Alison Young's Beauty Bible

Beauty pick of the month: Sarah Chapman

2012-02-10T10:24:40+00:00

Hi everyone,

Did you all enjoy January's Beauty Pick of the Month? Well we have another fantastic offer for you this month in the form of Sarah Chapman's Overnight Facial, and yes it's with free P&P!

You can recreate the benefits of Sarah Chapman's famous Skinesis facial with this sophisticated serum oil. Its silky cashmere texture is packed with powerful antioxidants and vitamins, and is deliciously fragranced with a soothing pure essential oil blend of jasmine, frangipani, rose and tuberose.

It's the perfect balance of science and aromatherapy skincare!

There are many uses for it too…

For an instant pick-me-up
Use it two or three times a week at night if your skin is in need of an instant boost or pick-me-up. You can also enhance your daily moisturiser by mixing in a drop of the Overnight Facial oil.

For beginners or those with dry, parched skin in need of a boost
Simply use one pump of the oil and massage all over a clean dry face and sleep in it.

For those looking for more anti-ageing benefits
You can use it underneath your existing moisturiser or add it as a supplement to you night time routine, as a serum.

For a professional treatment at home
Once a week, take two or three pumps of the oil and massage it into the skin for 10-15 minutes, or you can combine it with Sarah's famous facial massager if you want to advance your routine.

Ultimately, everyone can add Overnight Facial to their skincare routine, especially in the winter months when the skin is drier and duller. However, if you have a very problematic skin type, I'd steer clear of it as it is a very potent, active formula.

Keep your eyes peeled for next month's top beauty offer.

Alison X

Winter beauty tips: it's all about make-up

2012-01-11T09:00:00+00:00

Over the last few weeks I've been filming a series of winter skincare tips for QVC Beauty. So far I've covered winter hair as well as looking at caring for your nails through the colder months.

The latest instalment is all about caring for the face, not just with your skincare but make-up too.

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Keep your nails looking healthy and on-trend

2012-01-04T09:24:28+00:00

Christmas is a distant memory now, so it's time to ditch the glitter polishes and show off a more elegant, chic shade on your nails perfect for the new year. Plus, the winter weather plays havoc with your nails so make sure you tend to them on a regular basis with strengtheners and cuticle oil.

Watch this video to find out more…

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Visit our Nailcare department.

Beauty Pick of the Month kicks off with Ojon

2011-12-31T23:55:00+00:00

What is Beauty Pick of the Month I hear you say? Well each month we'll be treating you to a top beauty product available with free P&P! And we're kicking off with Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment Plus.

It's a new and improved version of the popular haircare must-have, and has been designed to make it easier to apply thanks to its lighter texture.

You'll also notice it's clear in colour, as it has gone through a double purification system giving you a purer formula.

For those of you who didn't like the fragrance of the original formula, Ojon have listened to your feedback and the scent has now been neutralised - so more of you will now love to use it.

We decided to start this brand new promotion with Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Plus, as it's crucial to pay attention to you hair in the winter months. This particular size will give you between three and six months supply of this weekly intensive hair treatment.

There are several different ways you can use it…

Weekly treatment:
Apply the clear balm to dry hair and leave it for 20 minutes so that it can deeply penetrate each strand, then shampoo as normal. Or you can leave it on overnight for a more intense treatment. If your hair feels heavy and greasy, you've put far too much on.

One thing to note when you shampoo, your hair will feel slightly different when wet but you'll reap the benefits once you blow dry - you'll have glossy, voluminous and silky soft locks.

Targeted areas:
If you've got any weak or breaking areas where you fiddle with your hair - maybe at the temples or the ends - then just a couple of times a week, melt a tiny amount (finger nail-size) of the balm between your fingers and press it into those weakened areas before shampooing.

For styling:
You can melt a tiny amount into the palms of your hands and scrunch it into your hair and use it as a styling product. It'll help to prevent your hair from drying out - perfect for dry, textured, coarse hair.

Do not use Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Plus up to a week before you have any chemical treatments, such as colour, relaxing etc, and even one week after. The oils penetrate the hair shaft and will stop any chemical treatments from working.

Love this month's beauty pick? Make sure you check back next month for a new and exciting offer.

Alison
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Detox your hair with Hairfix

2011-12-31T23:55:00+00:00

I started my love affair with Hairfix many years ago - their three-step hair programme is amazing! It's so simple to use and helps make all your other haircare products work even better.

You just need to wash with it once a week or every four/five washes and it instantly refreshes your locks - like a facial for your hair!

Stage one cleanses; it doesn't foam up which is a little strange at first. Use two or three pumps, massage it into the hair and rinse after 30 seconds to a minute. You won't see any bubbles wash away - don't worry you haven't done it wrong it's the magic of Hairfix.

Stage two is a keratin-based shampoo which produces a really creamy, soft lather. Rinse as you would a normal shampoo.

Stage three is an oil-free, protein-rich formula to help give your hair a deep protective shine.

It is as simple as one, two, three, and once you blow dry your hair you'll instantly see results. It'll feel in great condition, your hair colour will look much brighter, and if you do this treatment before your colour treatment it will take more evenly.

The one thing that impresses me is it never fails to work. Hairfix gives 100% every time you use it.

Alison
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View the full Hairfix range

2011-12-28T17:00:47+00:00

Search by beauty concern:

Search by area:

Fine lines & wrinkles

Eyes: dark circles

Itchy/flaky scalp

Uneven skin tone and texture

Make-up troubles

Pregnancy beauty

Puffy eyes

Beauty routine advice

Message from Alison Young:

Find my answers to your skincare, haircare and make-up problems here. For those of you that don't know me, I'm a qualified beauty industry expert with over twenty years' salon experience. Beauty products (and horses) are my life! I've been answering QVC customer beauty questions since 1995 and my experience in the salon means I know what really works.

I will try to answer as many of your questions as I can but in the meantime, try searching by beauty problem for answers to similiar dilemmas.

Read more about Alison Young

Skincare routines for the winter months

2011-12-28T09:00:00+00:00

Hi everyone,

The winter elements can play havoc on our complexions, so I've come up with various skincare routines which I hope will help tackle all your concerns.

For dry/ageing skin

You need to exfoliate up to three times a week as dead skin layers build up to help protect your skin against the harsh weather, but these layers also block your oils and serums from penetrating the skin.

Use a liquid exfoliator to buff away the dead skin cells, such as Papaya Enzyme peel from Elemis or their Tri-Enzyme range; Alpha-H Liquid Gold or Gatineau's Gommage.

You should also use more serums and oils, and step up to a richer day moisturiser and even a balm at night time. You can top up with your moisturiser throughout the day (paying more attention to very dry areas) and treat your skin to something a little more intense while you sleep, such as Decleor Aromessence Iris Night Balm.

For combination skin

Combination skin tends to become dehydrated, especially on the T-zone, and you may experience some dry patches too. So you need more moisturiser in the form of hydrating products, such as balancing oils and effective daily moisturisers like Decleor Hydra Floral or Elemis Maximum Moisture .

You can step it up a gear at night time with a richer formula. The key is to not use heavier products but layer up with lightweight formulas.

For oily skin

Oily skin is usually 'happier' when washes and gels are used, but what you need to do in the winter months is include something a little more softening and moisturising without being heavy and greasy. If you're using Liz Earle's Light Skin Repair, why not try the Combination option.

When it comes to cleansing you could try Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish or Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser, which both have a richer texture - perfect for use at night. These luxurious textures will have a softening effect on your skin.

SBC Propolis Gel also works wonders in the winter months and will not bring you out in spots.

For sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, your go-to product will always be SOS Emergency Cream from Elemis. It needs no more explanation - just try it!

Lipcare

Everyone needs to look after their lips in the winter months so no matter what your age or skin type Gale Hayman's Lip Lift will work wonders.

Alison
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Caring for your hair during the frosty months

2011-12-25T23:55:00+00:00

As we go through the seasons our skin changes and sometimes this isn't for the better, it's then that we need a little helping hand. It's not only our skin that feels the brunt of the cold weather, but also our hair too.

So here are some tips on how to keep your locks looking their very best...

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Visit our Haircare department.

Find out how to use Today's Special Value from Prevage

2011-12-24T23:55:00+00:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

For the first time ever, we're bringing you a fabulous Today's Special Value on Christmas Day! Who said you had to stop shopping?

It's a four-piece Prevage Advanced Anti-Ageing Collection from esteemed beauty house Elizabeth Arden - luxury, premium skincare at its best.

Take a look at the video below to find out more…

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Our present to you - a Christmas Day TSV!

2011-12-22T23:55:00+00:00

For the first time ever, we're bringing you a Today's Special Value offer on Christmas Day. It's a premium Prevage skincare collection from esteemed beauty house Elizabeth Arden, and here's a sneak preview…

Having trouble viewing this video? See YouTube's Help page

Visit the beauty department