Feelgood - Irish Examiner

TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:11:29:00Edition:12/03/2010FeelgoodXH1203Page:14Zone:XH14XH - V1The news on ...UNSTRUCTURED CURLSEmily O’SullivanWomen don’t needface-freezing cosmeticsurgery to remainattractive and sexyIF YOU’VE got wavy hair a la Pixie Lott,then you’ll be delighted to know that accordingto Jake Davis, senior stylist forJohn Frieda, “unstructured curls” are oneof the big looks for spring/summer 2010.It’s all about “loose and natural, randomtextures, an undone look”, saysDavis.“This curly look is soft and movesaway from the very overdone Hollywoodcurled look — spring/summeris relaxed and about lazy days andwarm weather, not the glamoroussiren look of the Christmas party season.”If you’re more crazy frizz-meisterthan relaxed curly chic, then opt forJohn Frieda’s Dream Curls Curl PerfectorSpray, 5.99, to tame things down.STUFF WE LIKENuxe First Expression Lines Eye ContourCream, 20. This eye cream has aslightly oily texture but remarkably it is almostinstantly absorbed into the skin. It’spacked with natural ingredients, such asblue lotus and poppy seeds, althea root,calmosensine, amaranth andmusk rose. For best results, usemorning and night.No7 Lift & Luminate NightCream, 29.25. Great fordehydrated and dull-looking skin,Lift & Luminate is a firming andbrightening cream that promises towork on the complexion in just fourweeks. The cream has a lovely richtexture and has been making ourskin feel silky soft and looking aFeelgoodAgeing thenatural wayI’M CONVINCED at some point soonthere will be a backlash against our obsessionwith youth. From puerile plasticsurgery TV shows about cosmetic vaginal reconstructionto alien-like women stalking thecorridors of celebrity with blank StepfordWives expressions, I’m quietly confident thatplastic surgery, and the relentless obsessionwith ageing and imperfection, will be theharbinger of its own demise.Extreme vanity is unattractive. Fact. Beingcomfortable in your own skin, on the otherhand, is alluring. It’s sexy. It’s subtle and it’smagnetic. We’ve reached a state of near hysteriaabout the small creases that creep acrossour faces, but women who avoid cosmeticsurgery and non-invasive procedures have abeauty that exposes the bizarre horror ofbloated lips, stretched skin and expressionlessforeheads.Consider Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon,Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, picturedhere, Catherine Deneuve — they exude anelegance that women like Ivana Trump canonly dream about. They are confident, relaxedand have an allure that transcends age.They have, and are, ageing with grace andelegance. It can be done.I recently watched The September Issue, afilm about the uber-sunglassed Anna Wintourand US Vogue. But despite being one of fashion’smost commanding figures, Wintour wasnot the film’s star. Instead that plaudit landedwith the magazine’s visionary creative director,Grace Coddington. Coddington’s appearanceis dramatic: her shock of frizzy red hairframes a face ridged with lines and etchedwith experience.At first, it takes you by surprise, but herbeauty slowly unfolds before you, and by theend of the film, you are captivated by her, intrigued,almost mesmerised — this is awoman working at the pinnacle of the fashionindustry with expressions that you canread. It’s refreshing, honest and, yes, sexy.I don’t know any women who’ve hadBotox treatments. My friends are notprimed and preened — they are mothersand working women who exude an earthysexuality. They are anything but false, andthey are admired by the men around them.I can see the beginnings of lines and wrinkleson their faces, and I like it that way.Bobbi Brown is one beauty guru that istouting the no-Botox route. Yes, she’s abusinesswoman, and yes, she has a skincareand cosmetics line to sell, but she is frankwhen it comes to the importance of womenbeing allowed to age naturally. “Of coursewe all want to look better — but thatdoesn’t have to mean looking younger,” shesaid in a Sunday Times interview.little more radiant. Three cheers.Trilogy Age Proof CoQ10 BoosterSerum, 28.95. Trilogy has become one ofour standout brands of late — theproducts are simple, natural and effective.This new Booster Serum isspecifically designed for maturingskin and has a collagen-boostingco-enzyme, as well as tamanu oil,which is rich in essential fatty acids.It’s designed for use underneath yourregular moisturiser and helps skinfeel silky soft and very well hydrated.Roc Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correction,32.95. Retinol is still regardedas one of the most effective anti-ageingingredients, so if you’re lookingFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010Brown’s solution is her make-up face lift,a much publicised range of products thatbring a lightness and brightness back to theface. Concentrating on deeply moisturisingproducts that have a sheer look, Brown isreflecting the long-held make-up rule that,as you age, less is more.Central to this look is a light foundation.Heavy bases look truly awful on more matureskins, which need to inject a look ofdewy freshness to keep it young-looking.Yes, you might need to cover up dark circlesand red veins and uneven skin tones,but you can do this with a concealer.Don’t let dead skin cells build up on theskin — use a gentle exfoliator regularly, optfor a radiance-boosting moisturiser and getout for regular walks. It might sound simplebut it does bring a freshness to the cheeks.And that’s bound to make us all lookyounger.for anti-ageing cream then this is as good aone to go for as any. It has a rich, satinytexture and a slightly shampooey fragrance,but it feels very gentle on the skin.Clarins Gentle Peeling, 30. Firstlaunched in 1974, this cleanser hasproved its staying power. It’s aclay-based product, which needs to onlybe left on the skin for a minute beforewashing it gently off. Great for brighteningdull, tired-looking complexions.Bobbi Brown Extra SPF25 MoisturisingBalm, 50. We’re always includingthis one, but we do love it so, andit’s part of Bobbi Brown’s Make-up FaceLift. It’s a very sheer, very moisturisingtinted balm that gives the skin a lift inSHOWER GELSTAKE THREEI’M more of a soap bunny than a shower gelfanatic — after all, what’s the point of allthat wasted packaging when it comes downto it? Still, there is something about a goodquality shower gel that can set your day offin the right way. Here are threewe like:Voya Squeaky Clean, 16. Infusedwith organic seaweed fromIreland’s Atlantic coastline, this isan energising body wash that givesa good woosh to the start of theday. It foams up well and the sweetbasil and organic clove bud oilsgive it a great scent.Score: 8Clinique Deep Comfort Body Wash,18.50. A lot of shower gels and soaps canbe quite harsh and drying on the skin. Notso this one, a, literally, deeply comfortingwash with a luxurious creamy latheringfoam.Score: 8Original Source Mint andTea Tree Shower, 2.39.Hurrah, a shower gel thatdoesn’t make us feel too guilty.This fabulously invigoratingminty gel comes encased in awaterproof pouch that is recyclableand uses 75% less packagingthan before. Bravo.Score: 10the lightest way possible. It might feelstrange if you’re used to wearing heavierfoundations, but give it a go and you maywell find yourself converted… forever.Benefit Brows a-go-go, 39.50. It’s importantto keep your brows looking definedas you age, as nature can thin and lightenthem. Powders are much betterthan the harsh effect thatbrow pencils can create. Thisis a good kit because it hasthree brow shades, a greatbrightening eye shadow, and acreamy pink concealer thathides dark shadows underthe eyes.