RECOMMENDATIONS MAC 'PREP AND PRIME

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I haven't done a beauty blog for a while, as I've been busy with my books lately, so time I wrote something!.

It's no secret that I am 55, and I do practice what I preach on this site for I firmly believe if you take a holistic view of your health your beauty will shine through. This of course means eating correctly after all your body needs the correct nutrients to do it's job and repair itself. It also needs a bit of help from you that you help prevent damage from too much sun and you take steps to deal with stress and you will find articles about healthy eating and taking care of your skin and stress at the tabs at the top of the page here.

Now you can't get to middle age without some of that living showing on your face, its inevitable but you can lessen the effects. Little things like wearing shades in the sun to avoid squinting and encouraging lines around the eyes and frowning. You can of course go down the Botox route if you so wish, but it is expensive, it only lasts around 3 months and it is a poison and allergy is common. The effects of this however are that you will have an expressionless face and that's fine if you are a doll but not as a human being with all the emotions, laughter lines  are much better than frown lines and show what a delightful fun person you are, so I wouldn't worry too much about the odd laughter line or two.

Since I am a great avocate for Holistic living, I don't use Botox nor have I had any face lifts, I don't feel the need to and I have my parents to thank for the genes, I inherited from them.

So the reason for this blog today is I have to sing the praises for this marvellous Mac product PREP AND LINE FILLER. A primer used post-foundation, pre-makeup to camouflage, soften and relax expression lines and wrinkles. Applies as a dense cream: dries to a transparent, smooth, natural matte finish. With ongoing use, clinically proven to help rejuvenate your look. This really does make a difference and if you don't believe me, apply to half of your face only, you will notice. How to apply it, its best patting it gently into the lines, it dries quickly and voila result!

Maggie Brown (Author)

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ANTIWRINKLE CREAM REVIEW

I can safely say this about all so called anti wrinkle creams THEY DO NOT WORK. I will explain why: NOTHING CAN PENETRATE THE TOP LAYER OF THE SKIN THE EPIDERMIS EXCEPT MEDICATIONS, DRUGS DELIVERED BY ADHESIVE PATCHES AND ESSENTIAL OILS, THAT IS FACT. Ask any Dermatologist and he/she will tell you the same thing. If these so called anti wrinkle creams were to achieve what they claim, they would have to be licensed as a medication. 

The Epidermis consists of 5 layers and is designed to be tough and waterproof, it needs to be, think about it if you were to hop into a bath if you weren't waterproof you would absorb the water. The upper layers contain a tough protein called Keratin and this Upper Layer has no blood supply only the lowest layer of the 5 layers of the epidermis receives any nourishment through tissue fluid, the fluid you see within a blister. It is the true skin, the Dermis that contains all the nerve endings, blood vessels and collagen and elastin, it is collagen and elastin that gives our skin elasticity and firmness, through time, the specialised cells, Fibroblasts, that produce collagen and elastin, slow down, this can be further exacerbated by how we treat our skin, smoking, too much sun and UV light and stress damage these specialised cells. When we are young the collagen and elastin fibres lie neatly in flat interlocking rows, however, through movement, wrinkling our brows, squinting in bright light and of course the effects of gravity and free radicals (free radicals are pollution and the atmosphere) causes these neat rows to bunch up leading to indentations and wrinkles, see diagram above. So I'm afraid ladies there is no point in spending a vast amount on so called anti wrinkle cream. 

This does not mean you cannot do anything about this, you can prevent and slow the process down. Now apart from collagen and elastin plumping our skin up, the skin contains a lot of moisture and through the process of evaporation we constantly are losing fluid from the skin, so we can add moisture to the epidermis this will plump up this upper layer but unfortunately it cannot plump up a wrinkle. Moisturisers that contain a little oil will further stop and trap moisture in the skin and ideally it should be a vegetable oil base, such as grapeseed, sweet almond etc as these oils won't seal and block the pores leading to blackheads and blocked pores that can form spots. Many of the cheap facial moisturisers and even some of the expensive ones contain liquid paraffin, which is a by product of the oil industry, these can block the pores, this type of oil is fine for the body but not for the face so read the labels. You don't see it so much in skin creams these days as its a well known allergen and that is lanolin which is in fact 'Sheep sebum'

So the solution ladies and men too, is to use a good moisturiser, don't squint, get your eyesight checked so you can see properly, wear shades in bright light for the same reason. Eat a good balanced diet so your skin gets all the nutrients it needs. Don't smoke as nicotine constricts blood vessels thus nutrients to the skin, avoid stress or have some sort of relaxation therapy as adrenalin  also constricts the blood vessels and hormones such as the corticotrophic hormones, produced when stressed damage the fibroblasts that manufacture collagen and elastin. Lastly avoid too much UV light as this too damages collagen and elastin as UV light can penetrate the dermis. Remember too dry skin that doesn't produce enough sebum, oil, does line quicker than oily skin, which retains moisture. You do not have to spend a fortune on so called anti wrinkle creams. Vitamin E oil is a well known anti oxidant vitamin therefore its good at protecting the skin from 'free radicals' and under my Aromatherapy section under Holistic therapies I have a recipe for a cheap essential oil based skin cream that can make a difference.

I did come across this website http://www.topwrinklecreams.com/ and the only truthful thing it states on the site is "95% of all Wrinkle Creams simply do not WORK!" and even that is not entirely truthful, I will say 100% don't work, what they want you to do is buy their products which they claim do work. I'm sorry to say they won't, for if they could do all they claim they would have to be licensed as a medication, which of course they are not.

AROMATHERAPY ANTI-AGEING FACE CREME 

 

 RECIPE FOR AROMATHERAPY ANTI AGEING/ANTI WRINKLE FACE CREME
Before using any new product particularly on the skin its a good idea to patch test on a tiny area where you wish to apply it and leave it unwashed and alone for 48 hours, if there is no reaction then its safe to go ahead and use the product.
WARNING THIS RECIPE MUST NOT BE USED BY PREGNANT/NURSING WOMEN, THOSE SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY OR CHILDREN
Aromatherapy oils MUST NOT BE USED UNDILUTED and for the face the dilution is 1%, this is because the face is close to the nose and therefore the limbic system.

For this recipe you will need a base creme and its best to obtain one from an aromatherapy supplier as they are designed to be used for blending. The active ingredients in this recipe are the essential oils themselves and not the base creme.

Essential oils
Frankincense
On the skin this oil helps regenerate helps smooth out wrinkles, it has a firming action, and helps balance sebum levels. The ancient Egyptians used this essential oil in mummification, therefore if it helped preservation it makes sense that it will help preserve the skin.

Lavender
Helps promote new cells again has a balancing effect on the skin and speeds up healing, so its especially effective at dealing with break outs.

Patchouli
This essential oil is also a good skin oil, particularly for rough dry areas and soothing for inflammed areas.

You will also require the contents of a Vitamin E capsule or a few drops of wheatgerm oil (which is high in Vitamin E) this extends the shelf life of the creme but more importantly Vitamin E is a powerful anti free radical agent and helps sooth the skin.

This creme is best used at night however if used during the day you would require the addition of a sun protection factor as UVA light ages the skin (see earlier articles on the skin)

To make a 1% dilution the ratio is as follows 1drop of essential oil to 100 drops of carrier oil/creme

1% dilutions

• 5 ml:1 drops
• 10 ml:2 drops
• 15 ml:3 drops
• 20 ml:4 drops
• 25 ml:5 drops
• 30 ml:6 drops

Therefore if you use a 30 ml jar of base creme you will need 6 drops of essential oil in total so for this recipe add 2 drops each of Frankincense, Lavender and Patchouli, add the contents of the Vitamin E capsule and stir well with a clean spatula. The preparation should last for 3 months and should be kept in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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KEEP YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL

As you know this blog is dedicated to looking and feeling your best emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, in other words Holistically, so to inspire you I have enclosed this article from the Daily Mail, to show you, being beautiful and staying young doesn't require Botox or facelifts. Being young and beautiful comes from the inside

We've frozen time! They've never been near a surgeon's knife. So how have these women defied ageing?

As women nationwide spend thousands in the ongoing quest for eternal youth, three over-fifties who have been surgery-free all their lives share the secret of how they defied the ageing process...

Suzan Clements (left) is 52; Jill Thornton (centre) is 57 and Teresa Fuller (right) is 66

SUZAN, 52, STOPPED AGEING AT 42

Suzan Clements works as a land and country house estate agent, and also runs an import business. She is divorced with  a 19-year-old daughter and  lives in the village of Gedling, Nottinghamshire.

The other day, I was chatting to a client when I found myself using the old phrase: ‘Oh, when you get to my age . . .’ She looked at me, aghast, and said: ‘What do you mean, your age?’ When I confessed I was 52, she seemed genuinely shocked. She thought I was still in my 30s!
Now, that incident was extremely flattering — and I’m the first to admit anything under 40 may have been pushing it — but I’m frequently mistaken for being ten years younger than I am. I’d say I stopped ageing around 42 — that’s how I look on the outside and how I feel on the inside, but it’s taken some effort.

'I'm a true believer in health and vitality coming from within,' said Suzan Cements who stopped ageing at 42 (left). She is now 52 (right)

My secret is a deliberate change I made to my lifestyle and attitude as my mid-40s approached. As I started to head towards 50, I started to feel I was stuck in a rut — a general dissatisfaction at the way my life was heading. I knew it was time to give myself a good talking to.
I made a conscious decision to change the things I wasn’t happy with, without the help of therapists or cosmetic surgery. Instead, the new positive me focused on what I have to be thankful for; great family, friends and lifestyle.
Yes, I was divorced, but I still had a fabulous relationship with my ex-husband and I started to relish my independence and the things I could still do with my life.

I moved to a detached cottage in the countryside, where I now wake up every morning to the sound of birdsong.
And I make a real effort to eat properly — a Mediterranean diet made up of three meals a day packed with lots of fresh salad and fish, and no processed foods. I also meditate and take my little Jack Russell for long walks every day.
I appreciate that a lot of looking young for your age is down to good genes — and luck — but there are certain things that help. I’m a great believer in the health properties of Chinese puerh tea. I drink it every day, and it’s said to be a great metabolism booster. Victoria Beckham is apparently a fan.
I’m a true believer in health and vitality coming from within — that I’ve ‘thought’ myself younger. And long may it continue.

JILL, 57, STOPPED AGEING AT 44

Jill Thornton, 57, is a pilates instructor from Guildford. She is married to consultant gastroenterologist John and has  three sons, Alex, 28, James, 26,  and 20-year-old Miles.

Why should women feel ashamed to admit they look good for their age? I think my body is in pretty good nick.
In fact, it would be considered impressive for a woman 30 years younger than me — which is pretty good going when you consider I am close to being 60.
I am very proud of my figure, and my looks are very important to me, so it always gives me pleasure when clients at my pilates classes express surprise at my age.

'I took up pilates 13 years ago after three pregnancies left me with a weak back and I think I stopped ageing around then, at 44 (left),' said Jill Thornton who is now 57 (right)

I think like a young person, too. I get on far better with my sons’ friends than I do with people my own age. Too many women sink into middle age, dress in horrid clothes and let their figures go.
I could never do that and on the whole I find older people boring.
I took up pilates 13 years ago after three pregnancies left me with a weak back and I think I stopped ageing around then, at 44.
The pain and restricted movement I suffered was very draining. I felt I moved like an old lady, which left me feeling like one, too.
The gentle pilates exercises I took up really helped — toning and strengthening deep abdominal muscles, which helped my back so much.
In fact, my experience with pilates was so positive I decided to train as an instructor and qualified in 2000. Now I teach eight classes a week, plus one-to-one sessions.  
I think pilates keeps me looking young because it affects the way I move, which is always such a giveaway in older women.

And although I have my fair share of wrinkles, I am convinced regular exercise helps to keep my face looking younger as it flushes my skin with oxygen. I never look better than after a workout, when my face is pink, invigorated and alive. I see other women my age and their skin looks dead and grey.
But I’m not a saint — I have had Botox about once a year since I turned 50, on the deep furrow between my eyes, and I’ve tried skin peels and other treatments.
I don’t think I’ll ever resort to plastic surgery, as there are enough beauty treatments out there to try. And anyway, I plan on keeping up my pilates for as long as I am able, so hopefully it won’t be necessary.

TERESA, 66, STOPPED AGEING AT 49

Teresa Fuller, 66, is a support worker from Downham Market, Norfolk. She has two grown-up sons, Marcus, 39, and James, 35, and a four-year-old grandson, Matthew. She is also a diet consultant.

Two years ago, I wouldn’t recognise the woman who stood before me in the mirror.
This woman hobbled around on painful and swollen legs that were struggling under her size-18 frame. Her clothes were frumpy and shapeless. And worst of all, this woman  was me. I felt about 70. I disguised my self-loathing with a cheery smile on the outside. But on the inside, I hated myself.
Fast-forward two years and the other day someone tried to guess my age. ‘49?’ she said. I could have kissed her. But it’s true. All too often these days, people assume I’m in my late 40s or early 50s — when actually I’m 66.

'It took me six months to get to my target weight of nine-and-a-half stone. Finally, I could love my body,' said Teresa Fuller who stopped ageing at 49 (left). She is 66 (right)

So how did I give myself such a huge makeover — and, more importantly, not just freeze my age, but reverse it by as much as 17 years? I was always so slim as a youngster. I was a keen horsewoman and I even did a bit of modelling for a local boutique — but lapsed into bad habits as I crept into middle age.
A bad fall from my horse left me with a lot of knee problems, and then good living and inactivity saw the weight pile on.
At my heaviest, I weighed more than 14 stone, which was way too much for my  5ft 4in frame.
My knees were a constant source of pain, and despite being told repeatedly that it would help enormously if I lost weight, I just couldn’t do it. I tried, and failed, just about every diet going.
Then in January last year came my turning point. I was recuperating from excruciating knee surgery which kept me indoors and unable to run around with my little grandson like I dearly wanted to.
That’s when I saw an advert for the Cambridge Weight Plan in the newspaper and decided to go for it.
The plan involves replacing meals with calorie-controlled soups and shakes, and weekly one-to-one sessions with a counsellor. I couldn’t just cut down on carbs, or cut out desserts — for me it had to be all or nothing, which is why I picked such a strict regime.

It wasn’t easy, but it took me six months to get to my target weight of nine-and-a-half stone. Finally, I could love my body — and the reflection that stared back at me from the mirror.
Today, I’ve swapped the stretchy, voluminous granny trousers for trendy size-12 High Street designs and I feel ten years younger. Although the compliments are fantastic, what I love most is how I feel inside. I finally feel like me again.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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