Mind and Body

As we strive and pursue products and treatments to slow the ageing process to gain maximum benefits for our skin we are often driven so far that we alienate the whole well being of our body, mind and indeed spirit.

Happiness and contentment are I believe seriously underrated.

Glowing skin, hair and overall appearance comes not from products alone, although vital, but a combination of all: a healthy youthful mind and body on the inside, reflects also on the outside, and can only enhance the skin care products we so diligently choose.

Physical activities play a vital role in a healthy mind and body and indeed skin. As an Iyengar yoga teacher I have witnessed first hand the benefits both physically and mentally which I strongly believe transfers to a healthy glowing skin.


The current worldwide climate and lifestyles are extremely stressful and ever so fast moving that to step back, reflect and take ones attention inwards is vital. This does not suggest that yoga alone is a goal which we must strive towards, or that we must constantly strive towards self improvement.

Rather that we recognise as individuals we try to achieve an understanding and awareness through our own individual exploration and discovery. If we can clear and de clutter the mind we can see and think more clearly rather than be bogged down by the outside often irrelevant influences of the 21st century.

However this is not achieved overnight or easily it has to be worked at, and there is no formula or set of rules which can be followed but rather a adopting a lifestyle. The great paradox of this “work” is that there is no reward or finish line, because the practice and journey is the reward.

We daily I believe follow a skin care regime to the tee without thinking, as it is incorporated into our life. Therefore our body and mind should also be treated equally with such a regime.

The human body is an amazing structure which should be maintained and looked after to ensure peak performance, yet unfortunately is often neglected and even abused and we wonder why we sometimes feel tired, lethargic and unwell.
Peak performance and wellness comes from how we look after and maintain our bodies through diet, lifestyle, physical exercise, a quiet mind and a good skincare regime.

Male Skin Care

These days you are much more likely to find your man hogging the bathroom mirror when you're getting ready to go out. Men are becoming much more educated on looking after themselves and their skin and there is no longer the taboo that cosmetics are just for girls. Men are now more likely to pinch your products, from moisturisers to exfoliators so I say it's about time they bought their own!



There are some fantastic ranges out there just for men. Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have the Skinn for Men Range. Skinn are an Australian company who develope unique skin care and grooming products designed by doctors specialising in dermatology, especially for mens skin. The range includes:

Total Shave - a soap free multifunctional moisturising cleanser which is proven to moisturise, protect and reduce post shave irritation.

Fatigue Rescue - Designed to act as an intense night repairing antiaging cream, Fatigue Rescue contains Myoxinol, a natural alternative to Botulimum toxin, as well as antioxidants for superior results.

Check out the whole range here...



Many of the ranges we stock such as Neostrata and Medik8 are suitable for both men and women. So for all you men out there, don't think that you can only buy mens products! Many of the cosmeceutical products on sale are just as effective for male skin as female skin. If you would like advice or information on what product to use for your skin - don't hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential online consultation. So stop pinching your wives/girlfriends creams, buy your own and look after your skin.

Lovely Lips

With the change in weather I tend to find my lips drying out, becoming chapped and sore. This can look unsightly, make you feel self conscious and make wearing lipstick difficult.



Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have numerous products to help:

For daytime use I like to use Jane Iredale Lip Drink, this product does not dry your lips out like traditional lip balms. People who are regular users of petroleum-based lip balms are on a continual drying cycle - the more they use the drier their lips become. With the Lip drink your lips are left soft and smooth. As it also has an SPF it protects lips with a broad spectrum sunscreen and has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

For a special nightime treat I use Jan Marini C-Esta Lips. This is a medically-based product that actually repairs the appearance of the aging and sun damaged lip area. C-ESTA Lips is a dramatically effective advancement that is targeted to specifically address aging and contour concerns associated with the lips and the immediate surrounding area.

And for an extra special treat, I love the Jane Iredale Sugar and Butter Exfoliant and Plumper. Soft, beautiful and oh-so-kissable lips are yours with this lip exfoliator/plumper duo. Organic brown sugar gently removes dull, dry skin. With no chemical preservatives or synthetic dyes to worry about, eat the sugar crystals right off your lips! Then, apply the tinted lip plumper with shea butter and peptides that moisten and plump. Gives lips a natural glowing pink tint and a plump affect.

So, Check out our selection of fantastic lip products and give your lips a real treat!

Control The Cravings

Sick of stuffing your face over the winter months?

Starting to plan your summer holiday and want to get that bikini beach body?


Or just fed up of constantly trying new diets and feel like you never get anywhere?

If you're anything like me, as soon as I decide I'm going on a diet all I can think about is food.  I end up eating more and putting weight on as soon as the D word is mentioned!

Coming soon to The Cosmetic Practice - A revolutionary new effective and natural slimming aid.  "FULLfast" helps to increase feelings of fullness and satiety to help you eat less.  It comes as a great tasting, natural mouth spray which you use 5 times a day.

FULLfast spray contains a proprietary botanical micro-blend called Hydroxytonin  Complex™, a powerful source of the nutrients your body needs to produce  serotonin. Serotonin works naturally with your body and brain to help  reduce excess hunger putting you in control of your appetite.

In a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical study published in the  International Journal of Obesity, Sept. 2009, female study participants  following a weight loss program used 3 sprays of Fullfast under the  tongue 5 times a day. Around the 5th day, they started to feel less  hungry when compared to placebo group.

This product is already a hit in the USA and Italy, so be the first among your friends to try it. Watch this space - FULLfast, coming very soon to The Cosmetic Practice.

Luscious Lashes

I don’t know about you, but what makes a night out for me is getting ready. I love the whole experience: Pre-night out clothes and shoe shopping, pampering bubble bath, doing my hair, trying on about 25 different outfits before I find the right one, make-up. I love getting my girlfriend round, having a glass of wine and listening to some music to get in the mood whilst primping and preening.

These days I don’t feel completely ready to go out unless I’ve got my false eyelashes on! Thick, full eyelashes are becoming more and more fashionable and celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole are rarely to be seen without fantastic, full lashes.


False eyelashes were actually invented in 1916 by a movie director - D.W. Griffith was working on his silent film Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages. He wanted his leading lady to have eyelashes long enough to brush her cheeks when she blinked, so he invented some! These original false lashes were made of human hair woven through a small strip of gauze. However, it is only within the last few years that they have banished the tacky tag and become a real trend. Sales have soared in the last couple of years and there are now a myriad of eyelash choices available.

But that doesn’t mean I like to look like I’ve got two pet spiders having a party on my eyelids! False lashes can look enhancing and natural when the right lashes are used and they are applied correctly.

So which to choose? False lashes come as strips (either pre-glued or with a separate tube of adhesive), individual lashes and individual cluster lashes which have about 10 hairs in each cluster.

For the most natural look, I like to use individual cluster lashes. You can control exactly how thick and full you want your lashes to appear and they are easier to position than the strip lashes. They also come in different lengths to blend in with your own eyelashes and should be longer towards the outer corner of the eye. Although they can be more time consuming to apply, the results are more than worth it.

How do you apply them?

1.) Using clean, dry tweezers gently lift an individual lash cluster of the appropriate length from the tray.

2.) Hold the lash with tweezers and touch the knotted end of the faux lash to the adhesive on the wand.

3.) Starting at the outer corner of the lash line, place the lash on top of natural lashes with the knotted end close to, but not touching the eyelid.

4.) Hold the lash in place for about 5 -10 seconds until the adhesive sets.

5.) Moving from the outside corner of the eye to the insider corner, apply the remaining lashes until the desired effect is achieved.

6.) Apply mascara until both natural and faux lashes are covered and blended.



I love Jane Iredale Professional Faux Lashes - Professional quality, individual faux lashes in two different lengths with latex-free adhesive. They look and feel fantastic!

Long eyelashes can make eyes look bigger, fuller and more inviting, but not all of us are blessed with sky-high lashes. Thankfully, modern civilization invented false eyelashes. If you learn how to put them on correctly, no one will ever guess that they're not yours.

Facing the Menopause Head On

As well as having to deal with the symptoms of the menopause, such as insomnia, mood swings, hot flushes and the dreaded weight gain, women of a certain age have to deal with the changes the menopause can cause in the skin. Deeper lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dryness are just some of the problems that can be exacerbated by the hormonal changes that occur during this time.

The main reasons for this are the dramatic decline in the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone which result in the acceleration of ageing skin. Collagen and elastin levels drop, so you get skin sagging and deep wrinkles forming.

More than 50% of British women are unaware of the impact the menopause has on their skin (Allergan Study). But the good news is that industry experts believe these menopause effects can be limited, if we act in advance.

The best way forward is to start a maintenance programme in your early 30’s, an investment that will see you looking younger in your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

To combat thinning and sagging skin choose skincare that contains vitamin A (retinol) which can strengthen skin and stimulate collagen.

Deep wrinkles are formed as the skin’s ability to repair and replace collagen decreases as oestrogen drops and this is the underlying cause of wrinkles on areas such as the forehead, eyes and mouth.

Dermal fillers containing Hyaluronic acid will fill deep lines and stimulate production of new collagen with repeated treatment. And remember, it’s never too late to start using a broad spectrum sunscreen to prevent further damage.

The drop in oestrogen levels, which leads to a slowing down of the body’s oil production, resulting in dry, lacklustre skin can be helped by using an ultra- hydrating moisturiser packed with antioxidants. Using an emollient cream straight after a bath can also counteract the loss of oil from the skin.

Please feel free to contact us for any specific product recommendations for all skin concerns.