YOUNGBLOOD LIPSTICK in VIXEN

As you've probably noticed I love to use Youngblood cosmetics, my addiction began when Elements Medispa took the brand on in the clinic. It didn't matter what product I was using or whose make-up i did, from bridal to camouflage everybody including me was impressed at both it's coverage and longevity.

And without fail when it came to needing a new trusty red lippy the brand stepped up! The shade I chose was vixen which is a real true red, on application it is quite thick without being sticky and has a great matt finish. The lipstick leaves a stain on the lips meaning you can have a few Starbucks before having to reapply! It's also great because a lip liner isn't essential as it does not bleed into the lip line.

RIMMEL STAY BLUSHED cheek tint

Well.. being a full time student is definitely taking up a lot of my time but not so much that I'll be spending less time finding, wearing and loving cosmetics!

Over the years I've tried cheek 'tints' and 'stains' but the general consensus was that they were not that great. I hated the thin liquid form that they came in and there was very little room for error when applying as the moment it touched the skin it was dry and not moving.

After tints and stains I converted to cream blushers, I love the sheen that they give and the way they enhance the cheek bones, bonus that they can double up as a lippy!

So the reason for my rambling is that this product is the perfect combination of a tint and a cream blush. It's texture is thicker than a cream yet not sticky like a blush, it easy to apply with your finger and can be easily blended to the contour of your cheek. The result is a soft glow of colour blended without any harsh lines.

I actually prefer to use this product as a base colour underneath a loose powder blush for a more intense evening look.

My only negative is that when wearing this product alone it does need to be reapplied regularly to maintain the look.

YOUNGBLOOD Liquid Mineral Foundation

I've been searching for a mineral foundation that I can truly say I love, and I've got to admit its been a hard find. I've tried so many over the last year or so and although some were ok none were great. I found that lots of them contained talc and left the skin looking quite dull and dry, a typical trait of talc. I also found that the majority of them were in a powder form, powders commonly give a heavy coverage and I wanted that 'I've hardly got any make-up on' look.

I'd heard of Youngblood a while back when it was used by Cheryl Cole on the XFactor, for some reason I tried the blushers and eye shadows but never the foundation ( big mistake ). There is a large collection of loose and pressed foundations and too my joy 8 shades in a liquid form. As I have a pale skin tone but often wear fake tan I chose the shade 'pebble'. One pump from the 30ml bottle is all I need for a day look and I usually use a little more for an evening look, I have also found that I prefer to warm this product in my hand and apply with my fingers instead of with a foundations brush. The foundation itself is so light and easy to spread around the contours of the face, blends really well leaving no horrid 'foundation line'.

The deeps sea minerals and nutrients in this product really do seem to work, my clients are always commenting on the 'glow' my skin has. Please don't let £35 price tag put you off, it is so worth it and last longer than most other liquid foundations as you have to apply so much more of them.

ORLY Top 2 Bottom .... Love

So you've bought a polish because you love the colour, but maybe it's quality isn't that good? Fear not Orly Top 2 Bottom will transform you £1 nail varnish into a Perfect mani!

On holiday I couldn't resist a mint green nail polish, the only problem it was one €1. Great for my purse but not so for the longevity of my perfectly painted fingers. I wasn't too hopeful but as it matched my outfit I'd be happy if it saw me through the night, I applied Top 2 Bottom, 2 coats of colour and finished with a generous layer of the Orly polish. To my amazement the my self mani didn't chip for 5 days! I will definitely be incorporating this product into any nail painting that comes my way.

My boyfriend didn't appreciate my joy in something so trivial as nail polish, however I though you guys might!

Perfect polish storage!

Just a quick post, I've been looking for something nice to keep all my make/up & nail polishes etc in as they are currently covering every surface in bedroom! After searching I came across the lovely little website called Jadoreinteriors & found these carry case style boxes practical & will look great! Take a look!


http://www.jadoreinteriors.co.uk/


http://www.jadoreinteriors.co.uk/shop/4575063751/Set-of-3-Birdcage-Cases/5914211

Top Performing Skincare Ingredients

Peptides

 we’ve all heard ofpeptides, they’re not just a word that they use on the adverts. Peptides arekey anti-aging ingredients that reduce fine lines and wrinkles, promotecollagen, reduce inflammation and brighten skin tone. Peptides are made of proteinswhich are the building blocks of skin. Peptide mobilizer from Dermaquest is agemanagement at its best with 60% peptides it’s botox in a bottle.

Antioxidants

Powerful antioxidants generate healthy cell renewal and actsas a cellular bodyguard for our skin. Essential for all skin types they protectour skin from free radical damage that our skin encounters on a daily basis.

Retinol

pure and active Vitamin A. Vitamin A is one of the fewsubstances small enough to penetrate the outer layers of the skin to reach thelower layers where collagen and elastin reside.

Stemcells

 the latest generationof plant stem cells to reduce pigmentation, fine lines, and protect the skinfrom environmental damages

Medical Grade Skincare

Products can be categorised by the level that they penetrate to. Medical grade products are the only products that are able to penetrate past the surface layers of the epidermis down to the surface dermal layers of the skin. Within the dermal layer are the cells that produce collagen, elastin, hydration and melanin. These are the cells we want to stimulate when preventing the aging of skin.

.

Although many products have similar ingredients within them medical grade products contain a higher percentage of active ingredients, as a result of this products must be bought from a professional clinic after a consultation.

When purchasing your new medical grade skincare it is important that you look at the ingredients, the following post will outline the industries top performing technologies and ingredients.

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Visia skin analysis ....... My Pictures!

VISIA analysis is the first step to achieving optimalskin renewal and the truly individualised care needed to achieve a radiantcomplexion.

VISIA produces images that capture the key visualinformation for the six areas affecting the appearance of your skin:

•        Fine lines and wrinkles

•        Sun damage (UV spots)

•        Enlarged pores

•        Skin texture

•        Skin bacteria

•        Damaged blood vessels

Bacteria,

 

Also known as porhyrins, attackthe surface of the skin and contribute to break outs and acne. It is importantto remove the bacteria successfully without compromising the skin. A goodexample of this is the use of soap. Skin is acidic and soap is alkaline, thattight feeling that we get when we use soap is not beneficial it is strippingthe skin leaving it dry, dehydrated and dull whilst leaving behind thebacteria. A cleanser that uses plant enzymes which work like a packman on theskin removing any dirt debris or make-up are much more beneficial.

Pores,

 

Enlarged pores give an aged appearance to the skin. Thetissue in the dermal layer becomes lax acting as a weight pulling down on thecells above giving the open appearance; it can also stretch the sebaceousglands which produce oil causing the surface of the skin to appear oily.treatmentss that strengthen and rebuild the skin will help to reduce pore size.

Texture,

The texture of our skin is highly influenced by ourlifestyle. The products that we use, smoking, UV exposure and diet. If we wereto look at cell level the yellow would show the peaks in the skin and bluewould show the dips this combination gives the skin a rough uneven appearance.

UV Damage,

UV damage appears in many ways on the surface of the skin,it can show as brown spots also known as age spots, lines and wrinkles and itcan give the skin that thick leather look appearance. Melanin (brown spots) areproduced as a response to exposure to UV, and without protection they willcontinue to get darker and darker. It is important to wear a sunscreen everydaynot just when your on holiday, UV is all around us lights, computer screens,driving in the car.

Damaged Blood Vessels,

Damaged blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skinare also known as thread veins or spider veins. They are commonly associatedwith rosacea, but can occur as a result of damage to the skin, sun burn andbreak outs. Broken Vessels are very common and very easily treat with IPL aquick simple treatment that can successfully reduce rosacea and individualvessels

Fine lines and Wrinkles,

It happens to us all, fine lines and wrinkles are at the topof everybody’s list. They appear as a result of facial movement, thinning skinand environmental damage.

- Although I’m must admit I’m rather happy with this image!;-)

Skin Needling, the wonder treatment!

Skin Needling is the treatment that is taking the skincare industry by storm! Everywhere you look it is being used to treat many concerns, from scarring on embarrassing bodies, to lines and wrinkles on anti-aging programs and most importantly available to you in skincare clinics.

This is definitely up there as one of the most popular skin treatments that we use in clinic and its the treatment of choice for most of our staff ;-) .

Why all the fuss?

Skin Needling stimulates natural collagen and cell renewal by increasing the production of growth factors (seeVampire Facelift). Growth factors work in response to trauma, the needles on the roller cause tiny puncture wounds in the skin.

 In a professional clinic treatment the size of the needles used are between 1mm and 3mm long, home rollers are usually 0.25mm long.

Professional clinic treatments

As the needles used are long enough to penetrate to the dermal layer of the skin a slight discomfort usually occurs during treatment. This discomfort is over come by using a topical anaesthetic around 40minutes prior to the treatment.

The end point in a professional treatment is pin point bleeding, it is the presence of blood that is responsible for the amazing results!

After the treatment your skin will appear very red, this can last for around 24hours.

As the results are a response to the wound healing process the skin will continue to improve for the following 40 days.

Skin needling successfully treats:

• lines & wrinkles
• thinning skin
• dull sallow skin
• acne scars
• uneven skin tone
• prevention of aging 

Although the results are amazing this treatment is not a quick fix. The treatment plan takes place over a 6 month period with one treatment at 4 weekly intervals. In order to enhance your results a skincare routine containing a RETINOL product will work wonders!

Thread Veins? Rosacea? ..... Treat with IPL

Do you suffer with red veins/broken capillaries?

 

Do you have a redness to your skin? Or possibly suffer from rosacea?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a simple yet effective treatment that can successfully treat these skin concerns amongst many others!

The treatment consists of emitting 'intense white light' delivered through a range of specific wave lengths to target specific concerns. The desired effect is commonly achieved through as little as 3 treatments.

Treating Thread Veins

Thread veins are extremely common as well is the misconception that they cannot be treated.

The vessels are targeted by the IPL, the blood within the vessel (or more specifically the haemoglobin) absorb the light energy. Once this light energy has been absorbs it stimulates thermal damage to the vessel, this damage forces coagulation and destroys the vessel. The damaged vessel is then reabsorbed into the body.

The breakdown of the vessel is different in each patient, some vessels disappear immediately post treatment, some take several weeks and some take several treatments.

The treatment is relatively quick but can be slightly uncomfortable, however the discomfort is only felt for a second in each area. This sneak peak shows a patient receiving the treatment.

Mene & Moy

For a while now we have been looking to introduce a new medical grade skincare brand into our clinic, after months of tests and trials we have finally chosen Mene & Moy.

 A brand that focuses its interests into 2 steps, revitalising the skin in a morning and exfoliating it on an evening. The Brand bases itself around ingredients that have proven themselves within the skincare industry; Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid.

Along with homecare products including a 30% glycolic moisturiser the brand also provides an array of skin peels and resurfacers.

 

If you are looking to change you skincare routine or simply add in some active products then there will be a product for you within this range, whether you concern is acne, dehydration or the endless tale of aging it wont let you down!

Over the following weeks I will be blogging about the individual products and treatments with both steps by steps and before and after photos.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is one of the mostly widely used acids within skincare, as a derivative of sugar cane it has been around for many years. Glycolic Acid is the smallest AHA molecule, because of its small molecular size it has the ability to penetrate the skin.

Essentially Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator, however they way it works is much more advanced than your average scrub. Old dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin are held together by binding lipids, Glycolic Acid breaks the bond holding the skin cells and the lipids together in turn desquamating the old dead cells. Glycolic Acid is often described as a PAC man eating its way through the skin cells.

The removal of the epidermal cells forces the stimulation of new cells to be produced within the dermal layer, Glycolic Acid can be used in a variety of ways; from small percentages in products to high percentages in skin peels.

Daily use of Glycolic Acid products will help to keep the skin smooth and radiant by reducing the build up of old dead skin cells. In order for a product to be beneficial it is advised that they contain between 15 & 30 percent, it is normal to experience a tingling sensation once applied.

Glycolic Acid treatments are successful at treating fine lines and wrinkles, thickened skin, superficial scarring and dull sallow skin. It is also a suitable treatment for those people who want a ‘freshen up’ to their skin. Glycolic treatments come in many forms the most successful are peels containing between 30 and 70 percent Glycolic acid.

TCA Peel step by step

What is a chelated TCA ?

Traditional Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is applied to the skin in a liquid form, incorrect use of this liquid can provoke unwanted damage to the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Chelated TCA is combined with a product called silica; found within clay this makes it much safer to work with. Chelating the TCA prevents rapid penetration of the acid molecules into the dermal layer of the skin, instead it attracts ions with the skin cells.

What does a chelated TCA treat ?

• increases collagen production by stimulating the healing process 
• improves tone & texture of the skin 
• reduce small open pores
• reduce fine lines & wrinkles
• reduce thickening of the skin

Step 1 

The skin is thoroughly cleansed with a glycolic acid cleanser.

This ensures any dirt, debris or make-up is removed from the skin. 

Step 2

An Alpha Beta Complex gel, containing glycolic and salicylic acid is applied to the skin.

This is left on the skin for only a few minutes, until there is visible erythema (redness).

The gel is then removed with damp gauze swabs.

Step 3

The chelated TCA is applied to the skin using a fan brush, even coverage is important.

The TCA is left on the skin for 2 minutes.

The client will begin to feel heat on the surface of their skin, this can become intense heat and a fan will be used if necessary.

The product is gently removed from the skin using damp gauze swabs.

Ice cold compress are the applied to the skin and left for several minutes to reduce the heat.

Step 4

After the skin has cooled and no longer feels warm finishing products are applied to the skin. These products are  to protect the skin form UV damage and to stop any transdermal water loss occurring.

Over the next few days the skin will begin to feel tight and will darken in colour.

Around 5 days later the skin wil begin to peel this can occur for up to 7-10 days.

It is essential that a specific home care is followed.



https://www.elements.org.uk/category/anti-ageing-treatments/chemical-skin-peels/tca-salicylic-acid-peel/285/dermaquest-tca-7-sal

Salicylic Acid.......... beat the breakouts !

Salicylic acid is used very successfully to treat acne and acne induced inflammation. It is the only acid that has the ability to break through the excess oil that sits on the surface of the skin.

Salicylic acid works like a whirlwind cleaning out the pores, forcing any dirt, debris or bacteria to the surface of the skin.

This is the part to remember it gets worse before it gets better, anything that is under the surface of the skin, whether that be a build up of oil, bacteria, dirt or skin cells has to come out in order for the break out to go.

As well as cleaning out our pores Salicylic Acid suppresses the activity of enzymes that cause inflammation, in turn reducing the redness and irritation of the skin.

Salicylic products should not be used everyday as they can be quite drying on the skin and cause a ‘flaking’ effect. When treating spots and breakouts apply the product directly to the area, when used to reduce oil a small amount can be applied to the whole face (max of twice a week).

Salicylic Acid is also used by professionals to treat acne in the form of skin resurfacers or skin peels, these treatments are more intense than at home products: they can feel warm/hot on the skin and may cause you to peel or flake afterwards. However a course of treatments can successfully banish unwanted acne!

Now before you rush out to buy some there a few things to remember:

·      Although some products advertise that they contain Salicylic Acid, you need to consider the percentage of Salicylic within them. In order to for there to be enough active acid, there should be between 2% and 5% salicylic within the product.

·      Salicylic Acid is a derivative of aspirin, therefore anyone with an allergy to aspirin should avoid  use.

·      Salicylic acid should not be used when pregnant.

·      Always use a sunscreen in combination with any acid, this will prevent any sun damage/pigmentation occurring.

For advice on what products to use with this ingredient …. Just ask   

The Vampire Facelift

Ok so we all saw the beautiful Kim Kardashion looking like an extra from a hollywood horror movie, but the treatment that she had is far from as drastic as it looks.

The vampire facelift or Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) is not just some Hollywood gimmick, but a successful treatment not only used in aesthetics, but also used to treat sport injuries, the infamous tiger woods is a fan.

Why??

I understand the worries that people have when it comes to having traditional injectable treatments like Botox and fillers, after all we are putting a 'product' into our bodies. The beauty of PRP is that the product is YOURS, it's your blood! Think about what your blood does, without it you wouldn't be alive. Amongst many other duties your blood carries platelets, platelets once activated release growth factors, it is these growth factors that make this treatment so successful.

Growth factors are typically released when areas of tissue are damaged, they stimulate the healing process. This process consists of stimulating fibroblast cells along with collagen and elastin fibres which are responsible for giving the skin strength and elastic properties.

By introducing these platelets into the skin the healing process is stimulated with minimal trauma being caused. In short we are forcing the stimulation of collagen and elastin.

What happens??

A sample of your blood is taken which is then placed in a centrifuge, this process is to separate the different components of your blood, isolating the platelets into the plasma.

The platelets are then introduced to the skin through several modalities, superficial injections, deep transdermal injections, mesotherapy and micro needling.

The results begin to appear within a few weeks, which include:

Reducing fine lines & wrinkles
Strengthening thinning skin
Stimulating collagen production
Revitalising dull lifeless skin
Smoothing skin tone and texture

Recipe for the PERFECT self tan

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of ST Tropez  Bronzing Mousse 
• 1 bottle of ST Tropez Tan Optimiser Body Polish
• 1 tanning applicator mitt
• 1 Bottle of ST Tropez Body Moisturiser 

( these ingredients will make more than one perfect tan)

Cooking time 4-6 hours

Serves 1 perfect Bronzed Goddess

Step 1

Apply the Body polish over the entire body and massage vigorously, the exfoliating beads will buff away any dry, dead skin cells. Remove the body polish in the bath or shower.

Step 2

Dry off, tie your hair up so that it is off of both your face and body. Apply the Body Moisturiser to any dry areas of skin, including hands, feet, knees and elbows. This will stop excess tan developing in these areas.

Step 3 

Applying the tan. Standing in as little clothing as possible apply one pump of your tanning mousse onto the mitt. Starting at your foot apply the tan in a vertical upwards movement towards the thigh. The tan has a guide colour so you can see exactly where you are applying. Apply more product if needed and without leaving a gap apply another vertical stripe stripe next to the previous. Using this Stripe method cover the whole body. Apply tan to your back is the trickiest part however not impossible, don't worry too much about the 'stripes' in this area just make sure it has all been covered with the guide colour, all will be fine when washed off.

I always apply a second coat in the same way to ensure even coverage. Patchy or streaky tans only occur when areas of skin have been completely missed.

Step 4

Development. As the tan develops it will begin to look patchy, don't panic! This is just the excess on the surface. The tan takes between 4-6 hours to develop, although if you don't mind a little tan on your bed sheets sleeping in it works a treat. The longer the tan develops the darker it will be.

Step 5
 Its now time to reveal your handy work. Rinse the excess tan off in the shower or a quick bath. Do not rub dry but pat yourself dry. Once your dry apply a thin layer of the Body Moisturiser and Bronzed Goddess has been achieved!

Chemical Skin Resurfacers ... The future of facials?

The word chemical always makes treatments seem worse than what they are, when were talking about resurfacers the 'chemical' does not refer to the ingredient itself but to how it works. A chemical resurfacer is the opposite to mechanical resurfacers such as microdermabrasion, mechanical resurfacers consist of an abrasive tool or product to remove dead skin cells from the surface of our skin this can include facial exfoliating products that contain rough beads. They buff away dead skin cells and work in a similar way to sand paper.

Chemical resurfacers work by using acids, many of which are plant derivatives. When applied to the skin they break the chemical bonds between old cells working like a PAC man breaking down the surface layers, at the same time stimulating cell renewal.

Chemical resurfacers can feel quite irritating on the skin but this generally only lasts for around 5-10 minutes, the irritation is definitely worth it for the results. Not only do the acids used in these treatments exfoliate the skin they also treat skin concerns for example, salicylic acid cuts through oil cleaning out pores and reducing acne breakouts, lactic acid hydrates whilst lighting and brightening the skin, kojic acid reduces pigmentation.

There are many different acids used within resurfacers, this means that treatment courses can be tailored to suit your specific skin needs and more importantly get the results that you want!

Gone are days of fluffy facials chemical resurfacers will be at the top of everyone's list for a skin pick me up .

Give your skin a drink !

In weather like this don't forget your skin needs a drink too!

The quickest way to hydrate your skin is by using a product containing Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid has the ability to hold a thousand times its own weight in water, the water that it holds is then used to hydrate our skin. Because water is used so rapidly within the body it depletes from the skin very quickly, Hyaluronic Acid ensures that the water stays within the skin and is not lost, turning your skin from a shrivelled up raisin to a juicy grape.

Dehydration within the skin not only gives it a dull & sallow appearance but also contributes to fine lines, especially around the eye area. Moisturisers typically work on the surface dead skin cells and do not deposit ingredients where we want them in the dermal layer of the skin (where all the living cells are),

To give your skin a boost try Dermaquest's Advance B5 serum, it contains 40% Hyaluronic Acid and will give your skin the pick me up it needs. Every skin types needs hydration so this product is suitable for all from ageing skin to acne breakouts!

Follow The Light

Over the past year we have introduced LED light therapy intoour clinic, and we now use it after almost every treatment. After testingseveral different machines we decided to purchase a machine from Dermalux, adecision that we are very pleased with.

So what is LED light therapy? All my clients ask me this ontheir first treatment and then the results speak for themselves....

 

 

 

LED light therapy is a non-thermal, non-invasive lightsystem that increases cell renewal, rejuvenates the skin, reducesinflammation, kills bacteria and prevents acne breakouts. And all you haveto do is lay under it!!

The narrow band light has the ability to penetrate the skinwhere it is then converted and used as energy, this energy is then used toaccelerate the cell renewal process increasing mitosis and resulting in morehealthy skin cells. This process is very similar to the photosynthesis thatoccurs in plants.

Although this is a light treatment it is not inthe damaging form of UV, therefor it will not cause any type of damage to theskin (or eyes) it will only have beneficial effects.

The LED light that we use comes in 2 colours red and blue,they can be used individually to target specific skin concerns or can be usedin combination to achieve the desired results.

Red LED light

· eczema& psoriasis

· healing

· soothing

· antiaging

· rejuvenation

· rednes

· reduceinflammation

Blue LED light

· antibacterial

· preventacne breakouts

· reducesactive acn

I would encourage everyone no matter what age, skin type orconcern to try LED light therapy. It may be a treatment that works for you onits own or you might combine it with others such as facials, microdermabrasion,peels, resurfacers, dermaroller or laser treatments. For information on clinicsnear you or more information on how it will help your skin just ask and I willbe hapy to help x

Glyco Creamy Cleanser... Love !

This is a product that I think I'll be using for the rest of my life. Don'tthink of this product as just a cleanser but as a daily treatment.

This cleanser contains 15% glycolic acid and works like a PAC man on theskin eating away at old dead skin cells, dirt and debris leaving behind radiantglowing skin.

Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliatior , meaning that it has no beads toscratch the surface of the skin like mechanical exfoliatiors.

If you want glowing skin use this product every evening, apply a 5 pencepiece amount and work into the skin, leave for 3mins (to do its magic) thenrinse with damp cotton pads.