Young People Using Fertility MOTs

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Frostie

An increasing number of young people are discovering the benefit of ‘fertility MOTs’, consultants have said, even if they have no immediate plans to start a family.

Patients can come in for fertility advice even if they aren’t yet trying for children, and have a full range of tests so they can decide when they should start thinking about a family.

Mrs Yasmin Sajjad, fertility consultant at Spire Liverpool Hospital said: “The growing popularity of our fertility MOTs reflects a rising trend of young couples and singles seeking peace of mind on their fertility status.”

As people get older some may find it increasingly difficult to conceive and fertility consultancy is valuable in providing early advice as to how long it is practical to wait.

Yasmin said: “At 25 – 27 years old a woman’s fertility is already starting to decline, and upon reaching 35, chances of conception have often halved. Women who take an early assessment of their fertility can make informed decisions about their options later down the line, including the possibility of having eggs frozen for a later date.”

Erica Wilson used the fertility MOT to help make an informed decision on when she and her husband should start trying for children, she said: “I came to Spire a few years ago for a fertility MOT at the age of 31. I was keen to see if there were any issues, and help become better informed so myself and my husband Ken could find out when we should start trying for children. It ended up being a very good decision because we found out early on that there were problems and it has given us time to address this.”

Erica is now going through a treatment called ICSI, Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. This involves injecting a single sperm into an egg in order to fertilise it, it’s then transferred back to the woman’s womb as an embryo.

Erica said: “So far we have undergone a few treatments of ICSI through the NHS. The treatment went smoothly but unfortunately it hasn’t worked. It’s now been diagnosed by Mrs Sajjad that I have certain cells, which identify the embryo being put back in my womb as a foreign body and I am now on a course of steroid treatment which should prevent this. Ken and I are now really hopeful that we can start a family and having a fertility MOT has given us the time to solve the issues, and have a good chance at trying for a family before time and the odds are against us.”

Yasmin also said that they have seen an increase in the use of the clinic by couples in the middle of trying for a family. “Many couples are leaving it later to try for children, which simply put means they can’t afford to wait around. If they have been trying for a year with no success then they should visit a GP, but often taking this route can mean they end up on waiting lists for tests and to see a fertility expert. This wait can mean the difference between having a child and not, as some couples have left it too close in terms of their fertility or accessing IVF on the NHS, where the cut off for funding is often around the age of 40. This means that the women should be referred for assisted conception treatment at least six months before their 40^th birthday.

“Many older couples are now choosing to pay privately to find out if there is an issue straight away, then they can decide what action to take.”

The Fertility MOT includes a range of packages, all of which require only two visits to the hospital within the space of a week. The comprehensive process will provide a full assessment of a patient’s ability to conceive and identify any underlying factors that may prevent natural conception down the line.

Packages are available for men, women, and couples. Men receive an expert semen analysis, while women will be given a pelvic ultrasound scan, urine test and tubal patency test. Both will also have a full blood test to check hormone status.

Upon the second visit the results are discussed and potential options will be laid out. From there consultants can give expert advice on future options, and advise any appropriate treatments.

Yasmin added: “Modern hectic lifestyles mean that more couples are choosing to postpone a family until later in life, so a fertility MOT can be invaluable in checking one’s options before it’s too late.”

Spire Liverpool Hospital is holding an information event for couples planning a family on Thursday 24 October, from 6.30 – 9pm.

Win Giles Deacon Nivea Soft Beauty Set

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Frostie

We are giving away this beautiful Giles Deacon Nivea Soft Pot Set. The set includes three soft pots designed by Giles and a zip up bag also designed by Giles.

One of the hottest tickets of the London runways, Giles Deacon has lent his unique blend of superior craftsmanship and whimsical irreverence to NIVEA Soft to create three new collectable limited edition packs. To win the set in the photo like Frost on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube Channel or newsletter. Comment below to say which one you did. Good luck!

Should You Get A Tattoo?

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Tattoos used to be for sailors, then rebels and cool people and now they’re…everywhere. Which begs the question, are they still cool? Every celebrity these days seems to ink themselves regularly, no matter what their brand might be. David Beckham reminds me of that line in Cape Fear, ‘I don’t know whether to look at him or read him’.

Magazines make getting a tattoo seem as natural as getting a hair cut and it would be easier to count the people I know that don’t have a tattoo than those who do. The fact is, it is beginning to annoy me because getting a tattoo is not like getting a haircut: it is permanent, expensive, painful and carries health risks. I can say this because I, like pretty much everyone else in the world, have one. Albeit one from ten years ago when I was a teenager; the Japanese Tao for courage on my hip bone. It is tiny and can be covered by my thumb. Which is what the criteria for having a tattoo should be in my opinion: making it able to be hidden. If you don’t agree then think of some of my poor acting friends, who have lost work due to their body art, and singers with hand tattoos who can’t get hired. If the entertainment industry is not keen on people with tattoos imagine how the ‘real’ working world is like. CEO’s with lots of tattoos are not exactly common.

Megan Fox had her tattoo of Marilyn Monroe removed because it had ‘negative energy’.

In fact, not everyone can pull of tattoos. Angelina Jolie can but she is so beautiful not much could dent her beauty. It was actually Angelina who inspired me to get a tattoo in the first place. And Jolie is not immune from mistakes, she had her ‘Billy Bob’ tattoo removed after she divorced the actor. Before Jolie actresses were much more boring, after she came along it became okay to ink yourself up and actually have an opinion. Bland went out, personality came in. But that was a brief window, and you have to be a pretty big star to be work the make up artists budget for hiding it all.

Angelina Jolie shows of her tats for Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue.

Lana Del Ray’s hand tattoo

So should you get a tattoo? Let’s break it down.

Think first about the safety concerns. There are serious medical implications in getting a tattoo. Click on this link for more of the safety concerns which include: Tattooing and piercing break the skin and may cause bleeding. They cause open wounds and infection is possible. Infections at the site may cause permanent deformity, scarring, severe illness and even death. Skin infected with resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be life-threatening.

Tattoos are also painful. Very much so. I have a very high pain threshold and I still thought it was painful.

Secondly, what do you do for a living? As much as we should not judge people by how they look, we do. It might hold back your career and even affect how other people treat you.

Thirdly, are you just doing it to be rebellious? Because tattoos are not rebellious anymore. Everyone has them; even Felicity Kendall and my aunt. That is when you know the game is over.

Fourthly, do you really want it for life? Have a very serious think about that. Removal is expensive, as you can see from the information below. Make absolute sure it is what you want, and NEVER get someones name tattooed on you. You will regret it.

THINKING OF HAVING A CHERYL COLE ROSE BUM TATTOO? LIVE TO REGRET IT AND REMOVAL WILL COST YOU £12,000

· Rapper Lil Wayne would have to spend £105k and 173 hours to get rid of all his tattoos

· David Beckham would have to spend £38k and 71 hours to be ink-free

· One Direction’s Harry Styles would need to fork out £11k to remove his tattoos

· 68% increase in Brits enquiring about tattoo removal in the past year

If you’re thinking of copying Cheryl Cole and having a rose bum tattoo, bear in mind that it could cost £12,000 and 20 hours of laser sessions to have Cole’s latest inking removed, according to new research carried out by private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com.

They have analysed the body art of 10 of the most tattooed celebrities and worked out how much it would cost to have it all removed. The research shows that, should they ever regret their decision to go under the needle, these celebs could end up paying tens of thousands of pounds to be tattoo free.

Top of the league table of inked-up celebrities is U.S. rapper Lil Wayne, who would need more than 500 sessions totaling 173 hours with a tattoo-removal specialist to erase all his artwork – at a mind-boggling cost of almost £105,000. That’s enough to buy a top-of-the-range Porsche or double the average deposit on a property put down by a first-time buyer in the UK last year.

David Beckham’s body is not just a temple, it is also adorned with tattoos from top to bottom, meaning a staggering bill of almost £40,000 – and the equivalent of 48 football matches in time under the needle – to be tattoo free again. And One Direction star Harry Styles may be just 19-years-old, but he’s already an avid lover of body artwork. And the cost to have them removed? Almost £11,000.

While the colossal cost may not be eye-watering for celebrities, for the millions of Brits who have and love tattoos, wiping the slate clean is likely to put a strain on their finances and in many cases may be unaffordable.

There has been a 68% increase in the number of people enquiring about tattoo removal in the past 12 months alone, with the cost of removing a small, black and white tattoo starting at £400. That fits with market research showing that significant numbers of people end up regretting their tattoos – a recent poll by Harris Research showed that almost a fifth (19%) of Britons with tattoos regretted having them done.

The following table, based on average costs provided by three tattoo-removal specialists, estimates how many laser sessions and total cost for some of the most famous tattooed celebrities to have all their tattoos removed:

Celebrity	Number of sittings required	Total number of hours	Total cost
Lil Wayne	520	173	£104,720
David Beckham	212	71	£37,920
Jodie Marsh	218	73	£30,820
Cheryl Cole	104	35	£14,740
Zayn Malik	140	47	£13,500
Rihanna	218	73	£13,120
Harry Styles	182	61	£10,940
Sarah Harding	57	19	£7,660
Tulisa	66	22	£5,480
Cara Delevigne	56	19	£4,480

Wayne Tatzapa, founder of tattoo removal specialist, Discardead, comments: “Despite tattoo removal being an exact science there are many variables that can determine the number of sessions required to remove all trace of the tattoo.

“The time needed to remove a tattoo varies according to the individual, as do the chances of wiping out any trace of it. Skin type, the tattoo’s location and colour, scarring and the degree of density all make a difference.

“Many people don’t realise that removing tattoos can take months or even years, because laser sessions should be at least six weeks to three months apart to get the best results and minimise the risk of scarring and other side effects.”

Do you have a tattoo? Do you regret it?

Glō Minerals Ocean Eyeshadow Review | Beauty

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

This week I have been wearing bright blue eyeshadow. So far, so 80’s. The blue eyeshadow I have been wearing is glō minerals Ocean eyeshadow. A beautiful, happy, bright Bluey-green. It is not possible to wear it and not be in a good mood. The eye shadow is very high quality and glides on. Established in 2002, glō minerals use only pure pharmaceutical grade minerals and anti-oxidants chosen by dermatologists. Even more amazingly they provide complete sun protection using titanium and zinc oxide glō minerals are paraben, dye and perfume free. They also have a powerful antioxidant blend of Vitamins A,C,E and green tea extract – this blend provides nutrients that are vital for maintaining the health of your skin while protecting it from further damage.

Did people think it was weird that I was wearing blue eyeshadow to BAFTA, the theatre and even the Raindance Film Festival opening? No, they loved it. I got a brilliant reaction from people and will continue to wear it.

I love this make up brand. Women put hundreds of chemicals on their face everyday, because of this, I believe we should be careful what make up we use, make sure it has no parabans and not too many ingredients. Glo Minerals is an excellent brand that works on two levels: quality in their products and healthiness in their sun protection and lack of nasty chemicals. Mineral make up is huge now and rightly so. We love glō minerals.

We will be reviewing glō minerals siren lipsticks soon too. Watch out for it.

Proactiv Solution Review | Beauty

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Frostie

Proactiv Solution is well known to help acne. Celebrity endorsed, its reputation precedes it; but is it any good?

Although I don’t have acne I do get break outs occasionally due to stress and hormones. For someone who ends up in front of the camera quite a lot these are inconvenient and stressful.

I got sent the below pack to review. It has renewing cleaner, revitalising toner, repairing day lotion, repairing night lotion and a refining mask. It also comes along with detailed instructions and a good guide to beautiful-looking skin.

I used Proactiv Solution for a month. Before I did I had a break out. I was overworked and my hormones were playing up as it was ‘that’ time of the month. My skin reacts to things sometimes but it was fine with the proactic solutions. I used all of the products as directed and my skin cleared up. It has also stayed clear, even during stressful times. I also loved the mask and I think it made a big difference to my skin and my pores.

Here is how my skin looks now; no pimples.

Buying the kit seems expensive but you get a cleaner, toner and moisturiser for that (or variations.) It might not work for everyone but it worked for me. Try it once and see. It made a major improvement to my skin.

You can buy Proactiv here.

What do you think? Have you tried Proactiv Solutons?

Peter Lindbergh Interview | Exclusive

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

He is one of the most famous fashion photographers in the world. Peter Lindbergh, 69, went down in history with his black-and-white photos of the young Kate Moss and group images of the supermodels in the ‘90s. For the Silhouette “An Icon for an Icon” campaign, he shot Hollywood star Cate Blanchett. In this interview Peter Lindbergh talks about his inspiration for the Icon shoot, working with the Oscar winner and why an emotional link is so vital to a good photo.

Who are easier to photograph – professional models or actors?

Actually it’s easier to photograph models because they’re used to looking directly into the camera. Posing is their job. With actors, it’s often a different story. They aren’t used to looking at the camera front on. But, that doesn’t matter – that’s the challenge.

For the Silhouette campaign, you put Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett in the limelight. What was it like working with her?

Cate is simply great. She’s so natural and doesn’t act like a ‘star’ at all. That makes working with her so nice. Or maybe it’s because she’s Australian. All the uncomplicated people I have worked with up to now come from either Australia or New Zealand (laughs).

Do you have any funny stories you can tell about the shoot?

No, not directly. But I remember the first time I worked with Cate: that was 10 or 12 years ago in Portofino. She was with her husband and son. One of my sons also happened to be there. The two boys got along great, spending the whole day with each other; right away it felt like we were family, so I always look forward to working with her.

How do you manage to convey so much intimacy in your photos?

I’m honest and give people the feeling that they can relax with me. I communicate a certain ease. In most cases, that is the key to get people to open up. And unlike many other photographers, I start shooting early, while things are still being set up and the motive isn’t at its best. So we’re building up the set and experimenting with the light, and my pictures come about organically.

How important is an emotional link for a good photo?

Very important, but emotions only arise spontaneously. For example, the first time I worked with Nadja Auermann, the atmosphere in the afternoon sunlight in Los Angeles was so intense, that she suddenly began to cry. Photographing people can be very intimate. Sometimes it is so intimate that I feel like I am looking at the woman directly, and no longer through the lens.

Of all the personalities you have photographed, which has impressed you the most?

The French actress Jeanne Moreau. A few years ago I made a very interesting, but not very flattering photo of her and asked for her permission to publish a lightly retouched version of it. She was then 78, and just exclaimed, “But Peter, what exactly do you wish to retouch?” That impressed me a lot.

You are known as the inventor of the supermodel. Your photos of Naomi Campell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz and Christy Turlington shot together are legendary. Did you ever imagine that that would make you go down in the history of photography?

No, not at all, something like that can’t be planned. You can’t just go and say: “now I’m going to do something legendary.” It’s a coincidence, something that just happens. Back then, at the end of the ‘80s, I just wanted to do something different. I no longer wanted to photograph women in haute-couture, laden with diamonds, carrying crocodile handbags. I wanted to bring their natural beauty to light, not change the world.

What was it like switching to digital photography?

It was a real drama (laughs). Time and time again I’ve battled with technology and have had to ask my assistant how something works. The main difference, though, is that photography in the past was a more intimate process between the model and the photographer. Today the camera is hooked up to the computer, and there are a thousand guys on the set. If you are really unlucky, you’ve even got an editor standing at the laptop commenting on every move the model makes, or suggesting how it could be done better. That, unfortunately, doesn’t have much to do with the photography.

What advice would you give today’s young photographers?

Don’t be an assistant to a famous photographer. It’s hard to free yourself later from their influence. It’s also important to photograph as much as you possibly can. That is the only way that quality and your own personal style can evolve.

When does photography become art?

The difference between art and business is superfluous in my opinion. For me, a photo is ‘art’ if it causes an emotional reaction or changes an established way of looking at things, or if it’s simply new and original.

How have the fashion industry and modeling business changed in comparison to the past?

Everything was friendlier and more personal before. Today the entire industry is just one marketing strategy. Numbers are the thing now, not authenticity or personality. I often have the feeling that I’m no longer dealing with people, but with empty shells. I think that’s a real shame.

What was your first reaction when you were asked if you would photograph the new Silhouette campaign?

I thought, what in the world is Silhouette (laughs)? I have to be honest and say that I had never heard of the brand before. But then I did a bit of research and was quickly very impressed. I had no idea how big and successful the company is.

Do you wear a Silhouette yourself?

Yes, and with great pleasure because the glasses don’t change my face, and they’re so light that I forget I’m wearing them.

Please fill in the blank: Peter Lindbergh is…

A really nice guy who is incredibly handsome (laughs). No, seriously. I am someone who tries everyday to take an interesting photograph once again.

Thanks Peter.

Handpicked Media London Fashion Week Suite SS14 | Fashion

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

The Handpicked Media London Fashion Week suite was as amazing as ever. As well as lots of lovely people I also got pampered and checked out some great brands.

I had my brows done by HD Brows, they looked so good afterwards I didn’t want to wash my face. Ever. I tried on some jackets from Superdry. Their tailoring is amazing and their jackets are such good quality. Superdry also have great Bento Beauty boxes. They have some great products in them and look cool.

I also had my make up done by Martin Carter. The Stila make up artist used some amazing Stila products on me, including the CC Cream which comes out blue, but looks great on. I love Stila and Martin taught me some amazing make up tricks such as; put eyeliner in between the upper lash line for a natural, defined look and to paint mascara on the bottom lashes with a brush rather than applying the mascara directly. I wish I looked how Martin made me look 24/7.

I also had a hot stone massage and a hand massage from The Mandara Spa. I am completely converted to hot stone massage now. My spine and hands were never so happy. I felt completely relaxed and happy. I highly recommend them.

I also had a bra fitting thanks to Freya lingerie. Like most women I found out I was wearing the wrong size. Apparently women think their back is larger than it is, this turned out to be true for me as I thought I was a 34D but am actually a 30DD. I love my Freya Lingerie, below.

I had a relaxing manicure. I always love getting manicures. When my nails look good and are painted just looking at them makes me happy, even if I am having a bad day. WAH nails gave me some great blue polka dot nails. I love them.

Legendary hair dresser Errol Douglas was also doing hair. My fellow bloggers/writers were walking out with amazing hair styles. Unfortunately I had to head off to a show so couldn’t get one myself.

I managed to pick up some products in the suite at One Aldwych Hotel and will be reviewing them in the coming months.

Well done Handpicked Media, see you in six months.

Do you want to try any of the above? Which one?

Stila CC Cream

Celebrities Take It All Off For BBC Children In Need

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Frostie

Along with a host of internationally renowned celebrities, BBC Children in Need has launched this year’s BearFaced Day. Together, they are asking women across the UK to join them in going BearFaced for BBC Children in Need on Friday 8th November, the campaign simply asks for women to spend a day without makeup and pop on a Post Office Pawprint instead.
The stellar line-up includes TV favourites Laura Whitmore, Arlene Philips and Alex Jones, outstanding actress Sheridan Smith, sensational singer Kimberley Walsh, model and actress Suki Waterhouse and talented artist Jo Wood. All have gone BearFaced in a make-up free photo-shoot by world renowned photographer, Rankin, to encourage women across the UK to unite to do the same.

Laura Whitmore said: “Join me and hundreds of other women, who are going BearFaced, let’s raise lots of money for children all over the UK, who need your help.”

Kimberley Walsh said: “BBC Children in Need’s BearFaced Day campaign is such a brilliant way to raise money; will you be joining me this Friday 8th November?”

Sheridan Smith said: “Pop a Pudsey Pawprint on instead of your makeup this Friday 8^th November to help make a difference to young lives across the UK; every penny raised really will help!”

Alex Jones said: “There are so many children and young people across the UK who need our help, so how could I say no to the BBC Children in Need BearFaced campaign? Join me and hundreds of other women going Bearfaced November 8th.”

Arlene Philips said: “Come on ladies, join me in going BearFaced on Friday 8^th November to help raise lots of money for BBC Children in Need.”

Jo Wood said: “I’m so excited to be taking part in BBC Children in Need’s BearFaced campaign this year! I hope that women across the UK will leave the make up at home for the day to help change the lives of children who really do need our help!”

Going BearFaced is a simple way to raise money for BBC Children in Need. Women can either participate alone or set up a Bearfaced team with friends, family and colleagues to make the day more fun.

The Pawprints as seen on the BearFaced lineup are available now at Post Offices across the UK. Women are encouraged to swap their makeup for a Post Office Pawprint to help make a difference to young lives.

Find out more at bbc.co.uk/pudsey and prepare a sponsorship page at mydonate.bt.com/events/gobearfaced.

Will you be going Barefaced?

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