The c-word.....

The c word is a swear word for me because I HATE IT. Here are some clues as to what I am talking about...

IT looks grosse...IT is lumpy, bumpy, it doesn't matter if you're thin or plump...celebs are victims to it...yes, it's CELLULITE!!!

Now what were you thinking? Tut tut....

I have tried so many products which all claim to 'reduce' this and that or promise smoother skin.

The fact is that cellulite is generally the result of hormonal or dietary imbalance within the fat tissues, which results in more fat formation than fat breakdown. When this balance is upset, the fat cells swell and store fat. At the same time, their ability to uptake sugar is increased and the excess glucose causes a hardening of the collagen fibres which normally ensure the skin's elasticity. Around 90% of women over the age of 20 are affected by cellulite (so we're not alone).

So, now what?

Well, it depends on the stage of cellulite one may have.

Stage 1 - edematous cellulite

Skin may appear slightly swollen and soft like jelly and dimpling is only apparent when the skin is pinched together.

Stage 2 - orange peel cellulite

Fat cells increase in volume and capillaries are weakened which restricts fluid drainage and circulation. This stage is clear, you'll be able to to see the appearance of 'orange peel'. The deterioration of circulation also means the skin can feel cold to touch.


Stage 3 - adipose cellulite

Lymphatic fluids builds up and circulation is reduced further making the skin cold to touch, metabolism in the cells slows down. Legs can feel swollen, heavy and fatigued.

Treatment?

Well, I haven't had the luxury or time to have any spa or salon treatments but if any fellow bloggers have and they would like to write about them for me, please let me know. Are there any salon treatments you recommend or that have worked for you?

I'm between stage 1 and 2 and the products I have experienced visible results with (in order from best being 1) are;

1. [comfort zone] Body Strategist Remodeller - this gives a wonderful warm sensation and feels like it's really kicking some life into my circulation. Using this for a month left my 'C' much less visible, I'd say around 80% less and skin on my thighs was super smooth.

2. Shiseido Aromatic Sculpting Gel - I am in LOVE with this product, shame it's rather pricey to buy every month. This has the best smell ever for a cellulite product, you could use this all over but I used mine sparingly, see my full post here. I noticed an improvement within 2 weeks with this product!

3. Beautylab Body Sculpt Gel - I bought this on offer for a £1 from Zest magazine and I'm really glad I did. The packaging I had is old, new one is much better looking. It's like a cream-gel and smells fruity and fresh. A little goes a long way and after using it for a month, I definitely felt a difference in my thighs, they weren't as cold and it didn't warm up like the [comfort zone] cream. So, this is perfect for someone who wants results like the [comfort zone] cream without the hot sensation (which I LOVE). I'd say my C was less visible by 50%.

4. Liz Earle's Energising Hip & Thigh Gel with Energising Body Scrub - absolutely BRILLIANT products, they are affordable, smell wonderful and when used everyday together, you will feel better pyschologically (not just physically), the smell has some sort of positive mood effect on me. I have been through so much of these two products and you don't have to worry about using them sparingly. Which reminds me, I must buy more! Full post here.

What products or treatments do you recommend for cellulite?

HE loves...

I'm not sure about the rest of you lovely ladies other halves (apart from Sarah at www.iheartcosmetics.com) but my husband is THE definition of a metrosexual male.

I would like to say I have influenced his need for a beauty regime, but even when we first met, he was using the Dermalogica system and he was having monthly facials.

However, I have influenced his brand buying behaviour...he now loves KORRES, Liz Earle, Eve Lom, ORLY Rich Renewal Cream in Peace and [COMFORT ZONE].

L-R: KORRES Quercetin anti-ageing lotion, KORRES hair & scalp scrub, KORRES body butter in Fig and Liz Earle C&P

All of these products used to be mine, however, they can now be found in his wash bag. The KORRES hair and scalp scrub is a truly amazing innovative product, it has treated his dry scalp which he couldn't believe. It's worked a treat on my mane of hair too, eliminating impurities and build up of hair products. We scrub our skin, so why not our scalp?

I LOVE the smell of the KORRES Fig Body Butter on him too, beautiful scent for men. We both get through these tubes of body butter so quickly, I wish KORRES had bigger bottles.

After years of using Eve Lom, the mister recently switched to Liz Earle's C&P, he loves both cleansers but he prefers the convenient travel-friendly packing of cleanse and polish.

What do your other halves like to use?

Have you discovered they secretly/openly use your products?

Best Body Butter, Lotion & Cream

The beauty industry is flooded with body creams, butters, balms, oils and lotions.

I have tried almost every brand of body cream, butter and lotion from cheap and cheerful Palmer's Cocoa Butter to Laura Mercier's Creme Brulee.

However, these are the three products I regularly re-purchase.

L - R: Liz Earle, KORRES, Davina Peace

I regularly use all of the products I am about to discuss, depending on where I'm going, what I am doing or which perfume I am wearing.

For everyday use, I truly adore Liz Earle's new Energising Body Lotion. I am a huge fan of the whole of the Energising range and the new body lotion really complements the range. It's perfect for me as an everyday product because it absorbs into my skin instantly and the invigorating scent really lifts my spirits. I love when I catch a sniff of the sweet orange oil throughout the day at work (which makes me want to eat jaffa cakes all the time). I hope Liz Earle will make this into a super size, I love it!Liz Earle products all contain natural ingredients, no nasties.

150ml tube costs £16.50

If I have a but more time in the mornings and before parties or a night out, I saturate my skin with the BEST body butter in the world, KORRES in Vanilla Plum or Guava. I also highly recommend the body butters as an after-sun cream, so soothing and nourishing. My skin is baby soft all day and night and the smell lingers all day long too. Vanilla Plum, Rose and Guava smell so good that I have forgotten to wear perfume and friends have commented asking what that glorious smell is. Korres body butters have no nasty or artificial ingredients.

KORRES Body Butters cost £12.50 from John Lewis or £12.00 from oliver bonas.

Finally, for the ultimate pampering experience, I sparingly use Davina Peace Body Cream. It's thick, indulgent and Organic. Regular use helps minimise appearance of cellulite (my pot is more of a treat rather than for everyday use). My skin is instantly smooth and silky. Stunning cream and the first for eco-luxury.

Davina Peace is available online and at Harrods, 175ml pot costs £55.00.

My Beauty Highlights 2010

After being stranded in Paris last week and being ill, all I wanted to do was eat, sleep and watch Christmas TV, hence the major backlog of blogging I have caused myself.

I'm going to kick off with my beauty highlights of 2010, these are all products I recommend as my 'Star Products' and have experienced noticeable results with. 

The first brand I highly commend is Liz Earle. I had heard a lot of talk about the Cleanse & Polish

product, but had never tried it until this year, it's a lovely cream cleanser which removes all traces of make up, dirt and oils with a muslin cloth. I am most impressed with the whole ethos of the brand, the natural ingredients, the extensive range of glorious products and the wonderful affordable price point. 

I also had the greatest pleasure in meeting Liz Earle at the launch of the long awaited (and amazing) Botanical Shine shampoo and conditioner range. I have been using the shampoo and conditioner since August, the shampoo makes my hair smell like lemons and feels squeaky clean. You can read more here.

Trish McEvoy has always been one of my favourite brands from my days as a MUA (Make Up Artist), there are a couple of products from Trish which will always sit in my day to day collection;  

Instant Eye Lift: a long wearing under-eye line filler and brightener, this does not budge at all! It makes such a noticeable difference.

24 hour Eyeshadow and liner in Topaz, I have never come across a cream eyeshadow which doesn't crease (without an eye base). This is my favourite eyeshadow for quality and colour.

Eye Base Essentials, this is a brilliant eye base which is nice worn alone or under eyeshadows to keep them in place all day, zero creasing! 100% true!

Finally, the Lash Enhancer, which I spent a few weeks monitoring the results, I need to stock up on some more because I have really noticed the difference since I have ran out. You can read more here.

This year, us gals went doolally for the new hybrid gel polish, yes, a manicure that REALLY does last for 2 weeks with no chipping and no smudging. I knew about gel polish way before Shellac launched due to the industry I work in and I can also tell you that Gel Polish will be BIG business next year too with other brands jumping on the bandwagon. Harrod's Urban Retreat is offering EzFlow Gel Polish called 'Gelez' manicures and Space.NK's Spa have chosen IBD's Gelac Gel Polish.

I am really happy to be a part of the beauty blogging world because the beauty bloggers I have come across are so lovely and helpful. I have made some great blogger friends, some I have met (the 6 inch stilettos, beautywowza, i heart cosmetics, hell candy) and some I would love to meet in 2011 (to many to mention, but you're all on Twitter). 

Beautywowza introduced me to the ultra glam eco body range 'Davina Peace'. This was one of my favourite launches of 2010 and I can't wait for the face range in 2011! I'm so excited! The Wowza also took me along to the launch of a beautful natural and halal cosmetic range, called 'Inika'. The Kabuki make up brush is magnificent, I wonder what Inika will bring out in 2011?

Boots launched the Nip + Fab range, my sisters and some friends have all went and bought the eye brightening concealer because they were so impressed. It's way better than YSL's Touche Eclat and half the price!

Friends and readers will know how much I LOVE Korres (I wish the store on King's Road was still open), this year I got to meet the beautiful Lena Korres, where she presented some new product launches. I can't wait for the perfumes to be launched in March, the plum/pear one smells just like my Creed Aqua Fiorentina. I'll be stocking up! I'm also predicting that the Quercetin Antiageing & Antiwrinkle range will be flying off the shelves of Liberty and Zuneta.com, this range is delectable. The primer (which has NO silicones like conventional primers) is a wonderful make up base.

This year, I finally got my paws on some OCC Lip Tars, thanks to beauty fulfilled, she sent me to www.geniecosmetics.co.uk! I didn't even know OCC was available in the UK until this little beauty sent me the link (she is wearing the bright pink lip tar on her home page, I also have it, he he, but it looks way better on her).

Other websites I discovered this year and love are; www.zuneta.com and www.thegreengrocery.co.uk.

I feel like I've rambled on a bit much now, there are many more products I could mention but these are definitely my top ones.

Thanks for reading.

x

I’ve joined the ‘STRIP’ Club

I have now joined the 'STRIP' Club– The Best Waxers in Town. What were you thinking? (tut tut)

After checking out Harper’s ‘Beauty Hot 100’ list, there are some products I really questioned what the hell they were doing in there, such as Revlon’s nail polish (Over Orly seriously?) and others I have added on my next beauty shopping list;

-Suqqu foundation

- Sarah Chapman facial,

- Vichy Eye Make-Up Remover

- SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic

- NuFace Face Firming Tool

- Dr Sebagh Serum Repair

- Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

- Bliss Super Slough Scrub

- Liz Earle Body Scrub

- Best Salon Waxing – STRIP

I can cross the last one off my list now. I booked myself in yesterday in the Soho branch of Strip.

STRIP is London's original and premiere waxing boutique that has revolutionised the waxing industry by dispelling the myth that waxing is painful and boring.

Founded in 2005 by sisters Danielle Featherstone-Price and Maria-Louise Featherstone, STRIP’s three luxurious and unique boutiques in Chelsea, Notting Hill and Soho have made hair removal glamorous! Offering global clients the ultimate waxing and shopping experience - pairing your perfect wax treatments with pampering products and beautiful lingerie.

STRIP's therapists are sourced from all over the globe (I had a lovely therapist called Chelsea from Australia) and are trained to the highest standards ensuring the ultimate waxing experience that is fast, effective, hygienic and virtually pain free (I promise you it is pain-free). They use their own specially blended Lycon waxes to suit your skin and hair type depending what mood you are in.

I was offered the choice between opulent Chocolate Wax for a heavenly scented treatment, fruity berry, moisturizing olive or relaxing lavender to stimulate the senses. I chose fruity berry because I could smell it wafting out of the treatment room. The scent is divine and when I saw the wax pots I was tempted to dip my finger in (strongly advise against it though), the wax looks like melted starburst.

STRIP also has a 'Manifico' treatment room created especially for their male clients. The best part? The premium Lycon waxes prevent hair breakages, ingrown hairs, redness and the associated painful sting, leaving you soft and smooth with no sticky residue.

The berry room is gorgeous, with a superior, comfy treatment bed, plasma TV, amazing furniture and cool artwork on the wall. STRIP's sumptuous treatments rooms are designed using opulent fabrics and furnishings carefully selected to compliment each wax flavour or colour.

I laid back, watched Love Actually and talked about electric blankets with Chelsea. I was actually disappointed when Chelsea told me I was ‘all done’. I was in there for around half an hour but could have stayed there all afternoon. Usually, I can’t wait to get my clothes on and get out of the treatment room after a wax.

The overall experience was memorable, amazing and I can’t wait for my next wax appointment! Every single hair has been removed, in-growing hairs were thoroughly extracted and I was given instructions/recommended products on how to look after the skin on my erm ‘Vajayjay’ to keep it looking super smooth.

The cost: I have a Hollywood which cost £50.

STRIP’s unique philosophy has made waxing a treat and not a chore. It's no wonder that STRIP have a legion of loyal celebrity followers, including Victoria Beckham, Emily Blunt, Poppy Delevigne, Jasmine Guinness and Emilia Fox.

Check out the STRIP website here.