Paul Yacomine

Paul Yacomine is an internationally acclaimed session hairstylist based in London, who divides his time between London, New York, Paris and Milan working for the world’s leading fashion and style magazines.

His apprenticeship was spent assisting the most talented session stylists in London, namely Frieda, Clarke and Mascolo.

“I found myself on shoots for Tatler, Harper’s and Vogue and at the catwalks for Chanel, Dior and Lacroix. It was a bizarre experience for a 16 year old straight from school and I was instantly seduced by the creativity.”

After meeting Lynn Franks Paul branched out on his own.

“Lynn was my first UK agent and introduced me to all the top European designers, photographers and stylists. I was soon working with Pavesi (Italian Vogue), Coddington (British Vogue), Versace, Armani and photographers such as the great Helmut Newton”.

Sponsored by American Vogue, Paul moved to New York where he was proclaimed a ‘transatlantic hair styling star’ by the Times. Paul’s client list reads like a Who’s Who in the fashion, film and music industries.

"My fascination for oils developed as a studio hairstylist doing shoots for all the top magazines in Europe & the US. I always preferred oils & pomades for styling rather than alcohol based fixatives. Oils and pomades give the hair life, important in an otherwise artificial environment such as a studio. The hair is more malleable making it easier to arrange between frames or to flow with whatever your model is doing. I would mix different oils and pomades together to create different textures. Whether you are using, oils for styling or high absorption oils for conditioning, oils are simply sexier, healthier and more natural.When used properly, nothing compliments a beautiful head of hair than good quality essential oils.

The best quality oils for conditioning have a higher absorption rate. I like to test an oil on the back of my hand. This almost always gives me an indication as to performance on the hair. An oil should spread evenly and the bulk being absorbed without feeling too oily or tacky. Ultimately, you are looking for an oil that will lightly flatten the cuticle, add texture and shine without weighing down the hair. However, these oils can be absorbed too quickly leaving unevenly distributed patches around the hair shaft. This can leave the hair looking oily and often puts people off.
 

Summer alert

Beat The Belly Bulge : Part 1

We all know that in the real world, perfection is rarely attainable. But in our fantasy worlds many of us, most of us, yearn for a washboard stomach - toned, tight, and, well, pretty perfect. Problem is our lifestyles and eating habits don’t help, but living a life more disciplined than the Dalai Lama is just not practical. Exercise more, eat properly - it’s too much effort. Nah!

Sometimes our stomachs look bigger due to bloating, sometimes it’s just plain fat magnetically attracted to our middle. Abdominal bloating not only looks bad but can also cause physical discomfort, and plain old fat is bad for our hearts and health. And there is positively nothing less sexy than an overhang tumbling listlessly over your sexy jeans.

With bloating, we’re talking about temporary abdominal distention that affects us all from time to time, particularly around periods or menopause. Unless the bloating is caused by a medical condition such as liver or heart disease, the only real cause intestinal gas, not ‘water weight’, say the experts at the Mayo Clinic.

Stomach fat is very different, and the most unwelcome visitor, stubbornly clinging to just about every woman, and man, I know. To follow, top tips which are not too strenuous, to help beat the bulge.

Avoid Salt
It’s a fact, salt makes your stomach bloat.  If you have to use salt at all make sure it’s natural sea salt or kosher salt which is lower in sodium. The taste of salt is addictive, so you need to wean yourself off. Try to substitute salt with other spices or more pepper. Cayenne pepper is particularly good as it boosts the metabolism.

Use less sugar
We all know too much white sugar is bad for you.  So if you must have sugar get it naturally from fruit.  Substitute honey wherever possible, my favourite being Manuka, the healthiest of all.

Portion control
We all get hungry, especially during the cold winter months.  But, every time you want to pile a small mountain of comforting, calorific food on to your plate, or take a second helping, cup your hands together and say “I will not eat more than this”.  Usually, the size of your two hands cupped together is the size of your stomach.  In any three hours your digestive system can’t digest more than this amount. So portion control is the mantra, ‘flat stomach, flat stomach, flat stomach’.

Good fats and bad fats
Policing your portions doesn’t mean that you can eat the wrong foods.
Steer clear of saturated fats, those you find in some margarines and also butter and cheese. Replace these with vegetable fats and oils, like olive and sunflower, both rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

When it comes to choosing fats, monounsaturated fatty acids found in avocados, nuts, seeds, olives, soya beans, olive and rapeseed oils, are amongst the best choices. Coupled with a calorie-controlled diet, they can help shift belly fat and also have tangible health benefits.

But we should not forget that these are still fats. They are not heat seeking missiles capable of targeting belly fat, and with nine calories per gram, they have twice the calorific content of carbohydrates and proteins, which have four calories per gram. Feasting is not an option.

Eat wholegrains
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed that a calorie-controlled diet rich in wholegrains helped reduce fat from the waistlines of obese subjects. Another bonus is that they are high in fibre, so they’re good grains all round.

Crazy about almonds
According to a study in the International Journal of Obesity (love these studies), people who nibbled on almonds, (about 70 a day), lost inches from their waists. But we are talking about obesity here, so losses for those of us who are not obese are likely to be more modest.  Almonds are also a high source of protein, contain good fat, and are great for your skin. Keep it simple, and avoid the salted or honeyed ones.

Healthy Living in the Land of Steak and Potatoes

Eating healthily to feel well and live longer, has always been a passion of mine. So I asked my good friend Deborah Brutsché to tell us about her tasty, healthy, Vegan lifestyle.

Deborah Brutsché (www.texavegan.com) believes in uncomplicated meals. Through the power of simple and satisfying recipes, Deborah has created a connection for people who are on a journey to healthier living by choosing a diet that is free of animal products. She gladly embraced the challenge of giving her traditional, Southern- style cooking a vegan twist. Deborah was influenced by her mother's and grandmother's family recipes. Raising a family in Dallas and now living in Austin, Texas, her cooking is influenced by the distinctive flavours of the Southern U.S. and Mexico and new influences from her multi-cultural family.

Texas may be the last thing on your mind when it comes to low-fat, healthy food. After all, the State Fair of Texas is dubbed the "Fried Food Capital of the World." Beyond the local traditions of chicken-fried steak and corn dogs, however, there is an abundance of amazingly tasty foods that effortlessly satisfy the healthy conscious.

Vegetarian and vegan meals are finding a way into the hearts and minds of more people around the world today due to the many health benefits associated with eliminating or limiting animal products from diets. Seven years ago, after reading T. Colin Campbell's book The China Study, I decided to adopt a vegan diet. Confident that I could make the transition from being vegetarian with little effort (and forgetting how much I loved cheese), I discovered that the shift would be much more difficult than expected.

Being a vegan can be quite challenging no matter where you live, be it London or Dallas. The truth is: making a commitment to eat more nutritious meals isn't easy. Whether you'd like to eat vegan meals twice a week or dive into it 100%, try these tips as you work towards your goal.

1. Adapt Your Favourites
Evolving your diet may be easier than you think. Try to adapt some of your current favourite dishes so that they align with a healthier menu. Take your favourite vegetable dish and add it to the top of rice or a grain like quinoa. Remove meat and cheese from your pasta dishes and replace them with vegetables. When preparing meals for your family, start with a small group of simple recipes that children enjoy. Then, slowly add more greens as taste buds develop a love for veggies. Allowing family members to become involved in the process of healthier eating will increase your chances of success.

2. Alert Your Wait Staff
Dining out is changing now that more people are asking for fat-free, gluten-free or dairy-free dishes. Restaurateurs know how important it is to support their clientele and create happy repeat-customers. Be sure to ask your waiter about the ability to accommodate your special diet requirements. And, it's perfectly acceptable to inform that super-star chef about your dairy allergy.
 

Celebrity Trainer's Top Tips For a Flatter Tummy, and More…

Listen up. Who’s looking for a flatter tummy, toned arms and pert boobs! Introducing Efua Baker, celebrity fitness trainer, who tells you how…

Efua Baker is a self-styled ‘Body Producer’. Her transformational approach to bodywork draws on 20 years of experience as a fitness professional and prior to that, as a trained dancer and fashion model. Her particular brand of humour, focus and infectious passion for the physique has led to a loyal private client base and following in the image-driven world of celebrity, where her unique and highly effective techniques are much sought-after. Efua is a regular fitness contributor online, on TV and radio and is currently expanding her bespoke collection of home gym accessories.

We all know looking and feeling fabulous has a lot to do with regular exercise and choosing the right lunch. In many ways, that’s the easy part. Unfortunately we live in the real world, with real bodies, real schedules and real budgets. Knowing what to do is one thing, finding the will to do it is something else – I totally get this! I know just how hard it is to find the motivation and stick with it. I work with clients who need to transform their bodies quickly and effectively, whether it’s for a movie, a music launch, the red-carpet, or an important event in their life, and my style of workout reflects this. I draw on many influences, including bodybuilding, martial arts, dance, yoga and boxing. Here are some exercises for amazing abs and arms. You can find more of my workout routines on the Guardian’s lifestyle section: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/series/how-to-get-fit-like-a-film-star or on my website: www.efuabaker.com.

All day abs
This is a great anytime, anywhere exercise to work towards a flatter tummy……..
Take a deep breath IN and pull in your tummy – like you are trying to do up a pair of tight trousers. Now breathe OUT without letting your tummy back out. Breathe normally while keeping your abs pulled in. Start off with short holds like one tube stop, a flight of stairs, every traffic light you wait at, and build up until you don’t even have to think about it. Train your abs to stay pulled in – be your own girdle!

Below the belly button belly
Most people work on the upper abdominal muscles doing traditional “sit-ups” and “crunches”. This part of your abs gets the most action during daily life, so you need to work on the lower area to really flatten things out.
Lie flat on your back, slightly raise your head off the floor and support it with your hands, elbows forward.
Now bend your knees and pull them slowly towards your chest, without pulling on your neck or raising your head any further.
Breathe OUT as you pull the knees in.
Hold for 2 seconds with knees pulled in.
Breathe IN as you release them.
Repeat as many times as you can while maintaining good form – doing more faster won’t help!
ALWAYS think about what muscle you are working and make sure you are focused and feeling it where you should be. If you are working your abs you shouldn’t be feeling it in your neck or back – you get me?

Back of the arms (aka ‘Bingo Wings’)
The part of the arm you want to get at can be targeted beautifully with this modified press up.
Kneel on all fours with your hands flat on the floor. Position the palm of your hands so that the fingers of each hand are turned slightly in towards each other and your thumbs are at a right angle – you should be making what is roughly a triangle shape between your hands.
Walk your hands forward so you gradually put your weight into your arms.
You should have your back flat and in line with your neck and spine. Your bum should be slightly tucked in so your lower back is not arched.
Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the floor. You should feel this in the back of your arms. If you don’t, or something else feels uncomfortable, adjust the position of your arms, and relax your neck.
Repeat as many times as you can while maintaining good form. Aim to start with at least 8. Try to add on at least 1 every time you do this - ideally every day.

Top tips for glowing skin

I'm a lucky lady. After years of running BeautyWorksWest I've learnt an awful lot about skincare, both from the therapists and Dr. Sister. I also (lucky me) receive lots of products to try before stocking them in the spa and online. So what have I learnt? A lot of it is common sense, but here are a few basic tips for looking after your skin and making the most of it. It is, after all, your most valuable asset, far more so than that 'must-have' investment piece. And you can't replace it each season. Although I must admit I do tend to overhaul my beauty products reasonably regularly, as after a while my skin seems to get used to them and that initial great impact is lost. We all know that products and treatments will not guarantee good skin in themselves, so I'll be covering diet, exercise and supplements at a later date.

Cleanse, cleanse and cleanse again…
If you don't do anything else, make sure you cleanse thoroughly every night. I use a sunscreen every day and for that reason, I always double cleanse. This means that I don't need to remove eye makeup with a separate cleanser, as the first cleanse removes the bulk of it and the second does the rest.

I also cleanse in the morning, a little more quickly, whilst the coffee's brewing and my brain begins to engage.

Moisturise
Like a lot of us, my skin tends to dehydrate, particularly during the winter. Every night, post thorough cleanse, I apply a serum all over my face and décolleté. Serums are treatments that help the skin to repair and regenerate, but hydrators they are not. So I apply a moisturizer after the serum, both daytime and at night.

A particular favourite is Kahina Serum, made from the purest of the pure organic Argan oil. It does a truly wonderful job in making my skin look so healthy. I glow. I really do!

Don't forget to apply to your neck and décolleté, treat them as part of your face. They age like any other part of your body and need attention too!

Exfoliate
Gently, and the emphasis is on gently, exfoliating away dead skin is a good thing, as it allows the regeneration of new cells. I exfoliate twice a week, but take care not to scrub vigorously or use a product that is overly abrasive and resembles sandpaper! Twice a week is enough, any more leaves skin over sensitized and serves no purpose.

Relax with a mask
I use a mask as part of my weekly wind-down, chill-out, indulgent spa routine. The one I use depends upon how my skin is behaving, or not, at the time. A plug here for LING, unashamedly so, as I have been using her masks for years and love them, as do our clients in the spa. Each targets a specific problem, whether it's tired, dull skin, congested skin, acne and blemished skin – whatever you need, you'll enjoy using these and marvel at the results. Promise.

Another more recent discovery is the Plasma 27 face mask from Cosmetics 27, a pre-impregnated mask that you place over your face for 10 minutes. It's a complete facial treatment, and you can have quick snooze as it gets to work. For that fresh-faced glow it's an absolute must.

Facials & Treatments
A maintenance facial is a must every four to six weeks, to thoroughly cleanse and rid yourself of those nasty blocked pores and blackheads. I feel almost reborn after our deep cleansing LING Facial. My face definitely thanks me for it.

This month's guest blogger, Caroline Phillips, on solving your wardrobe dilemmas.

Caroline Phillips is an award-winning journalist (www.carolinephillips.net). She writes for the glossies and most of the nationals, from the Independent to the Sunday Times. She spent years at the coal-face doing The Caroline Phillips Interview - writing big name interviews for the Evening Standard. Now you're more likely to find her having Dracula Therapy at BWW or dipping her manicured toes in the Indian Ocean. In the name of journalism, of course.

If you're the type who has tons of clothes but never anything to wear, read on. Once we Brits thought that professional style advice was best left to our Transatlantic cousins. We legged it in department stores at the sight of consultants wearing knee-high foundation and extreme designer clothes: reincarnated Stepford Wives telling us which colours and styles of clothes (and makeup) to wear.

We preferred instead to be amateurish in our garment purchases – either going for DIY or stupidly relying on shop assistants to give us honest, objective advice. (Hello, who's on commission here?)

Either way, all too often we ended up with expensive and uncoordinated items. Impulse buys and age inappropriate clothes. Rubbish sales purchases. And clothes that will fit one day, honest.

Now Notting Hillybillies, sharp investors and slebs are turning to professional help. "Personal stylists have gone big," confirms Fiona Golfar, editor at large of British Vogue. More specifically, they're hiring stylist Annabel Hodin to help them make their sartorial choices. She's an erstwhile model – she was talent spotted by US Vogue's Anna Wintour - and is the fashion editors' favourite.

There's scarcely a glossy magazine editor or newspaper fashionista who hasn't sought her help. After all, the girl has pedigree: she has created looks for Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Bryan Ferry, styling their photo shoots. And the same for Helena Bonham Carter, Rachel Weisz and Mariella Frostrup.

Annabel offers a bespoke service that includes consultations, wardrobe edits, shopping trips and follow ups in person and/or on the phone. Initially she comes to your house or office – the latter for a consultation, ideal for those who feel shy about a lady going through their drawers within an hour of meeting. If she's doing a home visit, you'd best wear good underwear – you'll be trying on clothes.

With refreshing frankness and energy, she'll go through your wardrobe –and with you, she'll select looks that work for you, find gaps in your closet, identify what you think you want and need and discuss what she reckons would work. Yep, time to chuck the vintage if you're old enough to have worn it first time round.

After her efficient edit, you'll have a leaner wardrobe. (Mine was positively slimline.) Then she'll put your clothes into outfits to see what's missing, and together you'll set out to fill them. So now to shopping! Yipee! She has already scoured the shops for weeks prior to meeting you, understands what suits you probably better than you know yourself, and knows where to find everything….whether it be designer or high street. She'll whizz you through West London's stylish boutiques and on to Selfridges or perhaps to St John's Wood High Street's Joseph - which has clothes not carried elsewhere - for core items. And all done with military precision and a brilliant eye.

What’s this? A bloke’s blog on a beauty site? Well, yes. And I hope you don’t have a problem with that. Otherwise, you’re going to find visits to your favourite spa or salon increasingly uncomfortable. With sales of grooming products and procedures steadily rising, men have finally got the message that ‘grizzled’ is no longer an attractive proposition. Like the laydeez, we want to look – if not younger than our years –then good for them, at least.

Take me. (Go on, take me.) I never thought too much about face-maintenance until I turned 50. Symmetrical features and a decent head of hair had always seen me through. But four years on, you’ll find me moisturising every morning, staying away from sunbeds, and generally doing anything in my power to slow down the onset of wrinkles, age spots and drooping eyelids. Crowns on my teeth?Yep. Botox? Why not?Courtesy of Beauty Works West, I’m even on a course of Dr Daniel Sister’s famous YOUTH pills to make me feel as vital as I hope I now appear.

‘I’d keep that quiet,’ say some of my mates. Why? I’m not embarrassed. (And actually, they often sidle up later, saying, ‘Beauty Works West – have you got a number…?’)But then, I do have an excuse. As editor of www.high50.com, a new website dedicated to celebrating the freedom and fun that come in one’s fifties, I have to understand my readers, don’t I? If my site is to be informed, I have to share their experiences. And I know for sure that my female 50-plus constituency is almost obsessed with what has become known as the ‘anti-ageing’ industry.

The first inkling I had was when Jo Fairley, the well-known beauty editor, joined the high50 team. We co-sponsored her Anti-Ageing Beauty Awards, so I went to speak at her annual ceremony. And when I gave my spiel to the assembled purveyors of lotions and potions, I was almost trampled in their rush to give me their cards. We began to run some very successful offers and promotions on the site. I should have been content. But something was nagging at me.

Though single, I’m no cougar-man. I have plenty of female friends around the same age – and plenty of them have had a bit of expert (and therefore undetectable) ‘work’. To me, they look hot. But the message I was getting from the l-and-p brigade was that there was something almost morally wrong with a jab of botulism or filler; and that a neck-lift, say, was somehow a crime against Nature.

How come? I wondered. The fiercest female-libber will dye her hair, using super-toxic chemicals. That young Caitlin Moran, who fancies herself as a feminist, is happy to slap on the warpaint. They’re about as natural-looking as the late Michael Jackson’s nose. So I came up with my own distinction: there’s ‘real’ beauty, like a windswept Scottish moor; there’s ‘created’ beauty, like an English knot-garden; and there’s no point comparing the two.

Okay, so I’m writing a book. In fact I’m co-writing it with Leah Hardy. Many of you will know Leah as a high-profile writer for a host of national press titles and women’s glossies. She turns her well-honed skills to many subjects including beauty, parenting, lifestyle and psychology.

Our book explores the science behind hormones and ageing, and how you can fully enjoy the better part, that’s the second part, of your life - over forty, or thereabouts. We’ve been on a steep learning curve and had lots of laughs along the way. The aim was to write an entertaining and accessible book about a serious subject, to make it fun, a bit like having a good conversation with your girlfriends.

Taking care of your hormones is a really important part of managing how you age, and preventing illness. So we cover a number of a subjects including diet, exercise, sleep, sex and maintaining a positive attitude. We hope that the book will provide a lifestyle guide on how to live a happier, healthier life at any age.

Whilst doing our research for the book, we discovered some wise, thoughtful and downright hilarious quotes on age and ageing. Here is a selection, I hope you enjoy them, do pass them on. More information to follow on our book, which will be ready in the new year.

Wherever you turn the Holiday Season is upon us, even in early November. I for one have been thinking hard about the dilemma of present giving. Economists and the media convey bad news daily about the state of the economy and the recession, and the same media carry thousands of ads encouraging us to spend.

With the exception of children under the age of twelve, for whom different gifting rules apply, I have come to the conclusion that the perfect present is a gift voucher. It’s the way you present it that creates the wow factor, so you just need to be creative with the wrapping and put effort into finding a beautiful, festive box. This way, you still maintain the all-important thrill of unwrapping a gift, and for those who want to add a little something extra, a well chosen stocking filler will do the job nicely!

As we are all mindful of spending wisely, giving a voucher pretty much ensures that everyone is happy as they can give, and receive, something really useful. No more ill-chosen jumpers, perfume that makes you recoil in horror, ornaments that only see the light of day when the relative who bought it comes round for a visit!

Here a few things that I will be buying for friends and family…

Teenage boys - avoid the surliness and they will thank you with more than a grunt if you buy them an Amazon gift voucher. These go down a storm as they can choose their own games, electrical items and whatever their peer group obsession is at the moment.

Teenage Girls -  no more tantrums if you choose them a voucher for a manicure, facial, haircut or a makeup lesson.  Try local places and if they don’t offer gift vouchers, simply buy a credit and then make your own greetings card. A gift certificate for their favourite clothing store is always a good bet, then they don’t have the embarrassment of returning what you bought them, with that sigh of resignation that you’ll never get it right!

Our brand new Sculpt & Lift Facial Treatment.

I am delighted to introduce you all to this brand new spa treatment that literally lifts and sculpts the face - naturally. Using our exclusive Cosmetics 27 beauty range it lifts, firms and brightens the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. See those years simply melt away.

After cleansing with Cleanser 27 (one of my new hero products), a deeply relaxing series of specialized massage techniques is employed for rejuvenation. These are applied to the face, décolleté, neck and shoulders, including acupressure points. This projected me into a dreamlike state that I seriously didn’t want to be roused from!

That said, the next treatment phase produces equally dramatic results. Using our brand new state-of-the-art technology, LPG Endermolift drains toxins and clarifies the complexion. Tissues are re-oxygenated, puffiness banished, and my complexion simply radiated freshness with a terrific glow.

And next the pièce de résistance. Plasma 27 is a pre-impregnated cut-out mask that is placed over the face. It’s like a facial treatment in a mask that firms, repairs and soothes.

One of life's great, perhaps guilty pleasures, is lying propped up on my bed supported by fat, sumptuous cushions, eagerly eyeing up my alluring bedfellows– the September issues of the glossy magazines. My anticipation and delight is palpable and, as Anastasia Steele would say, repeatedly, I feel the rush of an adrenalin spike.

But not for me the dark, cold, seductive magnetism of a 'damaged' billionaire twenty something year old, who has amassed a fortune from renewable energy, (yes, really), and whose mission it is to feed the world's hungry whilst practicing the dark arts of a latter day Marquis de Sade. But I digress.

These sacred texts elicit a particular frisson, elusive and aspirational, as page after page heralds the advent of this season's divine inspiration, borne of the creative energy and vision of the Great Fashion Houses of our time. Dazzling photography showcases exquisite cut, colour and texture – fashion as clothing but so much more than that when draped around and over the impossibly long-limbed, thin framed bodies of this season's adolescent super-models. More than this, we are invited to participate as voyeurs in a glamorous, chic, life less ordinary, providing the kind of escapism and engagement offered by a well-crafted novel or film.

I have to admit, I was one of those Olympic naysayers at the outset. Not so much because I thought we couldn't organize and achieve great things, more because I simply failed to engage with the overwhelming enthusiasm of the London 2012 winning bid team, with their talk of a grand legacy and a momentous opportunity for Britain. My attitude was further hardened by the tumultuous financial storm that unleashed itself some three years later, showing no signs of abating anytime soon. The Olympics seemed to be an irrelevant sideshow in a country weighed down by debt, gloom and economic misery.

I was not alone. Buried somewhere in the genes of the British is a propensity towards self-doubt and doom mongering. Maybe it's a result of the climate, more probably the crisis of national identity, much debated in the British press. "London 2012 : time to find out who we are" was the front page headline in the Guardian. Indeed almost without exception, the British media has ditched the doom-mongering narrative, enthusiastically rallying to the cause - loudly, proudly, confidently - converting the doubters in its wake. The opening ceremony was a triumph, igniting latent national pride and belief within even the most cynical amongst us. It led us to reflect upon why as a nation we were once important, and provided reasons why we still have a vital contribution to make both socially and culturally. With that, we were off the starting blocks and began to believe, began to find out who we are.

The British are well acquainted with having their sporting ambitions raised only to then have them plummet headlong into the ground. Supporting British teams and individuals often seems like some form of exquisite torture. But not this time, because this time we're winning - we're winning a lot on the most spectacular global stage. Even those with at best a passing interest and knowledge of sport have become sports aficionados. Initial naysayers like myself are applying for tickets for any event available, even a walk in the Olympic park. Me and two million others!

I’ve never considered myself a rustic kind of woman. Raised in New York, my heart pulses to the urban rhapsody of unruly traffic, insistent car horns, police sirens and the white noise of city life.

When I moved to England some thirty years ago, London called to me. Then, it was a very different place, hard to imagine now. London was far sleepier, less energetic, Sunday was truly a day of rest, shops closed at 5.30pm, high streets were populated by independent and often quirky retailers, and foreign cuisine was regarded as something highly suspicious, and best avoided. But still, London was an irresistible magnet, a faint echo of New York.

This month we’re learning how to love our teeth, how to care for them and prevent otherwise unnecessary treatment. Healthy teeth and gums are the essence of a confident and attractive smile and natural teeth are full of character that help define a person’s face.

Recently a couple of us at the office visited Susan Dawood at her practice, Dawood and Tanner, in Wimpole Street. Susan is a highly esteemed, industry-renowned figure within U.K dentistry, and the practice houses state-of-the-art technology as well as some of the country’s leading dental specialists. I will be writing more about the practice in the following months, but in the meantime, here are some of Susan’s top dental care tips…

“Brush your teeth twice a day, morning and night for at least 2 minutes.  Prevention is better than cure!  Have a look here to see how to brush your teeth properly.  www.deliciousteeth.com

Floss daily or ask your dentist or hygienist to show you how to use interdental brushes to clean those difficult to reach areas. Removing plaque build up and food caught between your teeth will keep your oral health tip-top.  For flossing tips www.deliciousteeth.com

If you use a mouthwash make sure you use one that is alcohol free.  Don't mouthwash straight after cleaning your teeth  - the best time is mid afternoon when you might want a freshen-up!

I have a friend who for years followed a strict beauty regime, back in the days when wrinkles, sun spots and ageing skin were distant problems. A source of wonderment to me was the way she lavished attention on her elbows and knees, a routine she’d inherited from her mother. She always said that these neglected areas deserved as much attention as any other, otherwise they would eventually look unsightly and ageing. How right she was. And how soft and supple are hers, to this day.

Without proper care knees and elbows look coarse, dry and not altogether pretty. What’s more, they can appear dark and patchy. The reasons are many and include sun exposure, inadequate hydration and build up of dead skin. You need to cleanse these areas thoroughly as the skin naturally folds and when you’re showering, they’re easily overlooked.

For me, Spring is the most glorious time of year. But the change in weather often brings with it skin irritability and breakouts, even if your complexion is normally well-behaved! This is the result of Vitamin D synthesis – as the body absorbs Vitamin D from the sun the processing function speeds up.

To tackle this you'll need to change your regular skin care regime, which will help soothe, heal and calm the skin. As the seasons change, so should your beauty essentials.

Follow these steps into Spring…

1. Change your cleanser. You'll need to accelerate the skin's natural exfoliation rate to kick-start the regenerative process. Try the Kahina Facial Cleanser which is packed full of natural actives including Papaya, Willow Bark extract and Pomegranate, a natural AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid). It draws out blocked pores enabling the skin to cleanse itself, as well as healing and facilitating healthy new cell growth.

2. Swap your regular night time moisturizer for Kahina's Argan Oil, containing a very high concentration of Vitamin E which heals and soothes the skin. Another good option for moisture replenishment is Ling's Hydra Squalane which provides a sensational hydration boost.

3. Using a good serum will also help alleviate multiple skin conditions. Our best-selling Ling range offers a repertoire of products designed to ease irritation and eliminate acne bacteria. Try Hi Vitamin C and Clearlight Serum.

The hot topic in anti-ageing skincare right now is how to prevent hyperpigmentation and limit discolouration. A clued-up, maturing population recognise that age or ‘liver’ spots, freckles and discolouration, can be every bit as ageing as wrinkles and lines, making skin seem dull and tired.

What is the cause?
Sun damage, acne scarring and hormonal changes prompt the cycle, triggering the production of melanin, the dark pigment that produces skin colour. It then forms deposits resulting in dark patches of skin.

Sun damage is the major culprit in the appearance of ‘age spots’ and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure causes chemical changes in the skin that damage melanin, resulting in uneven skin tone and discolouration.

What we want
What we want is radiance – an even skin tone, bright skin and a fresh complexion that reflects light and glows. So, how do we go about achieving this youthful luminosity? Follow the tips below and check other products and treatments with your local medispa.

Intraceuticals Opulence Infusion
A facial infusion using Hyperbaric Oxygen Technology delivers therapeutic grade oxygen and serum to the skin. The botanical brightening ingredients contained within the serum help control melanin formation and balance uneven skin tone and pigmentation. From the first treatment, your skin will skin will look brighter and more youthful.

Photo-Rejuvenation
This is a quick and highly effective treatment using intense pulsed light (IPL) that dramatically improves pigmentation resulting in a clearer more even skin tone. Results are visible after only one treatment and a course of 5 is recommended.

Our business is to help women feel and look their best, whatever their age, to be happy in ‘the skin they’re in’. Protecting and enhancing the skin requires a programme, rather than a one-off treatment or miracle product. To achieve the very best results, we need to combine treatments, products, diet and healthy lifestyle choices.

First up, we address the issue of collagen, a natural protein found in the body that connects and supports the body’s tissues. As we age it diminishes, causing the skin to lose elasticity, appear saggy and wrinkled. Fear not! Collagen can be protected, repaired and stimulated. Here’s how…

Some warnings!
The usual warnings apply. Smoking is the co-conspirator of ageing, and how much fun is it standing on the pavement anyway? Use an SPF to protect against the damaging effects of the sun and pollutants. These, along with hormonal fluctuations, can cause the collagen to tear and become damaged.

Products
Applying collagen to the skin topically doesn’t work, as it can’t make its way below the outer layer. The best choices are those products containing anti-ageing properties that boost collagen, including retinoids, copper peptides and vitamin C. Amino Acids and Growth Factors, as contained in our top-selling YOUTH food supplement, are known to strengthen and stimulate the production of collagen.

It might be deeply ingrained within the British psyche, but the compulsion to moan and complain is ultimately self-defeating - it makes us feel miserable.

Flip it around and the converse is true: offering praise and support creates a positive atmosphere that benefits not only the recipient of our goodwill, but also ourselves. We feel good because we've made someone else happy.

Now I'm not suggesting for one moment that we should all pass our days liberally lavishing praise on the unworthy, otherwise that surly, unhelpful, call-centre worker would score unrealistically high on the post-call feedback score we're all encouraged to engage in. But praise where it's due is a force for good. As the owner of BeautyWorksWest, I've been taken aback by the number of positive comments we've received from customers who have enjoyed using our new products. Not because our products are not worthy of praise, they are, but because many of these comments were quite unsolicited. People were emailing us extolling the virtues of YOUTH, thanking us for courteous customer service and prompt delivery, and detailing how the supplement had made them feel better. Many more conversations took place on the phone, a rare thing these days but so rewarding.

Be happy, avoid the news!

I have a useful piece of advice to pass on, which may make the run-up to Christmas, and Christmas itself, altogether more enjoyable.

There’s not really much that any of us can do about the Eurozone, the ECB or reducing the sovereign debts. As a self-confessed news junkie, I’ve found myself feeling a deep sense malaise over the last few weeks. A loyal fan of Newsnight, even Paxo forewarns us that the show will be delivering more depressing news the following night. So I concluded that the best course of action was to wean myself off the news, to simply stop watching. I feel lighter, as if I have unburdened myself of the weight of the unruly world. It’s not forever, I need to keep myself connected of course, but a break is as good as a rest, as they say.

The magnetic pull towards Christmas is palpable; shop windows along Westbourne Grove are bare, awaiting their glitzy and welcoming festive adornments. But Christmas will not be merry for many young people within a short distance of these fairy lights.

Notting Hill is a tale of two cities, the ever-fashionable W11 and the socially deprived areas further north, within W10.

It is here that the Rugby Portobello Trust makes a real difference to our community, by enriching the lives of young people and providing a positive alternative to a life of social exclusion. Every year, some 800 young people walk through the doors of the RPT centre in Walmer Road, many of them dealing with exceptionally difficult personal circumstances.

This month we raise the curtain on our very own beauty range, which is cause for much celebration and pride. As our clients well know, we are passionate about beauty so the products we use in the spa and feature on our web site are all chosen with great care and love.

Now Girls you have to try this!!

I have and read my dairy to find out more ...

VIEW MY DIARY HERE

Raw Fairies is the No 1. luxury detox and diet delivery service in London offering raw organic cuisine. Leading raw food chef Anya Ladra combines great taste in inventive dishes with fresh, nutritious ingredients.

Raw Fairies, based in Notting Hill, has a cult following including A-list celebrities and VIPs. It offers a selection of unique food programmes designed to make detoxing and healthy eating convenient and pleasurable. Choose the programme most suited to your lifestyle and it will be discreetly delivered directly to your home or office in central London.

The 5-Day Cleanse is a combination of gourmet raw food, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and nutritionist-designed supplements. It is the perfect home detox solution for those who want easy access to increased energy, clearer skin and weight loss.

The sorry clothes in your wardrobe

which haven’t seen daylight for years, either too big,

too small or too off-trend, as they say.

The shoes that you’ve never worn but worship in their pristine box. Then there are the infamous drawers, that safe haven for all those things you must keep hold of but never use. A jumble of wires, cables, computer parts and broken watches. Not to mention the piles of old papers and magazines which would more suitably sit in your dentist’s waiting room.

We all aspire to the semi-mythical ‘spring clean’, but rarely get around to it. Well, now is the time to declutter. Charity shops are just desperate for those old clothes and remember, those designer must-haves you bought on a whim could raise money for many global hot-spots in need. So liberating your home not only liberates your mind but can help needy others.

Here's to female friendships : Good for your health

I received this email through a friend and want to share it with you…

She wrote...

I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last lecture was on the mind-body connection--the relationship between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends. At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.

Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this "quality girlfriend time" helps us to create more serotonin--a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities.

Your local salon is fully booked, the Jimmy Choo open-toe

sandals are a must for that party tonight. Or perhaps

you’ve just looked down and your chipped toenails and

rough calloused feet could feature in an Alien movie.

What to do?

First step – always keep the following tools and products in a beautiful box ready for emergencies. Olive oil, coarse brown sugar, coarse sea salt, moisturizer, professional buffer block, nail clippers or scissors, pedicure sticks (referred to as Orange sticks) and a really good nail/foot file. Also, a top quality nail varnish remover, basecoat, topcoat and a favourite colour nail varnish.

Are you passionate? Well it most certainly helps to be if

you want to maintain your youth and vitality. According to

doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen, authors of the

book, Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your

Warranty, having a passion in life is a major determinant

in anti-ageing and can erase as much as 13 years off

your biological age. Yes, that’s right – 13 years, and not an

expensive cream or scalpel in sight!

It’s too easy to believe that our chronological age defines

what we are, who we are and how we should behave.

Not only is it too easy, it’s also self-defeating in that we

circumscribe and define our expectations by thinking

ourselves old.

The way we think influences the way we feel, and thinking ourselves old saps our energy and vitality and makes us feel old. So, what to do? In short, we need to think young, we need to focus on the positives to stay as young, vital and energetic as we can.

We need to trade in old thinking for new. No more talk of ‘senior moments’ or ‘growing old gracefully’. Even the way we express our behaviours reinforces our negative thinking. The key to opening up our lives centres on the way we think and our lifestyle choices.

Okay ladies and gents, the knots are rising up my back

and the stress is still there even though I’m working out,

stretching, eating well and trying to behave myself. We all

know the week just takes it out of you. 

So, this weekend I finally got it together and booked a 90 minute massage (it takes at least 15 minutes for me to chill out so 90 minutes is so much better than 60).  Heavenly bliss, better than a shopping fix and cheaper in the long run too!  Good for the mind, body & soul and afterwards, you feel you can take on the world.

Okay, we all know we are what we eat. Have been doing

some research and come up with the following foods for

better skin tone and wrinkle fighting. Combined with a great

skin care routine and eating these Super Foods, we are

going to look just “Fabulous”!

Spinach and Kale have been proven to help improve skin hydration and elasticity thanks to the antioxidants called “lutein” and beta-carotene shows French research. These two important nutrients are noted to improve skin elasticity and firmness.

Turkey - not just a holiday treat any more, of course make sure its organic, but the carnosine in white meat Turkey is now known to slow the deterioration of collagen in the skin.

Red and Yellow Peppers as well as being considered super foods for the skin because of their high antioxidant properties, are now known to offer extra UV protection according to research at the University of Arizona. Amazing news for us sun lovers.

Olives are a skin boosting snack — the more olives you eat, the less wrinkled your skin appears, according to research by Monash University in Australia. Thank you Australians for providing us with this research, as we do love our olives.

Olive Oil for those that don’t like olives. Have at least one tablespoon a day. Olive Oil has “good fat." It contains heart healthy omega-3's which improve your circulation leaving the skin rosy and supple.

Raspberries contain ellagic acid which is known to help protect collagen. Studies also show raspberry extract can inhibit the inflammation response that causes some skin cancers.

Bananas are not fattening, it’s a myth. Bananas are slightly higher in energy than other fruits but the calories come mainly from carbohydrate; excellent for refueling before, during or after exercise. Bananas are also jam-packed with potassium that helps lower blood pressure and vitamin B6 for healthy skin and hair. I always have them before I workout or as a pick me up after a long day.

At BeautyWorksWest we’re always on the look out for the

next best anti-ageing cure-all. Guess what it is this time...

Kissing!

Kissing is the ultimate aphrodisiac.  It has the capacity to bridge conflicts and differences between people, to bring people closer and make both the "kisser" and the "kissee" feel better.

In a recent American Study (those Americans study so many things) people who kissed for 15 minutes while listening to music experienced higher levels of oxytocin -the hormone that encourages you to bond. Plus it lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

If we want to beautify from the inside out, there’s a ton we can do … eat naturally low fat foods, drinks tons of water, get lots of sleep but the key is to calming the mind. One of the most difficult tasks is sitting still – no telly, no Iphone, no trashy magazines or other much needed daily distractions – just you and your thoughts. Ah ha... it’s those thoughts that keep racing right? Well, the heart of finding beauty within is to take time out of your day to observe your mind, shut off your thoughts, take in conscious breaths and be still – otherwise known as meditation.

Meditation… sounds all a bit daunting? I know what you’re thinking… “not for me”, “don’t have enough time”, “got kids – no can do”, “impossible!” Stop right there… meditation can be simple, as long as you understand it and you learn about what works for you.

Researchers say that meditation helps you lower blood pressure and some medical theorists even claim that you’re 49% less likely to die from Cancer and 30% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

The basic idea is that when you meditate, your body produces “alpha-waves” which help aid in creating calm and heightened awareness and then there’s “theta waves” to promote wellbeing. Plus, there’s the added bonus of alleviating chronic pain, boosting your immune system and increasing your brain function – sounds better than falling in love!

The many different meditation practices have wonderful benefits and so many different techniques which all have the same result. It’s definitely an art that needs some practice and a bit of discipline, but overall it can be very simple.

Hi Ladies,

Exfoliation is an essential part of my beauty regime and the

benefits are enormous.

Rain or shine, it’s something I do once or twice a week, not

simply when the fake tan beckons.

Why? You have to bid goodbye to those dead cells on the outer surface of the skin to stimulate the growth of new ones. And I ask you, who wants to look and feel like a reptile? A good scrub makes my skin smoother, softer and brighter; it also unclogs pores and boosts circulation which is good for minimising cellulite. Moisturisers are more easily absorbed by new skin cells, so its good news all round.

I start by brushing my skin dry before showering using a body exfoliating brush and sometimes a loofah. Don’t forget – start with soles of the feet and work up. Then I immerse myself in the bath or shower and apply the exfoliant cleanser. My favourite is the Omorovicza Gold Sugar Scrub, which smells and feels gorgeous. Gold is a magical ingredient with healing properties and the sugar cane encourages new cell growth.

Bella Freud is a local girl with a global reputation as an

innovative designer. I met her several years ago and we

became friends, having long admired her iconic designs.

I love her style, and when I slip on one of her

knitwear pieces I feel cool, stylish and chic.

Effortless style in an instant!

Bella is the daughter of artist Lucian Freud and great granddaughter of that towering figure of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.  She started working for Vivienne Westwood during the 1980s, and was then instrumental in rebranding and updating a very British institution, Jaeger. In 2007 she was at the helm of the much anticipated Biba relaunch.

Introducing Power Plates

Divine intervention in the world of physical fitness is most

definitely the Power Plate, and I am a passionate

advocate. Combine Power Plate with a balanced, healthy

diet and you will look and feel great. It’s a promise.

Using the principles of Acceleration Training, it stimulates the body’s natural response to vibration. Vibrations transmit waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions multiple times per second. In short, by using your core to balance, and optimising muscle contractions in a concentrated period of time, you can achieve an awful lot in a session as short as 15 minutes. Then do three sessions a week and that’s it, job pretty much done!

Stand Tall and Proud

No matter if you are 6'5" or 5'l", having a good posture changes the way you walk, look and appear to other people.

Perhaps more importantly, it changes the way you feel about yourself, and is proven to contribute to overall confidence.

As we age, sadly gravity exercises its pull and we may become stooped and lose height. This may be due to a lifetime of bad habits and general postural laziness, or as a result of a sedentary lifestyle hunched over a computer. Often, it is simply the natural process of ageing. The good news is that with the right mental attitude and awareness, it is never too late to stand tall. Not only will it take years off your perceived age, it will also increase your energy levels as it improves the functions of your internal organs. This is especially true of the lungs, which in turn increase your oxygen intake.

Go get beautiful arms!

As Spring is upon us and Summer approaches, the

spectre of those cute little dresses and unforgiving

swimsuits starts to haunt us. We obsess about pert

bottoms, shapely legs and flat stomachs...

but what about those arms?

So, ladies, it’s time to create a better look: toned, tight, sculpted and smooth. Let’s start by brushing that dry skin away on our arms. Start at the hands and brush using a circular movement all the way up, paying particular attention to those elbows which discolour, wrinkle and make you look old before your time. Don’t forget to brush the skin under your arms vigourously to stimulate the skin which likes to defy the laws of gravity. Then smother your arms in thick body cream or oil.

Feeling Good in 2010

We don't really do New Year's resolutions, but we do try

to keep fit mentally and physically all year round.  There

are no secrets, but these are some of the things we do

to feel good...even on a bad hair day!