Hot Hair for Autumn - Feathers!

Feathers are the new fashion trend for fabulous hairstyles!

I have long hair and after a while of growing it, I get bored and am always tempted to get it cut. When I have given in to this temptation in the past, I have then regretted it and missed my lovely, long, locks! To avoid the temptation I decided to look for other things to do with my long hair rather than the usual ponytail or left loose.

This was when I came across the new trend inspired by the Gucci catwalk show. I love this style - It is really easy to create it at home by pulling hair back into a low ponytail, wrapping a strand round and securing with a pin, and adding a pretty feather accessory. This gives an instant transformation to my usual ponytail.

Feathers are the hot new trend and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be treated just like your own hair and can be washed, straightened, curled and blow dried. As well as the ponytail shown, you can thread them through plaited hair, wear them long in loose hair and attach them to updo's.

I think this is a look that will be around for a while, so if you haven't tried it yet, what are you waiting for?

The Perfect Day Fluid

Here at The Cosmetic Practice we are loving Exuviance Essential Daily Defence Fluid.  This is the perfect fluid moisturiser for everyday use especially in the warmer summer months.

This is an ultra lightweight anti-aging moisturiser which contains a unique combination of Alpha and Polyhydroxy Acids (AHAs and PHAs),  vitamins, multi-antioxidants, and botanicals, along with a  broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15).

It brightens the skin tone and helps visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and refine skin texture. Plus with its broad spectrum sunscreen it protects against the aging effects of the sun.

Because of the fluid formula it it absorbed easily into the skin without leaving the skin greasy therefore is suiitable for normal and oily skin types.

If you are looking for an everyday, lightweight moisturiser, then look no further! You can buy Exuviance Essential Daily Defense Fluid or check out the full Exuviance range online at The Cosmetic Practice.

Remedies for Rough Skin

If you suffer from rough skin it can be painful and uncomfortable. Skin can crack and you can become very self conscious.

There are a number of factors which can contribute to rough dry skin:

Weather - some environmental factors can result in dry skin. Most men and women may experience dry, rough skin in the winter months. The reason for this is the lack of natural moisture in the air and as a result your skin tends to crackle and develops a rough sand paper type of feel.

Lack of Essential Fats - This can make the cells dry out.

Lack of Vitamin A - Vitamin A is an antioxidant which can prevent damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin A helps to control the rate of keratin accumulation in the skin therefore a lack of this vitamin can contribute to dry, rough skin.

Dehydration - Drinking too much coffee or caffeine based drinks can lead to dehydration with adverse effects on the skin.

So what should you do to combat these factors?

• DIET: Your diet should be high in fruit and vegetables (especially yellow/orange/red ones which are high in beta carotene) and essential fatty acids from seeds, nuts or cold pressed oil. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, chemical additives, salt, saturated fat, sugar and smoking. Drink at least a litre of water a day, either plain water or in herb teas or watered down fruit juice.
• SUPPLEMENTS: Take a good, all-round vitamin and mineral supplement plus extra antioxidant nutrients - Vitamins A, C and E. Also borage oil or evening primrose oil can help with rough skin as it provides gamma linolenic acid.
• SKINCARE: Wash your skin with a gentle oil based cleanser, not soap which can further dry out the skin. Use a skincare cream that contains significant amounts of Vitamins A, C and E in forms that can penetrate the epidermis.

Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have a number of products suitable for extremely dry/rough skin. If you would like some advice on what to use then contact us and we would be more than happy to provide a free skincare consultation.

Summer Shadows - Sunset Eyeshadow Shades

This summers eyeshadow trends have been bold and bright, but going bold doesn't mean you have to be too bright! With Autumn around the corner, you can take a cue from the look at Honor's fall '11 show and go for a vivid, orange crush. For those who want to evoke a more romantic feel, you can try a softer incarnation and sweep on an inspired mix of coral and rose. Pair the look with a nude or coral lip for just the right amount of pop. Try sunset-inspired tones in varying intensities of orange, red, and coral.

Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have a selection of amazing eyeshadows to achieve your desired look. We love Jane Iredale Artist's Eyes which is a professional set of six stunning eyeshadows available in two colour pallettes. These bright colours are perfect to achieve the current trends, glide on and stay put with a crease-proof finish.

The Original Artists Eyes includes hues of pure black, canary yellow, chocolate brown, regal mauve, deep teal and neutral peach. Artists Eyes II includes Blue Sky, Cut Grass, Grape, Copper, Indigo and Truffle. Copper is perfect for achieving the orange sunset look or the colours can be blended together.

For the perfect complimentary highlighting shades try Mineralogie loose shimmer eyeshadow, colours for every taste and desire created to provide beautiful highlights or add a sparkle to your lash line.

Achieve the perfect Sunset look with beautiful eyeshadow shades available online from The Cosmetic Practice!

Skin Active - A complete comprehensive anti-aging system

The Cosmetic Practice are excited  as we announce  launch of the brand new NeoStrata Skin Active Range,  4 fantastic products which combine clinically proven, powerful ingredients to penetrate the skin at cell level, helping to  slow down the aging process and reverse the damaging effects which contribute to fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and sagging skin.

A comprehensive regime which incorporates the exfoliating cleanser, Eye therapy, Cellular restoration and Matrix support, accommodating all your skin care needs. Optimum  results are visible to the skin  when used together as a total skin care programme  due to the strengthening of the dermal matrix and delivery of patented ingredients such as Maltobionic acid,  Neoglucosamine and Swiss apple stem cell all working synergistically to renew, support and rejuvenate the skin.

The Exfoliating wash kick starts the skin, aiding renewal which  gently removes dead skin without irritation or dryness and is the perfect preparation to absorb the following key products.

Matrix Support SPF20 is formulated to strengthen and tighten the skin, while cell turnover is increased  diminishing  pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Cellular Restoration is applied in the evening to restore, rejuvenate
and increase elasticity to firm the skin.

Intense Eye Therapy with the formulation of Hyaluronic acid increases moisture to plump the delicate skin surrounding the eye, while caffeine decreases puffiness and diminished the appearance of dark circles.

So check it out, here at The Cosmetic Practice.

The Benefits Of Hyaluronic acid in Skincare

The ability to hold and retain moisture is the secret to youthful healthy, vibrant skin.

Ageing robs us of this innate ability to hold moisture. As we get older our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid, the drop in hyaluronic acid starts around the age of 18 to 20 years, but after the age of 40, the downside becomes much more apparent, resulting in the loss of elasticity and the appearance of line and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid also supports the function and maintenance of collegan, an important connective tissue. Collegan degradation is believed to cause a decrease in skin tone and elasticity.

The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid are becoming increasingly well known as an effective anti-ageing treatment in the skincare industry. Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called glycosaminoglygan. It occurs naturally in the human body and it is essential for cell growth and renewal. It is found in epithelial tissue, connective tissue and neural cells, and this evidence has led to hylauronic acid being used in skin care products and most notably anti wrinkle products.

Hyaluronic acid has been credited with extending life in people who consume large amounts in their diets leading to the media dubbing hyaluronic acid as “The Fountain of youth”.

The fact that the acid combines with water accounts for the intense interest in this substance in dermatology. When injected under the skin it provides the appearance of fullness at the site, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles for months.

Used topically, in skin products the results can be significant. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to be effectively absorbed into the skin as well as it serves as an effective “carrier” of other anti-ageing ingredients into the skin cells. This means that the active anti aging ingredients are transported to the cells through the layers of skin. Therefore Hyaluronic acid can actually reach cells.

Skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient include Restyalne, Dermaceutic, Skinmedica and Skinceuticals.

Restylane offer a superb day and night cream and serum that contains stabilised hyaluronic acid, the night serum also contains a high dose of retinol which is one of the most effective ingredients for reducing lines and wrinkles, age spots and uneven pigmentation, as well as counteracting the loss of skin elasticity.

The next product to consider is Dermaceutic Hyal ceutic, which corrects deterioration in the dermis and in particular the decrease in hyaluronic acid. High molecular weight hyalauronic acid give Hyal Ceutic its protective and hydroscopic capacity and low molecular weight hyaluronic acis its repairing and relipidising properties. Added to this are the smoothing and repairing aloe vera , jojoba and shea butter.

The third product we can recommend is Skinmedica Dermal Repair, a skin cream that helps reduce the appearance of age spots as it provides skin protection against harsh environmental conditions. It intensely hydrates and replenishes skin dryness with use of hyaluronic acid and lipid soluble antioxidants vitamin C and E.

Another Skincare product containing hyaluronic acid is Skinceuticals B5 Gel, an intensive anti-ageing gel designed to boost skin hydration. This moisture enhancing gel contains hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator. Hydrating B5 gel replenishes nutrients the skin needs to feel smooth and appear younger.

Get the Rosy Look

Brand New Just In

Achieve a natural, beautiful rosy glow with this clever new makeup essential from Jane Iredale!

Jane Iredale Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain is a lip and cheek stain that provides long-lasting, custom colour to lips and cheeks.

This versatile makeup product uses all natural ingredients to enhance your natural colouring. The non drying, long-lasting all natural stain adjusts to your own chemistry for an irresistible pink shade that will flatter your skin's undertone.

Suitable for all skin types, the 2.3g stick contains olive butter, avocado butter and wild rose wax to soothe and soften lips plus Rose flower wax & beeswax to nourish and moisturise. You can buy Jane Iredale Forever pink just kissed lip and cheek stain online from The Cosmetic Practice.

I want one now!!!