ORGANIC REJUVENATION FROM NEW ZEALAND

Eating lots of Vitamin C is one of the best ways to boost your immunity naturally, especially in winter. Newly launched in the UK is JASON Natural Cosmetics which are packed full of the powerful antioxidant Ester-C which is the main active ingredient in their new anti-ageing collection.

This comprehensive range consists of nine hard-working products which by the way are great value for money. The unique formulation of pure active ingredients penetrates deep into the skin to minimize the signs of ageing and fight free radical damage revealing softer, smoother, more radiant, youthful skin. Regular use of these skin-smart products will intensely hydrate the skin, restore suppleness, improve skin elasticity and leave skin healthier and younger looking.

Our favourite is the Max Instant Facial which exfoliates and hydrates the skin with the oils and Ester C and gives you an instant glow! Every product has the aroma natural orange oils is orange.(unfortunately our blog turns them blue!).JASON is available in Whole Foods, selected Waitrose Supermarkets, John Bell & Croyden, Fresh & Wild, Planet Organic and selected Health Food Stores nation-wide.

Super-C Cleanser 6oz. RRP £9.95
Combines the antioxidant Ester-C with natural surfactants to gently cleanse your face. In convenient and travel-friendly pump packaging, this citrus-scented cleanser is divine solution for wiping away the day’s dirt.

Super-C Toner 6oz. RRP £9.95
The Ester-C complex combines with natural botanicals for a fresh antioxidant-rich toner, ideal for minimising pores and balancing the skin’s Ph.

Ester-C Lotion 4oz. RRP £14.95
Synergistic blend of Ester-C, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E help stimulate collagen production, giving you a youthful glow. This light formula gives the perfect amount of daily hydration.

Ester-C Crème 2oz. RRP £14.95
This rich formula drenches the skin in moisture; helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ingredients include antioxidants Ester-C, Vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic Acid.


Ester-C Hydrating Masque 2.5oz. RRP £14.95
A treatment masque that erases dry spots and leaves your skin feeling silky soft and dewy fresh. A perfect pick me up for skin in need of a moisture surge.


Ultra-C Eye Lift 0.5oz. RRP £16.95
Brightens and lifts tired eyes with natural antioxidants, healing Aloe Vera Gel and soothing Rosehips. No need for the scalpel with this clever eye lift!


C-Lite Skin Toner Balancer 1oz. RRP £16.95
This product naturally minimises the appearance of age spots and other skin discolourations while balancing skin tone.

Hyper-C Serum 1oz. RRP £24.95
Ester-C, Sodium Hyaluronate and Alpha Lipoic Acid blend together in this fruity, fast-absorbing serum to boost collagen production and combat signs of ageing.


Vita-C Max Instant Facial 4oz. RRP £24.95
This luxurious natural facial treatment maximises the antioxidant benefits from the rest of the Ester-C range. The light creamy texture absorbs quickly into skin to help fight signs of ageing.

More about the Jason range

JASON is committed to creating distinctive, pampering products that delight the senses, soothe the soul, respect the planet and animals and promote health and well-being in our daily lives.
Providing safe, effective, natural and affordable personal care products since 1959,

JASON is a pioneer of the eco movement committed to caring for you and your family from head to toe. JASON products are free from any synthetic ingredients that harm the environment or irritate the skin and have not been tested on animals. JASON products do not contain Parabens, Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfates, mineral oil, lanolin or petrolatum.

Get a Glow with Glōtherapeutics - new anti-ageing skincare from the US

We love mineral makeup - it really does turn back the clock because of the way it sits on the skin and the beneficial effects of the minerals. One of the best on the market is from the US - glōMinerals - which has a beautiful array of colours.

Now glō has introduced a new range of skincare products for home and insalon treatments.

There are seventeen ‘at home’ products that work to improve the health of skin, and also to prepare skin for their range of professional insalon glōChemical Exfoliation treatments.

The magic ingredients throughout the range, are the glōComplex which contains Spin Trap, Carmosine, Alma and Niacinamide.

The glōSerums are the hero’s of the skin care collection that are designed to create a real change in the appearance of the skin. Their effects include brightening, soothing, enhancing and helping to impede the ageing process. All of these products are "cruelty free", dye free and paraben free.

Our favourites include three of the basic products from the glōConditioning Collection including the:

Ø glōConditioning Milk Cleanser £13.50 – Wash away impurities and sooth skin with this creamy cleanser containing Grape Seed Extract, Jojoba and Safflower Oil.

Ø glōConditioning Tonic £13.50 – This balancing tonic contains Rose Hip Seed Oil, Camomilla and Hyaluronic Acid.

The glōSerums are potent concentrates including anti-ageing star ingredient, hyaluronic acid. Try the following:

Ø glōSuper Serum £67 – the real star of the collection, this amazing serum contain the ultimate in anti-ageing formulations leaving skin radiant, healthy and youthful. Brimming with a high concentration of Peptides and Growth Factors it works hard in the fight against ageing, whilst Retinol enhances the skin’s clarity.


glōSpecialty is a collection of products to complement skincare systems and chemical exfoliation treatments by adding healing and protective benefits to reach optimal results. There are products for all skin types.

In Salon Treatments:

glōChemical Exfoliation – Provide customized programs for each individual to help achieve subtle, gradual or astonishing transformations. Designed to stimulate a fresh appearance and improve the appearance of fine lines, imperfections and discolouration.

glōAdvanced Systems – Advanced professional treatments that will cultivate high intensity results carried out under the supervision of a doctor. These products are for achieving advanced performance.

Visit www.gloprofessional.com for more information or call 0800 121 8116 for stockists details.

PHOTONOVA SKIN REJUVENATION - the latest hot anti-ageing treatment in Harley Street

Two weeks ago I was invited to take part in a patient trial of Photonova, a non-invasive skin rejuvenation using infra-red light. So I go to the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic in London for the treatment.

The clinic is the first in the UK to have this Swedish technology. First of all I have another Salt-a-Peel dermabrasion to prepare my skin for the treatment. After a thorough cleanse salt particles are blasted across my skin to remove a surface layer of dead cells. Then I have a rejuvenating mask with alpha hydroxy acid which is helped into my skin with ultrasound. My skin feels wonderful. This is my second treatment so I know how great my skin will look afterwards. This treatment costs £90 and a course is recommended with top-ups every so often.

The treatment is carried out by the clinic's head aesthetician, Liz Hood, who is also going to carry out a Photonova treatment on my face.

First of all my face is covered in a thick clear gel - this allows the infra red to reach my skin without burning it. The infra red comes from the head of the device which is passed over my face a total of five times.

Each pass delivers a known quantity of infra-red heat energy into the tissue which heats the water inside the dermis and this stimulates the fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells) responsible for keeping the skin young and supple. It also kick starts them into producing new collagen over the next few days and weeks.

Since the treatment I have had comments from a number of people on how young my skin looks. "You haven't got any wrinkles" they say! Liz, tells me I can expect further improvement over the coming weeks. I can see that my slightly sagging chin has lifted which always takes a few years off any ageing face!

This is a great treatment because you can do it over the lunchtime. It does hurt a little and there is some redness but in my case this went in the next hour. Well worth £500 if it lasts a year or so.

Liz loves treating her patients and is full of tips and advice. She wouldn't let me leave without a touch of mineral makeup - so I left glowing..

THYROID HORMONE DEFICIENCY, WEIGHTGAIN AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Recently I visited one of the leading hormone specialists in London. It is clear from the consultation that I need to make some changes to my lifestyle - mainly diet and exercise. But the best way to discover what is going on with your body is to take various tests - usually a combination of blood, urine and saliva.

So I start with a blood test to find out levels of various hormones in my body. Today I am going to focus on one of them - the thyroid hormone - this is the hormone responsible for regulating the body's metabolism amongst other things.

It appears that women are more likely to suffer a deficiency - medically known as: hypothyroidism - than men. There are various physicial symptoms - allergies, skin problems, fatigue, nervousness, gaining or losing weight, brittle nails, dry skin, constipation, infertility, mental sluggishness, depression and intolerence to cold. But since these symptoms can be associated with a catalogue of other illnesses the best way to verify this problem is by a blood test.

But there is confusion/controversy amongst medical professionals, particularly outside of anti-ageing medicine about what the exact parameters that constitutes a deficiency and what the drug treatment should be.

The thyroid gland measures just two inches across and is in the neck just below the Adam's apple. It actually secrets two hormones - mostly T4 (known as thyroxine) which converts into the active hormone (that actually used by the body) into T3 (triodothyronine). In healthy people most T4 Is converted into T3.

The regulation of the thyroid is controlled by a number of body functions - the hypothalamus, situated in the brain above the pituitary gland, triggers the pituitary to release a substance known as "thyroid stimulating hormone" (TSH). When levels of thyroid hormone reach optimum the amount of TSH decreases, conversly in people not producing enough there are higher amounts of TSH in the blood.

So when trying to determine thyroid function doctors will test for blood levels of TSH and also T4.

It should also be noted that dieting (lowering of calories) has the same effect of diminishing production of T3, which in turn lowers a person's resting metabolic weight, which can also lead to weight gain in the long term. Experts also tell me that many individuals have problem converting T4 into T3 which also leads to weight gain. This is music to my ears - can I blame my tendency to weight gain on this?

Of course its not as simple as this. A 54-year-old friend with absolutely no symptoms - no weightgain etc - was recently diagnosed by her GP as suffering from sub-clinical hypothryoidism. This simply means that the thyroid is not working 100% and may be a warning sign of further loss of function in the future. She was in disbelief and checked out her diagnosis with a private blood test which confirmed the result from her GP. She has been prescribed Levothyroxine - basically T4 - which is what most UK GPs prescribe - lets hope she doesn't have a conversion problem. This may well be because the UK Government's drug rationing body NICE may only allow doctors to prescribe this one.

Levothyroxine (thyroxine - T4) is a tiny tablet which should be taken on a empty stomach daily. Left untreated - aside from the weight gain issue - hypothyroidism can cause serious health problems including aenemia, low body temperature and heart failure.

I visit my GP and discovered that I too am sub-optimal on the thyroid hormone and get prescribed Levothyroxine, even though I point out the conversion problems. I will have a blood test to check that my body is converting this to the usable form T3.

So what are the other drug alternatives - one is Cytomel which is a synthetic form of T3 which is approved by the FDA in the US. A recent medical study showed that combining this with T4 had better results including for weightloss.

Armour Thyroid is one that contains dessicated thyroid derived from the thryoid gland of the pig but many doctors are reluctant to prescribe this, mainly because of dose inconsistency and contamination problems with its animal origins.

There are a myriad of side effects with drug thryoid hormone replacement, especially if you take other drugs particularly oestrogens, beta-blockers and anticoagulants.

Aborbtion is also impaired by iron sulfate, calcium pills and several other supplements.

So is there anything you can take naturally to help your body? The answer is yes - particularly the minerals magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc - deficiences of these can prevent the conversion of T4 to T3.

HIGH BAD CHOLESTEROL (LDL)

In my investigations into this subject I have discovered that high levels of LDL are also indicators of poor thyroid function. I wonder if this is my problem with high LDL - despite loads of exercise and eating good fats my levels of LDL were still too high? I will see from blood tests if this is my problem after two months of thyroid replacement So perhaps doctors should try testing for this more often?

THE PROBLEM WITH CURRENT REFERENCE RANGES OF TSH

The standard range used by most labs is 0.2-5.5(mU/L), A greater TSH number than 5.5alerts the doctor to a thyroid gland problem as it is over producing TSH.

Anti-ageing doctors believe that this range is too broad and that anyone with a TSH reading of more than 2.0 should be investigated with a view to possible health problems.

I would greatly appreciate hearing expert views on this..

RUNNING AND THE ELIXIR OF LIFE

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine recently published the results of an extremely lengthy study into the benefits of aerobic exercise, in particular jogging, for older people.

The study lasted for over two decades and tracked 500 runners aged 50 or over at the beginning of the study. 284 of the study participants were regular runners, while the remaining 156 healthy "controls" were non-runners.

At the start of the study, participants ran for an average of four hours per week. By the time the study wound up, these people were in their 70s or 80s and ran about 76 minutes a week.

The outcome of the research revealed just 15 percent of the regular runners had succumbed to the ravages of age and had died, while 34 percent of the non-runners had died during the same time.

The study's lead author is Dr. James Fries, an emeritus professor of medicine at Stanford said people who had regular exercise regimen would spend less time being disabled even as their days neared an end.

Dr Fries said exercise was by far the best thing to delay aging, "The health benefits of exercise are greater than we thought. If you had to pick one thing to make people healthier as they age, it would be aerobic exercise," he added.

Some 21 years after the study all participants experienced some amount of disability, but for the runners, the onset was delayed. Also deaths from heart disease, diabetes and neurological disease were also less in the running group.

This report confirms the obvious that you not only look and feel better if you take reasonable amounts of exercise but you will also look better. We are not talking marathon running here which is excessive and does cause damage to the joints of the body but a gentle three-mile run three to four times a week and some stretching.

One thing the research did not go into was the effect exercise has on hormones - it is scientifically proven that you produce more Human Growth Hormone as a result of exercise - this is one of the key hormones that declines with age.

Also you produce more of the feel good hormones such as a Seratonin after exercise.

So after a few months of neglecting my usual exercise regime - two hours cycling to work and back and a 45 minute jog - I have started to get back into regular exercise.

It is wise for those older individuals who have never exercised to seek doctors advice and get a checkup before embarking on anything too strenuous which might be a shock to the body.

I began my regime yesterday with two circuits round my local park. On the way back home I popped into my local shop for a bottle of water, covered in perspiration, where the young lad said: "Have you been running - you look really tired!" Hmmm - but 10 minutes later after a shower I felt better than I had in weeks. And no aches or pains.

So the best advice for older consumers appears to be to put on your running shoes and start going - this may delay aging in more ways than you know.

WHEN DO WOMEN START TO WORRY ABOUT AGEING?

Women start to worry about losing their looks at the age of 28, according to a survey by Olay Regenerist which polled the views of 4,000 women. So is this true, or does 28 sound too young?

Well I confess I began worrying about ageing even earlier than that. I was only 23 when I made my first visit to a health farm - determined to stem the ageing tide that might happen to my body.

That was followed not long after by a visit to Tyringham Naturapathic Clinic, near Olney in Buckinghamshire, where I was prepared to undergo colonic irrigation to turn back the clock. And that was a quarter of a century before Princess Diana tried it out at the Hale Clinic in London.

Always a women ahead of my time - my paranoia about ageing and getting wrinkles peaked at the age of 28. I recall that was when most of my friends were getting married and maybe that was the start of it - if I had wrinkles I would definitely not get a husband. I thought I already had one foot in the grave!

It was also the start of my interest in the more expensive anti-ageing wrinkle creams - I became a devotee of Clarins - I had the saggy bust cream, the craggy neck cream, the anti-cellulite cream etc etc. Sometimes I couldn't find enough bits of my face and body to put everything on. I would always carry Clarins Eye cream in my handbag and rub it into my non-existent crows feet several times a day just in case.

I recall going to department stores on wrinkle cream forays, determined to get the latest and best in Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Over the years I have spend a small fortune on anti-ageing wrinkle creams.

And to cap it all I always wondered why those ladies selling the stuff looked like extras from the Night of the Living Dead with bright red hair, yellow teeth....and wrinkles.... And they frequently say - "don't use it round your eyes". Oh dear I have just spend £50 on a wrinkle cream for the only place I have wrinkles - around my eyes and I can't use it!

On one occasion I bought a wrinkle cream by Chanel that was aimed at the 50+ woman. I thought, well that must be good. I paid for it later that night when the sensitive skin around my age 35 eyes balloned up in an allergic reaction.

It does make you wonder about human psychology when we are prepared to spend thousands on anti-ageing creams when there is scanty evidence that they work. Hope springs eternal and its hope in a jar that we just keep buying.

RESVERATROL, RED WINE AND LONGEVITY

New to the UK is a US range of skincare containing antioxidant vinotherapy called Le Vin. The use of grapes in anti-ageing skincare is very big in the US, especially in California - where most of the country's vineyards are established.

In Europe most of us know the French brand from Le Caudalie Spa in Bordeaux which is now quite widely available in department stores in the UK such as Selfridges and Debenhams.

Le Vin combines organic with scientific technology in a range that is limited to three products - eye and face serums and face cream. They smell delightful and are vitamin rich with an anti-oxidant complex of Chardonnay grape seed extract and certified organic essential oils, sets a new standard in high quality organic skincare, eliminating undesirables such as parabens and propylene glycol.

I try them on my sensitive skin and it soaks them up, leaving it dewy and lightly scented.

Le Vin has an interesting history. It was founded in New York in July 2007 by a former engineer, Ken Heng, who launched the successful spa product line Olavie.

Following numerous trips to the wine producing regions of Napa, California, Ken noticed that the people who tended the vines had radiant, young looking skin, years younger than their real age. Heng (after a childhood of problem skin) chose to research the powerful scientific beneficial effects of grape seed extract and utilise what is known as the ‘French Paradox’ and thus the brand was born.

The anti-ageing effects of the antioxidant in red wine, resveratrol, has made one big pharma sit up and make plans for the first anti-ageing pill. Grape seed extract also contains polyphenols which are used in Le Vin to stimulate skin renewal and fight stress and age-related damage.

After travelling the world seeking the finest ingredients, Ken worked closely with skin care labs and formulators to launch Olavieä, his first bodycare line in 2002 which uses the key active ingredient of Chardonnay grape seed extract (GSE), imported from Burgundy, France. Today, Le Vinä, Heng’s newest product collection combines cosmeceutical and organic ingredients offering a new approach to high quality skincare.

Vita-vino Actif: Unique anti-oxidant and anti-ageing ingredient technology

Combining grape seed extract with scientifically proven high dosage medical grade actives and vitamins, Vita-vino Actifä is a unique nutrient and anti-oxidant rich complex. Featuring Chardonnay GSE (grape seed extract), resveratrol and Vitamins A, B, C, D & E, this physician-grade, three-step skincare line combines strong anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties.

Grape seed extract contains Polyphenols, a potent anti-oxidant that penetrates the epidermis to stimulate the renewal of skin cells and collagen by combating free radicals, which damage and age the skin. The seeds are extracted from the grape before fermentation to yield the highest percentage for anti-oxidants, seven times more potent that Vitamin E.

Product collection

Face Serum - £90.00, 50ml

This potent skin cocktail featuring GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) that instantly inhibits the muscle contractions that contribute to wrinkles, Le Vinä Face Serum is the perfect alternative to Botox, dramatically reducing the appearance of fine lines. Vita-vino Actifä delivers powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients deep into the dermal layer, with anti-bacterial agents to keep pores clean and certified organic ingredients high in gamma linolenic acid, a proven anti-inflammatory can also help congested, acne prone skin. Skin feels smooth, pore-less and glowing.

Key ingredients:

Vita-vino Actif, MatrixylÒ, GABA, Panax Ginseng, Argeriline™, Portulaca Oleracea, Centella Asiatica, VLMW Hyaluronic Acid

Certified organic ingredients:

Chamomile, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Borage Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Arnica, Lavender, White Tea, Calendula, Aloe

Face Cream - £77.00, 50ml

Ultra-fine hyaluronic acid combined with Vita-vino Actifä delivers moisture deep into the skin increasing anti-oxidant benefits and hydration and preventing damage by environmental aggressors. Tissue Respiratory Factors bring oxygen to the skin, ridding skin cells of toxins. Skin appears smooth and nourished whilst Borage oil and Flax seed oil restore balance for a beautiful complexion.


Key ingredients:

Vita-vino Actif, Matrixyl, GABA, Argeriline, VLMW Hyaluronic Acid, Tissue Respiratory Factors, Lycopene, Ceremide 3, Helioguard

Certified organic ingredients:

Chamomile, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Borage Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Arnica, Lavender, White Tea, Calendula, Aloe


Eye Serum - £57.00, 15ml

GABA and purpose-specific peptides target dark circles, eye bags and fine lines for immediate and long lasting results and Vita-vino Actif fights free radicals from damaging the fragile eye area. A tiny drop of this lightweight serum delivers a silky finish without residue acting as a perfect base for concealer.

Key ingredients:

Vita-vino Actif, GABA, Eyeseryl, Haloxyl, Matrixyl, Argeriline, Super Oxide Dismutase, VLMW Hyaluronic Acid

Certified organic ingredients:

Arnica, Lavender, Chamomile, Calendula, White Tea

** Natural and certified organic botanicals ** Medical grade actives

Le Vin is exclusively available at Beyond Beauty at Harvey Nichols.

GROWTH HORMONE - THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THIS ONE!

The medical controversy over Human Growth Hormone continues to rumble on.

On the one hand you have anti-ageing doctors who promote its use in advanced Hormone Replacement Therapy for ageing adults. And on the other you have the "Old fashioned" medical lobby who say its a dangerous hormone to play around with.

I personally know anti-aging doctors who take this hormone on a daily basis and prescribe it to patients. These doctors are not just in the US but also in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.

Most of them are keeping their heads below the parapit and precribe it discreetly even in London's Harley Street.

The reason for this is that Human Growth Hormone is manufactured synethetically by only three pharamaceutical companies and in most countries it only has approval as a treatment for children with severe growth problems, for some of the symptoms of AIDS and in adults with abnormally low levels - and the decline caused by ageing is not one.

Yet we still continue to hope that there will be some magical pill that can restore the physical and mental attributes of our youth.

Human Growth Hormone is made by the pituitary gland in the brain and helps build lean muscle. Like most of our hormones it declines with age - from about the age of 30.


I do know of actors and actresses and wealthy individuals who take this drug in the hope that it will turn back time...but at what cost literally? Sly Stallone pictured above working out his gymwas caught with some in his luggage while he was passing through Australian customs.

I have never taken this myself. I prefer using a combination of amino acids - Hgh is actually composed of a vast number of these - which help promote Hgh in the body. Its important to take the amino acids at the right time such as before exercise or at night when Hgh production peaks naturally.

There have not been any long-term trials of Hgh which is why everybody is so hesitant to support its use.

Dr Hau Liu, the associate chief of endocrinology and co-director of chronic care management at the Valley Medical Centre, San Jose, California was the lead author of data from randomized, controlled trials of growth hormone in healthy older adults.

In his conclusion published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last year, he concluded that there was an association between growth hormone use and slight changes in body composition, but no other important health changes.

Worryingly users of growth hormone had high rates of soft tissue swelling and joint pain, compared to people who didn't get these injections. There also was an increased risk of impaired blood sugar control or diabetes. This finding was not statistically significant, but still worrying given the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in developed countries.

Just like weightloss and getting a six-pack it looks as if there is no quick fix for turning back the clock...at least not yet

CARBOXY AND ANTI-AGEING SKIN DEVICES

Carboxy Therapy

I am fascinated by Carboxy Therapy. It was launched several months ago as a skin rejuvenation treatment. It uses carbon dioxide which is injected under the skin with a tiny needle.

This causes oxygen to rush to the area improving the metabolism in the tissues. This results in a tightening of the collagen.

I have seen flabby upper arms completely transformed after a course of these treatments. It also works wonders with stretch marks - they do not completely disappear but they are very much improved.

The beauty of this treatment is that it is non-toxic - carbon dioxide is found naturally in the body - and it really does work.

Try it out at http://www.beautyworkswest.com/ in London's Nottinghill. The expert there is Dr Daniel Sister who has a book of photographic case studies to show.

Ultratone

I have been asked to trial a new electronic device for the face by Ultratone called the Facial Plus.

Ultratone's research and development director Kirstin Schaefer tells me that it works through electrical stimulation.

This handheld device for home use is about the size of a TV remote control. It has fourprogrammes: Microcurrent - for deep penetration of moisturising creams, skin rejuvenation and fine line reduction ;Non-surgical facelift and tone - for exercising and lifting superficial medium and deep muscles; Lymphatic drainage & toxin release - for the reduction of puffiness and toxin elimination, to achieve a fresher and clear complexion and Anti-Ageing and maintenance - to enhance the results and ensure your face stays toned and looking good.

Each programme operates on a different frequency and within each programme there is a cocktail of currents that penetrate different depths and muscles via two metal contacts.

As with all the Ultratone devices, they also have uses in medical treatment. In the case of the Facial Plus it is used to treat Bell's Palsy.

Kirstin tells me that the microcurrent penetrates and rejuvenates the superficial layer of the skin, stimulating the fibroblasts that produce youth-promoting elastin and collagen.

The best results are obtained by using the unit little and often - say five minutes on each side of the face daily.

The anti-ageing programme gives the muscles of the face a thorough workout, moving everything upwards.

You have to follow a facial workout map - each muscle is worked on for about one minute - 25 impluses, then there is a beeb to indicate that you should now move to the next muscle area.

The lymphatic programme works for people who have facial puffiness - the current stimulates the lymph system and helps the skin to detox.

Ultratone has gathered medical evidence to support the efficacy of its devices, many of which are used in rehabilitative medicine.


Kirstin tells me that you don't need to use Botox if you use the Facial Plus regularly - I will let you know how I get on with it.

The Ultratone Facial Plus costs £149.00 and can be purchasd by phone 44 (0)207 935 0631. More information is online at www.ultratone.co.uk/

BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES & ANTI-AGING REJUVENATION

For most women who want to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms associated with the menopause the only option at the moment is to seek Hormone Replacement Therapy with Premarin, an artificial form of Hormone Replacement Therapy. This drug is made from synthesised estrogens from mares' urine and in the UK is prescribed by doctors to their NHS patients.

This kind of HRT has been the subject of much controversy, not least because it is an artificial hormone and also because it is a "one size fits all" solution, in a scenario where overstretched NHS doctors do not have the time or facilities to monitor each individual patient, indefinately and on an on-going basis.

Specialists in anti-ageing medicine, which is all about medical protocols to prevent or at least delay the onset of the diseases of ageing, prescribe bespoke HRT. This is because every individual will have a different hormonal profile and utilise HRT differently. So any replacement needs to be monitored on an on-going basis with regular blood testing and other health screens.

Bespoke HRT usually involves the prescribing of bioidentical hormones - these are made from plants such as yams and are bioidentical because they replicate human hormones exactly. They are prescribed for the symptoms of the menopause and also for deficiencies caused by ageing.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that our hormones offer protection from several ageing diseases - cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis and some cancers. It therefore makes sense that replacing them to an optimum level for health may delay onset.

I recently tried bioidenticals. First I took a blood test to determine levels of my youth hormones including estrogen(of which there are three - estrodial,estriol and estrone), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) and thyroid. I was prescribed a course of bioidenticals: estrogen capsules, testosterone gel and pregnenolone sublingual drops.

In addition to a blood test it is also advised to have the endometrium (womb lining) measured as thickening may occur in response to any hormonal imbalances - for example if too much estrogen is given; a breast mammography for similar reasons and also a bone scan.

Over the six months I have been taking bioidentical hormones my night sweats have stopped, my quality of sleep is much improved and I have more energy. I would mention here that the male hormone testosterone, is also necessary for females - it helps energy and libido. Is it available in the form of patches on the NHS.

For those not able to afford expensive bespoke HRT there are alternatives: phyto-estrogens can be added via the diet. The French company Arkopharma makes a capsule which has been successfully trialled without negative side-affects and has been shown to reduce menopausal flushes.

DHEA is a master hormone that converts to testosterone and estrogen - it can be purchased over-the-counter in US health shops. But you must be careful with dosage so it is advisable to get a blood test from an anti-ageing doctor before and while taking this supplement.

In the US, the Government health watchdog, the Food & Drug Administration has banned estriol and other bio-identicals, apparently because of lobbying by the manufacturers of Premarin. Estriol is in fact the weakest of the estrogens and the FDA accepts there has been no instances of harm caused by bio-identical prescribing.

Millions of Americans are now lobbying their senators to get the FDA to reinstate bio-identicals.

All I can say is that it is a bizarre world where we can be sold/prescribed all kinds of drugs that have known and unknown side effects but a natural substance that has proven benefits to health is banned....

COSMETIC SURGERY & THE BOGUS BREAST BACKLASH

Novelist Tony Parsons's article in this month's GQ Magazine about his "fear of fake breasts" has put the rationale for having "gratuitous" cosmetic surgery under the microscope. And about time too.

Like most sensible people Parsons isn't that impressed by fake boobs - even if he admits they are fabulous to look at.

He writes that fake breasts are "like plastic fruit" - good to look at, but not good to touch.

Personally, I have always hated plastic fruit - on a par with plastic flowers and plants!

He said in GQ magazine: "They are not there to be fondled, kissed or felt, they are there to be admired, discussed, lusted after and photographed. The moment they are touched -- and I mean in the heat of passion, rather than out of curiosity or in the interests of scientific research -- then the spell is broken. And this is true of all fake breasts, no matter how much money has been spent on this act of female self-mutilation."

And Parsons asks: "Why aren't there armies of thinking women protesting about the grotesquely booming trade in bogus breasts?"

I think the answer might lie in the demographics of the customers ie who exactly is having this surgery....you only have to look at where the big cosmetic clinics are advertising...mainly in the mass circulation tabloids and populist glossy mags...to take a guess. This is probably why there are not hoards of women protesting...the others have got better things to do.

I know that you cannot always tell a book by its cover but a nice face and body doesn't mean a nice person.

I agree with the writer Joan Smith on this same subject: "I think that women considering breast surgery for cosmetic reasons should spend a month in Darfur and then decide if body image is really an important issue."

Please don't misunderstand me: I don't think there is anything wrong with cosmetic surgery in moderation. For example, a woman who has breasts that did not grow normally from puberty or women with overly large breasts who want a reduction. But...there appears to be a serious, misplaced, out-of-balance preoccupation with self in many of these people.

I recently met a woman who I concluded was suffering from body dysmphorphic disorder amongst other things. At the age of 38 she had had a boob enhancement, a nose job, her chin and thighs lipo-sucked and her ears pinned. She spent virtually every waking hour walking around with cosmetic whitening trays on her teeth. She also had Botox, and fillers in her wrinkles and had her lips pumped up with something or other.

Everyday she sought something new. On one occasion I saw her with extremely swollen lips - she had had "semi-permanent"(tatoo-ing) make-up.

This woman carried a toothbrush everywhere - disappearing after meals to clean her teeth. Sure guys looked at her boobs - she always went out in plunging tops and the shortest skirts.

What they didn't know was that the surgery was bankrolled by an ageing but wealthy married man in his 60s who she threatened and bullied with her tantrums; that she spent her days trawling for rich men on a national newspaper internet dating site, and she never got out bed before midday. And her only real friend was a Persian cat.

CALORIE RESTRICTION & REJUVENATION

CALORIE RESTRICTION DIET

Its day four of my calorie restriction and detox diet - I am trying to keep to around 600 calories but eating the right kind of nutrients. So far it's not been too difficult. I have not been particularly hungry.

I put this down to the new Arkopharma diet pill I have been taking which seems to kill the appetite, combined with the David Kirsch meal replacement which contains a mega amount of nutrients - everything required by the human body including flaxseed and whey protein - I added a few blueberries, strawberries and blackberries to the vanilla flavour for breakfast.

So for the past three days I have eaten less than most people have eaten in a day or even at one meal - so have I lost any weight. I got on the scales this morning - and the answer is no - though I can see the marker moving slightly to the left! I assume that my body is in denial at the moment and I have quite a bit of fat to live off at the moment and there will be a dramatic movement downwards any day. Still I have been cycling everywhere...

INFRA RED SKIN REJUVENATION

The Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic is the only clinic in the UK to have PHOTONOVA, a new Swedish technology which uses infra-red light to rejuvenate the skin on the face and body.

So I pop along to see head aesthetician, Liz Hood, to find out what it is all about.

Liz shows me their new machine and also tells me about her own experience - its great at lifting the sagging jowel area - one of the first areas to go where ageing is concerned.

This technique involves passing the head of the device over the skin a number of times. Each pass delivers a known quantity of infra-red heat energy into the tissue. The infra-red light delivers heat energy into the tissue which heats the water inside the dermis and this stimulates the fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells) responsible for keeping the skin young and supple. It also kick starts them into producing new collagen over the next few days and weeks.

Most clients, Liz, tells me will see a marked improvement in the first two months after the one treatment which declines afterwards, so you would need a top up between 9 and 18 months afterwards.

This is a treatment that you could do in your lunch-hour or after work because it doesn't do anything invasive to your skin. Some people may experience a little bit of redness.

This treatment will cost about £500 when it is officially launched following the current patient trial that is being carried out by the clinic. I agree that I will be part of the trial and Liz gives me a patch test to make sure there is no adverse reaction. I will let you know what happens...

In the meantime I try a very gentle salt dermabrasion called Salt-A-Peel. I have never ever had dermabrasion as my skin is ultra-sensitive and if anyone is going to have an allergic reaction or go red it will be me.

Liz tells me that it will leave my face radiant and smoothe. Nevertheless I am a bit worried as Liz blasts my face...

After the dermabrasion Liz covers my face is a masque containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid amd uses an ultrasound device to help my skin absorb the nutrients. This treatment usually lasts an hour but I only want a taster - so 20 minutes later I look in the mirror. There is a bit of redness but minutes later its gone and my skin feels beautifully soft.

Afterwards I have a moisturiser with 30 SPF sunscreen and a mineral-makeup foundation to protection my new skin from the sun and London pollution.

This treatment costs £90 and its recommended that you have at least one a month. My skin looked even better the next day.

STRESS = PREMATURE AGEING & OBESITY

Today I met Richard Hilliard, Director of Relaxation for Living, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals understand stress and tension, how to deal with them and ultimately to lead happier lives.

Richard, is a former Lloyd's of London insurance man who learned at first hand how stress can be detrimental to health. I won't elaborate here but he was at the top of his game when he was struck by ill health - you can read his story on the Relaxation for Living website. Eventually his path led him to the RFL, where he was taught to deal with stress. The experience changed his health and his life and he is now dedicated to helping other people change theirs.

It is no surprise to learn from Richard that Britain is in the grip of a stress epidemic which the UK Government's National Health Service (NHS) and family doctors (GPs) are not geared up to deal with.

It seems that in a success-driven world, where enough is never enough, many of us are making too much of the stress hormone, cortisol, which is surging through our bodies leading to a whole host of illnesses, both physical and mental . Unfortunately unless we reach breaking point there are few places to get help.

Scientific studies already link excess abdominal fat with excess cortisol. Too much also wears down the immune system which is why stressed-out people age faster than happy and relaxed individuals. There is also evidence that this hormone, known as the "death hormone" among anti-ageing doctors, accelerates shrinkage of the brain.

So if you suffer from stress - the kind that gives you high blood pressure, sleepness nights, palpitations or panic attacks - there are likely three things your GP will do (a) tell you to pull yourself together (b) Prescribe an anti-depressant pill (c) Put you on the waiting list to receive counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy.

Unfortunately there is a 12 month waiting list at most doctors' surgeries in the UK for counselling, according to Richard. So its anyone's guess as to what state you would be in a year later!

RFL works mostly through enlightened GPs who make recommendations to their patients. Then its up to the patient to make contact with their local RFL"teacher". You are then required to sign up and attend four 1.5 hour weekly group sessions at which there will be no more than eight people. You must be committed as there is "homework" inbetween.

The four sessions, are structured in the following way: How to cope with negative thoughts; Posture, muscle and breathing exercises to relieve tension and anxiety; Explanation of how the mind's perception of events can influence the body's response and Lifestyle. The cost of the course varies, from teacher to teacher, but lessons usually start from £15 each.

The RFL method is one of commonsense. Richard explains: "We teach people self-awareness and coping strategies and we help stop them getting into the pattern of negative automatic thoughts (NATS)."

I am concerned to learn that many of those who are seeking help for stress are single women, aged 40+ but this, Richard tells me, is because women are much more ready to do something about stress than men. And in general it is intelligent, likeable and engaging individuals who are more prone to suffer.

The demand for this method of stress relief means there is a huge need for specialist RFL teachers. So if you want to change your life and help others change theirs the RFL would be pleased to hear from you.

If you would like to know more about the RFL method or interested in training as a teacher you can phone direct on 020 7439 4277 or email info@rfli.co.uk. There is also more information on www.rfli.co.uk

NEW SPAS AND TREATMENTS

DE VERE HOTELS NEW LUXURY SPA AT THE MANSION HOUSE, WOKEFIELD PARK, NEAR READING,UNITED KINGDOM

This week saw the launch of the brand new Spa at The Mansion House. It's situated in a beautful middle of the Berkshire countryside, the hotel sits in a huge country park, filled with mature trees next to US PGA-standard 7000-yard championship golf course, boasting elevated tees and nine lakes for a different challenge.

Easy to get to, particularly if you don't want to drive, its a a 15 minute drive from Reading BR station - so great for a weekend break. You can spa, exercise, walk and play golf - all great destressers.

The new spa has a sauna, jacuzzi and steam room as well as a natil studio. And the gym actually looks out onto something interesting for a change - the park.

All treatments use products from an Italian range called Gerard's, which only uses natural ingredients and pure essential oils, certified organic. There are four product lines, basic, silver, gold and luxury, each made from concentrated flower and plant extracts.

These are some of the innovative treatments on offer:

Great Tea Abdomen: This is the celebrated treatment featured on British TV's Channel 4, Supersize vs Superskinny, in which a journalist lost 5 inches from her abdomen area in one treatment! This non-invasive "colonic irrigation" involves the application of a green tea and caffeine mask, followed by a firm colonic massage, and a seaweed mask. Sounds good to me!

Bamboo Massage: I saw this one being carried out - it did look like a form of human origami! Bamboo massage oil is used alongside a powerful massage incorporating natural smooth bamboo canes. The beautician uses reflexology, stretching and deep massage to give you a very stimulating and re-energising experience.

Other delights at this spa include, Chocolate Facial and Body Therapy; Caviar Facials, Chakra Stone Massage, Seaweed Cellulite Treatment, Soy Soy Body Massage and Pepper Aroma Detox.

On the beauty side there are manicures, pedicures, a hair studio and fantastic mineral makeup from GloMinerals. Prices are fairly reasonable at around the £60 mark.

Bookings and info at http://www.deverevenues.co.uk/

THE NEW PHYTO-FERMETE BODY TREATMENT FROM YON-KA AT THE ADAMINA SPA KENSINGTON, LONDON

French beauty house Yon-Ka has developed a new body firming treatment called Phyto-Fermeté that uses its specialist products, GALBOL 190 and PHYTO 152, along with a new bandaging technique.

This treatment is wonderfully relaxing and its now available at the ADMINA , a beautiful spa in a converted bank in Kensington High Street (Commonwealth Institute end).

GALBOL 190 and PHYTO 152 - which contain natural ingredients such as rosemary - have previously only been used for toning within other treatments; this is the first time one has been based exclusively around them.

The new one-hour treatment has been designed to help combat sagging skin, particularly in problem areas around the bust and hips, behind the knees and under the buttocks.

It begins with an aromatic compress on the feet and ankles, accompanied by relaxing acupressure techniques.

My treatment was carried out by Yon-Ka's UK training manager Elaine Bryant - who is a world-leading expert in different massage techniques. She is also a devotee of spa etiquette - all the things that a beauty therapist/masseuse should do to make their client feel at ease in what is a very personal 1:1 situation.

GALBOL 190 and PHYTO 152 are then worked into problem areas, followed by a brief massage with Energising Huile Corps 3.




Sagging areas are then bound with bandages, which are infused with essential oil-based Emulsion Concentrée, and wrapped in an isothermal blanket for 20 minutes.
The final touch is a refreshing massage of the entire body using GALBOL 190.

Weekly or twice-weekly treatments are recommended for six to eight weeks, with top-up sessions once a month an option thereafter.

GALBOL 190 and PHYTO 152 are also available in the format of 'at home' Phyto-Fermeté Ritual products to prolong the effects of the spa treatment.

Yon-ka products are made of quality nutrients and have a cult following with those in the know. The essential oils in the products smell wonderful and are easily absorbed into the skin leaving it soft and fragrant.

Contact the Adamina Day Spa for details on + 44 (0)207 7511 611

CALORIE RESTRICTION - CAN IT BUY YOU EXTRA TIME ON EARTH?

CALORIE RESTRICTION AND LONGEVITY

While those who are jumping on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon - may look younger on the outside it is only a short-term triumph.

A balanced diet and sufficient exercise are the real Holy Grail of anti-ageing! It also true to say that better living conditions and medical interventions keep a lot of people living longer than they would typically.

Whilst the nutrient reservratrol, found in red wine and grapes, seems to be the only hope so far of an anti-ageing pill, that is aside from gene and stem cell therapies which are not available for financial and ethical reasons to most of us, is there anything we can do to extend our life?

Currently, the only proven method is calorie restriction, which it is estimated will add an extra five years to life expectancy. There is the argument that living on such a diet is really not worth it for so little reward and the pain of eating virtually nothing for years on end. It is also likely the suffering and misery and subsequent depression caused by this sort of supreme effort to stay super skinny would definitely take years off anyone's life!

I suspect there is a happy medium - eating in moderation: a healthy diet that will save you from having to have a "nip and tuck" and will help you look younger and be healthier.

Scientists agree that a decent diet cuts your risk for many of the diseases of ageing, including cutting your risk of hereditary diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Eric Ravussin, a scientist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana estimates that if you start to eat 15% less from the age of 25 you might get an extra 4.5 years. But so far this finding is restricted to mice and fruit flies and may not apply to humans!

One of the main arguments for hanging around longer is that you will still be here when drug therapies are found for Alzheimer's and cancer.

One theory on calorie restriction is that it decreases the release of one of the two thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine (T3), which then slows metabolism and tissue ageing.

As one of those who has a low metabolic rate this is extremely good news and must be the reason I look younger than most people my age! Hmm.. I discovered on a recent trip to La Prairie Clinique in Montreux that I have a very low calorie requirement - 1,200 calories a day just to same the same weight. A typical calorie restriction diet is 1,600 calories so I would need to go even lower.

It makes commonsense to eat sufficient nutrients for optimum health. You only have to look at some very thin people and long-term anorexia sufferers to see that deprivation of nutrients will prematurely age you rather than helping to keep you young. Those socalled "Social X-rays" usually have very badly lined skin...and the future health consquences of bad nutrition include osteoporosis amongst other things.

As part of my own rejuvenation regime I am going to keep my calorie intake below 1,000 a day. This is because I need to loose some pounds and want to give myself a pyschological kick-start. But I will make sure I get key nutrients.

To help me I am trying a new "diet" pill from the French company Arkopharma.I hesitate to call it a diet pill because it is not a synethetic drug (with unpleasant side effects) but a completely natural herbal remedy which is a new edition to their 4.3.2.1. detox drink. It is aimed at taking the edge of those hunger pangs that tend to sabotage your good intentions. It helps cut hunger pangs, detoxes and encourages fat burn.



I am not a great fan of supplements with strong smells - this is fairly strong - but if you take the tablet with a large glass of water it's it fine - there is no taste and no kickback. You take two tablets a day, one in the morning and one at lunch - I suspect this is because it contains herbs that may interfere with sleep if you take them too late.

There is more about 4.3.2.1. Shape Up Ultimate in my earlier blog below - but I will give you feedback on how it goes.



Another helpful diet supplement is to add fibre to meals. This helps stop any possible sugar spikes that may make you feel hungry. Metabolic Modulator is a great product containing beta glucan (porridge oats) which is virtually tasteless so great for adding to soups, smoothies etc. More info at Vitality Shop

I also find it difficult to keep to a diet if there is temptation in the fridge - so its empty! And if I do feel hungry or need something filling but nutritional I will reach for a mega nutritional shake from David Kirsch Wellness. These shakes contain everything known to help you stay on track and loose those pounds including chromium (keeps blood sugar stable) and iodine to keep the metabolism up.

I will be off to Harley Street in London again later this week to speak with a nutrition about the best way to eat for beauty, vitality and good health.

My own conclusion on calorie restriction is that it may well give you a buzz - hunger does apparently; but long-term it would be very miserable for very little gain. On the other hand I suspect changing the way we view good and diets may do the trick. Rather think of it has a beauty and health regime rather than a diet? Or are you eating an poison that is seriously damaging your body or a rejuvenating nutrient?

ANTI-AGEING THAT DOESN'T COST THE EARTH!

The cost of anti-ageing creams keeps spiralling upwards. Nevermind the ingredients, the higher the price the more claims that are made for them.

So its refreshing to learn that some of the leading names in the UK high street are fighting back with creams that deliver the latest magic ingredients at a fraction of the price.

Two big names ALDI and SUPERDRUG unveiled their autumn and winter beauty collections this week and ELIXIR went along to investigate:

At last I was able to get my hands on a pot of that Siana Moisturising Anti-Wrinkle Cream with Q10 that has been flying off the shelves at ALDI. Looking at the ingredient list I can see why it has been such a big hit.

I cannot rave more about CoQ10 as an anti-ageing ingredient. I take it as a supplement because it helps energise every cell of the body. Doctors in Japan, where most of the world's supplies are made, give it to heart patients. It is also a very powerful agent against gum disease and Alzheimer's.

The list of other ingredients in this cream is phenomenol: bioflavones from the elderberry blossom, vitamins C and E, provitamin B5, Aloe Vera, Algae, papaya extract, phospholipids and many more including UVA/UVB sun filter SPF4. It also smells and feels great on the skin and the packaging is classy - unbelievable for £1.89!

SUPERDRUG is also big on value-for-money anti-ageing products and has its own brand OPTIMUM and will be introducing a new range of handcare in the autumn. The Optimum Line Decrease Eye Cream (pictured) is a new addition to the range also.



The store's customers have also been clammering for anti-ageing hair products, in particular the SAMY FAT HAIR range from the US, which will go into stores this autumn. There is nothing more ageing and upsetting than thinning hair whatever age, and whatever sex. So this really is a big hair range.



The range includes a pommade, shampoo, conditioner and a thickening serum. The serum, works by thickening each strand of hair with FH4 Thickening Complex–a blend of natural extracts and proteins which penetrates each hair strand, increasing the strand’s diameter and expanding the hair from the inside out. The result–thicker, fuller, stronger hair that holds your style all day long. Superdrug has yet to price these for sale as they are not in the shops yet, but they look to be very reasonable at say between £4 and £6.

GOTH & GLAM

Last winter's smoky eyes have become darker and more defined, according to the experts at Superdrug.

"Apply black and charcoal shadows in layers to encircle the whole eye. Lips are beautifully defined and can be a matt stain or slick and glossy but should always be pigment rich and have a colour deep enough to dive into!"

Great value is this Colour works Mini Cube. For just £6.99 you get four eyeshadows, two blushers, a matt powder, a loose powder, brushes and mirrors.

MINERAL MAKEUP - AN ANTI-AGEING MIRACLE!

I have become a great fan of mineral make-up, which began when I was sent a sample of a wonderful Jane Iredale product called Liquid Minerals Foundation. The actual product looks magical - tiny little beads suspended in a concoction of anti-ageing ingredients.This foundation really is amazing. Mineral makeup is also great value for money and a foundation can last for a year.

Why is mineral make-up anti-ageing?

They are mostly powders, made from natural rock sources, which sit on the skin and do not block the pores. So they don't fall into all those lines and wrinkles like your average foundation. They glide on with a brush and give great coverage. You can put on as many layers as you need to, particularly in areas that need extra coverage such as scars. As well as having broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection usually up to SPF 20, they are also virtually non allergenic. Many cosmetic surgeons recommend using mineral makeup after some peels and lasers because it protects the skin.

The minerals, which have special light reflective qualities also come in some amazing colours, which can also be converted to nail varnish and lip glosses by adding to clear varnish and gloss. The look is minimal but fresh and young.

The most wonderful, as far as I am concerned is what they do for ageing eyelids - the seem to get rid of the crepey look that you get with many shadows.

SMOKEY EYES, WITH COLOUR by INIKA

Today I experienced a Smokey Eyes makeover from INIKA's resident makeup artist Hana Sutherland.

Hana really knows her stuff: older women should not, for example, try using dark shading if they have lost the hollow on the eyelid as a result of the fragile skin stretching - it will only make it look worse and make your eyes look smaller. Her tip is to use light, bright colours like Peach Fetish (love the name!).

The good news is that you are never too old for the smokey, sensual look that is big now and going to be even bigger this autumn. Older ladies just need to be more subtle with the application.

Here Hana explains how to get that look: “Smokey eyes are a great look, but by adding a hint of colour we can make the eyes even more dramatic and drop dead gorgeous!”

Hana suggests two different ways to do this, depending on your skin tone.

Darker Skin Tones
Products:
• Inika Black Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Vegan Shadow Brush £9.00
• Inika Thunder Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Purple Haze Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Gold Dust Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Lash Me Purple Mascara £14.00

“Start by smoothing black eye liner all over the eye lid, avoiding the brow area, blending it out to the corner of the eye.

“Then, take a tiny bit of Thunder on your brush and gently press down, to create that fabulously dark finish and blend out again. Using Purple Haze, blend from the middle of the eye out to create the illusion of black moving into purple and ‘spot’ the centre of the lid with gold to make the eye ‘pop’. Perfect smokey eyes with this season’s ‘must have’ purple! Finish with Inika’s special edition Lash Me Purple mascara.”

Fair Skin Tones
Products:
• Inika Sage Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Chocolate Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Vegan Shadow Brush £9.00
• Inika Golddust Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Forest Gold Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Aubergine Eye Shadow £10.50

“Softly smooth Inika Sage Eye Liner over the eyelid before frosting Inika Golddust over the top, including the brow area. Line the upper and lower lid with Inika Chocolate Eye Liner and gently smudge to create a softer look.

“Press Inika Forest Gold Eye Shadow right across the lid, blending out to the corner of the eye, and then finish with a layer of Aubergine to add depth to the colour.”
“Adding colour to the smokey eye look brings out the colour of the eyes and adds a new dimension that just brings eye make up bang up to date for evenings,” said Hana.


Inika Mineral Cosmetics are available at www.inikacosmetics.co.uk or call 0845 045 0664 for your nearest stockist.

Watch out for our Podcast interview with Hana in which she will reveal all the latest tips to take off years with the right makeup.

NEW ANTI-AGEING GADGETS

STOP - the world's first salon grade radio frequency device for home use Today marked the exclusive world-wide launch of STOP, at the Imagination Gallery in Bloomsbury, London.

This is yet another amazing anti-ageing gadget from those technical innovators in Israel. Priced at just £395, it is a mini version of the in-salon ReGen treatment - to combat wrinkles and cellulite - that I mentioned a few days ago.

It works by using two kinds of radio frequencies to heat up the collagen under the skin. This has an immediate and visable tightening effect. Over the next few weeks it works on the fibroblasts in the epidermis which create new collagen and younger skin.

Powered by electricity, Stop has a safety feature which cuts out when the skin has reached the optimum temperature - and turns on again when it has cooled down.

The radio-frequency energy penetrates a mere 1-3mm and feels like a warm massage. STOP has four metal "poles" which you hold against the skin and massage in circular movements.

It is recommended mainly for facial, neck and decollete use - for lifting sagging jowels and chin, neck lines, facial wrinkles and marionette (nose to mouth) lines. And should be used 2-3 times a week until the desired effect has been achieved.

Certainly the before and after photos that I saw at the launch this device looked fantastic. The gadget is fairly affordable and would probably achieve optimum results after a few of the more powerful salon treatments. STOP goes on sale in September but if you want to be one of the first to get one, and the manufacturers are expecting huge demand, then email us with your name, address and phone number at info@elixirnews.com

WELLBOX TISSULAR THERAPY: Beauty without Surgery!

I was recently invited to try out this new machine, pictured above, from France, by the PR folk at Harrods.

The Wellbox has been one of the best kept secrets of French beauties for a few years now - and it really is non-invasive. It uses a combination of suction and rolling to slim and tone, the body and face.

Again, the theory of how it works is that it stimulates the collagen in the skin. It's a home use machine and easy to use. When I tried it out in the Pharmacy on the ground floor of the store, the technician used it to stimulate the area around my lips.

The suction is really quite gentle and it was an overall enjoyable experience. There was a little bit of redness but my lips looked plumper and younger afterwards.

The Wellbox is recommended for rejuvenating wrinkles, finelines, sagging, generally firming the skin on the neck and décolleté; reducing cellulite and love handles; a flatter stomach and even reduce muscle fatigue.

It may cost £1,000 but in my opinion its well worth it both for the results and the convenience of being able to use it at home. And of course it compares well when you consider how much salon treatments cost. It's on my Christmas present list! There's more info on the Harrods web site Harrods and you can also call the Harrods Beauty Concierge on +44 (0)20 7730 1234.

WE INVESTIGATE THE LATEST DIET AND DETOX HELPERS

I learned last week, during my visit to hormone and anti-ageing expert Prof. Farid, that I have got high blood pressure. I was shocked! I know that this is a condition that affects millions of people and its a warning sign that the body is malfunctioning.

I put my symptoms down to my neglect of my usual exercise regime - biking everywhere when possible and jogging - and a lot of stress.

I also need to drop some kilos so today I got back on my bike. I also thought I would give myself some help with the latest natural plant supplements and diet meal replacements. These two are both new onto the market:

FucoXanThin

This is a new breaththrough in weightloss thanks to the discovery of a natural plant caroteinoid - fucoxanthin(few-co-zan-thin) which has been found in brown seaweed. Like all of these supplements this is not a miracle product but used in combination with a healthy and sensible diet can help speed-up weightloss.

Fucoxanthin works by helping the white fat cells burn stored fat by thermogenesis - this happens with exercise and also by the cells themselves generating energy. Fucoxanthin helps the body boost its resting energy expenditure. The addition of pomegranate seed oil, which contains punicic acid, to stunt fat cell growth, makes the formula even more potent.

This product has been tested. In a clinical trial 110 overweight, non-diabetic women were given either a placebo or the new pill in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. Those taking the pill lost an average of 14.5 pounds of weight in 16 weeks compared to the placebo group who lost only 3 pounds in the same period.

One capsule is taken three times a day before food. It is a non-stimulant and can be taken later in the day. Costs £19.95 for a 90 capsule pot. Buy online at The Vitality Shop UK.

4.3.2.1. SHAPE UP ULTIMATE FROM ARKOPHARMA

Getting into the mood for a diet or healthy eating regime is not always easy - as most of us struggling with weight and metabolic issues can testify to. It's always inspiring though to see quick results at first without the use of drugs.

So news comes to me of a new product from the French company Arkopharma - they already have a great detox made of herbs, that tastes like tea called 4.3.2.1. Detox. Now they have launched 4.3.2.1 Shape Up Ultimate which has 10 plants in four distinct phases that work together to help give you keep on track. The multi-layered tablet is absorbed at the optimum rate to help your diet goals.

By the way Arkopharma has got some great products for menopausal and post-menopausal women including phytonutrients that stop hot flushes and face and body creams.

The great thing their new diet pill is that it is a natural, herbal product, which contains distinct plant groups which work independently to help burn fat, reduce water retention and detox the body. In a clinical trial, over eighty four per cent of women said that they had noticed their silhouette had become noticeably slimmer after just 28 days. All you need to do is take two tablets a day for 15 days and the herbs will kickstart the internal cleanse so that your body will be in the best shape to burn fat and see quick results so that you will be inspired to carry on with your good eating habits.

So what are these herbs?

* Fat burning plants; fennel is believed to remove fat from the
intestinal tract, whilst celery helps to ignite the endocrine system, with these hormones helping to break up accumulated fat
* Appetite-reducing plants; mucilage herbs, such as kola, have a
thick, slippery consistency that draw water and swell in the stomach, giving the feeling of being full, so helping to suppress the appetite
* Detoxifying plants; artichoke and dandelion help kick-start the
weight loss process and are frequently recommended to help with liver toxicity and gallbladder complaints
* Thermogenic herbs (natural stimulants); green tea speed up body
functions and the process for burning calories
* Natural diuretic plants; kola helps create water weight loss and
eliminate the broken-down waste and toxins pulled out from the body

In more detail these are:

-4 Plants to combat excess fat: Mate, Kola, Green tea, Green coffee
3 plants to combat excess sugar: Bean pod, Cinnamon, Fenugreek
2 plants to combat water retention: Dandelion, Grape extract
1 plant to combat the toxins that congest the liver: Artichoke
4.3.2.1 Ultimate is available from independent health food stores and pharmacies, at selected Nutricentre stores and http://www.nutricentre.com/(rrp £12.50).

I will be trying both these new supplements out and will let you have my feedback in a couple of weeks.

Sometimes its difficult to keep to the right calorie allowance and diet meal replacements can be the answer - far better to drink something with all the required nutrients than snack on crisps etc.

NOT ALL DIET SHAKES ARE THE SAME! - read about the latest and best in our Tried & Tested

Tomorrow we look at a new hand-held laser than can rejuvenate both face and body and tell you about a new anti-ageing device on sale exclusively in Harrods.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK WITH SEXY LASHES

LONGER, LUSHER AND LUXURIANT – HOW TO GET BIG LASHES

As its Sunday I thought I would discuss something very girlie - how to get luxuriant lashes. Like everything else our eyelashes shrink, fallout or just become sparse as we age. But I am pleased to say that help is at hand because those anti-ageing experts have now got to grips with this problem and there are now some seriously good products and treatments that can turn back the clock.

Big lashes are the new must have – there are eyelash rejuvenators, fake lashes that look natural, eyelash extensions and its even possible to get eyelash transplants. And these products aren't just for the babes.

Even Botox manufacturer Allergan is in on the act with plans to launch a cosmetic lash drug next year that it says will make eyelashes grow darker, thicker and longer. Well if it does the same for lashes as Botox has done for wrinkles then I will be a fan.

Here we look at the best products already on the market:























REVITALASH

This is a revolutionary new cosmetic eyelash conditioner developed by American ophthalmologist, Michael Brinkenhoff MD for his wife Gayle which she lost most of her lashes following treatment for breast cancer.

The results are impressive – you get longer, thicker, fuller, and darker looking lashes after applying the lotion like an eyeliner . Each tube lasts three to five months and a portion of the proceeds support non-profit breast cancer research. The pictures above are a before and after - the after is 60 days after the the first application.

Celebrity fans include Marcia Cross, Anne Hesche, Felicity Huffman, Debra Messing, Lorraine Bracco, Hayden Panettiere, Dayna Devon and many more.

This product is easy to apply and does not seem to cause an allergic reaction. I didn't take a before and after pic but I am convinced that my eyelashes are growing with a vengence.

Buy at high-end spas and specialty retailers throughout the US and also in the UK at selected salons and in London at Wigmore Medical Aesthetics, Harley Street clinics and Groom. Costs : $182, €121, £95



GIVENCHY PHENOMENON EYES

Mascara has come a long way since the first creams and cakes! The secret of this new product is in the design of the brush and the cream formulation. Givenchy has created a brand new way to apply mascara with a spherical brush that can be manoeuvred to any position, reaching even the tiniest lash to give spectacular results. There is optimal separation of lashes and no clumping. The formula is based on water and a cutting edge polymer. When the mascara is applied, the water evaporates, allowing the polymer to form longer and thicker lashes. It also contains D-Pathenol, which feeds the lashes from the inside.

I tried this product at the recent launch and it was absolutely amazing. I had long silky lashes in an instant. As far as I know its not yet on the market and Givenchy is keeping it seriously under wraps from rivals because of the unique brush.
This products comes in two colours black and brown and costs $35, €26, £17.50

EYE TEC 2 GO AT HARRODS LONDON

These are the greatest and most exotic falsies I have ever seen (pictured at the top of the page and below). You can give your eyes the most exotique look with faux Patridge and Peacock feathers or whatever takes your fancy. They can be applied in just 30 minutes and are bespoke designs creating any look from natural lash extensions to fashion focused special occasion lashes.Eye Tec Swift 2 Go lashes are priced from £45, $90 or 60 Euro at Urban Retreat. Visit http://www.eye-tech.co.uk/

DHC EYELASH CONDITIONER

DHC is Japan’s No 1 cosmetic company and it has won awards for this product. It combines nurturing ingredients with cutting-edge science including an extract of the plant Swertia Japonica to strengthen and stimulate new lash growth. It is also packed with other beneficial ingredients including Aloe Vera and Vitamin A and C to moisturize and encourage celluar regeneration and antioxidant protection.

This conditioning cream tonic is applied via a mascara style applicator. DHC Eye Lash Tonic can also be used alone as a daily grooming bedtime treatment for your lashes and brows to help stimulate growth whilst you sleep. As an added bonus it also helps smoother application of your mascara helping it last longer. After two weeks broken lashes you will see a result with stronger and longer lashes.

I have been using this in conjuction with Revitalash!

Costs: $12, €8.85, £7. Buy online at http://www.dhc.co.uk/

Tomorrow I will reveal all on some of the latest over-the-counter fatbusters....

WRINKLE ERASERS AND FAT BUSTERS

RegenTriPollar skin-tightening and anti-cellulite treatment

I was recently invited to try a new anti-ageing treatment using a new machine from Israel where scientists are world-leaders in aesthetic devices - they make many of the electronic machines that you see in clinics today.

One of the newest skin tighteining and anti-cellulite machines uses Regen TriPollar radio waves and I tried it out recently at the Pasha Clinic in London's West End in Maddox Street.

This is a really great treatment for anyone who wants to rejuvenate their face, reduce tummy fat, sagging thighs and even tighten underarms. It doesn't hurt and you see results straight away.

The machine uses a unique combination of radio waves to zap sagging collagen beneath the skin. Basically the radio waves heat up the collagen, in effect damaging it. New, young and rejuvenated collagen grows back over the next few days.

I decided to give it a go on my underarms. The waves are directed onto the skin with a metal device - it doesn't hurt and you only feel a mild heating sensation and it takes only 15 minutes to do each underarm. I could see the tightening after the first treatment but the effect continues usually goes in minutes. About six-eight weekly treatments are needed to achieve desired results.

I was very pleased with my result and would highly recommend this non-invasive method of toning up one of the most notoriously difficult bits to do anything about. I was also able to see the results on another client who had the treatment on her face. Even though she was only in her late 20s there was a definite lift around her jawline.

What is unique about Regen Tripollar is the combination of two radio waves - mono-polar and bi-polar which means that the treatment is able to penetrate both the deep and shallow tissue at the same time as protecting the surface of the skin from any possible burning.

The clinic also told me that this is an ideal complementary treatment for anyone considering Liposuction, which is an invasive cosmetic surgical procedure carried out in a hospital. The Regen tightens and conditions the skin so that you get a smoother overall effect.

SmartLipo

Another revolutionary non-surgical fatbuster is SmartLipo which first came onto the market about two years ago and was the first real alternative to Liposuction. This uses laser energy to zap fat cells and sculpt the body. The fat is removed by a canula and also by the body itself. SmartLipo also tightens the skin. It should always be carried out by a qualified medical doctor, cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist because although it is a minimally invasive treatment you may need local anaesthetic.

Before and After SmartLipo treatment

I have not tried this treatment but I was invited to the launch of a new advancement in this procedure - SmartLipo MPX - which will be available in the UK in the next few months. Again this improvement is gained through combining two different laser wavelengths so that there is less bleeding, bruising and swelling that with traditional liposuction. SmartLipo is made by the US company Cynosure and has received the approval of the US's Food & Drug Administration(FDA) which is extremely rigorous.

If you can't wait, the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic at 98 Harley Street, London, W1, is offering 20% discount on SmartLipo together with Micro Suction. This is carried out with a local anaesthetic and the fat micro suction gives improved results in combination with the SmartLipo.


At the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, this procedure is carried out by one of the UK's leading experts in facial and body aesthetics, Dr Aamer Khan, who is pictured left.

Dr Khan's practice likes to stay ahead of the competition by utilising the newest technology to deliver the safest results with the best possible outcome for patients. So he gets our recommendation.

Lumenis Active FX

Another new launch this year is a non-invasive treatment for winkles - the Lumenis Active FX. This uses a laser to "pixelate" the skin. Again working on the proven fact that damaging collagen makes it rejuvenate.

There are some really great before and after pictures which demonstrate how well this works on sagging jowels, eye wrinkles and bags and even acne. Click here to see the Lumenis Before and After pictures

The cost of all these treatments? Since every treatment is bespoke we are not able to quote specific costs and you are advised to ask the practitioner.