behind my ears (yeah, weird) and under my eyes.

Hair: Coarse, dull and kinda bushy! (just for clarification, we’re talking head hair here mmm-k?)

Nails: Where do I begin… these have suffered the most this winter and I’m starting to see the point in using acetone free nail polish removers despite still being in love with my poundland bargain purchases.  My nails have started to peel quite badly on the edges and I’m having to trim them regularly just to remedy this.  My cuticles are like elephant hide and the poor things sob everytime I approach with a new polish.

As you can see… a few issues that have needed to be kept under control.

It has literally taken me until the last week or so to pin down *which* products are having a reasonable effect on those issues and the ones I’ve shown above are the ones that I know are making a real difference.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (£28.50 – ish)* has been a gentler alternative to my usual scrubs at keeping my face free from flakes.  I’ve started trialling a Clarisonic in the past week but up ’til then, it’s been the Dermalogica sloughing my skin without causing extra dryness or irritation.  I can see why it’s so revered amongst industry experts.

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate (£37.80)* has probably been my skincare product of the year.  It’s one to avoid if you have oily skin but on my combo/dry skin – it’s a tonic and a half.  As the weeks have gotten colder I’ve upped the frequency with which I’m applying and I’m on a full pump every evening spread all over my face (except the bridge of my nose!).  It’s ‘organic’ scent takes a little getting used to and many will dislike the heavier feeling it leaves behind.  Me?  It lets me know that my skin is getting the nourishment it needs.

Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil (£4.39) The range is targeted toward the needs of Afro hair and although it’s recommended use is on the scalp, I’ve been applying this on my hair 20 minutes before jumping in the shower.  I combine this with Pantene Pro-V Colour Protect 2 Minute Damage Rescue Treatment (which I use as a conditioner rather than treatment) and have been enjoying much healthier and smoother-looking hair as a result!

Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter (£5.70 – ish) Another ‘product of the year’ is the Haus of Gloi’s pumpkin butter formula for deep and long-lasting body moisturisation.  I’m in love with the thick but absorbable creams… finding the perfect scent can be a bit like playing Russian roulette but at £5.70 for a full-size tub, it’s hardly breaking the bank.  The site’s stock of pumpkin butter moisturisers is slowly dwindling, replaced by the lighter emulsions… that makes me sad – I’m hoping I have enough stock in my own beauty cupboard to last me through ’till it really does start getting warmer.

Weleda Calendula Weather Protection Cream*(£5.50) Good enough for baby, good enough for me. It’s been my handbag staple for weeks now.  The thinner-than-Vaseline texture and gentle scent make this intensely moisturising product my pick for on-the-go moisturisation.  I apply a very small amount (half pea-sized for my entire face)… it spreads like a dream and although it’s lanolin/almond-oil based, sinks in fairly quickly without leaving me looking shiny aslong as I’m careful not to over-apply.  Also wonderful for ravaged cuticles!

CND Solar Oil – (£5.07 – ish) Whilst I’m not convinced it’s my HG for keeping my nails in good condition, it’s done a better job this Winter than my LUSH Lemony Flutter which is why I’m including it in the list.  It’s inexpensive and quick to apply before or after a manicure.  It smells divine (if you like marzipan!) and certainly goes some way to giving my poor tips a bit of respite.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream (£3.77) This is a ‘branded’ version of a cream that should be used very sparingly indeed!  I usually pick up a chemist-own version for a bit less than this.  It’s a steroid cream that can thin the skin with prolonged use, hence the ‘sparingly’ comment.  For me, nothing comes close at soothing my skin in an emergency.  I usually use a miniscule amount behind my ears if the skin starts to crack (nice) or if I get wind burn.  Leila also benefits from a smidge if her eczema gets out of control which thankfully this year, it hasn’t.

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So those are my winter skin saviours, it’s not the most glamourous list in the world and the price point varies wildly from a couple of quid, right up to £40 but these are the products that I haven’t been able to better.

*denotes PR samples

What are some of your winter must-haves?

There are two types of people in this world.  Those that eat McDonald’s gherkins with reckless abandon and those that peer at their open burgers, fingertips poised like pincers ready to remove the offending article.  Usually, those second type of people flick their gherkins (not a euphemism) in my direction.  LOVE them.

I can’t say the same for the scent of frankincense though.  My mother boarded at convent school and can’t get enough of the pungent resin which is said to contain healing properties that promote the well-being of both the body and the soul.

Neals Yard have based an entire collection on the aromatic resin and it’s at the very heart of their anti-ageing skincare range.  I’ve been trialling the Neals Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Serum for the last 4 weeks and scent-aside, it’s been an absolute pleasure to use.

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Ingredients” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa”]Aqua (Water), Glycerin*, Sucrose distearate, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) extract*, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Vaccinium corymbosum (Blueberry) oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Cetyl alcohol, Sucrose stearate, Levulinic acid, Potassium sorbate, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool.

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When I began to use the serum, I was looking forward to experiencing a continued reduction in redness (thanks to anti inflammatory ingredients such as Turmeric) and whilst I can’t say that my skin tone has improved further… I’m definitely not suffering from any increased redness despite external factors that would usually cause me problems.  The central heating has gone on since I’ve started using this serum and temperatures outside have dropped considerably.  On this count, I’m impressed.

It’s November now and I’d also usually be doing daily battle with dryness… I have a few drops of my Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream left but I’m not having to use it.  So far (touch wood), my skin… which would normally be parched above my eyebrows, under my eyes and around my mouth… is completely normal.  Can I put this solely down to the serum?

No, my moisturiser isn’t the same as last year and neither is my diet.  There are too many other factors that could be influencing my skin but my gut instinct is telling me that the immediate moisture boost I can feel this giving my skin is definitely helping to keep my skin hydrated day in and day out.

Above all else, Neals Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Serum is a joy to use.  A thin, slightly oily cream that melts into my skin immediately hydrating and softening.  It leaves a non-greasy base that welcomes my night cream without demanding it.

After washing my face, I pat my skin a couple of times to remove excess drips and apply this while my skin is still slightly damp… I find that this is key to squeezing the full benefits from the product and makes all the difference to how soft and hydrated my skin feels after application.

At £39.50 for 30ml, it’s not an inexpensive product though it spreads so well (especially on damp skin) that I could probably eke out daily usage for an minimum of three months.

Neals Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Serum is available to buy online or instore at Neals Yard.

NHJ, wearer of mega specs and gatekeeper of the secrets to looking at least 10 years younger shares some winter skin tips in conjunction with Avon.

Created to promote the Avon ANEW Clinical range, I’ve only ever tried the Avon ANEW Clinical Eye Lift which I liked but didn’t love enough to repurchase.  The cream part I loved, but I found the gel to be thoroughly ineffective.  I do have a friend who adores the derma-full serum (in the funny bottle) and swears that it works wonders on her visible pores.

I’d love to hear what you guys think of the range?

We all want great skin throughout the year but we all want it that little bit more when we have a slew of parties to attend!

This Christmas, Sisley are offering 2 new Express Facials at Selfridges, a great excuse to include some pampering whilst doing your Christmas shopping!

The two new facials available are described as…

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Pre Party Preparation Express Facial” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”a9a9a9″]

Sisley’s new Pre Party Preparation Facial works to deep cleanse the skin and combines a gentle buffing cream to boost skin circulation whilst removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. This is followed be an intensely hydrating mask which plumps, firms and smoothes the skin. To solve the problem of dry, chapped winter lips, the facial combines nourishing lip treatments to leave lips soft and plump.

Skin is left glowing, hydrated and smooth providing a perfect base to apply your party makeup.

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[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Post Party Recovery Facial” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”a9a9a9″]

Sisley’s new Post Party Recovery Facial begins with a deep cleanse to ensure that every trace of dirt and makeup is removed allowing pores to breathe again.  This is followed by a revitalising exfoliation to remove impurities.  Next, one of Sisley’s award winning skin saving masks is applied to help regain optimal condition of the skin.

To solve the problem of puffy, tired eyes the facial combines a soothing eye treatment to awaken tired eyes and eliminate dark circles.  Your skin is left looking bright, radiant and rested.

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A £35 booking fee applies, which is redeemable against 2 or more Sisley skincare products purchased on the day of the treatment.

Happy Monday morning you lovely lot!

Stop dragging your knuckles on the floor.  I know you’ve only had time for 8 mugs of double espresso so far but look lively ‘cos I’ve got a treat for you today!

Jo Givens, the infinitely wise Treatments Development Manager at Liz Earle’s London flagship store has agreed to share some of her best tips to prepare your skin for whatever Winter has to throw at it!

L-R: Jo Givens -Treatments Development Manager at Liz Earle, Liz Earle Flagship London Store

Dear Lipglossiping readers!

I’m so honoured that I have been invited to share my seasonal skin tips with you all!

As the summer has sadly come to an end, I begrudgingly pack away my summer wardrobe as my ‘tan’ starts to fade along with the sunshine.  Autumn is here and winter is on its way.  The air feels cooler and the leaves on the trees have started to transform into a beautiful sea of orange and gold.  I find that this is the time my skin starts to feel in need of hydration, as the central heating resumes once more and sucks away skin moisture, and signs of damage from the harsh UV rays of the summer start to be revealed.

It is important to remember that we need to adapt our skincare routine during these coming months, along with good nutrition to keep skin looking and feeling its best whilst maintaining flagging energy levels.

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Problem: Skin breakouts during changing seasons

Solution: Plummeting temperatures and central heating can wreak havoc with your skin- symptoms of this can be breakouts (spots or pimples), due to inflammation, bacteria and a build up of dead skin cells and excess oils.  Use a clay mask which is rich in minerals to absorb excess oils.  I would recommend using this 2-3 x a week all over your face, or just on specific areas as a spot treatment overnight.  I firmly believe in supplements for the skin and garlic tablets are perfect as an anti-inflammatory treatment for the skin – always consult your doctor before taking anything internal.

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Problem: Dull and tired skin

Solution: Exfoliate skin as once stubborn skin cells are removed your skin will instantly look clearer and brighter. Also, I always recommend exoliating your skin before using a facial mask, as this can literally double the effects of any mask.  Try to do at least 10 minutes of exercise a day – this will boost the circulation to the skin and keep it looking fresh and hydrated.

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Problem: Parched, dry skin

Solution: As your skin can feel drier in the winter months, double up with a hydrating facial oil at night underneath your existing moisturiser.  Try a facial oil that is made up of 100% plant oils packed with skin loving ingredients such as argan oil and organic rosehip oil.  Also, try using a richer moisturiser at night that will provide super hydration whilst you sleep.  Focus on massaging your skin with gentle caring sweeps for at least 2 minutes every night as this will boost circulation and keep skin supple.

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Problem: How to Survive the Christmas Preparations?

Solution: After a warm bath, pat skin dry and lavish skin with a rich luxurious body cream.  Burn a natural Lavender soy candle for 10 minutes in your bedroom before you sleep to scent the room-this will aid relaxation

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Problem: Low Energy Levels during Dark Mornings and Evenings

Solution: I would always advise to start your day with a dry skin body brush. On dry skin, brush upwards using long sweeping strokes towards the heart – this boosts a sluggish system.  Once you have body brushed, massage a body scrub over damp skin – this will remove dead skin cells and bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells.

Banish tiredness by not eating sugary foods at night- these energy foods can disturb sleep.  A daily supplement of milk thistle is great during the winter months to boost the liver energy which will help the body to eliminate waste and maintain vitality.  Also keep up your daily water intake as dehydration can have a negative effect on the skin and body.

Interior of Liz Earle’s flagship London store

Thanks so much to Jo for taking the time to share your great tips and solutions with us!

I’ve already contemplated introducing some dry skin body brushing into my daily routine and I love treating my skin to Superskin Concentrate as an overnight dry-skin quencher whenever I feel it rebelling against the elements.  It’s a bit heavy for daytime use… but my goodness does it sort me out while I sleep!

Also, one of my favourite bath-time relaxers comes in the form of the Vital Oils for the Bath… the site recommends 1/2 capfuls per bath but this stuff is SO potent that a couple of drops does it for me!

However, if you really want to get your skin Winter-ready, you can’t beat a visit to The Treatment Rooms in the London store to indulge in one of Liz Earle facials or skin tutorials with an expert therapist like Jo.

What are your main skincare concerns for the upcoming Winter?  Dryness?  Dullness? Something else?

You might remember this post from August… I talked about a new serum from Origins that I had been sent for review consideration.  It  contained (amongst other things) mushrooms!  It promised to relieve sensitive, red and reactive skin and I’ve been putting it to the test on those claims.

I won’t go into too much detail on the background and theory behind the product because that’s already been covered in my earlier post.  Today, I want to talk about how it was to use and more importantly, the results.

The pump dispenses a decent sized blob of serum which is light and cooling when applied to the skin.  It has a slight earthy smell but nothing unpleasant.  However, when I had a sniff of the Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Serum on counter I thought it smelled foul.  Proper, unbearably horrible.  Like rotting compost.  I’m not sure what was wrong with the tester… but it’s something to perhaps be aware of and don’t be too put off if you encounter the same because mine still smells perfectly fine after 2 months use!

It’s quite a ‘wet’ feeling serum and a small amount spreads a long way.  It doesn’t take too much effort before my skin absorbs it and it leaves no residue behind.  I would always apply a moisturiser over this night and morning if you’re prone to dry skin like me.

So how did the trial go?

Well, I didn’t notice instant results.  It’s taken nearly 2 months and it’s only now that I feel my redness has subsided a little.  As I expected, I haven’t seen any results on the broken capillaries around and on my nose… but to my eye, there’s definitely less contrast between my red areas and the areas where I’d consider my skintone to be ‘normal’.

It’s always quite difficult to judge these things and even harder to ensure that a before/after photograph taken 2 months apart retains simillar lighting/poses etc.  I’ve done my best and I’m pleasantly surprised by the difference, it basically confirms what I thought I was seeing in the mirror.  Can you see it too?

Incase the last one didn’t give you nightmares (you can even click to enlarge)…

So overall, my experiences with Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Serum have been positive.  Perhaps not mindblowing, but for me…. enough to warrant a repurchase in the hope that I will continue to see improvement.

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Serum for Redness is available to buy from your local Origins counter or online from their website.  Priced at £50 for 50ml.

When I read on the Perricone MD website that Cold Plasma was “A New Paradigm in Scientific Skincare” – I succumbed to the realisation that I didn’t have a clue what paradigm meant.  I suspected that I might need a degree in something better than Media and Cultural Studies to be able to use that word in company without much sniggering.

I went to Wikipedia to try and make sense of it, but came away even more confused.  Something about exemplars apparently…. so then I got out my dictionary to look up exemplars (whilst wondering how long all this was going to take and couldn’t they have just used the word “breakthrough” instead).  And then I struck gold, the penny dropped, the lightbulb flicked on and I ‘got it’.  It just means something that’s so brilliant, someone else is bound to half-inch the idea soon.

If you all knew exactly what it meant anyway… congrats, you just wasted about a minute of your life reading this.

So anyway, on with the product!

Perricone MD are well-known for their ultra-pricey, ultra-scientific skincare.  They’re like the Hell-Fire club of skincare but without the sex, whips and debauchery.  A pot of Cold Plasma will set you back 120 of your British pounds… that’s a lot of money for 30mls of something that smells like the inside of a fishbowl.

Which is why it was given to me earlier in the year at a PR event… I don’t have the kind of money to drop £120 on a cream that I’ve never sampled before in the hope that it will turn me into Bieber’s younger and more fresh-faced sister.

But that’s also why I was determined to see the pot through to the bitter end and not take this review too lightly.  People out there WILL spend that kind of money because they like to have the best of the best and sometimes, the best don’t come cheap.

I started using Perricone MD’s Cold Plasma around April/May.  The gel texture is cooling, refreshing and beautifully light.  It sinks in leaving me with velvet-soft skin and an almost instantly smoother complexion.  Sadly, this effect never lasted till morning or else I’d be commanding you all to go buy, buy, BUY!  The scent (which has been commented on many times before) is fishy.  Not fish and chips fishy, or harbour-side fishy but aquarium fishy.  There’s a difference…   Have you ever walked into a pet shop?  It doesn’t smell of cats and dogs does it?  It just smells… like a pet shop.  Well, this smells to me like a fish tank, are we clear on this completely unimportant distinction?!

Everytime I used it… I was like “ooooh, there goes £1”, which is quite off-putting when I kept losing about 20p worth under my nails.  Have I mentioned how much I dislike my products packaged in jars?  Squeezy tubes all the way please!

But anyway… I did it!  I reached the bottom of the jar at the beginning of August, which actually means that although I can’t describe this with a straight face as being “value for money” – this stuff did last me a hella long time!  I think because it spread so well over my skin, I really only needed to use a v. small amount each time.  I should downsize that £1 theory.

So, would I actually go and spend £120 on this to repurchase?

Um… no.

Despite it being a thoroughly lovely treat, I just didn’t see enough overall difference in my skin to warrant that kind of purchase.

I mean… Cold Plasma is promoted as helping to combat the 10 signs of aging, which include:

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And I just can’t say that I experienced long-lasting differences to these areas.  Yes, for a few hours my skin felt: smoother, softer and I also think it made my pores appear smaller.  But that effect would only last me through to lunch-time and I’m not even 100% positive that I wasn’t looking EXTREMELY hard to notice these things.

I am skeptical about all things claiming to work miracles but goodness me would I have sung the praises of this concoction from the rooves of the blogosphere if it had delivered.  For me, it delivered around £40 worth of good skin.  And that’s the most I’d give you for it.