Palmers Skin Success Eventone Brightening Face Mask is a thick creamy, clay based mask with natural complexion brightening ingredients which will leave your skin absolutely glowing.

The kaolin presence soaks up any excess oil content in the skin as well as aiding in drawing impurities to the surface of the skin. Its Vitamins C and E and licorice help reduce uneven skin tone and improves the overall skin texture and tone.

Licorice is a powerful healing agent which will help reduce any mild inflammation, redness and mild scars. This deep cleansing mask eliminates impurities from the skin as well as having an exfoliating effect, removing the surface layer of dead skin cells. All of this leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, squeaky clean and you will glow with radiance.

This price conscious mask is suitable for all skin types and for best results should be used once or twice a week. Apply generously over the entire face and neck area, being careful to avoid the eye area. Leave to dry for 12 - 15 minutes.

You will feel your skin tighten as the mask dries into your skin. Remove with warm water and a flannel / facial sponges, ensuring you thoroughly remove all traces of the product from your skin. Be sure to complete this home treatment by moisturising and applying a suitable eye care.

I absolutely love this product. For it’s price it is an excellent deep cleansing and highly brightening face mask for all skin types. Before going out on a Friday or Saturday night I often apply this mask to ensure my make up sits evenly on my skin allowing that healthy glow to shine through.

So how does mineral make up differ to your normal fluid foundation? What exactly is mineral make up?
Simplicity is the answer. Mineral make up bring us back to basics, containing no nasty, harsh ingredients which will trigger of skin irritations and breakouts. Mineral make up will provide a beautifully flawless and even finish without looking like you need a chisel to remove it.

The make up consists of all natural finely ground minerals from the earth, steering clear of any chemicals, dyes and preservatives which are found in other forms of make up. High quality mineral make up will also consist of zinc oxides and titanium dioxides to provide you with the sun protection your skin needs in the most natural form possible. It should contain no fillers i.e. flour, bismuth oxychloride, talc powder or corn flower. The mineral powders sink into the oils on your skin giving your skin an even, flawless finish without creating that awful ‘caked-on’ look.

This also allows your skin to breathe which is therefore more healing and soothing on the skin.
Mineral make up is ideal for skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, sensitized and irritated. It is also fantastic to apply after having a peel / laser resurfacing / microdermabrasion treatment etc, as it does not contain any ingredients which will cause further irritation or support bacteria on the skin.

You will be amazed and how easily a mineral powder foundation can conceal redness from rosacea, acne scaring and active acne as well as any other possible flaws which you may experience.

The key to applying your mineral powder foundation correctly and evenly come down to two simple things; the brush and the three step process. You should invest in a good brush for application. Each company will have their own and they tend to be quite similar in quality and effectiveness.

I especially loved the Skin Rich mineral make up brush as it evenly distributed the minerals over my face and has been designed specifically for mineral make up. For that beautifully flawless coverage, apply your mineral make up in a simple three step process. Swirl it, tap it, and apply it!

Swirl a small amount (you only ever need a tiny amount of product as it goes a very long way) of the mineral powder into the lid of your container until all the natural minerals are tucked up into the bristle. To do this you should really swirl for approximately three minutes.

Tap the brush off the side of the container or container lid to shake off excess loose minerals. You should not be able to see any minerals on the outside of the brush. If you do, tap some more.

Lastly, in a circular motion, with firm pressure (to ensure you press the product into your skin) apply the make up with your brush. You can build it up in layers for more coverage or for that night time appearance but always remember, with all mineral make up foundations, less is more.

I have personally tried and tested an abundance of mineral make up foundations. Jane Iredale would have to be my all time favourite, although it is quite pricey so not something you would use every day.

Skin Rich and Bare Mineral both offer a more affordable range, both of which I currently use and feel my skin has settled in doing so. They both also offer bronzers, loose eye shadows and concealer’s etc so you can fully convert from a pore clogged mass concealer to clean skinned natural beauty.

Many cheaper brands are now producing a mineral powder foundation. I have also tried L’Oreal Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation which has a nifty build in brush. However it is not a true 100% mineral based foundation as it does contain some extra ingredients. L’Oreal have many shades to choose from so you will find one which will blend into your skin correctly.

So throw away those messy, oily, bacteria supporting foundations and give your skin a chance to breath. Experiment with a few different brands and I highly recommend you invest in a good quality brush for application. Go on, your skin deserves it!

I hear you saying “that’s alright if you don’t have young kids” or “my career comes first” or generally a simple “I just don’t have the time”.

What a load of rubbish! Thirty minutes a day exercise every day does not have to be a five kilometer run or lunging full force at a complete (and generally overpriced) equipped gym. Find something different to do each day, anything, as long as it gets your heart rate up and you at least break a little sweat.

This can be the usual walking the dog, taking the kids to the pool for a few lengths, brisk walking with your next door neighbour in the evenings etc. or it can be something a little less obvious.

Get out of your gym gear and into your old clothes you wouldn’t be seen dead in past the front door and kick off your shoes. Put some upbeat music which YOU enjoy and start scrubbing.

Yes, housework is an excellent form of exercise. Cleaning the windows or washing the dishes for half an hour burns an average of one hundred and forty four calories. Dusting burns an average of one hundred and twenty calories, while doing the grocery shopping alone burns an average of one hundred and ninety calories!

Now I wonder if regular retail therapy qualifies.. Possibly not. Ironing clothes burns a whopping hundred and ninety calories, and that’s just in half an hour. I’m sure you have at least that a day to tackle. If you want to be really harsh on yourself, turn up the central heating and sweat a little extra. Think of it as Bikram style housework.

If housework isn’t really your thing and you prefer to be outside breathing in the lovely fresh air ( which is clearly better for you anyway) play with the kids. Running around playing with the kids in the garden for half an hour burns approximately one hundred and ninety five calories. Now that’s Childs play. 

Instead of sending the kids to the shop for bread and milk, get off your possibly slightly expanded bottom and briskly walk to the shop yourself. Furthermore walk back with shopping in each hand. Try to balance the weight of the bags so you carry an even amount in both hands.

So as wonderful as lavish gyms and fitness regimes are, they often are not always at hand for everyone but that pile of ironing certainly is. Following the thirty minutes, every day plan will help you lead a healthier lifestyle. You will look good and feel great!

Yoga more than exercise 

Scientific medical studies recognise the effect stress has on a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. It is well documented stress can cause many problems including depression, anxiety, digestive ailments, muscular and spinal injury, skin rashes, sleep disorders, cardio vascular disease, to name but a few.

Read more about Yoga and the health benefits at the Physio Files

I don’t fully agree with this. On many occasions I have bought a cheap lip-gloss, mascara, false tan etc and to my surprise absolutely loved it! Thanks to Murphy’s lay, when I try to find that product again, it was so cheap and unheard of that it was a pure mission impossible! The bigger and “better” brands are constantly pushed in front of us. We automatically presume it’s the better and safer option.

Have you ever considered the philosophy that is known as MARKETING?

Unknown to us, it influences our decision making greatly, often leading us to opt for the more expensive packaging rather than trying something a little less common. Now I am not encouraging you to go get the cheapest pore clogging, orange coloured, highly perfumed sloppy foundation and smear it all over your face,
you all know better than that.

However I do recommend you play around with different brands, particularly the likes of false tan, body lotion, foot cream, nail polish etc. Products which will not damage your skin or cause irritation on sensitive areas such as the face and eye area.
 

As much as I love to pamper myself with expensive luxurious products, I also love a good bargain. For example I love to use St Tropez Everyday Moisturiser to build a beautiful natural tan over a few days, but on a budget I gladly settle for Johnson & Johnson’s Holiday Skin. 

As do I love Jurlique’s Foot and Leg Care Lotion, but on a budget I settle for adding a few droplets of peppermint to some lanolin cream and massaging it into my tired feet and legs. The peppermint is extremely refreshing and stimulating, while the lanolin cream is extremely hydrating and softening on your skin.

(Pregnant ladies should completely avoid peppermint as with most essential oils, but I will go into that in detail at a later date).

Don’t ignore the bargain bins; you may just pick up a useful ingredient if nothing else. Bargain bins are often full of things which don’t sell as well, or the store wish to clear some space for bigger and better things. Timing is the essence. Always keep and ear and eye out, keep an open mind, a little interest and imagination and you could just save yourself a small fortune.

For special occasions, weekends etc. treat yourself to the “quality goods” as I like to call them. The rest of the time, consider settling for something a little less expensive which may just do as good a job if chosen and applied correctly.

1. Big sunnies can not only hide tired eyes but can instantly create a sense of mystery to your face. Putting on a pair of oversized Paris Hilton style sunnies is a great way to go from drab to fab.
2. Accesorize accesorize accesorize!!! Bright coloured beads, a few bangles around your wrist and a cute belt to break up an outfit can make you suddenly feel “made up”.
3. Swap your flats for heels. This automatically gives you better posture and you are less likely to slouch (far more ladylike).
4. If your hair feels like you have dipped your head in the chip pan, scrape it back into a tight high pony tail. Scrunch the ends with a dollop of moose to create more texture. Above all, don’t leave it hanging around your face, other than encouraging bacteria to spread, it’s just not pretty.
   
5. Pop on a bit of lippy. Lip gloss or lipstick can automatically add colour to your face, lifting your overall colour tone. Be daring with a dramatic blood red, or keep it simply and pretty with a clear to pale pink lip gloss.
6. Wrap a long knitted woollen scarf around your neck a couple of times (weather provided). Be careful not to look like a wrapped up mummy, or worse Harry Potter. Wrap it loosely around your neck a couple of times, allowing both ends to hang in front. For summer months, perhaps opt for a light scarf / neck tie.  
7. Hats, bandanna’s and head scarves are all a fun n funky way to dress up an outfit. You can change that same old lbd that you have worn to the office all year but adding a pretty head scarf.
8. Instead of tying your hair up in the usual plain black hair bobbin, add some jazz… experiment with bobby pins, clips, ribbons, scrunches and hair bands. Bobbie pins are great to create that “messy, thrown up” look. Just throw it up and pin it in any old way. You can’t possibly go wrong!
9. Smile. You might think this is a strange on, but smiling makes you look so much better, more approachable and more to the point makes YOU feel better.
10. Okay this is a little naughty but, buy something. Treat yourself to something. Wearing something new is an instant mood lifter. If you feel good, you look good (just don’t over do this or your credit card will instantly make you feel drab again). 

I am by no means a dietitian or even dieter of the year, but I do feel that this time of year, people depress and deprive themselves far too much. Its one thing watching what you eat and another thing starving yourself. It’s great that you have decided to shed a few kilos but what procedures are you taking in doing so. Don’t spend hours in the gym if you really hate it. I absolutely hate going to the gym, but I love most dance classes etc. I now attend regular dance classes of everything from Brazilian to Ballroom to pole dancing! It’s so much fun and you don’t feel like you’re slaving away in a sweaty gym, but the next day you certainly feel it and very soon notice results.  

Don’t think of yourself as someone who is overweight. Think of yourself as a slim person, who has possibly put on a couple of kilos over the holidays. Try to think of yourself as a slim person who only requires small portions. You do not need to do what your mother always told you by finishing every last thing on your plate. It is good to leave a little left over. There is not a famine on, and you will eat again in a matter of a few hours. When eating each meal be sure to sit down, concentrate on what you are eating and chew slowly. Ask yourself “do I feel full?” If so, PUT DOWN THE FOOD. Never take second helpings; a portion is a portion for a reason.  

Don’t finish the children’s left overs. You are not a rubbish bin!

My overall point is, you do not need to become a hermit, you can still socialise, just look at your options. Enjoy your chosen sport whether it be walking, martial arts, dancing, or like me at the moment pole dancing! Its important to enjoy the sport you do, otherwise you will not do it to your full potential.

Bathing in water has always been associated with relaxation and the feeling of well being. For ourselves we are comforted in the womb from an early stage by a watery surroundings. On a larger scale, the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians spent hours bathing in various temperatures. This was also quite sociable to bath in the public baths. It was the ancient day beauty day spa.

It’s not always possible for the average Joe (or Joanne) to toddle off to the day spa when needs be. However you can create that day spa in the comfort of your own bathroom.

How much do you spend for you ongoing waxing treatments? Wouldn’t you rather permanently reduce that unwanted hair growth, not have to worry about the constant regrowth and in the long term have extra cash in your pocket? Yes you may pay a little more initially for your laser treatments then your waxing treatment, but unlike the ongoing regular waxing sessions, having completed your initial course of laser treatments, a couple of sporadic single sessions will suffice to maintain results.

Before your first treatment you should always have a detailed consultation with your therapist, followed by a patch test to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment. It also allows the therapist to gage which settings suite your skin and hair type. This is extremely important. Personally I always like to leave it at least 24 hours after a patch test before carrying out the first treatment to allow any abnormal reaction to appear.

During the consultation, never lie. These questions are asked for a genuine reason and mislead information can result damage to your skin! Ask all questions and never ever lie or withhold information. For medical reasons, some clients are not suitable for laser hair removal. Following this some have approached a second clinic with the same intention, failing to disclose that same information, so as they would be allowed to continue with treatment. This is extremely dangerous and not at all advisable. If you are not suitable for treatment, you are not suitable for treatment. At the end of the day, it’s your skin being treated.

In one single treatment, sixty to ninety percent of the hair in the anagen stage of the hair growth cycle is successfully treated. This is why you need to have a course of treatments, to eventually reach the majority of the hair growth. Do not think of it as permanent hair removal, think of it as permanent hair reduction. To date, there is not treatment for the permanent complete hair removal, so do not be mislead by any clinic who tells you otherwise.

Each and every one of us is different, therefore we each react differently to the treatment. Some people notice a reduction after one treatment, however generally it is after the third or fourth treatment before you see a noticeable difference. Initially you will notice the hair grows back slower after each treatment as the treatment slows down the hair growth. Then you will notice the hair growth grows back patchy. You will need a course of treatments, which are usually sold in a course of six. The average is six to ten treatments, however some people often need up to ten or twelve treatments.

Many people get tongue tied and flustered when explaining how the treatment works. To simplify, the light that comes out of the handpiece of the machine travels down through the hair shaft, to the root of the hair, where if is growing from. It heats up to a certain temperature, cortorises it and kills it off so it us unable to grow in that area again. The hair is not removed there and then, but as it grows out and away from the surface of the skin, it falls out of the follicle and doesn’t grow back again.

Before your treatment your therapist will shave down the area to be treated. The reason for this is so there is no loss of heat from the hair lying above the surface of the skin and the heat travels directly to the root where the hair is growing from. In between treatments you may shave the area (or with facial and bikini areas etc you may trim down with a scissors). Never ever wax or tweeze as this will stimulate the hair growth and disrupt the entire course of treatment. Depilatory creams are not recommended as they tend to cause sensitivity on the skin. Your skin will already be slightly sensitized, why add to it? Do not bleach the hair growth. The laser light targets the pigment of the hair, if there is no pigment in the hair, it will not be successful. This is why light, blonde, white or grey hair types are suitable.

The production of Meladine and similar products mean that clients with blonde, grey and white hair can also benefit from laser hair removal. It is a topical melanine solution that is sprayed onto the area to be treated numerous times a day for a period of time leading up to and during your treatment. Like with the laser treatment it targets the hair and does not affect the surrounding skin. The actual hair shaft will not alter in colour because the colour is deposited directly into the follicle of the hair, meaning only the hair lying below the surface of the skin will darken in colour. This is quite an expensive method and I would only recommend it to clients who are extremely persistent on reducing the unwanted air growth. I have recommended it to some of my clients and it has worked quite well but makes the overall treatment less cost effective.

Before, during and after your treatment you should always ensure you avoid direct sun exposure, solariums and be sure to wear a high SPF to avoid pigmentation and damage to your skin. Follow your therapists ;  advice on aftercare carefully. Any good clinic / salon will give you a post treatment advice leaflet outlining the do’s and don’ts.

Many clients are eager to have their treatments close together, i.e. two a month. This is completely pointless. The hair takes approximately a month to complete the hair growth cycle. You should have one a month initially. As we aim to reach the hair in the anagen stage each time, reducing the hair growth each time, we want to make sure we eventually reach the majority of the hair in the anagen stage to eventually reach the majority of the hair growth. With time the hair growth slows down after a few treatments, so depending you the individual the  therapist may ask you to come back every five or six weeks to reach the hair in the anagen stage.

The big question ; “does it hurt?” No it does not. It is slightly uncomfortable and not by any means a relaxing treatment, but personally I think waxing is more uncomfortable. I describe it to my clients as a mild tingling sensation, similar to an elastic band snapping against your hand. Some pulses feel slightly more uncomfortable than other but overall it’s a fast, clean, comfortable and an extremely effective method of permanent hair reduction.

IPL (intense pulsed light) and UPL (ultra pulsed light) are also effective in the permanent reduction of unwanted hair, however from extensive experience in working with many different laser, IPL and UPL machines I feel that laser is more effective for hair removal and IPL and UPL are excellent for photo rejuvenation and acne treatment. Other laser machines are available for photo rejuvenation and acne treatments. As a general rule I would sooner opt for laser treatments.

Since having laser hair removal, I have never ever looked back. It is by far the most advanced and effective way to treat unwanted hair growth. Be sure to have a patch test and discuss the procedure in detail with your therapist prior to treatment. Shop around as prices may greatly vary.

Is it a wise move to use what’s left of last year’s sun protection this year?

• Each product must display a use by date, like with foods. 
• When purchasing products, always check that you have enough time to use it up before it’s past its use by date.
• Don’t leave your make up sit in a hot humid area, as this will rapidly decrease its shelf life.
  

Keep lids on at all times, even when you are dashing out the door in a hurry.
Ensure make up/products don’t dry out or get contaminated.
Dirty make up brushes are a major cause of contamination. Keep this in mind next time you have your make up applied or tested on you in the department or make up store. Don’t be shy to ask them how they clean their brushes in between clients etc. to help prevent cross contamination.

We all have our favourite perfume, but as they say variety is the spice of life. I like to have a few different perfumes but notice that throughout they yeah they change in colour, scent and sometimes even consistency. Some appear thicker with time. Floral scents are past their best after about 18 months. Whereas light citrus based perfumes start to deteriorate in as little as 6 months.

Nail polish can last for years as most brands contain formaldehyde, which preserves them. Always keep them in a cool place and ensure the lit is replaced firmly at all times.

In general hair care lasts 12 months. If out of date you will notice shampoos will not lather up properly. Hair masks tend to become stickier than normal and begin to harden when they are past their use by date.
With lip-glosses, I tend to opt for squeezy tubes rather than wand applicators, as it is more hygienic and less likely to become contaminated. I love Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes and my “collection” confirms this. Most lip-glosses will last for up to 24 months. Lipsticks last between 12 and 24 month. Store your lippies in the fridge to help preserve them.

Eye shadows last for up to 2 years. Their smell changes dramatically when they are ready to be thrown out.
This is an important one, mascara! Make sure you use your mascara within 4 months, and if you don’t, as much as it kills you, throw it out! Mascara wands are breeding grounds for bacteria, and bacteria is something you do not want in or around the eye area.

Foundation last between 12 and 24 months depending on the quality of it and how well you store it. Mineral powder lasts up to 2 years. Being a natural based product with inhibitors, it has a longer shelf life than most products.
Sunscreen should be used within a year of opening. Never ever scrimp n save on sun protection.

Having being opened face cleansers may be used for up to 1 year. Face moisturiser may be used for up 2 years.
Body products tend to last quite some time. Having being opened body wash will be fine to use for 18 to 24 months. Body moisturiser can last for 18 to 24 months. Body toning / firming products (i.e. firming serums or gels) can be used up to 12 to 24 months after being opened.

Luckily for self confessed product junkies like myself we can try and test the latest of everything, knowing that we have plenty of time in which to use them up. I must admit, I never have this problem as I never have products go bad before using them. I guess that’s why they call me the beauty queen!