Ask The Expert > beauty


Getting personal

I’m thinking of going to a personal trainer, but they’re very expensive and how will I know that this trainer is going to suit me and help me reach my goals? Nicole, London

Jill Franks says :

Personal trainers should not be expensive. Shop around at local gyms and on the internet for your area. You should be looking at around £40 per session — often, if you book more than one session, you’ll get a discount. Meet up with a few and have a chat with them about your goals. Remember, this is all about what you want to achieve — not what the personal trainer wants to do for him or herself. Your session should be personalised to you and not the same as everyone else’s. You should also have a good rapport with your trainer and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You could have one session a month with a trainer and then do the programme three to four times a week in between. You need to be very disciplined to do this. Good luck, Nicole, you will know the right trainer for you when you meet them.

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Keeping cool

What’s the best way to cover up blotchy patches on my neck and chest? I get a rash whenever I’m nervous or excited, which is a given on my wedding day!
Elaine Murray, Newcastle

Mel Woodward says :

The best way to cover up blotchy skin is to use a green tinted formula to counteract and cover the red. I’d recommend Smashbox Photo finish Colour Correcting Primer (£21.45 from ww.qvcuk.com). Also try deep breathing and meditation to calm yourself down, which will help stop the redness – prevention is sometimes better than cure!

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Glowing skin!

My skin gets dull during the winter, and my wedding is next January, are there any products I can use to make sure I look radiant for my big day?
Iona Shawe, via email

Mel Woodward says :

Winter is one of the hardest seasons for skin thanks to the constant temperature changes as we go between the chilly outside weather and our centrally heated offices and homes. You’ll need to exfoliate at least once a week and use vitamin C treatments to get your glow back. I love Elemis’ Liquid Radiance for this — use it over 30 days to get glowing, satin-smooth skin.

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Weather-proofing

I’m getting married in Sri Lanka and have mid-length, fine, blonde hair. It will be very humid there and I am wondering whether an updo or loose locks will stand up to the weather better?
Heidi Marchant, York

Errol Douglas says :

Loose locks are definitely more prone to humidity so a loose updo is your best bet for a gorgeous style with staying power. Make sure you use body building hair products. Try a softly gelled style and either put up loosely (don’t do anything too severe), or try a pretty comb or French pleat and almost push the hair back on itself.

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Weighty matters

I’m 5’8” and 11 stone, and I want to get down to 10 stone for my wedding. After Christmas I dropped half a stone, but the weight loss has slowed down since. Although I’m not hugely overweight, I feel that I’m carrying extra flab around my waist, arms, bum and thighs. How can I shift it?
Laura Smith, Wolverhampton

Jill Franks says :

You mustn’t be so hard on yourself – I congratulate you on losing half a stone and you are well on your way to your goal weight. You need to stay focused. When considered together, fitness and nutrition bring you quicker and better results. Don’t focus so much on your weight but more on your body-fat percentage. Take time to have your body fat measured by your doctor or local gym and get a nutrition programme written for you. This will cost you a small amount compared to the price of your big day and the results will be worth it. Resistance work will help to reduce your body fat and get to those underlying muscles, resulting in a lean, toned body. Add cardio when you feel more comfortable.

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I need my beauty sleep!

I'm having trouble getting to sleep at the moment because of the stress of planning my wedding, what can I do to make sure I get my beauty sleep? I don't want big bags under my eyes for my wedding!
Lizzie, Honiton

Jill Franks says :

There are lot of ways to get your beauty sleep. First of all, learn to delegate rather than doing everything yourself. To stop your head from getting dizzy with all the stuff you have to do, write it all down in order of priority. Relax in the evenings — hot baths filled with calming oils will help. Nutritious food is also important to get you through these busy days. Also, try meditating. Every morning or evening, sit or lie in a comfortably dark room with your eyes closed and focus on your breathing. Just five minutes will help your mind to free and your body to feel totally re-energised!

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I want that bridal glow

Brides in magazines always have a radiant glow — how can I get that look at home?
Helen, Newport

David Horne says :

The radiant look is so popular that there are loads of products that will help you achieve that glowing look you're after. I love the Jemma Kidd Make-up School Dewy Crème Radiance (£16.64). Use it beneath your make-up for an all-over beam, or use it on top of your base to create a subtle shimmer — just highlight your cheekbones and brow bones for this.

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Beat the blush

I get really blotchy skin on my face and chest when I’m hot or stressed — is there a make-up can use that will cover this and not let it show? I have tried no7’s red face cover up but my skin still goes red.
Seline, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Mel Woodward says :

I suffer with the same problem and I find Clinique’s Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base (£12.50) it’s a godsend. There are other, free ways to fight the blush too — try applying your make-up slowly, taking a break between each layer. If you bombard the skin with heavy make-up, blood will rush to your face to protect it. By applying it slowly you decrease the amount that this will happen. Oh, and don’t drink too much champagne before the photographs are taken as alcohol will make you flush!

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Sensitive skin

I have very sensitive skin which swings back and forth between oily and dry - leaving me with flakey spots! I need to sort this out before I get married, but how? Kathryn, Fife

Mel Woodward says :

The oily and sensitive combination is tricky to manage! Try an online skin assessment such as Dermalogica's or Clarins' to find out the sort of products to suit your skin's needs - and start using them ASAP! If those results don't work for you then go to one of the skincare counters in a department store and have a proper consultation. Try out a couple of gentle exfoliators - if you find one that works use it once a week, but stop if it dries out your skin. A crucial thing is to find an oil-free moisturiser that will get rid of those flakes, without adding to your spots. Clinique's Moisturesurge (£26.43 for 50ml) could work for you.

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Simply the best

I’m doing my own hair - nothing fussy just simple curls - what is the best way of getting my curls to stay put all day? I’ve got heated rollers, but my friend says that her GHDs are good.
Chantelle, Manchester

Errol Douglas says :

GHDs are good but you can’t beat heated rollers for a lasting curl so I’d stick with those. For added staying power, spray each section of damp hair with hairspray before you roll it onto the roller. You can leave them in while you do your make-up. Remove them at the last minute when they’re bone dry and spray again with hairspray — they’ll last all day.

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