Bobbi Brown spring collection

Bobbi Brown's spring collection is perfect for a Valentine's day pick-you-up. Think sparkly eyes and soft pink lips and cheeks, it's a subtle yet sexy look that suits everyone. I love the Blush Pink Creamy Lip Colour (£14.68) and the Sparkle eye shadows in Ballet, Silver Moon, Mica and Sunlight (£13.70).

TRIA laser hair removal: as used by Ugly Betty

Hair removal is big business, and nowadays more and more people are opting for getting shot of annoying hairy bits permanently.

Normally I'd recommend going to a salon for laser hair removal, but there's now a home system that delivers safe, great results. The TRIA Laser Hair Removal System was developed by the same team of scientists that invented the professional technology back in 1993. And, it uses the same laser technology as those professional devices, which are still considered the gold-standard among dermatologists and plastic surgeons. It's pricey, at £675, but if you're going to invest in a system - this is the one to opt for.

It's also become a must-have item for TV and movie make-up artists, including Kate Best, Makeup Department Head for the television series, Ugly Betty. She tells us "Not only does the TRIA Laser Hair Removal System remove hair, but it also improves the skin’s appearance -- it is smoother and the pores are smaller, so makeup application is much easier."

Click here for more info, or to buy a TRIA.

Extreme weather skin care

Yup it's still mighty cold out there girls, so those of you with sensitive skin will really be suffering.

If your skin flakes, cracks and generally acts up when the weather gets cold, this is the product you've been waiting for. Clinique's New Comfort on Call helps skin cope with these chilly days, cold winds and allergens. It's allergy tested and is also great for anyone with eczema.

Grab one now and save your skin while you can, it's staying chilly this weekend!
£31.23 from Clinique counters nationwide, or from Clinique.co.uk.

The permanent hair removal – down there!

I’m a big fan of bikini line waxing; it’s worth it for the increased sensitivity alone, but I’m talking neat and tidy, not pre-pubescent.

Bikini line hair removal stepped into the 21st century with the possibility of permanent hair removal – which means you can now get your pubes laser zapped and therefore permanently removed.

But let’s not rush into anything ladies; we really are talking permanent removal here. I know loads of ladies (and men) love the naked feeling, but do you really want a smooth, hair free fanny for the rest of your life? This is a great treatment to tidy things up – I’m talking about any straggly bits likely to stick out of your bikini. But if you fancy a hair free experience, get waxed; it’s less radical.

According to Dr Patrick Bowler, Medical Director of Court House Clinics:
“Patients actually enjoy Soprano XL as it is painless compared to conventional laser hair removal treatments. It can also be used on patients with darker skins providing an increased safety margin without any reduction in efficacy. This really is a big step forward in the treatment of unwanted hair anywhere on the body”

Well I can’t say I’ve ever ‘enjoyed’ a bikini wax, so you could say this is a huge step forward. But personally I’d like to keep my pubic options open…

For more info visit www.painfreehairfree.com

Is Botox more important that paying bills?

Despite the credit crunch, many people are not prepared to give up on what they consider vital beauty treatments.

Following a surge in demand for Botox treatments at the Harpenden clinic, Dr Jain, Medical Director at Riverbanks reveals that many of his patients are adamant that the credit crunch will not impact on their beauty regime and are prepared to make sacrifices in others areas of their lives instead.

"Demand for Botox at the moment is rising and just last week, one patient told me she'd be prepared to give up anything except her Botox treatments. It would seem that many people are considering this once 'luxury' spend as an essential part of their lives and one which they don't intend on giving up just because the country is in recession", says Dr Jain.

Should we prioritise beauty over paying bills? is looking good essential to keeping your spirits up or a crazy, vain waste of money? Tell me what you think!

Tips for fighting the cold

Your skin really suffers when the temperature plumets. My top snow busting product is Eve Lom's Creme Universal. Keep it in your handbag and slather it over your lips throughout the day to keep them from drying out. If you get severe dry patches anywhere else, apply a little before bed. Enjoy the snow!

The wrinkle filler that's flying off the shelves

Talk about going nuts for a new product, RoC have just released sales figures that show that women having been snapping up Retin-Ox Wrinkle Filler at the rate of one every minute!

The product combines Retinol with Hyaluronic Acid and RoC's DMC technology (which boosts the efficacy of retinol) and is said to immediately smoothes skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles day after day.

£29.35 from Boots.

Soap & Glory The Greatest Scrub of All

I think this one speaks for itself. It's a facial scrub, it's not too expensive, and it rocks. Enough said. £7.82 from Boots.

Beauty Myths debunked: Everyone CAN wear red lipstick

The Truth: Every girl can, and should, wear a red lipstick. It’s all about getting the right shade.

Red is never going to be a ‘natural’ look, but it's one that chosen carefully we can all wear, plus it's perfect for the Christmas season.

The important thing to consider (as with choosing any lip color), is how natural or contrasting it will be with your skin tone.

If your skin is a cool tone and you’re quite pale, you’re lucky in that you’ll be able to wear most shades of red. True red will compliment the rose tones in your skin and cool, pink-reds and berry-red shades will work well too. However, steer clear of warm reds such as orangey or tomato-red shades.

If your skin tone is darker and more golden then the exact opposite will apply. All warm reds will work, so look for shades with tomato, brick or rusty tones.

If in doubt, head to a make-up counter and experiment! And remember, Marilyn Monroe looked fabulous with red lips, but so does Jennifer Lopez.

MAC have 20% of lipstick sets until December 29th, the perfect way to experiment with colour. Try Passions of Red or Adoring Carmine. Visit your local MAC store, buy online, or see if your local department store is participating.

Bag an A-list Christmas bargain with Karin Herzog

I love Karin Herzog products, and so do celebs; Victoria Beckham, Uma Thurman, Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Aniston and Madonna are all huge fans.

This Christmas Karin Herzog are offering 3 for the price of 2 on all products (including gift sets). So get shopping now! My personal favourite is the Dynamic Duo, the only products I've tried than genuinely do reduce cellulite.

Visit for Karin Herzog website for more info and to start shopping.

Credit crunch cosmetic surgery

If you've still got the cash for cosmetic surgery, haggle and get the cost cut!

Desperate cosmetic surgery clinics are feeling the effects of the credit crunch and have started chopping their prices in a bid to attract more customers. Victoria , 29 and from London tells us:“I had gone for a consultation a couple of weeks back because I was interested in having a tummy tuck, I was quoted £5,300, I was recently called back by the clinic and they had reduced it by a whopping £1,150”.

So girls, if you've already made the decision and have got the cash, don't accept the price without a bit of negotiating. But remember, getting the best surgeon should always come ahead of getting the best deal.

Meet Fergie, buy lippy and give to charity!

Mega star Fergie will be at MAC in London's Selfridges this Thursday (11th December) to help promote the MAC Aids Fund.

Pop into the London Oxford Street branch of Selfridges between now and the 11th December and anyone buying a lipstick or lipglass from the VIVA GLAM range will receive a free pass to meet Fergie and bag themselves a signed poster.

And remember, buy anything from the VIVA GLAM range and ALL proceeds go to help people living with Aids and HIV.

Beauty Myths: Junk food is bad for your skin

We all know that a healthy diet is best for a healthy body. However there’s no evidence that chocolate, chips and junk food directly cause spots!

Spots are caused by hormonal problems and/or ducts in the skin becoming blocked by sebum and bacteria.
The best way to keep your skin clear is to stick to the basics: cleanse, tone and moisturise with good quality skin-care products twice a day.

My routine includes cleansing with Eve Lom's Cleanser twice a day, using a light but effective moisturiser (either Eve Lom's SPF 15, or Rodial's Glamotox) and attacking any spots that do break through with a Salicylic acid based treatment, for instance Dermalogica's Medibac Overnight Clearing Gel or Jan Marini's Bioclear Lotion.

I also use a face mask every three days, Balaton Spa's is wonderful.

A monthly facial will also help, I find the Karin Herzog's Pore Draw works wonders. The Karin Herzog site can help you find a salon near you.

Bliss: new Blood Orange and White Pepper range

After a search to find customer's favourite scent, Bliss have launched the Blood Orange and White pepper range.

It might sound a bit odd, but believe me this scent really works. The orange is gorgeous, like Sicilian oranges in the warm sun with a dash of spicy pepper! I love the shower gel (£16), a new addition to my morning routine. The range also includes a body butter (£23) and a sugar scrub (£28).

Bobbi Brown party collection

Bobbi Brown's new Christmas party collection hits the shops today!

As Bobbi tells us: “This collection is about having fun with makeup. It’s about high colour, high shimmer and a bit of pizzazz.”

These metallic eye shadows and gorgeous glitter lip glosses can be popped out to fit perfectly into Bobbi Brown's handy customised palettes.

Metallic Eye Shadow Collection: in Glitz. Bonfire. Indigo Nights. After Hours. Bash. Pink Chandelier - £14

Glitter Lip Gloss Collection: in Soiree Pink. Ball. Disco Pink. Martini. Velvet Rope. Rave - £13