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.