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KATHERINE HEIGL, HELEN MIRREN, ROSAMUND PIKE and NICOLE KIDMAN all sported various ruby hues at Sunday's awards.

And they're not the only celeb to match their lippy to the carpet.

At the BAFTAs SIENNA MILLER puckered up for the press with seriously glamorous ruby red lips.

A red mouth is an instant attention grabber and it's a big beauty trend this summer.

The good news is you don't have to be a blonde a-lister to pull it off.

Celebrity make-up artist and founder of the Famous cosmetic brand Sue Moxley says it all depends on your skin tone.

"Dark skinned or olive coloured skin you can get away with almost any type of red.

"Yellow skin should avoid orangey reds and go for pinky red so as no to end up looking more sallow.

"Pale skins should be very careful and stick to brown red and blot it so its not too strong. ]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080227-192845 BeautyGoodies Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:28:45 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=08&m=02&entry=entry080227-192845 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry061012-100504
On the inside: Tuck into all the lovely fresh fruit and veg in season during summer and make sure you get at least five portions a day. Jen loves Mexican food, particularly guacamole, which is made from avocadoes stuffed full of Vitamin E for beautiful skin, as well as cleansing garlic and lemon.

On the outside: Kick-start your circulation by body brushing. Start with a dry brush at your feet and work upwards towards your heart. Regular exfoliation followed by a rich moisturiser will soon leave your skin looking fresh and revitalised.

]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry061012-100504 BeautyGoodies Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:05:04 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=10&entry=entry061012-100504 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060921-150205
A-list aim: Beyonce's curvy hips and bum make the bootylicious singer stand out in a crowd of stick-thin celebrities.

On the inside: Improve circulation and clear toxins by boosting your metabolism - which will give you more energy to exercise too. Eat plenty of protein like beans and lentils, as well as nuts and seeds rich in essential fatty acids. Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially Brussel sprouts, spinach, parsley and cabbage, are great but avoid tea, coffee, soft drinks and sugar.

On the outside: Like your thighs, you can see the difference on your behind quickly if you do the right exercises. Beyonce's dancing helps keep her toned and supple, but here are five moves you can do in the privacy of your own home:


Lunge - Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and take a large step forward. Lower your body directly down so your front knee lines up with your ankle (your back knee should be almost touching the floor). Push off with your back foot and take a large step forward with your other foot. Walk lunge to the edge of the room, then turn around and repeat. Remember to contract your bum cheeks as you lower.
Step - Step onto the bottom step of the stairs with your right foot and lift your left knee to hip height. Step down with your left foot, and then repeat on the right side.
Kick - Start on your hands and knees and raise your left leg until it is parallel with the floor (keep a slight bend in the knee). Support your weight with your arms and right leg. Contracting your butt, lift your left leg up and towards the ceiling, keeping it bent. Return to the starting position and swap legs.
Lift - Lie on your back, knees bent, feet on the floor. Place your arms at your sides then, exhaling and contracting the glutes, push your hips up towards the ceiling and lift your bum off the floor. Inhaling, slowly return to the starting position but hover for a moment just above the floor.
Squat - Place your feet shoulder-width apart and, keeping your back straight, lower towards the floor as if you were sitting on to a chair. Contract the glutes as you lower and don't let your knees go over your toes (you should be able to see your feet at all times). Stop when the knees are at a 90 degree angle and return to the starting position and repeat.

Hollywood top tip: Be confident. Men prefer real curvy women to stick-thin model types so make the most of your booty. Short-style bikini bottoms may seem like a safe option but will just draw more attention to your behind so stick to a bright, high-sided shape to emphasise your curves.]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060921-150205 BeautyGoodies Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:02:05 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=09&entry=entry060921-150205 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060921-145230
You can find BeautyGoodies at www.beautygoodies.co.uk]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060921-145230 BeautyGoodies Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:52:30 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=09&entry=entry060921-145230 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060718-162521
At some point you had acne, now you are left with embarrassing, ugly scars. There are ways to diminish and reduce the appearance of the acne scars. The severity of the scars will determine what you will need to do to diminish them. I would recommend seeking advice from a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon to determine the best course of action.

For very mild scarring you can try a few at home procedures and products to help reduce the appearance of the scars. At home dermabrasion and chemical peels can help diminish some scarring especially if you also use retinol or alpha hydroxyl acid lotions or creams. For sensitive skin you may not want to apply retinol or alpha hydroxyl products right after dermabrasion or peels because it can cause redness and irritation. Other products you can try are scar reducing creams like Mederma or Rosehip seed oil which is said to be great at reducing scar tissue. Aloe Vera juice and gels and lavender oils are also said to work well on reducing scars.


Professional treatments for scarring include Laser Resurfacing which involves the use of a laser to remove skin so new skin can form in its place. Laser resurfacing can cause uneven skin tones in people with darker skin. It is still being studied but shows a lot of promise. After treatment you may experience redness and swelling which may last for several weeks.

Dermabrasion has been around for decades. Originally sandpaper was used to remove damaged skin. Now a machine rotates to remove the damaged skin, the skin is numbed or frozen first. After the procedure your skin is raw and scabs will form. After the scabs heal your skin will be reddish for several weeks.

Augmentation is a procedure where material like collagen or your own fat will be injected under the scar to bring it to the surface. The treatments last for about six months but they are working on more permanent solutions.

Subcision is a technique that detaches the scar from deeper tissue and allows a pool of blood to form under the scar. The blood clots and helps form connective tissue under the scar to level it with the rest of the skin surface. Subcision is usually combined with either dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

The depth and shape of your scars will determine what treatment your doctor will recommend. ]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060718-162521 BeautyGoodies Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:25:21 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060718-162521 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060718-094117
Oily, dry, combination – no matter what type your skin may be, sometimes a normal cleansing routine just isn’t enough. They say beauty is only skin deep – well, then perhaps that is where we should begin our daily beauty regimens. Cleansing, toning, refining and moisturizing one’s face daily is a major part of keeping healthy skin, but sometimes those steps could use a little help from a more powerful rejuvenating technique.

Facial mud and clay masques can work wonders on skin and the best part is, you need not set up an appointment at a salon for the perfect facial! Many brands offer great facial masque products, like Freeman’s Beautiful Skin® Facial Mud Masque or their Beautiful Skin® Mineral Clay Masque. Queen Helene® offers a very effective product, The Original Mint Julep Masque, which goes on green and just zaps the oil from your skin. These are just a few of the countless facial masque products out there.

To fully reap all the benefits of a facial mud masque, a certain skin care itinerary should be followed, beginning with a gentle cleansing with face wash. Following the cleansing, apply the face masque to your entire face, and neck if you desire, and allow it to dry completely. Masque should normally dry in about 10 to 15 minutes, though it can be left on problem areas overnight for the utmost therapy. Rinse the masque from your face with warm water and a washcloth. To conclude the complete home facial process, use an exfoliating face scrub followed by a facial moisturizer.

This sounds all well and good, but who really has a half an hour or more to spend on facial treatments every couple of days or even once a week? Even if you cannot spare the time for each step of the facial process, using the mud masque at least once a week will give you noticeable results in your complexion.

Benefits of a facial mud masque:

Absorbs excess oil
Aids in shrinking large pores
Clarifies skin’s texture
Eases tension lines on face and neck
Helps to dry up pimples
Reduces appearance of blemishes
Relaxes tired muscles
Removes dry cells and impurities
Replenishes vitamins, minerals and moisture
Rinses away blackheads
No matter how you go about your facial care routine, using a masque at least once in a while will truly invigorate you, leaving your face silky smooth and soft. Because the results are immediate and purely amazing, you may even find yourself wishing to use a masque more than once a week. Enjoy the clean and clear effects of a facial masque and relax while you use it… after all, it will be like having your own spa treatment in the comfort of your home! ]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060718-094117 BeautyGoodies Tue, 18 Jul 2006 08:41:17 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060718-094117 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-234607 At bath time, nothing is more luxurious or nurturing for your skin than an all-natural bar of Shea butter soap.

The Shea (Mangifolia) tree is a wild tree found in Western Africa that produces a tasty fruit. The fruit contains large seeds with oils that can be extracted to produce shea butter, a white to light yellowish color cream with a similar texture and consistency as butter.

Shea butter has been utilized by native Africans for more than a millennia. Shea butter contains unsaponifiable fats, which do not turn to soap and retain their moisturizing properties. It is completely non-toxic (in fact, unprocessed, it can be used in cooking) and gentle enough for use on the face, for babies or people with skin conditions. Shea butter is a natural moisturize, offers UV protection, and is even thought to help the skin make its own collagen by stimulating the tissue. It has been long used by healers for things like skin cracks and ulcers, small wounds, dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, and to sooth aching muscles. Because of the way shea butter restructures the skin, it has even been used to help with stretch marks, and in anti-aging formulas.

Because of the natural latex found in shea butter, people with latex allergies should do a test patch on the skin before using any shea butter products. Many people with latex allergies are not effected by shea butter, but some are, so it is better to be safe than sorry. But other than that, shea butter is a wonderful product to use on your skin. And the best way to take advantage of all-natural shea butter is to create your own home-made shea butter soap.

Shea butter is available in some craft stores that sell soap-making products, as well as many by soap and cosmetic supply companies. It is relatively inexpensive, as you can obtain an ounce for only a few dollars, and need only a couple of tablespoons in order to create two to four bars of soap. It also keeps well; refrigerated, it can last more than two years. But not all products are created equal. Many companies refine shea butter, or extract it chemically, which essentially takes out many of it's beneficial properties. Other companies bleach it, or add coloring and fragrances. For the best product, try to obtain shea butter that is all-natural and without additives. The more pure the product that you work with is, the better your results will be.

In order to make your own shea butter soap, you will need:

All-natural Castile (olive oil based) soap
distilled water
2 tbsp all-natural, unprocessed shea butter
1 tbsp finely ground almonds (optional, but a nice addition for a gentle exfoliating soap with a nice scent)
A grater
A double boiler, or a small pot that can be placed inside of a bigger pot
Small plastic food containers for molds
A mixing spoon
A drying rack
Begin by setting some tap water to boil in the double-broiler or big pot. Grate your castile soap until you have two cups full. Add this to the inner double-boiler, or the small pot, with ˝ cup of distilled water. Melt it over medium high heat, stirring frequently until the soap is completely melted and stringy when you pull up the spoon.

Remove it from the heat. Add the shea butter and almonds, stirring gently until the mixture is well blended. Pour into small plastic food containers and let dry and harden for several hours. They should pop out when completely hard.

Place on the drying rack and allow soap to set for 3 weeks, turning regularly throughout the day to prevent the bars from warping. Then, simply wrap them in plastic wrap to preserve them, or use them in your next bath.]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-234607 BeautyGoodies Mon, 17 Jul 2006 22:46:07 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060717-234607 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-213450 1 Tablespoon Liquid Soap
1 teaspoon Liquid Glycerine
1/2 teaspoon Apple Fragrance Oil
2 drops Red Food Color
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Melt soap in small pan over low heat or in a glass cup in the microwave.
Add Liquid Soap and glycerine and stir gently but well. Add fragrance, color and cinnamon. Stir and let stand a couple minutes, just enough to start to thicken so when you stir again the cinnamon will be more evenly distributed.

Pour into molds. Allow to set completely (in or out of freezer). Wrap in plastic wrap or use cellophane candy bags.]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-213450 BeautyGoodies Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:34:50 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060717-213450 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-094224
Problem #1: Stretch marks If you're genetically prone to stretch marks, there's not much you can do to prevent them. Stretch marks occur when skin grows too fast for its fibers to handle. These can tear, leaving purple, indented marks. To help improve your skin's elasticity, you can rub your belly several times a day in a circular motion with creams or oils that contain cocoa butter, vitamin E or sweet almond oil. Pregnant celebs like Jennifer Garner love Bellamama cocoa butter (bellamama.com).

Once the baby is born, you can treat stretch marks with StriVectin-SD, perhaps the most well-known product for marks. $135 at Sephora.com.

Problem #2: Brown spots Pregnant women are susceptible to splotchy pigmentation on the face known as chloasma. These brown spots are caused by hormones & sun exposure and are aggravated by UV (sun) exposure. To prevent brown spots, use a 25 SPF sunscreen. To lighten dark patches you can try topical vitamin C serum under moisturizer. US Weekly reports pregnant mama Michelle Williams likes Belli Anti-Choasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 ($25 at bellicosmetics.com).

Problem #3: Boring, dull hair Many pregnant women avoid getting their hair colored during pregnancy. However, medical experts agree it's safe to color your hair after your first trimester. But you'll need to go for highlights over a full color. Why? The fewer chemicals to touch your scalp, the better. Treat hormone-weakened hair to a hydrating mask once a week. Jennifer Garner adds shine with Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil (800-247-9907).

Problem #4: Dry skin & acne These problems are also effects of hormones. The only thing you can really do is moisturize & exfoliate daily. For a lists of great moisturizers for all body types see this article. Keep in mind that this is NOT the time to use products like Retin-A, salicyclic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Instead, try Murad Acne Spot Treatment which contains safe, acne-fighting sulfur ($16 at murad.com).

Problem #5: Dark undereye circles There's no real way to fix undereye circles, however, there are 3 options available to you for covering them up.

Problem #6: Sore muscles Prenatal massages are great for expectant moms but wait until after the first trimester. Massages relax both mom & baby. You can expect work on your lower back.

Problem #7: Varicose veins The American Institute of Preventive Medicine offers these suggestions to help prevent them from forming: Wear elastic support stockings, elevate legs when resting & take long & short walks every 45 minutes during long flights or car rides. Avoid standing for long periods & don't cross legs when sitting (like you can do this when heavily pregnant!).

Problem #8: Aching legs & feet To ease foot soreness, soak feet in a cool bath sprinkled with a capful of Epsom salts, then follow with a menthol-based cream. You might also invest in special medical socks that keep fluid from buiding up. See supportsockshop.com for more information.]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060717-094224 BeautyGoodies Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:42:24 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060717-094224 http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060716-222757
Have you always wanted lips as sensual and sexy as Hollywood starlets' and famous supermodels'? If so, you may be frustrated by lip-enhancers that burn and then quickly fade. And you may not want to risk the time, money and pain of injections. Now you can get that perfect look your lips deserve without spending a fortune.

Enhance. Repair. Renew.

First Impression is the first three-part system specially designed to enhance the look AND the health of your lips. Without stinging, pain or inconvenience.

This advanced formula naturally and safely stimulates the production of both collagen and Hyaluronic acid, which contribute to fuller, softer lips. Recently, fashion magazines and scientists alike have praised these lip-enhancing compounds for helping achieve full, kissable lips without the swelling and irritation of cheap lip enhancers or expensive injections. ]]> http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry060716-222757 BeautyGoodies Sun, 16 Jul 2006 21:27:57 GMT http://www.skinperfect.co.uk/comments.php?y=06&m=07&entry=entry060716-222757