Everyday skin care routines for all ages

I received a number of requests to explain the everyday routines one should follow to help one on a path to easier skin care, with optimal results.

Care for your skin, you'll be glad you did.

There are such a huge variety of skin care products available, that it is very easy to get confused and discouraged to start a skin care routine.  This as a simple step-by-step routine that anyone can follow, no matter what your age, skin type or concern.

Assuming that you already have established what you skin type and skin concerns are, you need to ask your beautician to recommend the following products, suitable for you:

Basics: Cleanser, toner, day cream, night cream, sun screen and eye cream.

This is the basics that you will need. Yes, everyone needs and eye cream and a sun screen, no matter what your age. Please note that your day and night cream can be the same, it does not need to be two different creams, as long as it does not contain a sunscreen or products that you should not be wearing during the day, ex Vitamin A.

Optional extras: Make-up remover, exfoliator, face mask, serums and oils.

If you are just starting a home-care routine, you may not want, or be financially in a position, to buy everything that is in the salon for your skin type immediately- these are nice to have, but it will not be a disaster if you cannot buy it as well.

 If you can afford it, regular visits, once every 4-6 weeks, to your beautician, will be awesome for your skin, and use the best products that you can afford.

Basic routines that everyone can follow:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner eye cream, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Teens to Thirties

This is the stage of your life where you want to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Whether you have normal, oily/acne or a combination skin, you can keep your routine simple.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Teens to 28/30 Years of age

 Thirties to Forties years of age

This is the time to start with an anti-aging routine. Yes, anti-aging! It is not too soon as we all are exposed on a daily basis to environmental aggressors that create havoc with our skins.

Most good skin ranges will have products that are formulated to be used as an early prevention against ageing. You do not need to use all the anti-ageing products, but it is a good idea to change your eye cream and night cream to an anti-aging range. You can now also look at a hydrating serum or oil to add to you products, as it is then very easy to customize your routine a bit more. Add  the serum and oil in the morning and/or night, depending on how dry your skin are in either of those times.

How to incorporate your serum or oil into your routine:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, serum or oil, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Thirties to Forties

Forties and upwards

At this stage on our life, our skin texture and oil/water ratio changes and all of a sudden your normal skin products are not just doing the job anymore.

It is now time to ask your beautician to re-evaluate your skin concerns and your product range.  You will most likely have to start using a richer day and night cream and please change all of your skin products over to the anti-ageing range.

You will have to start looking at products with ingredients such as Vitamin A (retinols), collagen synthesis stimulating ingredients, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, etc that have powerful anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle properties.

You can also incorporate an exfoliator that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids in your weekly routine.  It will stimulate cell-turnover, which can slow down as we age.

Please contact Gerda at; gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or 082 398 9817 for more inforation or to book an apppointment for a free-of-charge skin consultation 

Exfoliations and Gentle Peeling Products for home use

Absolutely Gorgeous Women

As a child I read about Cleopatra’s milk baths and Marie Antoinette’s red wine baths. I found it extremely peculiar, but it was only during my time at Beauty College that I realised they were not mad after all! They were probably the pioneers for fruit acids treatments.

We get lactic acid from milk and tartaric acid from red wine, so their baths had a wonderful exfoliation effect and I’m sure they were as smooth as butter afterwards.


Before I get carried away about their ingenuity, let me get back to basics.

Basics on skin cells
Our skin has five different layers and each layer has a specific purpose and lifetime. New skin cells are created in the lower or first skin layer and thereafter all the cells move upwards through the different layers while changing shape and eventually die and fall off.  This whole process is called desquamation.

The cell-life from birth to death usually takes 28-32 days.  As we grow older, this process slows down and it can then take up to about 45 days.  As the dead skin cells take longer and longer to shed, the skin starts to look dull and lifeless.  This is then when a good exfoliating product is a lifesaver.

Loofah to use on body

What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells on the outermost surface of the skin, without causing trauma.

Until about 15 years ago the most popular exfoliating products on the market were granular-based. These granules were usually obtained from apricot pips or walnut shells, which were finely ground and then added to a cream or gel base.

The formulators for the beauty products then started to use different kinds of plastic micro-beads as well as finer granules obtained from various plant-based materials.

However, these micro-beads were found to be extremely harmful to marine life, and will be banned in the UK and US during 2017 as per this article
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/02/uk-government-to-ban-microbeads-from-cosmetics-by-end-of-2017)

Due to newer technology, the latest offering from the beauty industry is fruit enzymes in gel and cream bases. These products are much gentler on the skin and my preferred products, with the exception of Wesson Therapeutics’ Micro Exfoliant, see comments below). The ingredients that are used in these formulations are for example, pineapple enzymes or bromelain, papaya enzymes or papain and tomato enzymes.  These enzymes only need gentle friction or heat to activate it so it is a good idea to use it while relaxing in the bath tub.

The granular formulations tend to be a bit harsh on the skin, especially in the hands of clients with oily/acne skin, as they tend to overdo the process a bit

What does it do?
A good exfoliator gently removes dead skin cells to reveal a smoother and more refined complexion. It should stimulate cellular activity while enhancing firmness, radiance and younger looking skin.

One should never exfoliate more than once a week in the case of oily/acne skins, and once every two weeks for all other skin types. This is probably not the advice that you have read, or heard all your life, but trust me, this is the way to go. If you exfoliate too much, you irritate the skin and overstimulate the oil glands in your skin and it then just produce more oil. You exfoliate again and the vicious cycle begins…….

Any exfoliating product should be removed with lots and lots of water.

Exfoliation for sensitive skins
Clients with sensitive/reactive skins usually are very wary of exfoliators. However, there are some product ranges specially formulated for sensitive skin like Wesson Therapeutics. I am in love with the Micro Exfoliant as it contains cactus saccharides (sugars). These granules are gentle on the skin and dissolve with the application of water and then wash away.


A Bit More Punch………..Fruit Acids please

Fruit Acid mask being applied

If your skin is still looking dull and lifeless, even if you are following a good skin care routine, it is time to look at the role that different fruit acids can play in getting that glowing, youthful looking skin.

Fruit acids are classified in two different categories; Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids.

Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHA’s) that are normally used in cosmetics and cosmeceutical products are glycolic acid (derived from sugarcane or grapes), lactic acid (derived from milk), malic acid (derived from apples or beries), citric acid(derived from citrus fruit or from fermented sugar solutions),  as well as a myriad combinations with other ingredients.

There is only one Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), namely salicylic acid and its related substances, esters and salts, salicylate, sodium salicylate.

All these fruit acids may be used alone or in combinations in beauty products, depending on what the formulation will be used for.

In fruit acid exfoliators these ingredients will act as follows:
• Decrease the cohesion between surface skin cells-dissolve the”glue” that hold the cells together.
• Increase superficial skin exfoliation
• Increase cell turnover (the skin cells will move quicker between the layers)
• Stimulate collagen production-exceptionally good for anti-ageing results.

A word of caution
Fruit acid exfoliators give better and quicker results as those mentioned earlier, but come with a couple of cautionary notes:
Please follow your beautician’s instructions on how to incorporate this into your daily skin care routine.
Please do not overuse as it can cause skin sensitivity.
Please do not use it if you skin is sun burnt or show any other sings of damage.
Please use a SPF 30+ everyday, no matter what the weather looks like.
Please stop using it if you experience any adverse effects

In spite of the caution, these are highly effective ingredients that will deliver on its promise.

Be gentle with your skin

The following exfoliators and home care fruit acids treatments are available from the Beautique:

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream R 285/60ml

Active ingredients-Extracts of peppermint, lavender and sandalwood, apricot seed powder.
 This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It stimulates circulation and revitalise the complexion.

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator R295/60ml
Active ingredients-Papaya and pineapple enzymes, citrus fruit extract.
This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It revitalise a dull complexion by gently and effectively remove dead skin cells, enhancing the skin’s radiance.

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator

Vitaderm AHA Active Gel 465/50ml
Active ingredients- lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid.
This AHA Active gel is rich in fruit acids which work actively to smooth the skin’s surface and flush excess pigment. It restores radiance to all skin types and assists in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In the case of oily/acne-prone skin types, the gel encourages fewer breakouts by replenishing the acid mantle of the epidermis. By restoring the natural acidity, the skin is able to protect and heal itself more effectively.

Vitaderm AHA Ative Gel

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant R 180/50ml
This product contains an ultra-fine grade of cactus sugar ( trehalose) to gently polish away dry epidermal cells. It is fragrance free and hypo allegenic.

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy R890/50ml

Active ingredients-
A powerful one-step resurfacing cream that can be used every day. The continual renewing action of powerful poly0hydroxy acids, works 24 hours a day like a time-released peel, continually shedding the epidermal layer. Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy can be used to achieve instantly glowing skin with long term results on the appearance of wrinkles, freckles, age-spots and even acne scarring.

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator R286/50ml
Active ingredients-Crushed Grape Seeds, Walnut shell beads, Neroli, Sweet orange
A gentle cream containing crushed Pinotage grape seeds, which sloughs off dead skin cells and makes skin look younger.

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme R307/50ml
Active ingredients-Grape seed extract, pineapple and papaya extract, Sweet Orange.A highly effective deep cleansing serum based gel which effectively exfoliates the skin.

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme

Please feel free to look at our website at AGBeautysalon for more information on these and other products.

Prices correct at time of publication, but may change without any notification.

The importance of cleansing your skin

When cleansing you skin, you are removing any make-up, impurities, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum that have accumulated during the day. Our skin is also a very easy-to-reach dumping ground for dust and other environmental pollutants.

Remove your make-up

If you forget to remove your make-up before going to sleep, it will be more difficult in the morning to remove that stubborn mascara and stay-on-forever lip colour.

 At night, the skin also secretes sebum and sweat and if you are in the habit of sharing your bed with your furry friends, you will probably have some pet hair and other scary stuff on your skin as well. Water alone will not successfully remove this.

Your daily cleansing and make-up removal routine need to start with good products which are suitable for your skin type and lifestyle.

Your skin should always feel clean, soft, and balanced (not too dry or too oily) after any cleansing routine.

The routine usually follows 3 basic steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise.

Please read our article “What is in a good cleanser?” for guidelines about choosing the correct cleanser for your skin.

How to get the best results from your cleansing routine.

Start with your eyes. Always use damp cotton wool, as some of them feels like abrasive pads on the skin when dry. Soak the cotton wool in the make-up remover and place over the eyelids. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the make-up to softens, then gently stroke the eye lashes from base to tip to remove the mascara. Then, using clean cotton wool in need, stroke from the inside to the outside corner of the eye until all make-up has been removed.

Move on to the rest of your face. First wet your face slightly with tepid water. Place some of the cleanser in your hands and gently apply to your whole face and always include the front and back of your neck, as well as you décolleté area. . Work from the center of you face and with your fingertips perform small circular movements. Remove with water, damp cotton wool or a face cloth. Tone and moisturise.

No matter what products you use, or how you go about cleansing your skin, always be gentle, do not over cleanse, do not rub and scrub and you should reap the benefits by having a clear complexion and soft, glowing skin!

Some of my favourite cleansers:

Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse 150ml R 255

This popular Pre-Cleanse is essential for a deep pore-cleansing effect without leaving a taut feeling on the skin.

This water-soluble, oil-based gel is incredibly effective in dissolving all oil-soluble impurities on the skin. With the addition of water, this formulation turns into a milky cleanser and rinses away impurities.

It is suitable for all skin types and may be used prior to normal cleansing.

For oily skin types, it is recommended to use one of Vitaderm’s Gel Cleansers afterwards. For dry skin types, the Pre Cleanse may be used instead of the normal cleanser. This formulation is preservative free.

Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover 50ml R 85

A mild formulation which gently removes eye make-up.

It contains no aromatic extracts and is therefore highly recommended for sensitive eyes and is ideal for contact lens wearers.

It contains Vitamin B5, which keeps hair healthy! It will not damage your false eye lashes either!

This product is ideal for the removal of water resistant and smudge proof make-up. It is not recommended to remove water-proof make-up. 

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 or agb111@mweb.co.za for an appointment.

If you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @ http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/

Get your Bikini Body Now with NuContour Diamond Pro!

NuContour Diamond Pro-Contour your dreams.

This treatment can be used in conjunction with Lipogon Lipolysis Mesotherapy.
Suitable for men and women.

This is a  mesotherapy lipolysis product that enables the breakdown of fat and helps with skin firming. It is an innovative, gentle non-surgical method to target specific regions of the body, improving the effect of diet and exercise.

The science behind NuContour Diamond Pro

A mixture of Phosphatidylcholine (PPC), a component of Soy Lecithin and Deoxycholate (DC), in powerful combination with L-Carnitine and Orthosilicic Acid for the most effective treatment of the problem areas of your body.

The NuContour Diamond Pro difference comes into play due to the fact that L-Carnitine may increase the fat burning capacity of the body and Orthosilicic Acid stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, leading to firmer and smoother skin, the repair of scar tissue and the improvement of the appearance of stretch marks.

It is necessary to emphasise that this procedure is not an alternative to a healthy diet or exercise, but helps to target areas not easily affected by regular exercise and dieting.

Who is eligible for Nu-Contour Diamond Pro Treatments?

Anyone with excess skin after pregnancy of weight loss.

Anyone who wants to improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Who should not use it?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Anyone who is allergic to soy

Anyone who has medical histories of;

Stroke, cancer, blood clotting, heart disease.

How long does the treatment take?

The initial consultation takes about 30 minutes, followed by the administration of the mesotherapy treatment.

How often should one have it administered?

4-6 sessions in the salon every 3-4 weeks.

For maintenance we recommend one session every 4-6 months.

Which areas can be treated?

What is the cost per injection?

It is R120 per injection.

What makes NuContour Diamond Pro different to ordinary Lipolysis?

The exceptional mixture of ingredients could contribute to the reduction of fatty deposits and may also improve skin firmness. With our optional NuContour Diamond Pro Homecare Kit, perfect results should be achieved with a once weekly treatment at home on its own, or faster results may be obtained in combination with a once monthly salon treatment.

Ingredients:

Note: We, at NuContour, believe that these ingredients may have the following beneficial abilities. We are not making any medical claim.

NuContour Diamond Pro is made up of:

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC)- It may have the following beneficial abilities:

To thin the membranes of the fat cells in the treated zone, dissolving the fats and toxins.

Making the membrane permeable

Leading to the outpouring if the dissolved contents into the interstitial fluid surrounding the fat cells.

Deoxycholate (DC) saline:

Keeps the PPC in a soluble state

L-Carnitene- It may have the following beneficial abilities:

Increased fat metabolism

Increased fat burning

Pure Orthosilicic Acid: It may have the following beneficial abilities:

With its anti-oxidant effects it fights premature ageing

Stimulates the formation and up-keep of elastin and collagen fibres.

Firms and strengthens the skin.

Enables the breakdown and removal of fat without disturbing cell metabolism.

It stimulates and improves micro-circulation.

In-salon administration- NO NEEDLES

Non-Invasive Mesotherapy with the Inojex 30

Virtually painless

No scar tissue or nodules which can be experienced with needles

Without risk of injury or infections from needle injuries

Fast, easy and safe

Eliminates cross-contamination

 People who are committed to a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a balanced diet should experience long term improvement.

After Care

No strenuous exercise for 72 hours after the treatment.

Avoid extremely hot showers and baths for 12 hours after the treatment.

No sun bed session for 72 hours after the treatment.

Drink 2-3 litres of water daily

Take Lipogon Tincture twice per day

Use Lipogon Liniment an all major lymph nodes daily

Use Nu-Contour Diamond Metaboost once a week at home

Take NuContour Diamond Metatone twice per day

NuContour Diamond MetaBoost Retail Kit

At home care

Take control of your body contouring needs in the privacy of your own home.

Includes;

Bag with 1mm Dermo Roller and 10ml NuContour Diamond Metaboost

Not a certified medical product.

Additional Retail Products to enhance the effects of the Nu-Contour OR Lipogon Mesotherapy Treatments.

NuContour Diamond Metatone

May enhance metabolism.

Diamond Metatone Capsules

NuContour believes that these ingredients may have the following beneficial abilities. We are not making any medical claims.

Due to modern day stresses the natural weight loss hormone of the body (cortisol) is increased and results in the storage of excess fat.

The following ingredients mat help to reactivate the metabolic system to ensure fast slimming results.

Ingredients: Guarana, Citrus Aurantium, Yerba Mate, Alpha Lipoic Acid, L-Tyrosine, Vit B1(thiamine HCL), Vit B6 (pyridoxine) Green tea, Willowbark White Bark, cayenne Pepper, Ginger Root, Chronium Picolinate, Vanaduim ACC, Dandelion Root.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals.

For best results use together with NuContour Diamond Pro or NuContour Diamond Metaboost treatments.

Please read about all the other treatments and products that are in the Lipogon Range or contact me at gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or on 082 398 9817 for more information.

So what is the best solution for permanent weight loss?

All the Basics apply, but they are well worth all the effort!

• You need to eat less and exercise a little bit more. 
• Change your eating habits and regulate your food quantity. 
• Learn to listen to your body when you eat and stop eating long before you feel full. 
• You also need to look at what you eat. 
• Eat lots of fruits and veggies plus moderate amounts of good fats, healthy carbs, and lean proteins. 
• Stay away from processed foods like cakes and pastries, white bread, pasta etc. 
• Replace these with low G.I. foods and you will see results. 
• Exercise, a little at first and then slowly increase it as you become stronger and fitter. 
• Please do not join the expensive gym on the corner but rather opt for fun like jogging, skipping, playing with the kids or taking the dog on long walks. 
• These are more sustainable for those who hate to exercise and it will have a positive, uplifting effect as well!

Will wearing make-up cause breakouts?

Always keep these five tips in mind for beautiful morning-after skin!

1. Wearing make-up will not let you breakout unless you use foundation/powder/concealer that suits your skin type and if you cleanse properly at night time. 
2. When cleansing you skin, you are removing any make-up, impurities, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum that have accumulated during the day. 
3. Our skin is also a very easy-to-reach dumping ground for dust and other air pollutants. 
4. If you forget to remove your make-up before going to sleep, it will be more difficult in the morning to remove that stubborn mascara and stay-on-forever lip colour. 
5. So , please do not forget to cleanse your skin very well at night to prevent any breakouts.

What is my skin type?

Here is a quicky on how to determine your skin type:

• Clean your skin with warm water and cotton wool balls. 
• Dry lightly with a towel and wait 30 minutes. 
• Cover you face with one layer of paper tissue, press lightly and leave for about one minute. 
• Remove and examine it.

Results:

• Oily stains over most of the tissue: your skin type is oily
• Oily patches at side of nose, around mouth and forehead: Your skin type is combination
• Faint oily traces over most of the tissue: your skin type is normal
• No oily traces: your skin type is dry

How to remove your eye make-up without trauma and tears…

Follow these easy steps to stress-free makeup removal:

• Use a good salon make-up remover and damp cotton wool, as some of the cotton wool feels like abrasive pads on the skin when dry. 
• Soak the cotton wool in the make-up remover and place over the eyelids. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the make-up to softens, then gently stroke the eye lashes from base to tip to remove the mascara. 
• Then stroke softly (not rub and scrub!) from the inside to the outside corner of the eye. 

Be gentle with skin around your eyes

• Repeat this process until all make-up is removed. If there is still be some stubborn make-up, especially eyeliner around the lashes, use an ear bud (Q-tip) soaked in the remover and gently wipes it away. 
• Now you can cleanse your whole face with your skin specific cleanser. Use a gentle toner and the correct eye cream for your age and gently tap it on the eye bone.

Products to try:
Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover
Removes water resistant and smudge-proof makeup

TheraVine™ Ultimate Eye Make-up Remover

Ultra fine oils formulated to delicately help remove stubborn eye make-up whilst moisturising the eyelids.

Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse

Highly effective pre-cleanser

Please also read the following articles:

The importance of cleansing your skin

Which cleanser for my skin type?

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 for an appointment or if you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @Agbeautysalon

Puffy eye syndrome & Under eye bags

Puffy eye syndrome is probable the number one irritation to all of us. You all must have experienced it some or other time. You wake up one morning, and there they are! For some it will be a temporarily problem, for others it may last a few days or weeks, but fortunately there is a cure somewhere that should work for you.


What causes puffy eyes?
There are all manner of reasons why people develop puffy eye syndrome. Here are some typical causes for the puffy eyes that you wake up to:

Everyday causes of Puffy Eyes:

The good news is that puffy eyes are cause mostly by fluid retention due of any one of the following reasons:

• Fluctuating hormone levels.
• Oedema or fluid retention throughout the body. Pregnancy also causes increasing oedema.
• Certain medication.
• Allergies, which may also result in itchiness and redness of the eyes and surrounding tissue.
• Inflammation.
• Smoking.
• Diet
• Your genes can also help this along!

Under eye bags:
Please note that there is a huge difference between “puffy eyes” due to day-to-day causes and huge bags that rest on the top of your cheeks. Most bags under the eyes are the result of accumulated fat in the eye area. This happens when the septum surrounding the eyeball weakens, causing the outer layer of fat within the socket to sink forward – making it look like you have literal “bags” under your eyes.

Unfortunately, the only cure for bags under the eyes is a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty, which is designed to remove excess fat, skin and muscle around the eyes. However, there are some treatments that will reduce the appearance of under eye bags.

Sometimes a more serious medical condition can also be the problem:

• Kidney disease: In some cases, bags under the eyes are a sign of kidney problems.
• Hypothyroidism. A slow thyroid affects 2 in 100 women or 2% of the female population. Your slow thyroid may be causing those bags under your eyes too.
• Poor Diet. An excess of sodium in your diet will cause you to retain water
• Accumulation of Toxins. Sometimes a slow digestive system can add to the overall problem. When the intestines get clogged with bile and mucous, they can't function properly. Try detoxing for a couple of days with fresh fruit, vegetables and lots of water.

What to do about puffy eye syndrome and under-eye bags:

• The simplest way to reduce puffy eye syndrome that is caused by water retention, is to drink more water!
• Gently tap with your finger tips around the eye to drain the fluid
• Apply cold compresses to the eye area like a wash cloth soaked in cold water or gel filled eye pack that you can keep in the freezer*
• Reduce your salt intake
• Get enough sleep-at least 8 hours
• Wear sunglasses when outside to reduce sun light glare and protect your eyes against wind, dust etc
• Try sleeping on your back with your head elevated; this will encourage drainage.
• Apply a good eye gel, specifically formulated for puffy eyes, sparingly every morning.
• If you suspect a more serious medical condition, please see you GP.

Products that I can recommend for amazing results that the Beautique stocks:


Skin Doctors Eyecircle



Skin Doctors Eyesmooth



Skin Doctors Eyetuck

The Perfect Eyebrow Shape

Eyebrows grow in all shapes and thicknesses and the perfect eyebrow can usually only be created with the proper knowledge and tools.

If your eyebrows are already over-plucked or shaped incorrectly, please take the time to let it grow out before attempting to re-shape it. If you try to re-shape eyebrows that have not enough hair growth to work with, you will end up with very strange or possible no eyebrows at all!

Get a friend to help you if you are worried about not being able to see clearly or if you are prone to tweeze too much.

Tools you would need to shape and maintain the perfect eyebrow:

 Tweezer

 Eyebrow comb

 Eyeliner pencil

 Huge mirror

 Eye shadow powder make-up, as near to your natural eyebrow colour as possible

 Slanted eyebrow make-up brush

 Eyebrow fixing gel

 Pair of very sharp, small scissors.

Measuring the eyebrow correctly as follows:

Brush the eyebrows with your eyebrow comb along their natural shape.

1. Hold a pencil or your make-up brush vertically along your nostril to touch or meet your eyebrow. Mark this point with the eye liner pencil. This is where the eyebrow should start.(Point number 1)

2. Hold the pencil at a slanted angle, from your nostril to the outer edge of your eye and mark this point where the eyebrow and the pencil meet. This is where the eyebrow should ends. (Point number 2)

3. Look straight in the mirror and hold the pencil vertically behind the iris and mark the point that meets the eyebrow at the top. This is where the top of the eyebrow arch should be. (Point number 3)

Shape the eyebrow:

Please remember not to make the brows too thin or too arched. It looks unnatural and sometimes very strange….

 Tweeze the hair that grows between the brows to point number 1.

 Tweeze the sparse hair from under the eyebrows- do not thin it out too much.

 Tweeze any hair that grows beyond point number 2.

 Take care to keep as much of the natural arch of your brows, slowly arch the eyebrow at point number 3.

 If there is very long hair that is out of place, trim it at an angled slant with the pair of scissors.

If you are having difficulty doing it like this, first draw in your eyebrows with an eyeliner pencil according to the 3 points. Start tweezing the hair until the required shape is achieved. Or else, you can always have it done professionally!

Further tricks to maintain that perfect shape, or create it if you have sparse, uneven growing eyebrows:

 Use your slanted make-up brush and eye shadow powder, brush on a small amount of powder and fill sparse areas in, or use it to shape the brow where necessary. I find that powders work the best, as you can lighten the effect by brushing it out with your eyebrow brush.

 Use the Eyebrow Fixing Gel to hold the hair in shape.


Product reviews of the following: (I have used every one of them over the past 7 years!)

i. Anesi Soin Du Regard Serum Eclat

ii. Anesi Age Rebellion Eye Cream

iii. Phytomer Lift Contour Intensive Eye and Lip Care

iv. Phytomer Expertise Age Contour Intense Youth Eye Cream

v. Skin Doctors Eyetuck

vi. Skin Doctors Eyecircle

vii. Skin Doctors Instant Eyelift

viii. TheraVine Time Care Eye cream

ix. TheraVine Hydrating Eye Gel

x. TheraVine Anti-Aging Oil Serum

xi. Priory Smoothing Eye Serum

xii. EyeSlices Eye Care Pads

It takes a long time to become young - reverse the signs of ageing

“It takes a long time to become young”-Pablo Picasso

It is a sad but true fact that we reach our peak age at 25 and from then, all we can hope for is to slow down the aging process.

How you tackle this niggling problem will show not only on your facial skin but also in how your body reacts later on. In the Middle Ages the average life expectancy was 20 years. In 2020 it will be 90 years and predictions for 2050 indicates 120 years! Who would want to life that long unless you are also “young”?

The meaning of anti-aging has changed significantly over the last few years and now the focus is on raising our life expectancy and quality of life by caring not only for the outside, but the inside as well.

There is no more need for your skin and body to look haggard and run down. Everyone ages differently due to genetic factors, hormonal imbalances and lifestyles. Aged (mature) skin is determined by our age, but more importantly, by the declining processes of our body. It is now possible to ascertain one’s biological age, which is different from one’s chronological age, by using a battery of reliable, coded tests. A 30 year old woman can look 50 years old due to the effects of sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, pollution, stress, lack of sleep and an inadequate diet. However, the opposite can also be true by establishing a good beauty routine and looking after body, mind and inner harmony.

The normal changes associated with facial aging are the result of both intrinsic (age related fat and bone loss known as atrophy, hormonal imbalances, illnesses etc) and extrinsic factors (like sunlight, pollution, and smoking). As we age, the outer layers of the skin comes slightly thinner because of the reduced rate of regeneration in the lower levels of the skin.

Melanin production (the substance that our cells secrete to give us a “tan”) decreases, thus increasing the risk of sun damage and therefore, skin cancer. Collagen, (the softness factor of our skin) becomes “stable” and in general the skin is less pliable. Elastin fibers degenerate and the skin looses its elasticity and suppleness. The fatty deposits under the skin shrink causing the skin to bruise more easily since blood vessels are not as well protected as before. The skin also tends to retain less water, resulting in dry, flaky skin. These changes all add to the deep wrinkles around the mouth, sagging skin, softening of the oval of the face and a general tired look.

According to Dr Claude Dalle, in his article ANTI-AGEING: PREVENTION AND OPTIMISATION we need to consider the following to slow down Father Time:

We need to optimise our hormones as the levels drop over time and it can already start in our early 20’s. We all have catabolic hormones that degenerate our bodies. Anabolic hormones regenerate skin, muscles and bones. Between the ages of 25 and 70, the different rates at which our bodies produce catabolic hormones and anabolic hormones get more out of balance with the end result of growing old.

The more we stress, the more cortisone our bodies produce and the more negative the effect is on our bodies. In order for us to extend our life span, we have to reduce our stress levels.

We need to pay special attention to our diet. Be careful of steroids and other growth hormones that may be added to livestock feeds. The effects of these on our bodies are not yet fully known. Rather be safe than sorry! Use fresh produce where possible and do not destroy all the goodness by over cooking. Beware using too much seasoning.

Include essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants in your diet or as supplements as these compounds will enhance your anti aging regime. There are numerous food supplements on the market which can sort this for you by simply taking a couple of tables at breakfast time. Your salon can also assist you with specialist products according to your needs.

Dr Catherine de Goursac a physician specialising in aesthetic treatments gives excellent advice:

The rules pertaining to anti-ageing:

• You need to exercise 30 minutes per day or three hours per week because it increases longevity.
• Limit your intake of dairy products
• Limit your intake of fatty and sugary foods.
• Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
• Cut out smoking and alcohol.
• Maintain your goal weight, or stay within 5% of it.
• Visit your doctor regularly as it is important to pick up organ problems and cancers as early as possible.
• Optimise anti-oxidants.
• Keep hormones balanced.
• Drink a liter and a half of water per day.
• Keep a youthful outlook because if you think young, you stay young……?

The idea of a Fountain of Youth that will keep us young forever is as old as history itself and unfortunately has not been discovered yet. The complete prevention or reversal of ageing will not happen in our lifetime but the desire to reverse the signs of ageing still make people use strange and wonderful remedies and potions.

Perhaps a better option would be to follow a good daily beauty routine, stress less, laugh more and enjoy the outdoors with a SPF 30!