In the midst of all my self-promoting today I completely ran out of time to introduce ST TROPEZ’s ‘perfect legs’ to MY ‘mediocre pins’.

I’ve long been in love with the St Tropez brand…  ’tis the best of the best of the best. So last year when they rebranded their packaging *praise the lord*, reformulated with Aromaguard™ technology and introduced some new products, my ultra sun-smart body said “hook me up”. One such NEW product was the ‘Everyday Perfect Legs’ and it’s JUST arrived in NZ.

‘Perfect Legs’ comes in a bottle reminiscent of Sheriden’s liqueur (remember Sheriden’s?) and that very same excitement from sneaking into my parents liquor cabinet came rushing back to me when I saw the packaging. Two seperate compartments, housed in one bottle – one is gradual tanner and the other is instant bronzer. So the (PR/media/beauty blog) legend goes, the bronzer gives your legs a dash of instant colour with a “flawless finish”, camouflaging unsightly veins and bruises. The gradual tanner… well it’s a gradual tanner, enriched with “soothing aloe and marine extract”…  blah blah blah … WILL IT MAKE MY LEGS LOOK GOOD?!.

So, I go forth in quest of some PERFECT LEGS and vow to report back with my findings. I’ll also be back to dissect the ingredient list, arm you with self tanning tips, and tell you exactly how a self tanner works… ya know, all that “sciencey” stuff.

Do share… Have you tried any products from the St Tropez range? Do you likey?

The MV Organic Skincare range in small, yet versatile. Below is a collection of my top ten product tips gathered from clients who love the range and from the results I’m seeing in the treatment room.

1. For stubborn eye makeup ~ add 2 drops of Pure Jojoba oil into the Gentle Cream cleanser and massage over entire eye area. Remove with cotton pads or muslin cloth.

2.  To help heal post acne scarring ~ massage a few drops of Rose Plus Booster oil into the skin at night, then add 2 drops into Rose Soothing & Protective moisturiser for use during the day.

3. For congestion or blackheads ~ mix 1t of Deep Cleansing & Refining mask with Rose Mist, then apply to congested areas. Leave for approx 10 minutes before removing.

4. Skin needing a boost? ~ Use Gentle Cream cleanser for the first cleanse, then massage Energizing 9-oil cleanser over the face for about 3-5 minutes. Take a warm compress and press onto the skin to infuse the oil (repeat this 2 more times), then remove any excess oil. Follow with Oxygen Formula moisturiser.

5. Winter daily essential ~ add 2 drops of Pure Jojoba oil into either of the MV moisturisers for more nourishment.

6. Best winter mask ~ mix 1t Calming & Softening mask, with Rose Mist + 3 drops of Daily Soother Booster oil. Apply to entire face and leave for about 7 minutes before removing.

7. Don’t forget the body ~ apply Aromatic Body oil to décolletage and upper arms directly after showering, to lock in moisture.

8. Post workout regime ~ re-balance skin by cleansing with Gentle Cream cleanser then apply a light-weight emulsion of Rose Mist mixed with Rose Soothing & Protective moisturiser.

9. The bathroom staple: Pure Jojoba oil ~ Good for you (face & hair), good for him (shaving rash) and good for baby (dry skin conditions).

10. Instant pick me up ~ massage a few drops of Instant Revival oil over the temples, then add 2 drops into either MV moisturiser, and apply over entire face.

Do you use the MV range? If so, let me know your favourite product tip.

For international stockists visit the MV Skincare website or within NZ look no further than RIGHT HERE ~ I’m happy to courier anywhere within NZ.

So where were we? Oh yeah, somewhere between a newbie waxer and a double-dipper.

(Skip back a post to catch up)

So are those scenarios deal breakers?

1. Ladies and gentlemen, we all know how delicate the skin ‘down there’ is. Add into the mix some very stubborn hair plus warmer than warm wax and you’ve got the potential for something to go very wrong. I’m sure you’ve all heard one or two tales… and me? Well, I’ve heard MANY horror stories. A Brazilian wax is the most specialised of all waxes as it involves the complete removal of hair (if requested) - front, sides and back. It’s more advanced than a regular bikini wax and the techniques required are not taught in many schools, therefore a recent graduate may not have had much (if any) training. If not done correctly skin may be burnt, torn, or bruised, leaving you open to the risk of infection and potential scarring. Unless you are willing to take these risks I would recommend choosing someone who has experience in this area. At least a years basic bikini waxing under their belt (forgive me for I have punned), and ideally someone that is doing a fair bit of waxing in their job.

2. What about the gloves? I found myself on a post grad course once where a so called “expert” in the field said we have the OPTION of wearing gloves. The option? I was MORTIFIED! What would happen if doctors OPTED not to wear gloves? Or dentists? We’re dealing with the risk of cross contamination here! Because the hair in that region is coarse and deeply-rooted, it’s not unusual to see some blood spotting from the hair follicle immediately after the hair is removed. Precautions should always be taken and to work without gloves is NOT an option.

3. I prefer to use hot (or warm) wax when doing Brazilian waxing. A pre-wax oil can then be applied to the area which acts as a buffer between the skin and the wax. This type of wax is kept heated in a pot which, if not used responsibly, can pose certain health risks. For the same reason noted above,  the spatula used to apply the wax should never be dipped in the pot again. This puts you at risk of cross contamination from blood AND whatever else was on the client before you…  and before them. The same risks apply with strip wax – which is applied using a roller and removed with a strip of fabric. A new roller cartridge or applicator head should be used for each person to avoid these dangers.

Ultimately you need to trust your waxer in the same way you would any health professional – your health IS in their hands.

“Deal breaker” definition ~ any issue or factor that is significant enough to break, terminate, or cancel a deal.

So you’ve plucked up the courage to ‘go bare down there’ – translated: book in for your first Brazilian wax. You’re on the hunt for a waxing specialist, so you chat with your friends, browse the internet and factor in location, price and reputation. It’s time to make your first phone call – you opt for a clinic that specialises in waxing. Turns out the only therapist that can see you this week has just started working for them and is new to the industry. Deal breaker?

It’s appointment day. You arrive and get taken through to the treatment room. Your therapist explains the procedure and you look down to say “farewell” to your pubic hair. When you turn back to your therapist to give her the nod to begin, you notice she’s not wearing any gloves. Deal breaker?

The treatment has started and you’re trying to find your *happy place*. Suddenly breathing and carrying on small talk become two jobs you’re not fully capable of doing at the same time. You open your eyes to check progress – so far so good. Then you notice the therapist ‘double dipping’ into the wax pot. Putting the spatula back into the pot over… and over… and over again. Deal breaker?

What do YOU think?

Are any of the above scenarios deal breakers?

Tune in on Wednesday and I’ll tell you what you NEED to know.

At first glance this looks like mascara that’s lived in someones bathroom cabinet waaaaaaaaaa-ay past it’s expiry date. Turns out… they’re only FLY LEGS… Whew!

Lets not get too hung up on the unsanitary aspect of this, the gag reflex it evokes, or the creepy shudder I get down my neck when I look at her eye moving. Nor shall we take pity on the X amount of flies hovering around in the air, planning their crash landing at this very moment – sans legs. Lets just accept this for art being art… very creative Jessica Harrison, very creative indeed.

Note: this is not available on the service menu.

On Tuesday night I gave a running commentary (via Twitter) during the TV3 series “What’s really in our…”

The show did a good job busting some marketing BS, which I thoroughly enjoyed watching, but I wanted to delve a bit deeper into one of the ingredients they highlighted… RETINOL.

Vitamin A is essential for skin health because it normalises cell activity – that’s a fact and not marketing hype. Retinol is a form of vitamin A, that when converted to Retinoic Acid becomes valuable for overall skin health. Retinol is commonly used in skin care products to treat skin conditions ranging from acne prone to premature ageing, and is touted as a miracle ingredient because of this.

Vitamin A through nutrition

You can obtain Retinol from animal sources such as eggs, meat and cod liver oil. For those vegetarians out there, Beta-Carotene (a Vitamin A precursor) can be sourced from fruit and vegetables like dark leafy greens, and those bright yellow/orange in colour. Beta-Carotene is converted once in the body to Vitamin A but this conversion rate varies from person to person and is therefore hard to measure. If required, supplements can be taken, but please note that as Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin it’s stored by the body and toxicity will occur if you have more than your body requires.

Vitamin A topically

Although optimum skin health starts from the inside out, Vitamin A is one ingredient that the skin really benefits from when topically applied. Because Retinol has to go through this conversion process to be effective, there are a lot of variables to consider when choosing the right product to make sure you’re getting the desired results.

Start by checking the following…

What percentage Retinol does a product contain? This varies greatly, and if the percentage is not listed, then it would be safe to assume it’s a small enough quantity to render it ineffective. A 1% Retinol product is considered ideal as it’s still gentle on the skin, yet of a high enough percentage to yield results.

Is the Retinol stable? Vitamins can be volatile if handled or kept in the wrong conditions. Look for packaging that is air tight and minimizes exposure to light. Consider the other ingredients the product contains – will they assist in keeping the Retinol stable? For example: Vitamin E is a good partner to look for as it works in synergy with Vitamin A.

How will the Retinol penetrate the skin? Simply put, the skin is designed to “keep stuff in and keep stuff out”. I love employing a bit of logic here. If you think our skin absorbs everything, then how do you explain being able to walk in the rain without exploding? And if you think the skin absorbs nothing, then how do you explain ingredients being detectable in the blood stream after topical application – essential oils are a good example of this. Therefore if we want the Retinol to be effective we must ensure it can pass through the skins protective outer layer and into the dermis – where all the cellular activity takes place. Skin preparation is key and this is where the use of hydroxy acids come in to play – you have to prepare the skin for maximum product penetration to expect results.

How capable are you of converting Retinol to Retinoic Acid? Individual skins function differently and so this process of conversion will vary greatly from person to person. These differences are dependent on your genetic make-up and the overall health of your skin.

So why don’t we just use a product with Retinoic Acid? Retinol is a more “skin friendly” ingredient and products containing it are more readily available. Retinoic Acid is a prescription only ingredient because it’s more aggressive in nature. You may have heard of the brand Retin-A or Renova – they are prescription products that contain Retinoic Acid. Typical side effects of using these products can include redness, skin flaking, photo-sensitivity, and thinning of the skin. These side effects need to be factored in and necessary precautions taken not to damage the skin while it’s in this delicate state. I’ve seen first hand the damage caused on the skin if these precautions are not taken.

The short answer… So is Retinol a miracle ingredient? Not so much miracle, but certainly an effective ingredient if you’re using the right product in the right way.

Tell me… Are you using a product that contains Retinol?

Procter & Gamble have hit the marketing jackpot with this viral campaign. This is the power of social media – Mr Old Spice man is on You Tube, Twitter, Facebook… he’s everywhere – even on a horse!

Curiosity took the better of me and I did venture onto the ingredient page on the Old Spice website and I have *NO COMMENT*. Moving on… I’m in love with this campaign. They’ve got me. Marketing – WIN.

Check it out … go on, it’s Friday… waste some time www.oldspice.com

I LOVE, yes absolutely A.D.O.R.E the MV range of skincare products. In this interview with Sharon McGlinchey, the creator of this wonderful range, you’ll find out a few reasons why her products have such a cult-like following. Read more here

Dear everyone,

Yup, I’m taking a break! BUT when I re-open at the end of June, there will be lots of shiny new things happening. So stay a while, read through my website and drop me a line. I’ll be sure to reply once the dust settles.

Warm wishes,
Keely xx

To help prevent eyelashes from becoming brittle and breaking, always use an oil to cleanse the eye area. Oil will effectively and gently remove mascara while keeping the lash hair nourished.