Do you know your AHA’S from your BHA’s? The scientific jargon that the beauty industry bombards us with can be at best confusing and even off putting. Personally I feel the beauty industry would be better toning down the “smarty pants” science tactics. It can be impressive if a cream contains UV protection, Retinol and a vitamin complex, however when we begin using the product it matters only if it works. As a beauty expert I can read between the lines in cosmetics and tell pretty quickly if the product I’m about to buy is more about the gimmick and packaging than the contents. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for technological advancements in cosmetics and there are ingredients that really do work but uncovering the jargon can be difficult. Below is a list of some common misunderstood jargon that is often found in the ingredients or as part of the marketing strategy of cosmetics:
AHA
Alpha hydroxy acid is used in anti ageing cosmetics and treatments for effective removal of the top or dermal layers of the skin through its exfoliating effect. They are usually derived from natural sources such as milk (lactic acid), sugar (glycolic acid), citrus fruit (citric acids) and apples (malic acids). Alpha hydroxy acid is commonly used in chemical peels or in creams for treating wrinkles and sun damaged skin. Often creams containing AHA will have a sunscreen included as it can make the skin sensitive to sunlight which is actually a bonus as it helps protect against UV rays causing ageing. Montagne Jeunesse Strawberry and Cream Gel Masque contains natural AHAs and is also paraben free so your skin will thank you.
BHA
Beta hydroxy acid is similar to AHA, it is also known as salicylic acid and due to its larger molecular structure it doesn’t irritate as much as AHA’s. Often found in spot creams and acne products because the acids are oil soluble and able to penetrate deeper into the pores and slough off dead skin and clogged pores. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, although high concentrations of BHA can cause redness and tight itchy skin so use sparingly or as directed. Salicylic acid can be found in various Clean and Clear products, it’s a brand that has been around for a long time and they seem to get the concentration just right without causing skin irritation.
ANTIOXIDANTS and FREE RADICALS
Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals; consider antioxidants the goodies and free radicals the baddies. It’s important to know the role of free radicals to understand how Antioxidants work in terms of anti-ageing. Free radicals cause damage to a healthy cell in a process similar to a domino effect of destruction; antioxidants catch free radicals before they start this destructive course. So if the healthy cells in your skin start to die off or become damaged the end result is ageing, we therefore need super healthy cells (think of children’s skin) to look youthful and fresh. This is why so many cosmetic creams now contain antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E and Beta carotene. Derma V10 Ten Years Younger Serum £2.99 contains Vitamins C and E as well as other ingredients with antioxidants such as Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter.
PEPTIDES
Peptides are protein messengers that can instruct skin cells (in relation to anti-ageing) to do a variety of things such as produce collagen. Exactly how they work can be quite intricate and there is widespread debate over their effectiveness. However there have been studies that prove Peptides in a topical cream form can increase collagen in the skin by promoting new cell growth, slow down the breakdown of collagen and offer anti-microbial protection and due to the effective distribution of Copper into the skin has healing properties. The two main types are Argireline and also Matrixyl which is found in Olay Daily Regenerating Serum.
NON-COMEDOGENIC
Comedogenic means pore blocking, thus non-comedogenic means no pore blocking. Blocked pores cause spots and acne, therefore lots of anti-blemish products try to leave out ingredients which will clog the pores. Skin needs to breathe and be clean to function well and be spot free. For example Lauric acid, Sodium Laureth Sulphate and even Coconut Oil are comedogenic so it’s best to avoid these ingredients. Products that are non-comedogenic include Nars Sheer Glow Foundation and Bio Oil.
HYALURONIC ACID
This is a type of protein derived from collagen that retains water in the connective tissue, especially in the skin. As we age levels of Hyaluronic acid (HA) decrease leading to wrinkles and loss of moisture in the skin. Commonly HA was used in injectible fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm, thankfully for us it is also added to cosmetics and the results are positive. Go for products that contain HA if you’re losing moisture from the skin due to central heating or skin conditions, in your 30’s (this is when we start noticing wrinkles) or for general anti-ageing benefits. Try Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum.
PARABENS
Essentially these are man-made preservatives that are found in the majority of cosmetics such as toothpaste, shampoo, creams, cleansers, deodorants and soap to name but a few. They are used for their excellent fungicidal and bactericidal properties and are used to increase the shelf life of a product. There has been some controversy regarding their role in some health related issues, cosmetic companies are now starting to limit the amount of parabens used, in a lot of cases removing them completely. Paraben- free products are just that, free from all parabens, often using substitutes that are naturally derived. Fake Bake products are paraben free, my favourite has to be Fake Bake Self Tan Lotion Original (170 ml).
SLC
Sodium Laureth Sulphate is a detergent found commonly in products such as toothpaste, shampoo, foaming cleansers and body wash. Some people find this ingredient irritating to the skin as SLC like a lot of detergents can disrupt the natural PH balance of the skin. Cosmetic companies have recognised this and you may see SLC FREE on labels to show it’s removal, especially in baby products. SLC can dull hair, or the sodium (salt) can cause build up. Companies such as L’Oreal are acting on this and have produced SLC free products such as L’Oreal Everpure Colour Care & Smoothing range.
L-ASCORBIC ACID
L-Ascorbic acid is otherwise known as Vitamin C, an essential vitamin with high anti-oxidant properties. We can find Vitamin C in fruit and veg, we cannot make this ourselves in the body, this is why we need to replenish levels daily through food consumption. It is involved in the production of collagen, has anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties, can ward off infection and is an excellent healer due to its cellular regeneration attributes. It’s no wonder then that skin care companies love this ingredient and you should too! With its scientifically proven anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing effectiveness I try look out for this ingredient in products. I love Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Elixir Serum which I’ve tested and believe me it works!
RETINOL
This is Vitamin A from an animal source, the vitamin which is essential for healthy cell reproduction. There are two forms of Vitamin A, one is from animal sources called Retinoids and the other is plant based known as Cartenoids such as Beta carotene. Vitamin A is often used in acne products under the name Retin A, however high doses can be toxic, that’s why only small safe doses are used. Retinol also has anti-ageing benefits and is proven to reduce wrinkles. You can find Retinol in Garnier Ultralift Serum+Cream Swirl £10.99.
ZINC OXIDE
Zinc Oxide is a mineral used primarily in cosmetics as a sunscreen and a colorant (white), it can be found in a wide range of products such as makeup, creams, baby products and soaps. It has anti-irritant and reputed anti-oxidant benefits and has been used for centuries in skin care products. Remember to use at least an SPF 20 AND SPF 30-50 for kids to avoid permanent skin damage from the sun. Reimann P20 Sunfilter SPF 10 (100 ml) and Ambre Solaire Kids Resisto Sun Cream SPF 50(200 ml) are my top choices.
COLLAGEN
Collagen is a type of fibrous protein found in around 25% of our body’s protein including skin, hair, muscles, bone, tendons and teeth. It’s role is to connect other tissues, think of it as Velcro or glue and it is absolutely essential to us. As we get older the collagen in our body decreases and weakens causing underlying structures in the skin to lose firmness. If you are concerned about ageing then this is your first port of call as a solution. It can be found in good creams and also in capsule form. It has scientifically been proven to reduce the signs of ageing, try L’Oreal Wrinkle De-Crease with Pro Collagen.
Q10
Since its discovery in the 1950’s this vitamin like nutrient has amazed scientist and they are still learning about it. In a nut shell it is important in the energy production of cells, is an anti-oxidant and helps the immune system stay healthy. In cosmetics it is reputed to reduce damage to the skin caused by the sun as well as reducing wrinkles and increasing collagen. Nivea are leading the way with their Q10 range, I recommend Nivea Visage Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Plus Day Cream (50ml).
A huge thank you to everyone that took part in our recent Semichem Facebook competition. We had some super questions asked and the lucky winner was Sophie Ó Deoraín.
I’ve put together the following blog post in order to answer each of you. Hope this helps!
Michelle
“What are HD Brows”
HD Brows is in fact the brand name for a highly regarded salon brow treatment used to shape the brows. It differs from an ordinary tint and shape in the following ways; the tint used lasts longer, the brows are waxed below and above the brows, the brows are then threaded, tweezed and trimmed. Afterwards to give the perfect brow shape the therapists will either pencil in your brows or use a powder to define the shape. The emphasis is in achieving the best brow shape for your face shape and natural brows, there can be really dramatic results but it does take a few salon visits to achieve this.
Gill
“Hi Elaine ! Whats the best product to use on dry skin, before make up application?”
The easiest answer here would be moisturiser, avoiding very oily ones as they will only make your make up slide. I’ve had mixed reviews from people with dry skin about using primer before applying makeup, it seems to either dry the skin more or be a miracle saver. What I would recommend is using good quality facial oil, one or two tiny drops is enough to add moisture to the skin without making skin greasy, Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil Dry/Extra Dry Skin gets rave reviews and is a favourite of mine too. Or add a drop of Bio Oil, apply under moisturiser or primer and won’t affect your make up in any way, in fact I add a few drops to my foundation when my skin is really parched and it works a treat.
Yvonne
“What is the best foundation for very fair skin?”
There are a few really good foundations out there for fair skin, because I don’t know your age or skin type I’ll give you some ones that suit all types. First off if you have more mature skin try Rimmel Renew and Lift Ivory Foundation, it has a great way of blending in and even though it’s for fair skin it doesn’t make the skin look ghostly. Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud fame has launched her own make up range specifically for fair skin called Dainty Doll. I love her foundations because as we know (I too have extremely fair skin) foundations can be too yellow, chalky, grey or rose pink for our skin tone, she seems to have got the mix just right.
Susan
“What is the best way to apply concealer so that it really lasts the whole day and which do you recommend for around the eye area?”
If your concealer is sliding it may be too greasy, don’t worry though I’m always on the hunt for a great concealer and I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Apply concealer with a brush then use a tapping motion very lightly to melt the concealer into the skin, this also increases blood to the area and reduces puffiness, then add a very light dusting of mineral powder which is milled into finer granules and won’t emphasis wrinkles, plus it lasts all day. I’d recommend Boi-ing concealer from Benefit, it’s industrial strength and I’ll admit a tad thick but apply it using a makeup brush and follow with a dusting of mineral powder and it won’t budge. Right now I’m loving Rimmel Match Perfection 2 in 1 concealer and highlighter which is a life saver for under the eye! It conceals and it highlights bouncing light off the under eye area giving it a soft and perky look, ideal if you have really dark circles like me.
Julie
“Which do you think is the sexiest lipstick?”
Great question! If we are talking colour it has to be either red or neutral, if it’s texture I’d always recommend a lipstick that doesn’t look dry. If you are feeling flush try Chanel Rouge Coco range, they have the most stunning colours including Cambon 31 a more sophisticated red, and Perle 02 a brown neutral, pricey but lush. If your budget is closer to the rest of us mere mortals it has to be L’Oreal Color Riche Burning Rose 286 and the absolutely stunning Color Riche Made For Me Blush in Nude 253.
Liz
“Is using a brush for your foundation best or your finger?”
You have sparked the old brush vs fingers debate Liz. Some professionals would tell you to stick to using a brush; it gives an even, professional finish and seems to give a more even finish. However, I tend to think that using your fingers warms the foundation and melts it into the pores better giving a softer finish. There is also the area of hygiene, it’s thought using a foundation brush is more hygienic, however I beg to differ, this is only the case if we remember to sanitize it after each use, wash your hands before applying foundation to minimize bacterial transfer.
Brenda
“Hi Elaine, I am 63 and would like to know what you would be the best product to conceal wrinkles?”
Thanks for this fantastic question; it’s something I asked by a lot of my clients. To conceal wrinkles I’d recommend a good filler these are usually silicone based and/light reflective, this will achieve instant results, some foundations now have filler built in which is also a bonus. Absolute favorites are Nanoblur which can make you up to 10 years younger instantly, it contains millions of tiny light reflective particles to create a soft focus effect. I use L’Oreal De Crease Collagen products which although doesn’t reduce wrinkles over time it does reduce the appearance of them, people will comment on your skin. Another little gem is Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Smoother which is applied alone or under make up, it gives an instantly smooth appearance to the skin, but be warned a little goes a long way. It’s also worth noting to go easy on powder, especially around the eyes.
Sharon
“My question is when you do fake tan do you use a brush to do your feet like you do your hands for that all over look?”
The simple answer here is no. I only use a brush or make up sponge on the hands as it’s really difficult to apply fake tan with one glove on when doing the hands (believe me I’ve tried this). I make sure my feet are well moisturised then I use my gloved hands for application. If it seems you have too much fake tan on the feet after application feel free to blend with the brush or sponge but in general our hands are best.
Liz
“Which colour blusher suits fair skin? What colour eyeshadow does blondes suit?”
Hi I’d opt for blushers that are peachier or have light apricot tones, it’s ok to use a light pink but as we know sometimes our fair skin can come off looking like Aunt Sally! My secret weapon in blushes is Rimmel Mono Blusher Santa Rose, it just seems to give the right amount of colour to any skin tone and lasts forever. Now traditionally blondes suit light tones, nudes, corals and light pink and beige, however depending on you’re the tone of blonde you have and your eye colour you might find golds, rusty browns or even navy blues work best. I’d avoid silvery, deep bronze or tones with too much red they can make blondes looked washed out.
“What’s the best way to put false eyelashes on?”
I have a video blog on how to apply false lashes, coming soon so make sure to subscribe to the Semichem YouTube channel!
Joanne
“How do you get rid of a dry, flakey, scalp? I’ve tried loads of different shampoos. Anti dandruff shampoo makes it worse.”
This is not my forte, however I’ve asked two hairdressers, Ashleigh and Hollie at Rebel Rouge in Glasgow, what their opinion is. Both said unanimously that there is a difference between dry scalp and dandruff, and rightly put forward anti dandruff shampoos can make you dry skin worse as it has a high exfoliating action on the skin. Try using Polytar or E45 shampoo and once a week using a hot oil treatment on the scalp. This can be as simple as using warm (never hot) olive oil and massaging it into the scalp for a couple of minutes, wrapping hair in a towel and washing off a couple of hours later. Hope this helps.
Donna
“I was just wondering what is the best way to apply bronzer over foundation? To enchance cheek bones etc?”
When applying bronzer it’s important not to go overboard, a common mistake is to apply all over the face, literally camouflaging the skin which makes it harder to enhance key features.
Bronzer should be applied to areas on the face were the sun would hit, down the bridge of the nose, on the apples of the cheek bones (only if no blusher is being applied, apply under apple in the C motion instead) and up to the temples in a C motion, lightly on the chin. If you are looking to define cheekbones add a good highlighter such as Benefit High Beam to the apples, just a little highlighter goes a long way.
Debs
“I use liquid Rimmel foundation which I do love, but I just want to know is there another foundation you could recommend for at times an oily T-Zone? The Rimmel foundation doesn’t seem to last long. I have tried powders, but that seems to dry my skin – I find the liquids usually are best for me.”
Have you tried specific products that work on soaking up the oil in the skin before using foundation, that way you can keep the foundation you love? Origins Zero Oil is without a doubt the best on the market, it which is applied to oily areas only and soaks up only excess oil without drying the skin.
For foundations try Clarins Ever Matte Oil Free Foundation which is reputed to be one of the best for staying matte but not drying out skin, it’s a little pricey but lasts a few months. Another is Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation, again a little pricey and doesn’t last as long as other foundations in terms of usage but stays on all day. I have a makeup artist friend with very oily skin who literally raves about Maybelline 24 Hr Foundation, she claims it’s changed her life in that she gets full coverage without having to top up several times a day, definitely worth looking into.
Janet
“Is there a good waterproof mascara you could recommend please?”
Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara for a more natural look, I’d also recommend Rimmel Glam Eyes in Waterproof which gives the lashes more oomph. Additionally, any of the L’Oreal mascaras in waterproof are brilliant, whatever their magic waterproof formula is it does the trick, I use Lash Architect in Waterproof and it survives swimming, Zumba, running and football so believe me it works! If your budget permits then Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara will become your new friend, often the choice of makeup artists on set, it also has fantastic staying power.
Micheala
“When I get out of the bath I have red blotches all over my arms and chest, its even starting to happen on my face now Ive tried using different products incase it was them but no luck, what do you think it could be and how can I stop it from happening?”
I’m not medically trained, however this does sound like Erythema, a natural response to the skin tissues heating up resulting in redness in the skin. It could be that your bath is too hot, I’d opt for luke warm water and also avoid using bath foam and oils until you get to the bottom of this. Use a cupful of oats added to a soak then tied and popped into the bath for a skin soothing alternative. Make sure to see your G.P if the symptoms persist for a thorough skin analysis.
Amelia
“I am spot prone and have dry and oily skin in places. When I apply foundation you can see it on my skin, as if its like flaky almost. Any ideas how to make my skin better and also how to make it look more natural?”
This sounds like a classic case of skin that needs exfoliated. Try to exfoliate at least twice a week to remove dead scaly skin; it will make your make up sink into the skin much better. Try Clean and Clear Exfoliating Daily Scrub, which won’t dry your skin out and can even be used daily. For a milder option try Soap and Glory The Greatest Scrub of All? Which is non drying but contains Salicylic Acid to help fight spots. Another quick word of advice is to change your foundation to either a mineral or mineral based foundation, they tend to irritate spot prone skin less and also sit perfectly on the skin.
Brenda
“What is the best foundation for skin which has patches of dryness? I use a good moisturiser.”
I’d recommend a good mineral foundation like Max Factor Minerals Foundation or a mineral primer such as Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Primer which is great for people with combination skin tones. I’m assuming you have normal skin with dry patches, often this skin like this can benefit from facial oil treatments and regular face masks to help regulate the skin and maintain a more uniform skin tone. Add a few drops of Bio Oil at night to your usual moisturizer or apply alone, it’s a miracle worker that can even out the most problematic skin.
Lorna
“What’s the best way to get the right shape eyebrows for your face shape?”
I’d recommend you go to a professional, especially one who specializes in brow shaping or HD Brows. The eyebrows give definition and expression to the face, the can for instance make a long face longer if they are too arched or make a round face look bigger so it’s important to determine the right shape for your own face. There are numerous brow stencils on the market but I’d visit the salon first then use their work as a guide.
Angie
“I have never used foundation as I sweat under it, any advice on what to do as I am in need of a new me?”
Have you thought about Mineral powder make up such as Max Factor Minerals Foundation? This can be a great solution if you still like a bit of coverage but just don’t want your make up to slide off. It has superior staying power as the particles are so fine they don’t clog pores, often a reason for sweating under foundation. Another option is to ditch the foundation and try a product like Nanoblur which is the latest must have for us who like to go au natural but don’t like our flaws being exposed. It’s not a makeup but it diverts light away from the skin crating a stunning soft focus effect, plus it makes you look up to 10 years younger!
Kelly
“I’m a tired mummy an I don’t seem to have time for pampering myself – I’m lucky to get 15 minutes to myself with two wee demandin boys. Since havin my son last year my skin is very dry so when I apply tan its patchy in some places I’ve tried moisturising an exfoliating but it’s still happening!”
Hello fellow mummy I too have had this problem, my son is now 3 but as you know it’s still hard to get a minute to ourselves.
After we have children and up to 18 months afterwards our bodies are readjusting our hormone cycles, couple this with stress, lack of “me” time and the usual 2 minutes a day we get to spend on ourselves it’s no wonder our skin needs help! You skin needs some TLC which is fine by theory but not in practice, overnight treatments are ideal because it’s about the only time you have to yourself and the skin is in repair mode.
I absolutely swear by Bio Oil, use this alone or under your night cream and you will start to see great results. Skin will start to look more even and even wrinkles look reduced, dry skin patches will improve. It might be best if you use a gradual tanner, one which is essentially a moisturizer until your skin settles. If you can afford it use Fake Bake Gradual Self Tan, which is super moisturizing or my other firm favorite and a very affordable one at that is Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion and use a separate facial tinted moisturizer such as Olay Complete Care Everyday Sunshine.
Chrisitina
“What is the best thing to apply foundation with?”
“What’s the best thing for getting rid of “frown lines” the line son my forehead really annoy me and look even worse with make up on?”
It really depends on your own preference and how much time you have to apply your make up. For quickness I’d say a makeup sponge or fingers, for a more even finish then I’d use a good foundation brush, try QVS foundation make up brush and sponges they are professional and yet affordable. To get rid of frown lines I’d say avoid Botox or anything extreme until you have tried Balance Wrinkle-freeze Serum, a serum which can reduce lines up to 82% in 4 weeks! It works by freezing the muscle contractions that cause frown and expression lines. Also I’d recommend facial yoga, check out my YouTube video below!
Adelle
“I was wondering if you would be ble to let me know which is hte best type of foundation to use for skin that tend to dry out easily there are that many in market at the moment just wondered if there was a certain type that is better.”
Have you thought about using a tinted moisturizer or BB cream? If you don’t mind a lighter coverage it’s a great alternative for skin that dries out, especially for those who are exposed to the elements or work/live in drying environments. I love Olay Pro Vital Tinted Moisturiser and also Garnier BB Cream, both offer superior and even coverage without being drying to the skin. If you are a foundation fan then try Chanel Teint Fluid Universal or Maybelline Dream Creamy Foundation both will avoid the problematic dryness you’re getting.
Sophie
“Everyone at school always calls me snow white because I have very pale skin and really dark hair, I dont like to pile on too much makeup. When I do put some foundation on, I feel like an orange I’ve tried lots of different ones, but their either too dry or too oily. I have super sensitive skin so findind the right one is really hard! HELP!!!”
It’s important that you use products on your skin that are hypoallergenic and fragrance free to avoid any nasty breakouts like rashes and spots. Your skin will thank you if you let it breath by giving the foundation a miss sometimes and using concealer such as Rimmel Hide The Blemish in Ivory on small blemishes where you feel the coverage is not enough.
If you love foundation too much and if you can afford it I’d try Clinique Superbalanced Make Up in Alabaster which suits very pale skin. Another note worthy foundation, which is a little perfumed but usually doesn’t cause skin break outs is NYC Skin matching foundation in FAIR 685, this blends in fantastically and can be added to moisturizer for a lighter affect.
Remember that pale skin is beautiful too – just look at Liv Tyler and Nicola Roberts.
Andrea
“What would you suggest to use to hide dark rings beneath my eyes?”
Dark circles under the eyes can make us look washed out, older and generally needing a good rest, I should know I have hereditary dark circles. My absolute two essentials are Benefits Confessions of a Concealaholic kit and Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer which has a brush applicator. The Benefit kit has industrial strength concealer in various shades including Lemon Aid a yellow tinted concealer ideal for neutralizing red and purple tones under the eyes. The Rimmel concealer is great when you need to look more awake as it’s a concealer and highlighter in one.
Lorna
“I’m left-handed, so when it comes to painting my nails, doing my right hand is no problem! However painting the nails on my left hand is a whole other story! Do you have any suggestions for how to keep the polish on my nails and not my fingers?”
The old adage practice makes perfect comes to mind here! Always use a steady surface to rest the hand being painted and this might sound obvious but have good lighting to ensure you can see exactly where the polish is going. It’s important to have a steady hand, it’s ok to lean on a table or other steady surface, painting nails sitting on a wobbly surface such as a bed takes a bit of getting used to.
I’ll let you into my latest secret, I’m cheating all the way nowadays with imPRESS Nails they are adhesive nail polish that stick on and I promise you the results are amazing!! They have a variety of seriously trendy colours and designs and people and the real bonus is that they last up to a week! Check out my video blog on how to apply an imPRESS manicure.
Beauty expert Elaine shows us how to shine with super glamourous Bling Nail Appliqués from Nail Bliss. Check out the video to see how simple and easy it is to apply.
And bling they do thanks to the bedazzled adhesives that can be worn as a full cover look or decorative accent pieces. Better than that, Bling Nail Appliqués can be worn on a natural nail or over the top of your favourite colour polish for an even more striking look.
Want to get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds? Now you can with the revolutionary imPRESS Press-on Manicure by Broadway Nails.
Endorsed by the stunning Nicole Scherzinger who was quoted in Look Magazine as saying that her imPRESS nails were one of three things she’d take with her on a desert island, these sass-o-licious instant nail art products require no drying time as no messy glue is involved in application.
Not only that but they last up to a week, have a superior and lasting shine and are easy to remove.
How do you fancy winning a beauty hamper, tailored exclusively for your needs?
If you missed our most recent Facebook competition, then we have a treat for you. Elaine, our beauty expert, will be answering all of your beauty questions. She will also choose one lucky fabulous Semichem fan to win an exclusive beauty hamper, packed full of beauty products, including Elaine’s favourite – Bio Oil.
All you have to do to enter is head over to the Semichem Facebook page and post your beauty question. Elaine will write a blog post answering every question, and one lucky winner will be chosen to win the hamper.
The competition ends at noon on Thursday 10th May – so make sure to like us and post your question on our Facebook before then. Remember to tell all your friends!
Fake Tan has certainly come a long way from the digestive biscuit, streaky and tangerine choices we used to put up with. Modern fake tans are rather advanced, some even have anti cellulite properties, toning or even anti-ageing ingredients added in.
What’s more, fake tan is giving the masses a viable and safe alternative to sunbathing and the dreaded health risks associated with sunbeds. Self tans now provide a realistic and sunkissed glow, that doesn’t look fake. My natural skin color almost dictates that I need to be on friendly terms with tan in a bottle! When I tell you I look like a different person with a tan I’m definitely not joking…and a tan makes you look slimmer so for that reason alone it gets my vote! Everyone that knows me will tell you I’m the fake tan queen! This is because I’ve literally made so many mistakes, tried EVERY product out there and always ask people where they got their tan when I’m impressed with their look.
Fake Bake is the typical favourite. I absolutely love it, but I also use other tans. To make things a little less bias, I’ve put this review to the panel. What I will say is all the reviewers are either pale or light skinned and have tried fake tan before. Each reviewer has marked the tan out of ten.
I hated this fake tan the first time I used it last year, they must’ve done something new to it because I love it now. The tan is so natural, all my friends use it too, I can fake tan with the mousse in 10 minutes. You have to really shake the bottle though every couple of minutes or it doesn’t go foamy. Also, I don’t go out with it on as it will go on my clothes, I always put it on overnight.
My mum used it too and she said she could see what all the fuss was about. Also I used the mitt (St Moriz Applicator Mitt £2.99 in stores) after I’ve applied the mousse to rub in any patches, I don’t ever get streaks now. The only negative is the tan doesn’t last long, probably about three days but it’s really cheap so I don’t mind.
First off I have to say that I am a big fan of L’Oreal. I wear their makeup and face cream so I was expecting big things from this. I work 6 days so I don’t have time to get home then fake tan with messy lotions, this seemed more up my street.
The dry mist isn’t coloured and doesn’t stain plus you can apply it before getting ready. My first mistake was to try this after the gym and in a steam filled cubicle, the mist wouldn’t dry in properly and it felt like I had a film on my skin. However despite this I didn’t streak.
The second mistake I made was to apply it in a small confined space; you need proper ventilation as the mist is so fine you can breathe quite a bit in. All that said I wouldn’t swap this fake tan for any others. I think L’Oreal have did it again and created another of my favs plus there was no weird streaks or patches of fake tan. The colour you get is so natural no one will know it’s fake, you can spray it in hard to reach places too.
As a user of Fake Bake tanning products, I was surprised I hadn’t come across this before.
What impressed me was the price, it’s half the price I pay for my usual Fake Bake, although I normally buy the spray so I’m not sure how it works out in the long run. The colour was great when it went on, in the morning when I washed it off it wasn’t as dark as I’d have liked. It takes a couple of nights to build up the colour, it’s too dark and messy to wear during the day. Also the consistency is quite thick looking but goes on much thinner so slightly deceiving, I guess that’s a good point. The tan turned out deep and quite brown in the end, so I’d definitely buy this again.
Years ago I used sunbeds and ended up with uneven pigmentation on my chest and back area. I’m now super cautious about going in the sun and I’d never go for a sunbed ever again.
Someone recommended using fake tan to even out the pigment a few years ago so I’m no stranger to using it. Funnily enough a friend had recommended this product before I did the review. I’m pleased to say it’s a winner for me, or at the very least goes neck to neck with my favourites, St Tropez and Fake Bake. I’d say the colour was very similar too, maybe even a bit deeper than St Tropez. I’m going to start using this for a few months and see how I get on, it’s even a bit cheaper than my normal one.
I was a bit sceptical about using a gel, I normally hate the feeling of any gels however it felt lovely and silky. Although I didn’t use this on my face as I can suffer from bad breakouts, I reckon it would be ok.
The gel wouldn’t last long with me, I used about a third and I’m only a size 12. It is a lot cheaper than the ones I’ve tried before so I can’t complain except to say they should maybe make the container bigger. Normally I’d fake tan at night but I was going out to lunch so needed a hit off colour, it went on a lot paler than I expected, but let me tell you now it develops fast! By the end of lunch my boyfriend actually asked why I was getting darker, the smell became notable too.
My skin felt a bit sweaty or damp wearing this, although it was only very slight. I had a slight streak around my feet but I had sandals on so I expected that. This is one I’m reserving judgement on until I’ve worn it 4-5 times.
How many 42 year olds with twins do you know that can pull off a pair of hot pants? Not many I’d think! That’s why we can’t get enough of Jenny from the Block, the beautiful, gravity defying actress/singer/dancer and entrepreneur that is the fabulous J Lo. Jennifer Lynn Lopez has come a long way; she grew up in the notoriously tough Bronx which she admits gave her the steam she needed to excel in life. There seems be to no stopping this celebrity goliath in her quest to maintain her superstar status. Not only does she combine motherhood with celebrity, she also finds time to be a judge on American Idol, as well as recently reviving her singing career with new songs such as Dance Again with Pitbull and Papi. She juggles this along with her work with L’Oreal, her movie career, her philanthropy interests working with charities and producing and starring in film documentaries that highlight humanitarian issues. What’s more J Lo, despite the rumours she is a diva, has maintained a sense of who she is and where she is from. She is the woman we would not just like to be but would like to be friends with too, and if she ever ran for president she’d get my vote!
J Lo Fashion
J Lo is a self confessed style addict, she loves fashion and started her own fashion company in 2001 and aptly named it J Lo by Jennifer Lopez. Although her range was initially aimed at the younger teenage market, with its relaxed but hip styles, the brand expanded in 2005 to include the SweetFace range which was aimed at an older get trendy clientele. Her own personal style, ranges from hip hop inspired clothes to ultra sophisticated; she bases a lot of her own clothes on the lines she has produced. Both lines are now no longer running, however she produced a junior line in 2007 called Sweet Face which will probably keep the uber rich lady in diamonds and furs for a while longer. She is currently working with the fashion line Kohl’s along with her ex husband Mark Anthony to promote a high end range of clothes for men and women. Jen is a massive fan of luxury bags, shoes and jewellery, she is reputed to own over £200,000 worth of bags alone! Unfortunately our budgets don’t normally stretch that far, however have a look at my list of J Lo inspired fashion and accessories for a more affordable J Lo inspired wardrobe.
Jennifer Lopez has been voted one of the world’s most beautiful women in Peoples Magazine and a host of others for a number of consecutive years. An accolade deserved richly, she exudes glamour and beauty without ever overdoing it.
Born to parents of Latino origin, she attributes her now famous body (especially her booty) to her exotic roots. Makeup artists have claimed she has the best skin in the business to work with, which is quite a boon for a woman now in her 40s.
It certainly must be in the genes, because she refuses to pay extravagant prices for cosmetics, she uses Simple soap and a rose cream for moisturiser to keep her beautiful appearance flawless. She admits to being a massive fan of L’Oreal products of which she has been a global brand ambassador for since 2010, declaring they sell products she would actually buy. Her amazing skin, hair and nails is as much down to what she doesn’t do to what she does.
Of course it can’t be assumed she wears her own perfumes, but since she likes to keep it real, I’d like to think she does…and besides, I wear enough of her perfume for anyone. If you want a few ideas for a J Lo inspired shopping list have a look below:
Beauty Shopping List
Gillette Venus for Women Razors £6.49 (available in Semichem Stores)
Balance Active Formula Wrinkle Freeze Serum (30 ml) £4.99 (available in Semichem Stores)
“It’s all about the money, money, money…forget about the price tag” Jessie J aka Jessica Ellen Cornish has been “doing it like a dude” but watching the “price tag” on her road to mega fame since her 2011 debut album Who You Are, and we love her for it. Jessie writes the majority of her own music, gleaning inspiration from past breakups, victories and her unique view of the world. She mixes pop and contemporary R&B with a soulful voice, which allowed her to reach top Billboard status off the back of her first album. However, it has been more for her style that keeps us in a state of constant “wow”, with her cutting edge fashion, hair and make up which has been described as ‘urban street couture’.
Jessie J Style:
A lover of the catsuit, playsuit or onesie (and skin tight ones at that), she’s no shy wallflower. Her look is generally for the brave hearted and she wore an almost see through lace catsuit at the 2011 Brit Awards, cementing her style status as “fierce”. She embraces bold print and bold colour like an old friend and looks like she was born wearing Versace and Vivienne Westwood (remember that green hyper-mini at the Brits). What she does have, is a strong sense of self and a real sassy attitude to be able to pull off her wardrobe choices (as well as a knock out figure). When she wore the now famous House of Holland ‘mocking’ in 2010 for a serious of appearances, sales went up drastically. I even bought a pair for myself! Very rarely can we find a star willing to pull off a onesie or short pants with a skull tee. She seems to get the mish mash look down to a JJ fine art.
So how do we get the Jessie look? Well, look out your bold print tights for a start, House of Holland at ASOS or Pretty Polly have to be your first stop; their current best sellers are I’m Laddered Tights and the Alphabet Tights (on my wish list). Next get your bold print groove on with Medallion Scarf Print Leggings from Topshop £20.00, they are super gorgeous with a real vintage yellow and grey tone that screams trendy. Team them with a Sheer Panels T-shirt from Mango £27.99 and make the look extra bling with Dune Brummy D £55.00 in gold. Keep jewellery blinging but remember, less is more. To finish the look off, beg, borrow or buy the uber fabulous and much coveted BOY Cap from Boy London £30.00. But remember, if you can’t manage to pull the look off completely ‘Nobody’s Perfect!’
Jessie J Beauty:
Number 1 rule in make-up; don’t match bold eyes and bold lips. Number 1 rule in Jessie J’s beauty book; don’t listen to rules! Bright red lips and dark as you like eyes aren’t supposed to work, but they do on JJ! In fact she makes bold statement make-up look like an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen photos of her au natural and she is as stunning without make up as she is wearing it. How is this possible we ask? It helps if you have great skin, the fashion look and bang on trend haircuts to pull the whole look off. She never has a spot or blemish on show (maybe she was born with great skin or perhaps like us she cheats with good anti-bacterial and spot forming products and a hefty dose of concealer!) She has made the pale skin look much more fashionable, by taking away the Gothic associations with pale skin, dark hair and dark eyes, and made the look her own.
She has become our make up style heroine, not to mention our biggest hairstyle crush. Who has hair that shiny? Jessie J and we want it! She admits to being no stranger to the straightening iron and gets regular Brazilian and Japanese hair straightening treatments, making sure she hires only the best hairdressers to cut her famous hair. For us mere mortals, the focus should be on regular trims and a good conditioning treatment.
Check out my Jessie J shopping list to get her look:
Our Beauty Editor Elaine is an expert when it comes to beauty dilemmas. If you have a problem, make sure to post your beauty related question on our blog, Facebook or via Twitter and Elaine will answer you directly.
Read some of the great advice that Elaine has offered below.
My mascara keeps smudging, I’ve used waterproof and anti smudge but they don’t work. Help! Gillian, 25
There could be a number of reasons for this; however the main culprit is usually oil. The eyes secrete not only tears but an oily substance for lubrication too, sometimes this seeps into your mascara causing the problem. There’s no easy solution for this other than to use mascara that has good staying power try L’Oreal Lash Architect or Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Mascara – waterproof mascara will protect against water but not oil. There’s no harm in wearing it for the tear factor alone. Often it’s the cosmetics applied the facial and eye area, whether that is a serum, face cream or eye cream it may contain a lot of oil which just sits on the surface. Blotting the face with a tissue helps and using a very fine mineral or loose powder tryMax Factor Minerals Foundation £4.99 from Semichemor LAURA Mercier Loose Powder. I regularly suffer from the dreaded “Panda Eye” problem, I habitually use a concealer which is industrial strength, Boing by Benefit, which in fairness does a great job but is very thick. Using your concealer or foundation more sparingly around the eye drastically helps with smudging. There are also mascara sealants on the market which can help, try Clarins Double Fix Mascara or Bare Escentuals Weather Everything Liner Sealer (just dab some on your mascara wand). Make sure you use a thinner wand, thick wands are notorious for smudging and require a lot of dedication getting all the way from root to tip, Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara Black Black £4.99 available at Semichem is a winner.
Two of my fingernails are loose on one hand, is it the detergent I’m using?Sandra, 54
This is definitely one for the doctor! It sounds like you may have damaged the nail bed or it could be a fungal nail infection or a number of things. You will want to get expert advice as soon as you can so don’t delay. In the meantime wear rubber gloves for housework and avoid acetone, alcohol or harsh chemicals touching the nails. Good luck.
What make up would you recommend for a 40’s inspired party I’m attending next month? I have blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Kate, 33
Lucky you, it sounds great fun! There is a much defined 40s look, that encompasses arched eyebrows, soft matt foundation, an accentuated eye liner flick and big red pouty lips. Try looking at some images of Dita Von Teese for inspiration as she epitomises modern 40s glamour to a fine art. Start with applying matt foundation with a damp sponge or fingertips, Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish £11.99 from Semichem, gives a soft matte look, remember to stick as close to your own skin tone as possible. Next give your face a light dusting of powder, you will love Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder £3.99. For the eyes, use a matt eye shadow that’s a couple of shades darker than your own on tone on the lids, try Benefit Eye Shadow in Low Profile or Moody £4.99, apply to the socket area. Next apply the liquid eye liner such as Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Liner 100% Black £4.99 , you will have your own method but short strokes from the inside to the outside will be easier if you are a novice. Remember the flick should kick out around 5mm from the corner of the outer upper lid. Use a white eye pencil to really make the eyes stand out, then apply a good lengthening mascara such as Maybelline Great Lash it’s a classic but it still works. For the brows, make sure you don’t over pluck and keep the arches well defined, it’s easier to use a pencil like Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil £2.99 or a matt eye shadow in brown or brown/ black with a short angle brush to define that amazing arch. Line your lips with a lip liner in red, then apply red lipstick such as Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Diva Red £4.99, or you could use a vintage orange in matt but these are hard to come by, MAC or Nars stock the best ones. Finish off by sweeping under the cheekbones up to the temple with a rosy pink blush or try my favourite, Santa Rose by Rimmel £3.89. Finally enjoy your night!
My sister is 14 and into make up in a big way, she wants to be a makeup artist when she’s older. I want to get her a great birthday present but i’ve only got £15. Mark, 16
I wish my big brother remembered my birthdays, you are very thoughtful Mark! Ok, first off you could get her a good make up artistry book, these can be quite expensive so it’s best to find second hand one on a site such as Amazon, Makeup is Art: Professional Techniques for Creating Original Looks by Jana Ririnui, Lan Nguyen is a good start. I’d also consider buying her some tools of the trade like make up brushes and eyelash curlers - pop into your local Semichem store and stock up on QVS brushes they will last her for years and are very reasonably priced. If it was my little sister I’d get her Colour Couture Train Case£12.99 , I use it myself and she can still use the case once she has finished with all the fabulous make up products inside. If she likes experimenting with looks and colour then Academy of Colour Glamour Make Up Box Set £9.99 is perfect. Hope this helps.
After I put on fake tan there is a green colour stain under my arms, what am I doing wrong? It happens no matter what fake tan I use. Beth, 41
One word – deodorant. This is a very common problem and I’ve suffered from the dreaded green arm pit syndrome a few times. It happens when we either don’t wash off our deodorant properly, which is easy to do especially if you use a sport or 24 hour one or let our deodorant touch fake tan after application. Use a good scrub such as Fake Bake Passion Fruit Body Polish £12.45in the bath or shower then dry the area thoroughly, this will help remove all traces of old deodorant. Apply a moisturizer very lightly under the arms, this sounds a little strange but we get dry skin there too especially in the arm pit fold. When you are applying the fake tan try to avoid or skim past the underarm area, I found using a spray tan virtually makes this problem redundant, I swear by Fake Bake Airbrush Instant Fake Tan £27.45 and L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Spray Medium (150ml) £9.99 Wait for your fake tan to dry completely before applying a roll on deodorant or stick carefully to the underarms Dove Deodorant Stick (40ml) £2.29 – you tend to have less control of where spray deodorant goes, keep arms raised then dry off any excess with a tissue and that should solve it.
Remember – get in touch with via Facebook or Twitter to get help from our beauty expert, Elaine.
Glam up your eyes with a set of false lashes. I absolutely love the Miss Eylure lashes, that come pre-glued so they’re quick and easy to apply.
Applying false lashes doesn’t have to be tricky. Check out my video below to see how quick and easy applying false lashes can be.
Ive tried using different products incase it was them but no luck, what do you think it could be and how can I stop it from happening?”
