Day 7....body care

Time to get down to a serious regime for baring your skin in your LBD!

Start by twice a week exfoliating seriously with a good body scrub such as Jurlique www.jurlique.com Body Exfoliating Gel for gentle exfoliation or with Sampar http://www.sampar.com/ Lap of Luxury Sea Scrub for a deep exfoliation that leaves you radiant. A good tip is to apply these to slightly damp or even dry skin all over before you get in the shower or tub.
After you've emerged from either, dry off with a warm fluffy towel and apply body moisturizer straight away to trap any moisture left on the skin. Good body lotions to try are Juice Beauty http://www.juicebeauty.com/ Green Apple Extra Firming Body Moisturizer which not only smells delicious, it sinks in right away and firms with continuous use. Another one I like is DDF http://www.ddfskincare.com/ Glycolic 10% Body Lotion - this helps exfoliate andy dry patches and leaves your skin silky.
If you want to use specific treatments for problem areas now is the time to do it, when the skin has shed it's dead layer and can absorb the active ingredients properly. For your bust area try Clarins http://www.clarins.com/ Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel to tighten and lift the natural bra area. If your concern is more to prevent a crepey decollete, I recommend Liz Earle http://www.lizearle.com/ Superskin Bust Treatment which is a great deeply moisturizing but non sticky serum, allowing you to dress right away.
If cellulite is your problem, massage daily with a cream specifically for that. Both Murad's http://www.murad.com/ Firm and Tone Serum (they also do a whole regimen with supplements) and Karin Herzog's http://www.karinherzog.com/ Silhouette 4% Oxygen give great results if used regularly.

Start now and have skin worthy of baring in your backless dress or mini skirt this holiday season!

Countdown to Christmas....and beyond

Starting today, I'm going to give you a beauty advent calendar. There will be a different tip or beauty regime to follow to make sure you look and feel your best by Christmas day and for the New Year's celebrations.

Today, December 1st, is the day to start a skincare regime that should yield full results by New Years Eve (skin usually takes 28 days for cell turnover, so starting today should mean that by NYE you will see a marked improvement).

This means that you cleanse, treat and moisturize twice a day from today! Even if you are soooo tired before bed, at least keep a packet of cleansing wipes by the bed and take off the day's makeup....it's better than nothing!

For oily/acne prone skins I recommend Murad http://www.murad.com/ I wash with the Clarifying wash every day using my Clarisonic brush http://www.clarisonic.com/ this gets my skin super clean but doesn't dry it out.

For sensitive skin I recommend the Liz Earle range http://www.lizearle.com/ this range is so gentle but really makes skin look smooth and glowing.

For dry skin, try Amala http://www.amalabeauty.com/ this is a completely organic range and has great products to treat dryness.

For hyperpigmention I suggest JolieMD this is specially formulated to lighten dark spots gently.

For slightly more mature skins in need of a little extra help with lines, you can't go wrong with Janson Beckett Alpha Derma CE http://www.janson-beckett.com/ I love how this cream sinks in but doesn't feel greasy and has UV protection, making it ideal for daytime.

For skin that has deep lines and wrinkles StriVectin http://www.strivectin.com/ is a great choice. The Overnight Facial Resurfacing Serum and the Instant Facial Sculpting Cream work in conjunction to smooth, tone and tighten skin whilst alleviating deep set wrinkles.

For normal/combination skin, you are the lucky ones. You can use practically anything -Jurlique http://www.jurlique.com/ is a beautiful brand that makes a wide variety of products that get skin sparkling with health, and is a good choice for normal/combination skin.

In the morning wash or cleanse your face, tone if you like or splash with cool water, then put on a serum or spot treatment. Allow to sink in and then use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, YES even in Winter!

In the evening before you go to bed, cleanse throughly, exfoliate with a gentle scrub two evenings a week, then apply eye cream (I love Mario Badescu glycolic eye cream http://www.mariobadescu.com/ which is formulated for overnight use). Follow with a treatment product for your particular needs, or a night cream. When you are asleep is when your skin repairs itself and when these products really get a chance to work so make the most of those zzz's!

Party ready - straight from work

I missed out on an opportunity tonight to go the Dancing with the Stars finale with Terri Seymour because I wasn't prepared at a moment's notice. It will NEVER happen again because I will always have a party kit on me! Here is how to get ready at a moment's notice and what to have in your desk/car to make sure you look amazing in 15 minutes:

Makeup sponges: Use these to smooth out and blend any smudges or greasy areas that have occured during the day.

Rosewater Balancing Mist by Jurlique http://www.jurlique.com/ : Spray a light mist over your whole face and neck to freshen your skin and let dry for a few seconds.

Photo Op Under Eye Brightener by Smashbox Cosmetics http://www.smashbox.com/ : Sweep this under your eyes, on your cheek and brow bones for a quick brightening effect that makes you look awake.

Disappear Smoothing Concealer by Estee Lauder http://www.esteelauder.com/ : Cover any blemishes with this highly pigmented, non creasing concealer and if you need any extra help under your eyes, blend a little there too.

Hello Flawless Powder Foundation by Benefit Cosmetics http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ : This is my saviour! Great skin in an instant. Using the sponge that comes with it, apply this all over your face or just where you need a little help.

Opaline Creme Eye Definer by Three Custom Color in Aurora http://www.threecustom.com/ : This is a gorgeous black eyeliner shot through with blue opalescence that makes all eyes look brighter. You can define with a strong line using a pointy brush or blend out for a smokier look.

Diorshow Mascara in Black by Dior http://www.dior.com/ : One coat of this will thicken and lengthen your lashes.

Eyebrow Manicure by Shu Uemura http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/ : This is my latest find and I won't go anywhere without it now! It's a colored brow get that really does darken and hold your brows in shape all night and it's so fast to apply.

Mineral Bronzer by Tarte in Hotel Heiress http://www.tarte.com/ : Dust this lightly all over your face or just on your cheekbones for some glowing definition.

10 Years Younger Makeup Finish Spray by Skindinavia http://www.skindinavia.com/ : This sets your makeup all night and stops it creasing and looking dull, perfect if you've had a long day!

Quikee toothpaste and gum by Supersmile http://www.supersmile.com/ : These freshen your breath and whiten your smile without a drop of water in sight! The gum is in separate little packages of two pieces, perfect to keep in your purse or pocket.

Glossy Pencil by Lipstick Queen http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ : This makes defining and glossing your lips a cinch. My favorite color is Chinatown Crime - a bright pink that is a great party shade but not too shocking for those that usually steer away from color.

Straight and Curl hair irons by UBe http://www.defabulous.com/ : These are amazing! Tiny little irons that can straighten or curl and they heat up to 410 F in 10 seconds! Makes refreshing your style extremely quick and easy.

Keep it all in a little makeup case in your car or desk. I have the Mitte Case by Face Stockholm http://www.facestockhom.com/ which has several different compartments and a space for brushes but is big enough to carry all your essentials. I keep all Terri Seymour's personal makeup in one!

For the final finish I like to carry a solid perfume in my purse. Saves carrying a big bottle and any spills you might have. I love Lotus Garden Solid Perfume by Pacifica http://www.pacificaperfume.com/ it smells like you're on vacation - something you need during the cold Winter nights!

I will keep a little black dress and heels in my car too and will be ready for the next time!