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!

Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream

I just had to post about this....I started using the Glycolic Eye Cream (overnight treatment) by www.mariobadescu.com a few days ago and I am AMAZED by the results! I had quite a few little dryness lines underneath my eyes and they are gone! I keep looking in the mirror as I can't quite believe it. The best thing is it's only $20 for a pot and you only need a little at a time.

I can't wait to see what I'll look like in a few weeks : )

I love face masks.....

Maybe a little too much as I try out at least several a week! There are a huge selection out there that perform different tasks. Some are for deep cleansing, some repairing, some deeply hydrating and some that perk your skin up - ideal before a night out.

Here is my round up of some of the best:

For deep cleansing and to firm and brighten oily skin I recommend B. Kamins http://www.bkamins.com/ Diotamamus Earth Masque - I found this left my skin feeling exceptionally clean but really soft and bright too.

For a quick fix for tired skin in the morning after a late night or to freshen up before a party Liz Earle Brightening Treatment http://www.lizearle.com/ is perfect. It works in 2 minutes and is a great pick me up.

For skin that is irritated and red try Healing and Soothing Mask by Mario Badescu http://www.mariobadescu.com/ is amazing. It calms skin down and softens dry patches. I like to use this on shoots when the model has been removing and putting on makeup continuously and her skin needs a break!

For skin that needs purifying after a hectic day in the city Be Fine Warming Clay Mask http://www.befine.com/ is ideal. This warming and soothing mask fights the free radicals that have been ravaging your skin all day long.

For skin that is smooth and glowing before a big night out I love Wine Hydrating Mask http://www.arcona.com/ this gets rid of little fine dryness lines. I find I can go without moisturizer under my base after using this.

For a deeply exfoliating and moisturizing treat use Fresh Sugar Face Polish http://www.fresh.com/ . It not only leaves your face radiant, refined and moisturized, it smells gorgeous too.

For dehydrated skin under your eyes (I put these on for 10 minutes under my sleep mask at the end of a long flight) I always use Stress Relief Eye Mask http://www.esteelauder.com/ these pre-moistened pads really get rid of lines and puffiness and make you look refreshed - even after an 11 hour flight!

I try to use a mask at least 3 times a week and I've been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately - is it down to masks? Who knows, but I'm going to carry on using them!