Tag: #beautyblogger

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: HOW TO SELF TAN

by jojobateman1 Comment on BEAUTY: HOW TO SELF TAN

…….WITH STYLE.

Yes girls and boys its the middle of Winter but it is time to get your glow on to give you an instant lift !

If you are still getting this wrong I think you are probably using the wrong product. There are soo many bad tanning products on the market even in this advanced area of the beauty market. I have tried practically EVERY tanning product on the market, all the ones recommended by magazine beauty editors ( who are usually on advertising endorsements). So listen up ladies (and gentlemen) I am going to let you into an insider secret (unsponsored !!) CLARINS SELF TANNING MILKY LOTION wins by a country mile. So the first thing to do is arm yourself with the right product and a good body brush!

The King of All Self Tan Products

Here are some more that I love…….

PLEASE CLICK ON THE URL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE VIEWING THE IMAGES.

SELF TAN SHOP

PREP, PREP, PREP

  • Shower
  • Shave Legs and bikini line. Self tanning after waxing can lead to little bumps and rashes.
  • Exfoliate . No need to splash out on expensive exfoliators. Use sugar and olive oil combined. Pay particular attention to elbows and knees.
  • Body brush in long upward strokes to polish the surface of the skin.
  • Dry yourself thoroughly.
IN THE BATHROOM

APPLICATION

  • There is no real need to use gloves for Clarins Self Tanning Milk it is not messy. But wash your hands in between the application especially if you have fake nails as they do get stained within minutes with any self tan product.
  • Use long sweeping motions. I personally think you get a more even coverage than circular motions as we are often advised.
  • Pay particular attention to feet and hands.
  • Use less product on knees and elbows.
  • If you have a partner get them to do your back. I never do my back as this product leaves a beautiful golden glow rather than a muddy dark tan, so it blends seamlessly. Anyway whoever sees your back AND your front at the same time ???
  • I also us t the Clarins Self tan on my face but use sparingly all you want is a light golden healthy glow.
  • DO NOT GET DRESSED IMMEDIATELY. With any self tan product you want it to set evenly. The last thing a girl needs is self tan on her clothes. Wait an hour. Do the vacuuming naked. Whatever. Patience girls !

Now you are ready to face the world with a beautiful healthy glow. Who needs to bake for hours in the sunshine. Although it is important to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sunlight EVERY day. Good for bones and great for seratonin to lift your spirit. Everyone is happy when the sun is shining !

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: Self tan is available in many guises. Towelettes, mist, gel, cream, spray, mousse, drops .or oil never has there been so much choice . Although there are still bad self tan formulas on the market so it is all about buy and try to find the perfect one for you.

Mwah Mwah

JOJO XXXXX

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: THE PRE PARTY PAMPER COUNTDOWN

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on BEAUTY: THE PRE PARTY PAMPER COUNTDOWN

ITS CHRISTMAAAAAAS ! Parties are back on the menu. I am sure all my readers have a big night out planned so its time to shake your beauty routine up and indulge with a celebratory pamper evening. Yes girls and boys its all about you and shaking off the lockdown look.

ethnic smiling woman wiping face with cotton pad

THE COUNTDOWN STARTS HERE ……….

So let us assume that you managed to get your nail bar appointments ( hey girlfriend where were you ?) So we don’t have to build in extra time for manicures and pedicures! No one does their own nails anymore do they ?? Otherwise allow an extra hour. Also pre select your outfit and accessories and lay them all out on the bed beforehand. No last minute rummaging or repairs to stress you out.

5.00PM

Pour a glass of bubbles and get some party music on. Put on a fluffy terry robe. Pull hair back. Cleanse face, with a firm facial massage to get the blood pumping and bring a glow to your skin. Now is not the time for micro needling or glyco peeling or using new products.

Scrutinize the eyebrows plucking any stray hairs and tidy them up.

5.30PM

Now time to depilate any excess hair. I suggest a gentle method for your pre party pamper. Apply some cream such as Immac or Veet and while that is working for 10 minutes use that time to body brush the rest of your body .

5.45PM

Jump in the shower to rinse the cream. Gently exfoliate with a handful of sugar and olive oil especially on your depilated areas to avoid ingrown hairs. Wash hair. Finish with a freezing cold burst of water on hair to flatten the cuticles and all over your body to energise you.

6.15PM

Now you are all clean. Draw a warm luxurious bubble bath. HIGHLY RECOMMEND L’OCCITANE LEMON VERBENA FOAM BATH £22. Remember this is about a celebratory pamper not wallowing in your own filth (and depilitary cream!). So to your damp hair apply a rehydrating super glossy hair mask and wrap in a hot towel or turban. My fave is BLEACH LONDON REINCARNATION MASK £7.50.

Apply a no nonsense hydrating sheet mask. An inexpensive but highly effective one I have recently tried is GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB £2.99.

Wallow for a good 15 minutes. Rinse hair mask.

cold people woman relaxation

6.45PM

Wrap yourself in a huge warm terry towel. Pat yourself dry. Rub in residue of face mask into skin.

Spritz yourself in a dry body oil to lock in the moisture and make your skin look glistening and healthy. Two fabulous ones are BOOTS NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN PAMPERING DRY BODY OIL £12 AND A FIRM FAVOURITE, HUILE PRODIGIEUSE DRY OIL choose the one with the gold sparkle in it. A good tip here run some through dry hair for glistening shine.

Rough dry hair. Put in large velcro rollers for smooth hair if required. Just don’t apply too much heat to hair by overdrawing and over processing. Remember we are going for a glossy just got out of lockdown look !!

7.15PM

Giant rollers in. Time to do your make up. Skin should be looking plumped and glowing. Apply a moisturiser and a base such as MAC STROBE CREAM £25 that now comes in 4 shades. This can make any skin look dewy. Apply your foundation/bb cream over the top. Some over tips for a glossy look use cream products where possible. NARS ILLUMINATOR in COPACABANA dabbed onto your cheekbones. LAURA MERCIER SECRET UNDER EYE BRIGHTENING POWDER £22.50 to light up under eyes. As you get older the less eye make up the better it looks more youthful. KEVIN AUCOIN DIAMOND EYE GLOSS a beautiful transparent eye close that glistens. I discovered a fabulous new mascara in lockdown for long glossy smudge proof lashes MARC JACOBS AT LASH’D MASCARA £25. Finish with an extra glossy nude/beige lip gloss , much more flattering on older lips than bright colours.

Set your make up with my perennial favourite BARRY M DEWY FIXING SPRAY £4.99 I NEVER leave the house without a spritz of this on my face for an all day fresh dewy look.

woman applying mascara

7.45PM

Rollers out. Run fingers through hair with some iconic KERASTASE HAIR ELIXIR £39 for radiant hair and an extra spritz of shine mist. The best I have tried is BRITISH HAIR PERFECTLY BRILLIANT SHINE SPRAY £9.95 it smells good too.

portrait photo of woman wearing black top

800PM

Heading for the finish line. Just before getting dressed give your body a good shake. Each leg, each arm , your head and shoulders , hands, feet . You will be surprised at this instant energiser. Slip into your clothes. A quick spritz of your favourite perfume. One last look in the mirror to check yourself out . Blow yourself a kiss, tell yourself “I love you” and head out of that door to re establish your social life. HELLO WORLD !

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP : SELF LOVE AND NURTURE IS SO IMPORTANT . MAKE PAMPER NIGHTS PART OF YOUR WEEKLY ROUTINE. ADD MORE OR STREAMLINE ACCORDING TO YOUR TIME CONSTRAINTS BUT MAKE IT REGULAR XX

woman in white shirt holding bottle pouring on glass cup
ENJOY YOUR RESOCIALISATION !

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: HOW TO WINTER PROOF YOUR SKIN

by jojobateman1 Comment on BEAUTY: HOW TO WINTER PROOF YOUR SKIN
woman with brown hair and brown eyes

As the weather grows colder it is time to rethink our skin routine and rev things up to combat the drying effects of the harsh Winter weather. There a re some positive effects of cold weather .Less sebum production so less breakouts. the cold weather can act like a cryotherapy session pumping blood to the skin resulting in rosy cheeks and a radiant complexion. But sometimes we get a tightening of the skin which can be misleading that we think the skin is toning up when in fact it is lacking moisture. So the first thing we need to do is swap to heavier creams and oil based products to nourish our complexions.

YOUR 10 STEP ROUTINE FOR WINTER

1 Swap harsh cleansers to an oil based cleanser to ramp up a level of moisture. Use a natural sponge to remove. Try not to use too much water on the skin as this can be drying.

2 Use a serum or facial oil under a moisterizer to add an extra layer between your vitamin c cream and moisterizer.

3. Don’t discard your SPF because the sun is not shining. 80% of UV rays penetrate the clouds. Obviously they are not as strong as in the Summer so no need to overload the skin with SPF50 and unnecessary chemicals. An SPF20 will suffice.

4.Limit the use of harsh exfoliants and glycolic peeling pads as it is important not too strip the skin of its natural emolliants. Dead skin cells still build up but limit the use of these products to once a week instead of daily.

5. Pump up the use of hydrating facial masks two or three times a week to replenish the skin.

6. Night creams should be heavier in the Winter. Central heating and warm bedrooms are just as drying as cold weather.

7. If not currently using a great addition to your skincare routine at this time of year is a hyaluronic acid as this is a humectant that draws moisture from the air locking in moisture in the skin.

8.Do not forget lips as they can suffer and become dry and cracked. Exfoliate the lips to remove dry skin before adding an oil based gel to make the kissable again. Remember not to lick the lips when out in the cold it can exasperate the dryness due to the enzymes and chemicals in your saliva !

9. Do not neglect your body hands and feet this season. Our skins gets drier from being in drying central heating and layers of clothes. So bath oils, richer body creams and paraffin baths for feet and hands need to be built into your routine.

10.VITAMIN D ! EVERYONE should be taking Vitamin D in the winter. We usually get our Vitamin D from the sunshine the lack of Vitamin D can cause our skin to become dry, itchy and flaky.

So check your skin routine to make sure it manages to look radiant and glowing and protected from the elements.

Please find below a one stop shop for your Winter skin care wardrobe everything you need right here just click on the item to purchase. If you are having trouble viewing the images or have received this as a subscriber on e mail then please click on the URL at the base of the mail and the images will appear.

JOJO XXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IF YOUR SKIN , HAIR AND EYES GETS DRIER AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IT MAYBE WISE TO INVEST IN A HUMIDIFIER TO TAKE FROM ROOM TO ROOM. EXCELLENT FOR THE BEDROOM A PORTABLE ONE WILL LAST 20 HOURS. JUST MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE THE WATER REGULARLY AND CLEAN THE MACHINE TO AVOID MOULD OR SPORES BEING PUMPED OUT INTO THE AIR.

Uncategorized

BEAUTY : EYE CREAM-HELP OR HINDRANCE ?

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on BEAUTY : EYE CREAM-HELP OR HINDRANCE ?
artistic eye makeup

As you get older you realise that the beauty industry is largely a huge money making scam. You discover the promises sold to millions of consumers are mostly lies to get us to part with our money.

Eye creams are one such product . Beauty Companies, marketeers and beauty editors (with the promise of advertising revenue) tell us that it is essential. Tag lines inform us that this product will banish our fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. Wow a miracle product !! Well it would be if it worked !

I have heard from surgeons carrying out eye bag surgery that on incision they find congealed creams that have not been absorbed. So could eye creams actually be making the problem worse ???

Eye creams contain exactly the same ingredients as your normal moisterizer but they need to appear heavier so have thickening agents/chemicals added to them so now bear in mind that the skin around your eyes is thinner so more is absorbed and in our conquest to fight our eyebags we use far too much of it naturally exasperating the problem.

The biggest ageing factor of eyes by far are uv rays from the sun but very few eye creams even contain SPF !

On carrying out further research for this article I was astonished to find out that Eye Creams by law do not have to be FDA approved in the US for effectiveness or safety. Under EU regulations in Europe there is a larger scrutiny of ingredients and rules and regulations exist preventing the use of words such as ‘replenish’ ‘restore’ a quick glance through my bathroom shelves or a flick through a magazine will tell you these are simply replaced with phishing words such as ‘anti age’ , ‘hydra plumping’, ‘advanced repair’. These ‘slogans’ have exactly the same effect of drawing you in.

Okay so why am I best placed to talk to you about the negative impact of eye cream. I have always been sceptical about them and early on investigated the pros and cons only to discover cons. So from a young age I have NEVER used eye creams or concealers in fact the less you touch and drag that whole area the better. I do not have any eye bags or wrinkles now in my fifties. So let me give you some alternatives that GENUINELY work without loading your body with chemicals as I can feel many of you nervously twitching when I am telling you girls and boys to toss them in the bin today !

  • All beauty starts with our nutrition. Too much salt and alcohol causes puffy eyes. You all know what you need to be eating without me preaching but do you do it? Flush out toxins with lots of water and food with high water content . Curb processed food. Like eye creams they contain chemicals.
  • Make it cold. Cold spoons over the eyes are very effective. Freeze a pack of baby wipes to place over your eyes. I keep a gel eye mask in the fridge and a rose quart roller just to revitalise my eyes in the morning.
  • Use natural products. Slices of cucumber contain mild astringent and antioxidants to reduce inflammation. Egg whites under the eyes have a temporary tightening effect for a night out much better than any product can deliver.
  • Under eye dark circles are usually because of congestion around the area . This can be down to blocked sinuses. I cannot recommend enough the regular use of a Neti Pot with saline solution to flush out the area. You will definitely love me for this and I am sure this weekly use has prevented me getting a cold in the last 10 years. It makes your whole face look less puffy and congested.
  • Pressure point massage around the eyes . So NO rubbing by just gently press with your ring finger in the corners of your eyes and either side of your nose and squeezing along the eyebrows to keep the blood flowing.
  • Sleep. Your eyes need rest too. T o replenish your eyes try to get at least 7 hours sleep every night.
  • AND the best way to prevent the UV rays ageing your eyes is to wear sunglasses with UV protection lenses. Wear them all year round . Look mysterious and stylish with the right pair.

Every one of these solutions reduce puffiness, stimulate blood supply restore and replenish in fact all those promises made to you on those expensive little jars can be fulfilled simply and cheaply without exasperating the problems with any chemically laden heavy creams and serums clogging up the area.

SHOP FOR YOUR NEW EYE ROUTINE BELOW if you are having trouble viewing these images click on the URL link at the base of this communication.

Let me know of any home made solutions you use for your eye area and share them with the rest of my subscribers we would love to hear from you !

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: I AM SO AWARE OF THE MANIPULATION THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY SUBJECTS US ALL TO. YOU WILL ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS WITH THE ABOVE SUGGESTIONS BUT IT DOES REQUIRE CONSISTENCY AND ROUTINE AS WITH ALL SUCCESSES IN LIFE.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO XXXXXXXX

Uncategorized

LIFESTYLE : WATER, THE BEAUTY ELIXIR ?

by jojobateman1 Comment on LIFESTYLE : WATER, THE BEAUTY ELIXIR ?

There are two schools of thinking on how much water to drink daily. On school say just drink when you are thirsty, your body will tell you how much water you need. But the other school tell you to drink at least 2 litres a day to fulfil all your body and brain requirements and thirst should not be the only indicator.

clean clear cold drink

So let’s take a closer look at what water can REALLY do for you.

Simply put water is the best way to hydrate your body. Just water no sodas, coffee, alcohol. Simple plain water. Our bodies are made up of 60% water so it needs replacing.. Our brains bare made up of 73% water so imagine the detrimental affects of being dehydrated mentally.

It is easy to see if you are dehydrated , look at your pee ! It should be pale yellow consistently at every urination. 75% of us are chronically dehydrated with many of us drinking less than 0.5 litres per day !!

So lets look at the benefits to staying hydrated.

  • SKIN Drinking water flushes out toxins in the skin cells. These toxins increase ageing and also skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Many studies have shown that drinking 2 litres a day hydrates the water content in cells boosting them and reversing fine lines and plumping the skin reducing blotchiness. We use moisterizer to hold water in the skin , but there has to be water in the skin for your cream to have any effect. We spend a fortune on skin creams but one very cheap change is to drink more water and use a cheaper moisterizer.
  • HEART HEALTH Dehydration decreases the volume of blood in your arteries and veins which constricts the diameter causing the blood to pump harder. In short dehydration is as harmful to your heart as smoking. Studies show that half of all people suffering strokes are dehydrated. So easily preventable.
medical stethoscope with red paper heart on white surface
  • WEIGHT LOSS Hunger is usually thirst. The same area of the brain controls hunger that controls thirst. So next time you reach for a snack try drinking two small glasses of water. Also water before a meal can fill up your stomach so you eat less. Healthy hydration can boost the metabolic function by 30% this is increased by drinking ice cold water.. Basic thermodynamics the body has to work harder to warm the water to body temperature. Although personally I drink more water if it is room temperature it is definitely harder to consume freezing cold water in large quantities.
  • FATIGUE Even mild hydration can lead to tiredness, sluggishness and brain fog. Trouble concentrating and mood swings can also be affected. This is where I personally notice when I am dehydrated. When I have had my 2 litres of water my energy levels soar my body and brain feel truly alert and my hormones feel in balance. Welcome to more energy.
  • SMARTER If our brains are made up of 73% water it makes sense that when they are dehydrated cognitive function is boosted. Studies have shown that even a 1% deficit of hydration can interfere with your ability to think clearly. Dehydration has been found to cause short term memory loss. Drinking just 6-8 glasses of water a day can amplify your brains ability to work and analyse by up to 30%.
  • BETTER BREATH Oral health is overhauled with better hydration.. Not drinking enough water means less saliva which in turn leads to more bacteria multiplying that no only causes bad breath but can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
  • LESS ALCOHOL When you find yourself reaching for that glass of wine in the evening grab a big glass of water , my bet is that you no longer need the wine. When out on the town drinking water between every drink can help to stay hydrated. Alcohol is one of the great dehydrators so help your body and brain .

So here are just a few benefits of drinking 2 litres of water every day. Not convinced try an experiment, drinking the full quota for one month and see how YOU feel .

MWAH MWAH XXX
JOJO

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU TRY THE WATER CHALLENGE. DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR SKIN AND YOUR HEALTH ?

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

by jojobateman2 Comments on BEAUTY: SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

I have talked about the powerful beauty and health properties of herbs but now it is all about the spices. so now it is time to put some spice back in your life. so let’s take a look at a few spices you can introduce into your life immediately.

four assorted spices on wooden spoons
Put The Spice Back In Your Life

TURMERIC

Sometimes called Curcumin. This bright orange spice has amazing anti ageing properties. Anti oxidant and anti inflammatory it has an ability to fight toxic free radicals in the body. Reducing the risk of free radicals forming and reducing stress in the body. It also has anti viral properties to protect the body from virus or eradicate what is already there.

Curcumin has also been found to increase the growth of new neurons in the brain to help fight degenerative brain diseases and boost memory and cognitive function.

It is good to consume with a fatty meal as it breaks down and dissolves in fat allowing for greater absorption. Try it as powder in soups , curries or golden milk (recipe given at the end to maximise all the spices in one drink ).

Turmeric should always be taken with black pepper tor maximum effectiveness which takes us to the next spice.

BLACK PEPPER

Often called the king Of Spices and has been used in ancient ayurvedic medicinal practices for many years. Black pepper contains Piperine which speeds up the absorption of turmeric so always add to your turmeric. Cn improve blood sugar control and increase metabolism. Other health benefits include anti-inflammatory and potential cancer fighting properties. Was used in ancient medicine for menstrual, ear, nose and throat disorders due to its anti bacterial content.

CINNAMON

The quality of the cinnamon is paramount here. Also I must point out that consuming cinnamon breakfast buns does not count ! This tends to be a cinnamon sugar so there are no benefits with these. Sorry folks !

Most of the cinnamon you see in supermarkets is “cassia” cinnamon which does not contain the same health properties as “true” cinnamon. So the only true cinnamon is Sri Lankan cinnamon. Many people do not realise there are two types of cinnamon. Cassia is considered a lower quality cheaper cinnamon. So look for TRUE cinnamon to enjoy its many benefits.

Just a sprinkle of cinnamon can reduce the fat and glucose absorption when taken with a meal. Very good for diabetics. Very rich in anti oxidants. Also sprinkled onto oats, coffee or milk can curb a sweet tooth. But can also be. used in curries, tagines and eggs and other savoury dishes. However cinnamon in large doses can be dangerous although it is hard to consume spoonfuls of cinnamon you only have to view the TIK TOK challenge to understand that !

CAYENNE PEPPER

Can help to reduce high blood pressure which also reduces the risk of developing heart disease. Also increases the production of digestive fluid to aid digestion and provide protection in the stomach against infections.

I also sprinkle this on food to speed up my metabolism. I am sure many of you tried Beyonces 3 day diet of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne before an important event to shed those pounds.

ginger powder in silver canister
Ginger Root Or Powder Both Effective

GINGER

This ancient spice has MANY health properties in both fresh root or powdered variety. Helps in the digestion of food and speeding it along the intestines. Great for lowering blood sugar. It is very well known for curing nausea and travel sickness, remember Granny giving you a piece of stem ginger in the car ?

Can also help to fight off chronic dieases and promote health ageing by preventing stress and damage to your body’s DNA. I also find it fantastic with migraines and colds.

I love the taste of ginger in both savoury or sweet dishes. Use in curries, soups, green juices,rice pudding ,porridge, cookies the list is endless to get a daily quota of ginger.

masala indian tea in mug
Golden Milk (add more turmeric for a rich beautiful golden tone)

RECIPE FOR GOLDEN MILK

An ancient Ayurvedic recipe this comforting milk can contain all the above spices for amazing benefits and sending you off to a peaceful sleep.

Boil some coconut or almond milk in a saucepan .

add a teaspoon of turmeric, a quarter of teaspoon of ginger, a sprinkle of cinnamon and black pepper. Add a couple of cardamom pods. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into a mug and sprinkle the top with nutmeg. Do not add any cayenne as it will leave you awake all night.

This is delicious add some honey if you prefer it sweeter . I don’t know anyone who has not had an amazing nights sleep after a mug of Golden Milk at bedtime.

MWAH MWAH

JOJO. XXXXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: everyone needs some spice in your life time to get some in your store cupboard to add boost the health benfits of your food and liven up your taste buds. Visit your local Indian supermarket today for a wider variety and better quality spices.

NOTE OF CAUTION: AS SPICES ARE VERY POTENT ADDITIONS TO THE DIET TAKE IN MODERATION AND NOT AS A REPLACEMENT FOR ANY PRESCRIPTIONS.

Uncategorized

BEAUTY : THE HAMMAM MASTERCLASS

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on BEAUTY : THE HAMMAM MASTERCLASS

Having experienced Hammam in Turkey and Morocco and the UK I feel I am well qualified to give you a masterclass in the art of Hammam. Some of you may be filled with trepidation or not be versed in what is exactly involved when you sign up for one. Hammam was very popular way back in the Roman empire but is now a prominent feature in the culture of the muslim world. In recent years it has shown increasing popularity in the Uk with most Spas now incorporating a Hammam as the norm.

snow light couple love
ornamental arched ceiling in hammam

BENEFITS

  • Intense cleansing
  • Deeply nourishing
  • Detoxification
  • Skin regeneration
  • Stimulation of blood circulation
  • Decongestion of airways
  • Invigorating
  • Toning

WHAT TO WEAR

Many do a Hammam fully naked to get the greatest benefits. Or a towel wrapped around the lower half . But many Spas will issue paper panties. If feeling exposed you can opt to wear a bikini top. Be aware that many Hammam therapists will massage over your breasts so please indicate to your terapist if you would rather they omit this and opt for a towel placed to cover the area.

topless woman lying on bed

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

Please note sequence of events will change dependent on your chosen location/Country but generally most of these next steps should happen.

On entering the steam bath and steaming for 15 minutes to open the pores…….

  1. Rubbed down vigorously with a black eucalyptus soap , decongesting and invigorating. A kessa glove is used to exfoliate all over the body , you will be surprised how much dirt comes off and how smooth your skin feels.
  2. Rinsed down. In Morocco and Turkey this is with icy cold water. Thrown over me in a bucket in Turkey ! But in Uk gentler with lukewarm water although I would recommend you try the cold and hold your breath . Feels great afterwards.
  3. Pat dry. You are taken to an adjoing room away from the steam area. Then apply the Rhassoul, a natural mineral clay mud mask. All over the body, face and hair to remove further dead skin cells and tighten the pores. Relax for 10 minutes once dried this is rinsed with warm water or you are asked to use a shower in the room to ensure all clay is rinsed off.
  4. The deep tissue massage is the final stage usually with an argan oil that can be neutral or you maybe offered an essential oil that can be added. Orange blossom oil is commonly offered which lifts the mood and refreshes the mind. I would not opt for a relaxing oil as the Hammam is not really meant to be a relaxing treatment but an iinvigorating refreshing wake up experience.

Do not shower off after the massage leave the oils on for as long as possible even if you have the oil in your hair just pop on a baseball cap go home and chill.

Well I hope that has dispelled some of the myths of the Hammam turkish bath and you feel confident to try one ! A monthly ritual is recommended for optimum benefit.

MWAH MWAH XXX

JOJO. XXX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: When rinsing oil or clay from your hair always apply neat shampoo to hair BEFORE adding any water otherwise can take a while to remove !

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: COLLAGEN POWDER A MIRACLE CURE ?

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on BEAUTY: COLLAGEN POWDER A MIRACLE CURE ?
woman s face

Collagen powders are the latest beauty “fad” that all the celebrities are taking and it is now a multi billion pound industry. Well on this one I am ahead of the celebritiies I have been taken collagen powder for over two years and prior to that was consuming Skinade daily for about 5 years.

From your mid twenties collagen declines at about 1 % every day rising to a steep drop in your menopause of about 30% of total collagen.

So does our collagen need large replacement doses as we commence our menopause ?

WHAT IS COLLAGEN ?

The largest protein found in your body. Found in bones, muscles, tendons and skin. Think of it as a scaffold holding up the skin. As this diminishes so does the structure of our skin particularly evident on our faces as the connective tissue start to weaken and sagging and wrinkles appear. It is the glue that holds everything together and is found in teeth, nails, hair even corneas as well as the skin. So a super boost of collagen surely must hold many benefits.

DOES IT WORK ?

Well it certainly has eased my arthiritic joints and my hair is super glossy and my skin is glowing although I am not wrinkle free…..yet. I only embarked on the collagen journey having met up with an old friend whose skin had improved dramatically and she seemed to have a glow about her to which she attributed to Collagen powder.

You have to commit to taking it EVERY day in a hot or cold drink. Although purists say it has to be cold as heat breaks the collagen down. So pop it in your morning smoothie. I have a bovine collagen drink though so I make it into a hot drink rather like a cup of soup. I t can also aid weight loss as it makes you feel quite full.

With these new wonder foods I honestly think the only way to see if they work is try it every day for at least a month and see if you notice an improvement.

MARINE V BOVINE

Collagen powder is either fish or animal derived. There are some vegan options but these seem to be largely vitamin c based. Although I personally have taken bovine collagen there are now some question marks over the sources. In some products large amount of metals and cadmium(also in spinach !!) have been found. Also when you think these powders are largely ground up bones , connective tissue and by products of cows I wonder how regulated these products are especially considering the BSE outbreak a number of years back ! I have now embarked on the marine collagen by Vital Proteins to see if it is just as effective as the bovine appeared to be.

But if taking supplements is not for you then there are foods that are natural sources of collagen.

FOOD SOURCES OF COLLAGEN

  • Egg whites
  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Berries
  • Garlic
  • Citrus fruit
  • Kale

Or, you could try making your own bone broth with good quality bones sourced from a reputable butcher.

Remember diet is always first and foremost when it comes to good quality skin. All the above foods I include in my diet on a regular basis then the question would be whether I really need to be taking extra supplement when I cannot be sure on the source of the powder.

MMmmmm that is the big question and definitely ‘food’ for thought.

Mwah mwah. xxxxxx

JOJO x

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: REMEMBER PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION. THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF LOSS OF COLLAGEN IS UV RAYS SO SPF 50 SUNBLOCK IS A MUST ALL YEAR ROUND. OH AND NO SMOKING!!!

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: RETINOL V RETINAL

by jojobateman2 Comments on BEAUTY: RETINOL V RETINAL
woman in white crop top
Invest In A Good Skin Care Regime

Are you as surprised as me to discover this is not the same product just spelled differently but they are completely different products. Retinal is the new girl on the block. so let us look at the two products individually as the world of beauty becomes increasingly confusing with hew products and science hitting the stores on a daily basis.

Firstly retinol/retinal forms an important part of any skin regime. Retinol is Vitamin A that creates retinoic acid this plays an important role in cell growth and regeneration of cells and also increases collagen production. If you are new to retinol start by using a low strength product two or three times a week for the first month , then build up gradually to a higher strength and using more regularly .

The benefits are an even toned compkexion, wrinkles and lines are diminished. Age spots appear more faded. Skin has a more radiant look …..and it works.

RETINOL

So hands up those who have not been using retinol in their beauty regime ? Go straight to the bottom of the class ! Whatever age you are retinol should be used as part of your daily regime preferably at night. Retinol is the gentler of the two and it is great for younger skins to prevent ageing, it is also great for acne and blemishes.

Retinol has to be converted to retinal then to retinoic acid by the skin so is slower to act but great for a long term approach to skin care.

A Retinol for Every Skin

RETINAL

Now for the new girl on the block. Even though retinal has been around for a long time it was difficult to isolate and frm a topical solution. But thanks to advances in beauty science and technology this has now finally reached our beauty shelves. Retinal is the stronger sister, it is proven to work 11x faster than ordinary retinol. It is ideal for mature skins wanting to see a significant improvement on lines and wrinkles. it also has an accelerated action on blemishes. the exfoliation rate is much higher making the skin instantly more radiant. This may prove too harsh for youthful skin.

The accelerated action of retinal is based on the fact that it converts directly to retinoic acid so it becomes a two stage process instead of a three stage one.

I currently use the MEDIK 8 Retinal and have just progressed to level 6.

MWAH MWAH XX

JOJO. XX

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: I WOULD RECCOMEND YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS ON VACATION WITH YOU, GIVE YOUR SKIN A BREAK IF YOU ARE SUNBATHING. I DO THINK IT IS RATHER HARSH TO DO BOTH. STICK TO THE SPF. I CURRENTLY USE MEDIK8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 6 AND LOVING IT. THE INKEY LIST ALSO DO A VERY REASONABLY PRICE HIGH QUALITY RETINOL REGIME.

Uncategorized

BEAUTY: SAVE MONEY 10 MULTI USES OF COCONUT OIL THAT WORK !

by jojobatemanLeave a Comment on BEAUTY: SAVE MONEY 10 MULTI USES OF COCONUT OIL THAT WORK !

Well girls and boys its time….. to let you into a little secret. Ditch those chemically laden expensive products coconut oil has so many uses and it works even better . One product multiple use.

Must be virgin and cold pressed. The oil has not been exposed to high temperatures therefore has a higher nutritional value and higher anti bacterial properties. Also chemical free . Now I could think of hundreds of uses but these are my top 10 !!

  • HAIR MASK. Massage into dry hair either just on the ends or into the scalp too. It is beneficial for dandruff or itchy scalp. the unique structure of the Lauric acid means it penetrates the hair shaft better than other oils. I tend not to leave it on overnight but just for 30 minutes. A good tip when rinsing – apply shampoo before you wet the hair and massage it in it seems to remove the oil quicker. Can be a good hair mask on the beach too as it blocks some of the uv rays.
  • BODY MASSAGE. Now I have stated before that I don’t massage any chemical products into my body as I do believe they put toxins through a large area of your biggest organ, your skin. Apart from creating health problems it can exasperate cellulite. Coconut oil is chemical free and really is great for massage. It is good to massage it into your scalp. and all over your body at the same time and just lie on your yoga mat and meditate before rinsing. Massage should be a daily ritual. Love your body.
  • NIGHT FACIAL OIL/EYELASH LENGHTHENER facial massage and destress each evening before bed. You will wake up with soft glowing skin. this works better than any expensive night cream I have tried ! Massage into lashes at night for longer silkier lashes in the morning. Try it ! Many of my friends think I have false eyelashes …just coconut oil.
  • TEETH WHITENER/BREATH FRESHENER known as “pulling” swirl the coconut oil around your mouth and pull through your teeth for 10-15 minutes. The anti bacterial properties kill germs and inflammation in the gums and combat bad breath. Also I swear it leaves my teeth whiter and glossier it appears to remove any staining.
  • HANDS AND NAILS. rejuvenates the skin on hands making them instantly appear younger. Great for cuticle damage and repair and leaves nails looking glossy and healthy.
  • FEET. I massage coconut oil into my feet once a month for an overnight treat. I pop on a pair of cotton socks to protect the bed linen. Your feet and heels are lovely and soft in the morning. Our feet deserve a treat.
  • SMOOTHIES.Pop a tablespoon into a smoothie to moisturise your insides too. From brain membrane health to oiling your ligaments these are good fats ! Also don’t forget the skin and hair benefits from the inside. We still need to consume fats, folks !
  • COOKING. A healthy cooking oil with a high smoke point makes it a great oil to cook with. It has a delicate coconut flavour so great in stir fries.
  • ECZEMA/DERMATITIS. Its anti microbial properties make it effective in killing bacteria. Highly moisturising it may reduce inflammation and discomfort.
  • CLEANING. I use it regularly to clean the stainless steel in my kitchen (and great for barbecues) just apply with some kitchen towel to make it gleam! Works great on granite work surfaces too and polished wood!! Time to throwout the cleaning box !

So , just a few uses for your coconut oil.

JOJOS STYLE LIST TIP : For £8 jar of cold pressed virgin coconut oil think of not only the money saving on expensive products that don’t work as well…… but what about the space saving !! Go buy a jar and judge for yourself !!

My Favourite Coconut Oil

JOJO xxxxxxxxx