Celebrity Brows

I often get asked to do permanent eyebrows in the style of a celebrity or film star. This is not always possible so it's essential I make it clear to my clients what can be achieved at the consultation stage. However, in this instance, I was asked to do Megan Fox-style brows for one of my clients. This is what followed ...

Megan's eyebrows have been pencilled-in here

This is my client's eyebrows before the procedure. She has good eyebrows but needs more definition, especially in the 'tail' area.

Before

Judge for yourself but I think the procedure was a success - and possibly even better than Megans. My client is extremely happy with the finished result.

After

Click here to find out how you too can have your own beautiful brows.

New SkinCeuticals Chemical Skin Peeling

Most of my clients wince at the mere mention of peels. I can't blame them - the only experience most have had of chemical peeling is watching the extremely aggressive ones on tv programmes like 'Ten Year Younger' or Samantha's very red face after a peel procedure in 'Sex and the City'.

However, this couldn't be further from the truth with the SkinCeuticals range of controlled peeling procedures that progressively remove the epidermis and stimulate collagen production.

Learning about the new peel range from SkinCeuticals

In turn, problems like hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, congestion, acne and acne scarring can be addressed safely and successfully. This wonderful two day seminar covered the new Skinceuticals line up of chemical peels -

• SM Gel Peel - new advanced procedure
• Micropeel 20
• Micropeel 30
• Pigment Balancing Peel

The mission of Skinceuticals is to improve skin health by providing advanced skincare, backed by science. They certainly deliver what they promise.

Demonstration of the SM Gel Peel -  new advanced procedure

Peels can be tailored to address individual concerns and come in different strengths: superficial, medium and deep. In general, they impact the skin in the following ways:

• Remove superficial dead skin cells
• Increase cell turnover
• Stimulate fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin
• Break down clusters of melanin to treat hyperpigmentation
• Deeply cleanse and clarify
• Smooth and refine the skin
• Tightens and firms the skin
• Smoothes lines and wrinkles
• Reduces inflammation and restores barrier function of the skin
• Provides hydration

Martine of Skinbrands assisting a delegate

An important point to consider before starting on a course of peels is that the skin needs preparation to gain optimum results. The application of correct products (antioxidant and AHA product) two to four weeks prior to a peel ensures the delivery of the essential components direct to the skin i.e the peel will be much more effective and the skin will be stronger in order to withstand the treatment.

Hands-on practical peel sessions

Also, correct nutrition  and aftercare plays an important role in assisting with the healing process of the skin. I'll be undertaking a nutritional specialist course soon enabling me to confidantly make nutritional recommendations. I already offer thorough assessment and skincare recommendations.

Application of the Clarifying Clay Mask and pressure point massage

Apart from gaining valuable theoretical knowledge over the two day seminar, I got to experience a peel for myself. I can hand-on-heart say the experience was a really pleasant one and my skin looks and feels beautifully smooth and glowing.

Me experiencing the new Micropeel 20

This was an intense but thoroughly enjoyable and productive course held at the magnificent Great John Street Hotel in Manchester. I am now a SkinCeuticals Specialist and have a framed certificate to prove it.

Lunch in the Library of The Great John Street Hotel

As part of my continuing commitment to my clients, I am offering complimentary skin analysis to address concerns and queries regarding treatments and products. This will be a free twenty minute assessment.
You can book yours by completing this contact form.
For more information on the complete range of SkinCeuticals peels, please take a look at my website.

Extremely important note - Please do not attempt to do this procedure at home. This is a professional-only treatment that should be carried out by either a qualified Level 3 therapist with at least three years experience, a nurse or a doctor. Reasons you should not attempt to purchase peels online:

1. You need to be thoroughly aware of the importance of correct preparation and aftercare as this greatly affects the outcome of treatment.
2. These are potent peeling agents which although safe to use in a controlled and professional environment, should not be administered without thorough training.
3. You cannot be certain of exactly what ingredients, or in what quantity is contained in any product you purchase online.

Body Reach Fitness (Part 1)

After loosing a stone and a half with Slimming World, and feeling great, I was about to don lycra pants and venture to a fitness class. According to standard height/weight charts I am a 'healthy weight'. I was now ready to move onto the next step and make a long-term commitment to myself - to be fitter and healthier.

Check yours out!

Luke happened to contact me at the best possible time and I went along to my first training session at Preston with Body Reach Fitness.

Luke Walker of Body Reach Fitness

Any nervous pangs were quickly dismissed upon meeting Luke who has a very warm and friendly personality. As you would expect, he is extremely knowledgeable about muscles, toning, the body's physiology and how to use nutrition to achieve optimum results when training. His enthusiasm for what he does is clear once you have experienced a training session.

Luke demonstrating one of many toning exercises

Luke's training philosophy is all about fat loss, toning and strengthening the body. Unlike the majority of slimming clubs his classes are not about weight loss. Weight loss does happen naturally though - by exercising. Luke uses resistance and weight loss workouts with high intensity interval workouts. This is the best type of workout for fat loss. He helps his clients to build and tone a lean sculptured body, correcting the body composition to more muscle, less fat.

I can see muscle definition already

I go to two 'boot camp' classes and also have a one-to-one training session with Luke every week. Before we commenced training Luke wrote down my vital statistics and a few other measurements on a chart, so we can analyse my progress over the next few months.

I've been taught how important posture is when lifting weights

In each training session Luke brings in something different that I haven't done before, so it's always interesting and fun - we've even played a bit of dodge ball and tag.

Great exercise for the tummy

What I love best about Luke's guidance - he actually explains to you how each exercise will help you i.e "This is going to help speed up your metabolism" or "By doing this exercise your body will continue to burn fat for the next two days." I can process this type of simple information. In the few weeks since I started training with Luke I have learnt a great deal about nutrition, exercise and fitness. For instance, I now know that too much cardio slows down metabolism by burning muscle tissue away. Therefore resistance training is vital to speed up resting metabolism.

Luke explains the best technique - this one's a 'killer'

Here are some of the advantages to Luke's training:

• Increased metabolic rate (fast fat loss)
• Increased and restoring bone density (osteoporosis)
• Higher energy and improved mood
• Increased lean muscle-to-fat ratio and strength gains
• Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Stimulates the optimum production of the two most important hormones in charge of mental and physical performance
• Improved posture
• Injury prevention
• Improved confidence
• Feeling and looking better

More weight training

He's also given me advice on the best foods to eat whilst exercising. I've found it really interesting and am enjoying it so much I have signed up for a Nutrition Specialist course. It will incorporate perfectly into my beauty therapy business.
Luke is also able to travel to you for one-to-one training sessions. I would love him to set up classes in Chorley and already have started to add names to my list!
Read what Luke's clients have to say.
If you live in Preston, Bolton, Manchester and particularly Chorley and are interested in making a positive change to your long-term fitness and health, please contact Luke by email: bodyreachfitness@live.co.uk or telephone: 07871 271541.

Fitness training photographs copyright of Alfa Photography