If your beauty cabinet is brimming with half-used anti-ageing products that once promised to be the next big thing in zapping wrinkles, you’re not alone.
The quest to diminish frown lines is big business and Britons spend £700million a year on moisturising creams. But what about beauty gadgets?
Here are some of the devices claiming to lift and tuck as you sit on your sofa.
SLENDERTONE FACE, £300 (www.slendertoneface.com)
THE CLAIM: Boosts muscle volume to lift and plump the skin and reduce the
appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
EXPERT OPINION: “This causes muscle stimulation which will increase tone, but only to a limited degree,” says Dr Patrick Bowler, medical director of Court House Clinics.
“It does have trials to back up the product and regular use may induce a tightening of the area.”
OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS MASK, £18.99 for five (Boots)
THE CLAIM: Reduces appearance of fine lines, age spots and wrinkles.
EXPERT OPINION: Dr Stefanie Williams, dermatologist at the European Dermatology London, says: “This mask contains some ingredients that, in principal, make sense for improving age spots and fine lines. However, the main issue I have with anti-ageing masks in general is that their contact with skin is neither long nor frequent enough to do any real good.”
LEAF & RUSHER TX Roller Dermal Roller, £90 (www.simplebeauty.co.uk)
THE CLAIM: Locks in skin-building nutrients and supports collagen and elastin repair.
EXPERT OPINION: “Microneedling has been proven to be very effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, sun damage and stretch marks,” says Dr Ravi Jain, cosmetic dermatological surgeon at Riverbanks Clinic.
“Combining with skin nutrients is a good idea as long as they are prescribed by a skin care professional. For best results you need treatments which need a local anaesthetic.”
THE NIFTY WRINKLE WAND, £29.99 (www.theniftyfacelift.co.uk)
THE CLAIM: Banishes fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and under eye puffiness using electro therapy and muscle stimulation.
EXPERT OPINION: “As we have 32 different muscles in the face, a non-professional needs to be clear about the muscles that they will be working on,” warns Vicky Dallimore, senior instructor at The International Dermal Institute.
ORALIFT, from £575 for consultation and fitting at Added Dimension Dentistry (www.oralift.com)
THE CLAIM: Reduces eye bags, lines around the mouth, eyes and face, and tightens facial muscles.
EXPERT OPINION: “Oralift, which fits into the mouth like a mouth guard, puts a load on the facial muscles to increase tone and circulation,” says Dr Mario Russo, cosmetic derma surgeon at The Rejuvenation Clinic. “It is proven to work, but is demanding on time.”
LOTION LARDER
If you are a moisturiser traditionalist, you are spoilt for choice.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, £37.50 (available from Friday): Diminishes age spots as well as a prescription strength cream.
Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum, £19.75: The British Journal of Dermatology declared it “rare” to find such anti-ageing benefits in an over-the-counter product.
L’Oreal Youth Code, from £14.99: Based on research on skin genes.
Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum, £125 (Space NK, Princes Square): A viper-inspired serum to lift the face in a similar way to Botox.
Tried and Tested
By Deborah Anderson
A hidden gem in the heart of the Merchant City, The Boutique is a one-stop beauty hub for pampering or transforming yourself.
Beauty and hair specialists have teamed up with an image consultant to form The Boutique, a venue providing everything you need under one roof.
By the time I met stylist Karen Cahn, who coloured my hair, I was completely relaxed following a sublime facial, manicure, and intense hair treatment.
A colour analysis determined my dominant tones by looking at my eye and hair colour and skin tone, and I was delighted to be told I was soft colouring, the same as Jennifer Aniston.
Armed with those results, I was given a complimentary pocket-sized colour swatch wallet so my wardrobe will no longer be cluttered with mismatching outfits.
A visit to The Boutique is a must for any style-conscious woman. Colour analysis costs £105 and style consultation is £100.
- Sark Boutique and Image Consultants 0141 552 6575, karen@thesarkcollection.co.uk
- The Boutique, 65 Virginia Street, Glasgow E-mail: theboutiqueglasgow.com
Star style
Sarah Jessica Parker didn’t just bling up her wrist with bangles for her Oscars red carpet moment. She flaunted one of Chanel’s new Les Trompe-L’Oeil de Chanel tattoo bracelets, £49 for 55 individual designs (0207 493 3836).
