Dr Darren McKeown Skincare Unveils Stop and Wow Instant Skin Perfector

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Dr Darren McKeown skincare has unveiled a new product offering in the form of

Stop and Wow The Instant Skin Perfector.

Developed by Dr Darren McKeown, a leading practitioner in the field of facial aesthetics, the product offers a cross between traditional skincare cream and a powerful cosmetic treatment.

Stop and Wow The Instant Skin Perfector contains a spherical micro particle designed to fit into irregularities in the skin’s surface providing a blurring effect to minor imperfections, open pores and wrinkles.

Stop and Wow The Instant Skin Perfector launches in the UK this September, exclusively available on QVC.co.uk beauty priced at £30 (30 ml).

Even before he graduated, Dr McKeown became fascinated with the field of minimally invasive aesthetic medicine. He spent a summer term with a plastic surgeon in Beverley Hills learning about epicanthoplasty, just at the time a little-known drug – Botox – was starting to make a big impact. The results he saw made a lasting impression.

After graduating from the University of Glasgow he spent five years with the NHS, becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and undertaking three years of specialist training in plastic surgery. At the same time, still inspired by the work he saw in California, Dr Darren McKeown set to work privately developing his own practice, the Aesthetic Medicine Institute.

Here, he experimented with traditional techniques using Botox and fillers, perfecting the natural results that have become a trademark. With his reputation growing, he decided to devote his time exclusively to minimally invasive cosmetic medicine and focus on achieving the best possible results for his customers.

Today Dr McKeown divides his time between his practices in London and Glasgow. His papers have been published in several prestigious medical journals and he is recognised by the media as an official voice in his specialist field.

www.stopskincare.com
@DrDarrenMcKeown

corinne@frostmagazine

@ladycdtt

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Ermana Natural Skincare… Preservative-Free Beauty

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Natural skincare brand Ermana Natural Skincare has launched its range of all natural and botanical products.

The Ermana range is free from parabens and sulphates, with no artificial fragrances or colourings.

Formulated without artificial preservatives, Ermana products instead use natural preservative vitamin E. Ermana oils and balms are a blend of botanical oils and waxes with natural vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, omega oils and fatty acids to keep the skin hydrated.

With products for both women, men and expectant mothers, the range includes:

Renew Face Oil with neroli and ylang ylang

Fresh Foot Balm with patchouli and peppermint

Nurture Body Oil with neroli, petitgrain and ylang ylang

Refresh Lip Balm with grapefruit

Endure Men’s Face Oil with vetiver and cedarwood

Tone Muscle Balm with rosemary, eucalyptus and marjoram

Revive Face Oil with lavender and frankincense

Refine Body oil with grapefruit and bergamot.

www.ermana.co.uk
@ermanaskincare

Caudalie UK Polyphenol C15 Review

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Above is the video of my life. It is not all work and no play: nothing beats a cosy weekend lie-in expect maybe a catch up with your friends. Live 1,000 lives in one, moving from one turbo-charged day to the next. You can create your own personalised movie of your life with the awesome Caudalie app here and then share it with your friends. You will also have the chance to enter a competition to win an Anti-Ox Box, which include deluxe sizes of the entire Polyphenol C15 range. So what are you waiting for? I tag my friend Paola Berta to do her own video.

Caudalie launched a new anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle, skincare range called Polyphenol C15 in 2014. Developed for busy, urban women with fast paced life. Pollution, stress and an unhealthy lifestyle are the daily factors which cause free radical damage and lead to skin ageing. I reviewed their Broad Spectrum SPF20 Anti-Wrinkle Protect Fluid, Anti-Wrinkle Protect Cream Broad Spectrum SPF20, Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum and Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream.

The active ingredients in this skincare range are a combination of the two most effective antioxidants on the market, Grape-seed Polyphenols (a Caudalie patent) and stabilised Vitamin C. Starting from 30 the skin begins to age. The skin weakens, draw from its reserves and takes longer to recover completely. In short, it oxidises. Great. So far so depressing. The good news though is that with Polyphenol C15 the skin cells are completely repaired and protected. Can the products help? Let’s find out.

Broad Spectrum SPF20 Anti-Wrinkle Protect Fluid

I am obsessed with SPF. I wear it everyday. Even in winter. I think this has helped as many people think I am younger than I am. This awesome multi-purpose product is an anti-oxidant shield and keeps skin protected all day long. It works on existing wrinkles and stops new ones forming over time. It is also a broad spectrum sunscreen. What more could you want?

Anti-Wrinkle Protect Cream Broad Spectrum SPF20

Uses Grape-seed, Polyphenols and stabilised Vitamin C to give a plump, hydrated skin. It neutralises day-to-day attacks, plumps skin and restores lipid balance. This is a great cream that smells great and protects against dehydration lines and skin tightness. It treats dry skin, as well as protecting skin against daily aggressors. I love it.

Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum

This is the product with the highest concentrate of Polyphenol C15 in the entire range. It is deep and intense to correct wrinkles and reinforce the skin’s natural defence system. This wonderful serum leaves skin smoother and brighter. It also smells great and leaves skin soft. Sigh.

Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream

This gel cream fights oxidation, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. Phew. In fact, this awesome gel-cream addresses every issue to do with the eye and lip contours. Its formula also incorporates an instantly tightening fern extract, Matrixyl 3000 (a combination of peptides) to boost collagen synthesis, Horse Chestnut extract to smooth, and Licorice extract to decongest. Finally, soothing Calendula and Witch Hazel add even more softness. It instantly works on dark circles (my main skin nemesis) and the eye contour is smoothed. Leaves you with brighter eyes day after day. Good stuff.

These products are great because they keep up with our demanding lifestyle. Up early and to bed late. Being the successful career women, wife and mother. It all takes its toll and our skincare has to keep up. Thankfully, this amazing new range from Caudalie does. I love it and will be using it again.

The Polyphenol C15 is available from April at caudalie.com in Caudalie stores.

Sponsored Post

MitoQ Moisturising Anti-Ageing Serum Review

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Everyone keeps telling me that I have good skin recently. This is why: MitoQ Anti-aging Serum. MitoQ is 1,000 times more powerful than any other antioxidants in an anti-ageing topical cream or serum. It makes your skin look healthy, like you have just had a good workout. It gives a great post-workout glow without the exercise. I use MitoQ Anti-aging Serum for 10 weeks, until the bottle runs out. My skin isn’t perfect now. There are still pores that I think are too big and I am sure fine lines are developing BUT my skin has improved. Some of my pores are definitely smaller, I look healthier. My skin does look younger.

It is a serum so you can use it with a moisturiser or any other product, like sun block. It has the consistency of a lotion and sinks in well. My skin does feel quite dry when I use it on its own. It has a hypoallergenic fragrance free base so it shouldn’t irritate. It is pricey at £75 and a bottle lasts between 8-10 weeks. Would I buy it again? I would. It does make a visible difference to skin, leaving it brighter and looking healthier. It is expensive but if you can afford it or save for it, it is worth the money. It really does make skin glow.

MitoQ Anti-aging Serum supports healthy skin cell function. It protects cells from the increasing oxidative stress associated with age and returns skin cells to optimal function. MitoQ supports youthful collagen and elastin production – the key building blocks of healthy skin.

New Beauty Launch: What Skin Needs Skincare Range Review

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

All the way from Australia is a new skincare range: What Skin Needs.

What Skin Needs is a range of natural products that provide effective solutions to certain skin problems. This range is good for those with sensitive and problem skin. The active ingredient they use in the range is Plantolin, a patent-protected active plant extract. It is scientifically proven to sooth, protect and renew. The products work for the following problems: psoriasis,, eczema, dermatitis and dry or cracked skin. The key ingredient, Plantolin, is derived from the Australian indigenous plant, centipede cunninghamii. I have always had sensitive skin so I was happy to review and hoping for good results

We got sent the following to review: Cracked Skin Cream, Skin Balm and Soothing Skin Gel.

Cracked Skin Cream

Does the job and works well. Heals cracked skin.

An intensive skin care solution designed to address difficult problem skin including:
Rough and damaged skin
Feet and Heels
Knees and elbows
Skin Cell renewal

Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Supported by a blend of natural extracts and essential oils including:
Aloe Vera: May alleviate dry skin, and inhibit inflammation, May also temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
Calendula: May help to reduce inflammation, alleviate the inflammation and pain associated with insect bites and assist with relieving itching.
Olive oil: May reduce skin inflammation and accelerate the healing of calluses, reduce bruising and help to prevent wrinkles.
Pomegranate: May help to prevent liver spots, and may thicken the epidermis, may help to diminish wrinkles and stimulate the production of collagen.
Silica: Premature wrinkles including stretch marks after pregnancy may occur as a result of silica deficiency. Supplementation of silica may cause a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and help maintain the elasticity, firmness and strength of the skin.
Green Tea: Possesses potent antioxidant properties stronger that vitamin E. May assist in alleviating rosacea, and reduce the damage to the skin caused by exposure to the ultra-violet radiation component of sunlight.
Myrrh: An antiseptic and has antimicrobial activity.
Vitamin E: May alleviate dry skin and inhibit scarring and early onset of wrinkles. Helps regulate skin cell proliferation and repair and protect the skin from oxidative damage.
Lavender Oil: An effective skin cleanser that is reported to inhibit some types of detrimental fungi. It may also alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
Geranium Oil: Is used for many skin disorders as a tonic and antiseptic.
Lemon Oil: May kill some types of detrimental fungi. Helps improve circulation.

Skin Balm

Smells good, is light and melts into the skin. Leaves a visible difference. Was very impressed.

A potent formulation designed to tackle a range of skin problems including dry and damaged skin, rashes and skin irritations. Incredible for:
Reducing irritation
Dry and damaged skin
Reviving stressed skin
Skin Cell renewal
Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Soothing Skin Gel

Smells great, absorbs well and soothes skin.

Relieves the effects of sun damage, windburn and skin irritation caused by exposure. Soothes, desensitises and protects chapped skin.
Sun Damage
Windburn
Itchy Skin
Skin Cell renewal
Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Supported by a blend of natural extracts and essential oils including:
Aloe Vera:May alleviate dry skin, and inhibit inflammation, May also temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
Myrrh: An antiseptic and has antimicrobial activity.
Lavender Oil: An effective skin cleanser that is reported to inhibit some types of detrimental fungi. It may also alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
Tea Tree Oil: Contains over 48 different compounds including the principal active ingredient, Terpineol. Commonly used to reduce skin inflammation.
Geranium Oil: Is used for many skin disorders as a tonic and antiseptic.

Beauty Resolutions To Stick With

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

The New Year always brings out the best of intentions for everyone whether or not these last is another thing, unlike those pesky Christmas pounds. Some resolutions are worth keeping however and these beauty resolutions will pay off in years to come.

Throw Out Your Old Makeup

Old makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria. See that little pot icon with a number and an ‘m’ inside on the back of your products? That is the expiry date in months from when they are opened. It will help if you keep a note of when the product was opened as it is easy to forget. Mascara should be replaced every six months and anything over a year old should probably be thrown out. Make sure you wash your makeup brushes too. Wash in warm, soapy water and then leave them to air dry. You can clean them with some mild shampoo or washing up liquid.

Give Your Hair a Break From Heat Damage

Blow drys and hair straighteners can cause significant damage to hair. Hair can end up drier than the Sahara and could even break off. The best way to prevent further damage is to stop using hair dryers and straighteners. Cutting down your use if you can’t quit will help but also use a heat protection spray and a weekly hair mask.

Have a Weekly Facial

You don’t need to go to a professional for a facial. You can do one at home yourself. Double cleanse your face, use a good scrub and then apply a face mask. Regular exfoliation helps skin renew itself as we age and a good face mask will give skin a good amount of moisture.

Do it weekly and your skin will thank you. A facial massage is under-rated and really makes a difference to your skin. It leaves you looking fresher and more toned. Use a face oil and gently massage your skin in circular movements. Work upwards and tap your eye socket starting from the outside.

Stop Sleeping in Your Makeup

This is a huge beauty no-no and not just for your pillow; your skin repairs itself at night but your skin needs to be able to breathe for this to happen. If it is covered in makeup your pores will be suffocated. Free radicals and dead skin cells also build up on the skin if you don’t wash your face. Wash your face as soon as you get in or keep some cleansing wipes handy. Keep the cleansing wipes to a minimum however as they are not as good as washing your face properly.

Always Wear Sunblock

Beauty decisions you make now will affect your looks for the rest of your life. Putting in effort now means looking good ten years down the line. The most important one you can make is to use an SPF everyday. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects from UVA rays, which are ageing, and UVB rays, which burn. It is not just vanity. This will also protect you from skin cancer, something that should be taken more seriously than it is. Wear at least an SPF 15 everyday. You can buy good moisturisers which have an SPF in but wearing a foundation with one in is not enough, you won’t wear enough to get the benefit nor will it cover all of the needed areas. A foundation with an SPF is still a good idea, just make sure you also use a moisturiser or separate sunscreen.

What is your beauty resolution?

How To Keep Your Skin In Tip-Top Shape This Winter

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Frostie

Winter can really leave your skin looking awful. It is not just the weather outside, central heating indoors can also take a toll. The differences in temperature and humidity can dry skin out and leave it looking red. Cell turnover can also slow down resulting in dry, flaky skin. So what to do? The best thing to do is winter-proof your skin from the inside out. Here are our tips.

Stock up on omega fatty acids and plenty of water. Omega 3 supplements are great for those on the go.

Instead of using a light lotion use a heavy, thick moisturiser. If it feels too heavy on your skin then pat your face with a muslim cloth after you have applied.

Another top tip is to add a little face oil to your moisturiser. A good face oil can be expensive but you only have to use a few drops and it can make a huge difference to your skin.

A good under-eye concealer is an essential. Dark circles do no one any favours and you can also cheat your way to a healthy glow with blusher and bronzer.

A hydrating face mask makes all of the difference to winter skin.

A mild cleanser will stop harsh chemicals stripping your skin and making it more sensitive.

Go easy on the exfoliating. Skin is more sensitive in winter and over-exfoliating will lead to irritation.

Wear a good SPF. UVA rays are strong all-year round and they really age the skin.

A bowl of water near or on every radiator helps put moisture back in the air. Add some lavender oil for extra benefits and a lovely smell.

Use a good conditioner for your hair. Even fine hair can benefit from a good leave-in conditioner.

Follow makeup artist Bobbi Brown‘s tip to neutralise redness: ‘pick a tinted moisturiser or foundation with a slight yellow tone, which neutralises redness. Finish with a light dusting of bronzing powder- the brown tones will counteract any remaining redness.’

Skip perfume as the alcohol content can strip moisture further and also irritate skin.

Be careful about what you put on your skin. Harsh products full of chemicals will just dry it out more and increase sensitivity. Something that happens more in winter.

Don’t forget your hands, slather on a good hand cream and make sure it has an SPF. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean the sun isn’t out. Lips also dry out terribly in winter. So make sure you are carrying a good lip balm.

What are your winter skin tips?

Elizabeth Arden Presents Flawless Future…

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Kesh

“According to a recent survey, the majority of women would rather gain ten pounds then look ten years older” explains Charity Finnigan, Elizabeth Arden’s Brand Manager. This can’t surely be true i’m thinking, but as I look around this room of women all I see and hear are nodding heads and approving sighs. I guess ageing is something I haven’t really thought about having just turned 26, but more and more women I speak to from experience are saying the same thing, that they wished they took more preventative measures in anti-ageing and that it’s not too late for my generation to start. Unless I get some hard scientific facts i’m a sceptic, and that is exactly what Elizabeth Arden delivered in their flawless presentation about their newest range of Ceramide products; Flawless Future.

Charity Finnigan’s presentation

It’s hard to come to terms with something when you’ve never had to experience it yourself but it’s inevitable that one time or another the signs of ageing will be apparent on our face. Unlike those who would resort to drastic measures I would prefer to grow old gracefully and with some help it’s becoming easier and easier for women to do that. Here comes the science: 25 years ago, Elizabeth Arden patented ceramide technology. Ceramides are the molecules that keep the skin healthy and support the collagen produced. Over the years, these ceramides begin to deplete causing the skin to age and a huge factor is stress. During a recent study, the most stressed out age group are 20-30 year olds and it has shown that the biggest loss in ceramides happen in your 30’s. Aiming an anti-ageing product for this age group then makes total sense and Elizabeth Arden have the right idea.

The Flawless Future Collection is comprised of;

Flawless Future powered by Ceramide ™ Caplet Serum

This serum which soothes and brightens skin is powered by Micro-Caplets which provides an even application and effective penetration. Over 80% of women who tried this reported that their skin was smoother, brighter and looked stress-free. This product is pure luxury for the skin.

Flawless Future powered by Ceramide ™ Moisture Cream SPF 30

A daily moisturiser that hydrates and brightens, diminish discolourations and softens lines and wrinkles. This cream is enriched with rice kefiran which is proven to improve hydration, glycerin and shea butter. Pearlescent pigments and mica in the ingredients also enhance complexion. Over 90% of women felt their skin looked smooth, supple and hydrated. SPF also provides skin with sun protection. After a week of using this I saw an immediate difference in my skin brightness and hydration and the amazing scent makes me look forward to applying this.

Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide ™ Eye Gel

This brightening gel fights the appearance of stress and fatigue around the eyes for a radiant, brighter look. The formula is boosted with vitamin E and hydrating sodium hyaluronate and a unique algae extract complex that targets puffiness and dark circles. The design of the dispenser means that it controls the appropriate amount of product to the eye, really handy! Over 70% of women reported a visible difference to fine lines, stress and fatigue were relieved and brightness was improved. Another bonus is that this eye gel is safe for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.

As all Elizabeth Arden products are, they are all presented nicely and look great in my bathroom cabinet. The great thing about the launch was that as well as learning about the new products it was full of other inspirational beauty writers and bloggers sharing tips with each other and enjoying themselves with the incredible Elizabeth Arden team. They put on a really special evening and went above and beyond expectations to make sure we were welcomed, informed and having a great time. It really makes a difference when huge brands go that extra mile and I really look forward to seeing what else Elizabeth Arden have in store.

Flawless Future is available exclusively at Debenhams from now until 10th August and launches nationwide 15th August.

follow @ardenUK for more information. www.elizabetharden.co.uk

keshini misha.

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