Spring Products Hair/Makeup/Pamper/Skin

If you’ve been following my column the last month you may remember that this week was going to be a feature showing my Valentines competition winner Beckey Arnold from Wix.  Unfortunately, due to late and sad unforeseen circumstances, the ‘date’ for the night Danny Wisker had to postpone so this will be featured at a later date.

This week has been hectic, as I’ve been testing several products as well as treatments. I’m currently under-going a course of Venus Freeze, the latest non-surgical body contouring procedure causing a buzz amongst celebrities. The treatment promises to combat the appearance of cellulite, tone areas of concern and ‘lift’ facial features by using a combination of RF thermal and Pulsed Magnetic Field mechanisms. Confused? Yes so am I, but it’s working and as soon as I’ve finished the course I will report on my findings! If you want to check it out call the Derma Aesthetics Clinic in Brentwood Tel 07799 441202 or visit www.daclinic.co.uk. In the meantime I've uploaded a photo of just one treatment, on one side of my face - look at the difference, zoom in and you can see how my cheek has more definition! I won't write too much until after the course!

I’ve also been reading up on various findings of diet and nutrition. Interestingly and accordingly to NutraTech Ltd our lifestyle is affecting our pets! Whilst 65% of UK adults are now overweight, one third of pets in the UK are also overweight. Nutracheck.co.uk who did the survey is a multi-award winning, online food diary system for weight loss and also gives credit to being the UKs top grossing diet App for calorie counting! Now I’m not making comparisons here but I think I should start feeding my puddycat lettuce! Anyway enough trivia for now, here’s some gorgeous products which I’d like to share with you this week!

I’ve been using Marlenha Flourish Moisturiser £49 and Petal Delicate Eye Serum £67 (www.marlenha.com) since December and my skin loves it! Not only does the tone look more even, my monthly breakout has been reduced to just one spot and people have been commenting on how fresh faced I look. If you have dry skin, you will find your skin will drink in the moisturiser and leave it feeling supple but not greasy. The eye serum contains Edelweiss, which boasts powerful antioxidants and Borage Oil to combat dry skin - you only need a small amount so the products will last ages. (Photos on separate blog!)

Leonor Greyl, L’Huile de Leonor Greyl £27.54 Stockists Selfridges, Harrods www.net-a-porter.com. This little gem has just won the French prestigious award of Madam Figaro Prix Beaute Stars, Best Hair Care Product 2013! A jury of over 125 actors and celebrities named this as their top product and after testing it’s not hard to see why. A pre-shampoo oil, which works to detangle, nourish, revitalize and protect the hair from swimming and UV rays. Simply apply 10 minutes before shampooing and let the botanical oils of coconut, buxus chinesis seed, sunflower and hazel oils do their magic. It left my hair smelling amazing and my over-bleached locks glistening!

Not yet launching until March 1^st, but promising to be a bigger hit than it’s sister product is Elemis Jasmine and Rose Milk Bath £42 www.timetospa.co.uk. Just a few capfuls poured under warm running water transforms your bath into a milky, soothing spa whilst the aromatic oils of Egyptian jasmine and Turkish rose absolute give a sense of serenity and well-being. Skin is left delicately fragranced and baby soft.

If your hands are protesting from the cold with red, chapped skin, flaking nails and rough cuticles then give them some TLC with Bio Sculpture Gel Hand Cream £6.75 and Cuticle Oil £5.40 www.biogel.co.uk.  The hand cream contains UV sun filters to prevent age spots, whilst the nail and cuticle oil is enriched with oils of Almond, Jojoba, Avocado and Vitamin E. Regular use will transform your hands and encourage a healthy nail plate.

I’ve fallen for the Beautiful Brows Kit £38 www.beautifulbrows.co.uk.  Whilst I’m a sucker for packaging and this is world class, products that make my life easier also easily impress me and this kit does! You get a choice of 3 different eyebrow stencils, brow powder and highlighter, a duo applicator brush, highlighter brush, soft grip tweezers and a magnifying mirror! Simply choose the stencil of your choice – I like ‘Bold’, fill the brush with powder and whilst holding in place on your brow, stipple in between the stencil. Like magic you’re left with perfectly formed eyebrows that are sweat proof and water resistant!

I’ve also been guzzling down some Skinade www.skinade.com £15 for 1 weeks supply, a low calorie drink formulated to deliver high quality ingredients to the skin. Now admittedly I’ve only tested a weeks worth and need to give it another few weeks however, the ingredients sound impressive. Hydrolysed Marine Collagen, Vitamin C, MSM, B Vitamins, Omegas 3 & G and Amino Acids are all included but importantly, the drinks contain no artificial colours or sugars unlike many others on the market. Skinade makers claim just one bottle a day of the peach tasting drink has helped clients with acne, eczema, psoriasis and even with joint pain!

Finally Vidal Sassoon Pro Shine Volumiser £29.99 is a hair-styling tool which is powered by 1200W. Great for busy girls on the go who don’t have hours to spend on their hair (and who does!), 2 different heat settings ensures its kind on fragile hair, whilst the 2 different brush attachments are perfect for short or long hair. Available exclusively to Argos.

Follow me on Twitter @askmollybeauty or www.askmollybeauty.com

Radio Beauty Chat featuring best in skincare/hair/makeup and fitness!

The BEST in beauty products this month! Check out radio beauty chat which I have fortnightly with Michelle Ward, talking skincare/hair/makeup/fitness and hot male models!!

http://www.phoenixfm.com/2014/01/27/ask-molly-with-this-weeks-hot-beauty-must-haves/

Merumaya Skincare Serum £34 www.debenhams.com or www.merumaya.commask £19.50

Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse Wipes £14.60 www.dermalogica.co.uk

Elemis Skin Radiant Set £35 saving of £43 timetospa.co.uk

Calender www.justgiving.com/shimmyngroove £10 of which £7.20 is giving to Great Ormand Street

Structure Dust Joico Matte Hair Powder £12.95 www.structurehair.co.uk

Ferrari Leather Essence £79 for 100ml (this sample 10ml) www.harrods.com

La Perla in Rosa £31 www.johnlewiscom

Lush Neon Love £17.95

Prince Charming Shower Gel £4.65

The Kiss Lip Gloss £5.75

Love Locket Bath Ballistic £6.95

Close to you Massage Bar £5.50

 available Lush stores nationwide

Epionce Renewal Facial Cream Dry Skin £74.

www.theantiagieningclinic.org

Birch Box from £10 plus P&P www.birchbox.co.uk

valentines gifts

Every year shops fill their displays with heart shaped chocolates, teddies and cheesy cards spouting poetry of love and bunnies, and every year I hear the same thing from my friends ‘it’s all commercial rubbish’. Of course this then gives men the go ahead to nod their heads in agreement and treat February 14^th as a normal ‘ruler of the remote day’.  Well listen up guys, if you’re wise and want to save your Xbox One from being thrown out of the window, you will realize she is lying! It’s a trick! Of course we want the fluffy teddies, the red roses (bonus point if sent to her work) and the sloppy card – we just say we don’t to avoid disappointment!  This applies to men as well, okay maybe not the teddy, but a decent filet steak followed by a shoulder massage will guarantee a full episode of Corrie without the tuts!

Take my advice to avoid the usual arguments of his/hers black sock fluff (that again), watermarks on the shower door, empty toilet roll saga (okay I’m OCD), and look at my fabulous gift guide to spoil each other!

Let her luxuriate in a heavenly soak of Complete Bliss Organic Bath & Shower Gel by Neom £32 www.neomorganics.com - yes it’s expensive but she’s worth it! Pour her a glass of wine, take charge of the kids and let her chill. For an enchanting treat Womanity £22 by Thierry Mugler will leave her smelling and tasting fruity with essence of milky fig and sexy, long-lasting notes of leather and fig tree wood. Available Debenhams nationwide.

Don’t blow out the candles and make choking sounds as soon as she lights them – treat her to Heaven Scent by Deborah Mitchell £24.40 this unisex scent will fill the house with rich, warm aromas of sandalwood, ylang ylang, orange blossom and patchouli – available from www.heaveskincare.com. For a refreshing and uplifting scent the travel set from www.alifewithaview.com A View of Provence – The Gite £50 contains 3 candles which revitalise the senses with essence of zingy lemon, mandarin and spearmint, perfect for clearing the mind after a stressful day.

Mangley offer a selection of handmade jewellery for men and women, their stylish bracelets start from just £7, great if you’re on a budget. For the full range visit www.facebook.com/MangleyJewellery. Alternatively Wish Jewellery are well worn amongst celebrities who love their stylish and contemporary designs, the rings from just £10 are stretchy so are guaranteed to fit!  www.wishhandmade.com

LUSH have pulled out all stops with their wrapped gifts full of pampering delights. Make her swoon with the Prince Charming Shower Gel £4.65 and Love Locket Bath Bomb £6.95 which dissolves under running water to reveal a scattering of hearts. Available Lush Nationwide.

 Coco de Mer The 25 Hour Naked Body Butter £4.99 will leave her skin soft to the touch and smelling like a tropical paradise with oils of coconut and passionflower, whilst the Rose Body Shower Gel captures femininity in a bottle. Stockist Boots.

If she loves Ted Baker clothes then the purse sprays at just £15 come in 4 varieties of girl’s name – match the description on the back most suitable to your lover’s personality! Available Boots.  La Perla EDT £31 (www.johnlewis.com) is a flirty, feminine and vivaciousness fragrance with notes of crisp pear, pink pepper and sandalwood. Whilst Carven Le Parfum £38 (www.debenhams.com) is enticing, yet fresh, simple and chic and bursting with floral notes – for a limited time they’re also offering a free candle!  Jurlique Roll on Fragrance Oil £16.50 can be discreetly applied at any time and boasts a scent abundant with various rose oils – exclusive to Marks & Spencer.

Treat him to Ferrari Leather Essence £79 www.harrods.com, masculine and mysterious which oozes luxury with notes of raw leather and cinnamon, this magnetic fragrance will have you nuzzling up to his neck.

Banish odours of smoke, food and pollution with Herra Protect Hair Perfume £24.99. This spray leaves hair smelling deliciously uplifted, whilst Sunflower extract keeps locks looking bright and glycerin leaves it feeling so soft he’ll be running his fingers through it - www.herra.com.  Umberto Gianni has a huge range of plumping and volumising products for big, sexy and sassy hair - prices start from under £6 available Boots.

Sinful yes - but BakedwithLove offer the most tempting, decadent and delicious cupcakes in Essex.  Email Kayleigh at bakedwithloveessex@live.co.uk with your requirements and she’ll put her incredible talent into making an exclusive design for your loved one.  Prices from £15 for a box of 12 - order soon as she gets very busy!

Watch her huge grin when Balloon Boutique knock at her door with their Valentines must have, a spectacular of personalised balloons and a teddy – for prices call 01277 200083 askmollybeauty readers get 10% off with this feature and there’s free local delivery on orders over £20!

Follow me on Twitter @askmollybeauty/www.askmollybeauty.com for features or advice! Also check out my Valentines Competion win a date with top model Danny Wisker and get treated to a makeover plus meal! Essex Girls to apply! See comp rules on previous blog!

New Year New You - featuring the best PT in Essex and fab products to make your skin glow

By the time this goes to print we will be well into January and the only signs of Christmas will be the 70% off sale stickers in shops. So before I begin this feature I’d like to wish all my readers a very happy and healthy New Year!

As usual I’d made the same resolution to give up chocolate for 6 months, and as usual I’ve not got off to a good start (I’m tucking into a Curly Wurly as I type).   However, one resolution I’m determined to stick to is to treat my body with more respect in terms of exercise.  As a sufferer of spondylitis it’s imperative I keep my muscles strong to support my joints but I do somewhat lack the willpower to stick to strength training. 

Over the past few years, I’ve been very lucky to have access to one of Essex’s top Personal Trainers (PT) Murray Fullarton – it is without a doubt his many years of study and expertise in sports rehabilitation that has kept me moving.  Recently he has moved to a new gym in Brentwood Ab Salute Gym and I decided to follow him there.

Now I have to admit I get very intimated when it comes to ‘body-building’ gyms and make no mistake, Ab Salute is not a pampering leisure gym.  This is where the professionals go, those intent on making every second count – you won’t find people reading a newspaper on the bike here. However, whilst it has a ‘suburban New York’ feel, this family run gym is incredibly friendly. No-one gives a monkey on what you’re wearing, but will happily chat to you about the latest protein bar. Nutritional advice is given by the highly qualified staff who will even cook your meals to suit your diet. Many of the PTs have studied for years and hold Sports Science Degrees and the large range of new equipment enables the best workout for beginners to advanced athletes. However, the main attraction is without a doubt the price – there is no joining fee nor contract but a simple ‘pay as you go’ of just £5 or £25 for a months membership, which in turn makes it one of the cheapest in Essex.

Ab Salute is offering Askmollybeauty readers a free day pass – call 01277 218826/www.absalutegym.co.uk for further details. Murray is also offering readers a complimentary consultation with training contact 07759 048385 or check out Twitter @mfptraining. Offer to be taken one month from publication.

When I’ve not been lunging, squatting and planking, I’ve been testing lots of lovely products ideal for a pick-me up in blah January – here’s my pick!

Dr Lipp Nipple Balm £11.50 stockist Space NK – yes you did read that correctly, this 100% Lanolin is perfect for dry lips, chapped skin, dry cuticles, cheek shine in fact anywhere which needs a bit of hydration. Veiled as the ultimate SOS balm, it’s small size is ideal for your bag.

Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Hairspray £6.95 www.philipkingsley.co.uk protects hair from UV Rays so ideal if you’re heading for some winter sun and holds your style without leaving any stick residue.

Heaven Total Detox Body Wash £26.20 www.heavenskincare.com - whilst this is expensive it will last literally months and smells divine. Containing Sandalwood - a natural anti-inflammatory, Soapwart – anti-bacterial so excellent for spotty prone backs, this shower gel is ideal for anyone who loves their sports or wants a refreshing experience.

Clinique Superdefense SPF20 Daily Moisturiser £39 is new for January and boasts a huge cocktail of ingredients such as Sea Whip Extract – anti-bacterial/anti-inflammatory, Caffeine to calm the skin, Barley to protect and Wheat Germ to moisturize, skin is left supple all day long. The Superdefense SPF20 Eye Cream £30 targets visible signs of aging with similar ingredients to the moisturiser – a tiny amount fakes 8 hours sleep, banishing tired eyes with a sheer veil of luminosity. Available Clinique Counters Nationwide.

Men protect your skin with Dermalogica Daily Defense SPF15 £36. Extracts of Liquorice, Wheat Germ and Vitamin E calms redness, protects skin from pollution and with Hyaluronic Acid gives intense moisturisation leaving your skin feeling soft and protected in the chilly wind. www.Dermalogica.com

If you’ve been piling on the products over Christmas treat your hair with a shampoo designed to eliminate build-up. JOICO K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo £13.95 removes chlorine, salt water and any residue from products without stripping the hair.  If you’ve given your hair a battering with heated appliances then feed it with JOICO K-Pak RevitaLuxe £16.95 a deeply intensive conditioner which hydrates and strengthens weakened locks. It won’t weigh hair down but your locks with look shiny and revitalised. www.joicoeurope.com

Clarins new launch Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream £25 is ideal for the cold weather. Enriched with skin softening Mango Extra, nourishing Shea Butter and Moringa Seed a well-known ingredient which eliminates traces of pollution, ensures skin is cleansed efficiently without stripping the natural barriers. Ideal if you work in the City, where smoke, fog and fumes cause the skin to be weakened! Available Clarins Counters Nationwide.

Follow me on Twitter @askmollybeauty.com or www.askmollybeauty.com for advice or features.

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Win a Valentines Date with Danny Wisker UKs Hottest Model!

Woohoo calling all single ladies in the County of Essex, I’m back it’s your Fairy Godmother and have I got a treat in store for you!  If, like me, you usually spend Valentines Day watching Pretty Woman on your own, gorging on a tub of Cookies & Dough, or deleting Facebook photos of He who shall not be named, then listen up as this Friday 14^th February you could be having the date of your life as I’m bringing to you the best competition ever!

Firstly, in the comfort of your own home you will be given a sophisticated makeover by Daisy from the renowned Scarlett & Stone, the Beauty Therapists of Great Dunmow.  At the same time, leading hairdressers Smith & Co of Great Dunmow, will be attending to your locks giving you a glamorous style of your choice. Next you will be chauffeur driven in luxury style by McKenzie Arnold Executive Transport to the newly opened and rather upmarket The Rare Cow Restaurant, Billericay where you’ll be able to choose from the finest cuisine in Essex, a delicious 3 course meal.

Of course you may be wondering who you may take as your date and ladies this is where I will step forward and take my standing ovation.  As for one night only I’ve snagged you, one of the UKs hottest male models and TV finalist of ITV2 Girlfriends, Mr Danny Wisker, to entertain you whilst you sip your wine by candlelight.  Now whilst unfortunately I can’t apply to my own competitions, I will be there with the press photographer to capture the beginning of your special date and maybe a sneaky shot at the end, but I promise you will be left alone to enjoy good food and of course company! The photos will then be used as part of a feature for the paper and blog. Then as the evening draws, your carriage will await to take you home (please note, you will be going home – as this is where my competition ends)!

To enter, please form an orderly queue and get emailing molly@askmollybeauty.com and tell me in no more than 30 words why I should aim my cupids bow at you - good luck!

Darryl – comp rules – i.e. over 18, must be from Essex closing date 1^st February etc. Thank you!

Photos – Danny Wisker in his tux(open shirt) and one of full him smiling boy next door wearing black t shirt, arms behind back.

Rare Cow photo/logo sent to you

Scarlett & Stone Photo/Logo sent to you

Smith & Co Hairdressers Logo sent to you

McKenzie Arnold have forwarded email to you.