Tried and tested: Endermologie at Beauty Secrets

What on earth is Endermologie?

One of the newer methods of removing cellulite, endermologie lipomassage can help people to lose inches off their body or simply help them to firm and tone up.

How does it work?

Endermologie involves massaging the cellulite-prone area with small rollers encased in a hand-held device which also applies suction to the skin. These rollers are said to help break down the excess fat and release nasty toxins from cells in the area, whilst the suction is used to remove it all.

What are the benefits?

Because the treatment is tailor made to your own needs, the focus is on the areas you are most concerned about. With four different settings the treatment can be delivered in a way that has the most impact, whether your cellulite is deep-set or more superficial. The treatment claims to help you lose inches and achieve a more contoured body whilst also helping to firm, tone and smooth the skin. In addition, some cellulite can actually be painful and this treatment can help to provide a solution to this problem alongside exercise and a healthy diet.

What are the limitations?

For lasting results, the treatment requires commitment. Initially up to 16 sessions are needed to really make a long-term difference to the body contours. Following that the salon therapist recommends a follow-up every 6-8 weeks which acts as a top-up session to prevent the cellulite from returning. It’s worth noting that the worse your cellulite is, the more sessions you will need to remove it.

What is the treatment actually like?

To start off with you have to put on a type of body stocking, which is like wearing a cat suit made from thick tights. If you’re figure conscious this won’t be appealing but no one will see you apart from your therapist and once you’re wearing it, you’ll see the humour. The stocking helps the rollers to glide over your skin and gives the therapist a guide as to which areas you’d like to focus on.

Once you get used to the feel of the combined rolling and suction, the treatment is very relaxing and feels like you’re being massaged. Many people tend to drift off to sleep during the session.

Does it actually work?

Massage has long been known as an effective way to get rid of cellulite, so combined with a form of liposuction, it is no wonder this treatment receives great feedback. After just one session focussing on my buttocks, upper legs and thighs, I actually felt more toned and I noticed my legs looked slimmer.

I spoke to another lady that had been through a course of Endermologie treatments and she was very sure of its effectiveness, she said it’s ‘like looking at a completely different body in the mirror.’ And I believe her.

Treatments are around £60 each you’ll be required to book an initial course of 8 treatments. Available at Beauty Secrets www.beautysecretssalonandspa.com

STRICTLY COME SIENNA X - THE NEW TAN TAKEN FROM SALONS

Did you know that the Strictly come dancers will have used 30 litres of the Sienna X tan by the time the series has faded...

The market leading brand that has given UK women (and men) professional tanning solutions with incredibly natural-looking, radiant results has just re-launched their retail range, which has undergone a total makeover, complete with new style branding. These gorgeous pre and post tan skin care products have been reformulated to be even more fabulous than ever, including lots of extra natural ingredients to soften, condition, cleanse, tone and sun-kiss your skin.

Presented in NEW sleek, satin-touch packaging in a choice of burnished bronze or sumptuous magenta, devotees will be pleased to know the ‘must-have’ sunless tanning range is also introducing several NEW products to an already extensive line-up.

Priced for everyday use, this fantastic collection is deliciously scented, paraben free and contains anti-oxidant vitamins and natural, enriching ingredients to leave your skin looking and feeling soft, smooth and radiant.

Prices start from £4.95 available from Urban Retreat Harrods and selected salons nationwide.
For details of your nearest stockist call 01905 27070.
Alternatively, you can order online at : http://www.sienna-x.co.uk/

Animal print: not just for the catwalk

Animal prints have made it through another season and are still very much a top desire of the fashion pack; however they don’t need to be restricted to the catwalk as there are currently many great products for the home that mirror the trend.

We’d advise picking a statement piece to liven up a dull room, rather than covering your walls and floors entirely with leopard print. Less is more with this trend, otherwise you run the risk of being mistaken for Bet Lynch or thinking you’re in a Vegas hotel bedroom.

Here a few homewares that offer stylish ways to bring a room up to date:

Diane Von Furstenberg's A/W collection as seen as New York Fashion Week http://www.dvf.com/

Julien Macdonald’s zebra print cocktail glasses, £7 each and included in the Star range at Debenhams http://www.debenhams.com/

Cow hide rug available at I Want One of Those for £249 http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/

Missoni leopard print cushion, available in three sizes from £68 at Dotmaison http://www.dotmaison.com/

Giraffe print rug from Argos was £29.99, now £25.99 http://www.argos.co.uk/

DCW chair inspired by the Charles Eames 1945 design, £330 available in pony skin from Art Deco http://www.artdecodesignshop.co.uk/

NEW FROM COLEEN THE BEAUTY QUEEN

Coleen x Signature Eye Palettes - £9.00
For emphasised eyes, pick and mix from four palettes – Moonstruck, Emerald Goddess, True Blue and Chocolate Box. These creamy, intense, long-lasting powder shadows have a soft shimmer finish. The soft formula glides over the skin, blends effortlessly and lasts for hours. Each pallet comes loaded with four colour rich shades to take your look from day through to night. A built in mirror and double-ended soft-brush and smudge applicator makes application a dream.

Coleen x Signature Lip Palettes - £9.00
For long lasting, colour rich lips, Coleen’s palettes offer a choice of four collections - Berry Babe, Candy Crush, Iced Mocha and Sun Kissed. Wear each shade alone or mix them to create your own look. Each palette contains four shades to take your look from day through to night and with a built in mirror and applicators they are easy to use wherever you may be.

Coleen x Signature Collection - £25.00
You’ll be in cosmetic heaven with the Coleen Signature Collection. 8 of Coleen’s favourite shades of eye shadow, 8 shades of lip gloss, a bronzing powder, blusher and highlighting powder are all contained to give you the ultimate collection to create stunning looks. Coleen’s tips can be found on the inside cover to give you her insight into how to get the best from the collection

Coleen’s colour cosmetics collection is available from Selfridges, selected Debenhams and The Fragrance Shop (stockists 0870 850 3868).

Ankle boots: how to wear them and a few we’d like to wear

Ankle boots are the shoes of the season but be warned, they aren’t always that easy to pull off. If you’re not careful they can make you look stubby, even if you’re wearing a heeled version. Fear not, here are some quick tips to ensure you look fab from the toes up:

• Wear your ankle boots with bare legs and a mini dress, especially if you’ve got lovely long legs (show them off!)
• Wear your ankle boots with tights, leggings or trousers that are the same colour as the boot as this will create the longest line possible and give the illusion of added height
• Avoid long and below the knee skirts with ankle boots, this is a no-no as it will make you look short and frumpy
• If wearing with trousers, opt for a slim legged cut and tuck into the top of the boot, but not too tightly – a little rouching is a good thing
• Why not top your look with a fitted, cropped jacket to elongate your torso?

Here are a few ankle boots that have taken our fancy:

Faith Sling £85.00

Black leather ankle boots with buckled strap detail and almond toe, also available in black or green. This purple-plum colour is bang on trend.

www.faith.co.uk

Aldo Hurtgen £85.00

These pump-style boots give you all-in-one dress allure, as well as a truly avant-garde profile. Mid-high with suede upper, peep toe and front cut-outs with concealed platform for extra height.

www.aldoshoes.com

Office Middle Drimmie £80.00

Grey leather ankle boots with lace-ups and buckle detail straps. Simple and stylish and more comfy-looking than a lot of the other heeled ankle boots we’ve seen this season.

www.office.co.uk

Street Style: Embellishment

We spotted this fabulous top and had to find out more: clever Kat from Brighton gives us a lesson in how to recreate what’s on the catwalk at a smidgen of the price.

Embellishment is ‘in’ big-time, everywhere we look there’s sequins and sparkle; from Miu Miu to Marni and Pucci to Balmain, glitz and glam is the only fashion-forward way this season.

Whilst embellishment often means a hefty price tag weighing more than the garment itself, we were amazed to find that this top was a bargain buy at car boot sale for a mere £2!

Fashions always come back around and this red top with black bead embellishment was probably circa 1980-something but fortunately for Kat, the lady that once owned this beauty obviously knows the golden rule: if you wore it first time round, you probably shouldn’t wear it the second time it comes back into fashion.

Top £2 Car boot sale, Necklace - Topshop, Shorts - Miss Selfridge, Bag - charity shop, shoes - Topshop. Red lips - Bourgeois.

Search for car boot sales in your area at Car Boot Junction www.carbootjunction.co.uk.

THE MUST HAVE TOPSHOP TRIO

Topshop.com has a selection of rather lovely dresses right now, with sexy low back lines, rich materials and cool embellishment. Here are our 3 favourites:
Black with gold glitter £38
Blue velvet £35
Black studded leather £100