Beauty by numbers: fun facts and figures

12 Jun 2013 16:25 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Think you’ve got your fine lines and wrinkles in check? And that your current bevy of products are delivering the goods? Or are you afraid you’re missing out on some seriously groundbreaking skin care? Perhaps you’re not thinking big enough. Maybe you need something really impressive. Something that’s taken the world by storm and delivers seriously remarkable results. Oh – lucky you – we just happen to have some pretty amazing statistics from leading brands to impress the socks off you! Hover over the pink stars to learn more about these amazing anti-ageing products…

1. 61,000

   The number of women who reserved Avon Anew Clinical PRO Line Corrector Treatment with A-F33 in advance of the launch date in the UK alone.

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2. 9

   The number of bottles of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair that are sold around the world every single minute.

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3. 100

   The percentage of participants that showed an improvement in the appearance of fine lines after just two weeks of using Avon Anew Clinical PRO Line Corrector Treatment with A-F33.

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4. 93

   The percentage of consumers who noticed a change in their complexion immediately after application of the L’Occitane Sublime Essence Serum.

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5. 10

   The number of dollars the original Night Repair patent was purchased for. The launch of Night Repair created the nighttime ‘repair’ skin care category in 1982.

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6. 4.87

   Every 4.87 seconds a Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion is sold somewhere around the world.

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7. 1

   The spot Lacura Renew Anti Wrinkle Multi Intensive Serum grabbed in the anti-ageing serum stakes after being trialled against 2,000 products by 1,000 women in the UK.

8. 3

   In 2012, 3 units of Visionnaire [LR 2412 4%] Advanced Skin Corrector were sold every hour in Australia.

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Which skin care product stat shocked the socks off you? Which one do you think you'd be most likely to try and why?

Three ways winter strips your skin

23 May 2013 11:21 AM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Winter sure is a naughty little season, isn’t it? Not only does it wreak havoc on your hair and your ability to show off your pins, but it also messes with your normally radiant skin, too.

But since cold temperatures, wind, and artificial heaters – all the worst offenders when it comes to drying out skin – come part and parcel with winter, how exactly do you go about ensuring your skin stays radiant and hydrated?

To begin, it’s important to understand exactly how the elements affect your skin, before we can reveal our secret to overcoming their damaging effects…

COLD TEMPERATURES

The drop in temperature that occurs in winter can leave your skin seriously dehydrated. Why? Well, cold, frigid air stiffens the normally soft, fatty lipids that keep your skin pliable, which in turn makes it more prone to cracking. And when your skin cracks it allows moisture to escape, leaving your skin dry and dull. At this point it becomes more vital than ever to use a daily cleanser that helps to hydrate your skin and replenish lost moisture – because now more than ever it’s not enough for your cleanser to simply provide a deep clean. In fact, if your current cleanser is leaving your face feeling ‘tight’, then chances are it’s actually removing moisture from your skin as it removes impurities, which will never get you the fresh, radiant-looking complexion you want.
To ensure you always put your best face forward (even in minus temperatures), swap your current cleanser for one that also hydrates, like the NIVEA Daily Essentials range. These hydrating cleansers are formulated with Hydra IQ deep moisture technology (as are all NIVEA Daily Essentials products*) and works to fight the dry, ‘tight’ feeling by effectively transporting moisture from the deeper layers of your skin, to the top. The best part is, the addition of Hydra IQ technology means that these products are also putting moisture back in to your skin, helping it to look healthy and radiant – unlike other cleansers, which can worsen the damaging effects of the winter elements by further stripping your skin of essential moisture.

WIND

Cold winds can cause a ‘windburn’ effect, which saps the moisture from your skin and leaves it feeling chapped, dry and sore and looking anything but radiant. Do the right thing for your skin and counteract the effects of the winter wind by arming yourself with a cleansing product that will not only help to gently soothe your dry skin, but will also replenish lost moisture while simultaneously giving a thorough cleanse. We recommend using NIVEA Daily Essentials Soothing Cleansing Mousse daily to get your soft, radiant, healthy-looking complexion back.

HEATERS

Just like the chilly air, any extreme changes in temperature – like escaping from the cold to hibernate in front of the heater – can severely dehydrate your skin and leave it looking dull and pallid. If you aren’t prepared to give up your face time with your heater during the chilly months, you need to ensure you make up for it in your skin care regime. Cleansers are designed to rid your skin of dirt and make-up, but as mentioned above, many of them can also strip your skin’s natural moisture right along with it. Ensure you’re using a cleanser that works to take away impurities, but that also puts moisture back into your skin. We recommend NIVEA Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Mousse as it provides a deep clean AND gives your skin an intensive boost of long-lasting moisture – and this will ultimately give your skin its best defense against the elements.

*Excludes Fragrance Free Cleansing Wipes, Make-Up Removers, Moisturising Fluid SPF 15 and Shine Control Moisturising Day Cream SPF 15.

What are your top tips to protect your skin from the damaging elements?

Top-up Thursday: the easiest way to increase your points

13 Jun 2013 09:33 AM | Posted by bh'sCarli

Thursday has rolled around yet again, which means we can rejoice for two reasons:
1) Tomorrow is Friday. Which means it’s basically the weekend.
2) It’s Top-up Thursday again. Hooray!

A reminder for those who haven’t yet discovered the joy and brilliance of Top-up Thursday:

Every Thursday between now and July, members will have a chance to win a share of over 10,000 points. That’s 20 lucky winners each week walking away with 500 bonus points added to their beautyheaven account (which means you’ll be able to make into some pretty awesome beautorium purchases).


So what do you have to do to get your hands on these bumper points? Just answer three simple questions about recent beautyheaven articles in the form below. You'll have until Wednesday next week (June 19 2013) to answer all the questions to go in the draw. 


Oh, and make sure you keep your eyes peeled every Thursday morning for the latest beautorium quiz!


Can't see the quiz? Click here to enter…

Are you excited for beautorium? What’s your dream beautorium product?

Would you have surgery to look like a celeb?

12 Jun 2013 16:47 PM | Posted by bh'sCherie

How far would you go to improve your looks? And would you be willing to have work done on said looks just to get a job?

An aspiring actor from New Jersey, USA, recently spent $5,000 on cosmetic procedures so he could look like his acting hero Ryan Gosling. Yep, he parted ways with his hard-earned cash for specifically targeted Botox and filler injections to enable him to mimic the good looks of the Hollywood actor. Oh, and to help improve his chances with women.

Now, there is no question as to whether Ryan Gosling is good looking. He certainly is one handsome man. But is this really necessary? Getting fillers and Botox to look like an A-lister? Doing so may improve this man’s looks, but it won’t inject an exceptional talent for acting into his veins, which would probably help more. Just sayin’.

One cannot predict if this newly chiselled jaw will in fact land him more roles or allow him to hit the big time like Mr Gosling, however we’re hoping his dedication to his art – and the fetching artwork that is Ryan Gosling – pays off. If not, may we suggest he invest his cash elsewhere? Maybe in acting lessons, perhaps?

How far would you go for your dream job? And would you get plastic surgery to look like celebrity? Do you believe being “better looking” will get you further in the workplace?

Why Hypoxi is the answer to targeted weight loss

12 Jun 2013 15:05 PM | Posted by bh'sCherie

Every single lady wants to look good on her wedding day. Really good. And while a lot of this has to do with hair styling, make-up and a show-stopping dress, it also has to do with one’s body. If a bride doesn’t feel good in her skin, it’s safe to say she won’t be completely at ease on her big day.

Two months ago, bh’s Bree was in this exact situation. Her big day was looming, and despite eating healthily and exercising regularly in the lead up to her wedding, she still had a few kilos to shift. So, the bride-to-be tried Hypoxi, a weight loss machine that stimulates blood flow to a specific region of the body to accelerate the rate fatty acids are metabolised in that area.

Now, we’ve all heard of Hypoxi, but did it actually change her body? Did bh’s Bree lose weight in time for her wedding? I sat down with the newlywed to discover whether it’s just a fad or if the program truly was a worthwhile investment…

Why did you decide to try Hypoxi prior to your wedding?

It all came down to my dream dress. The one I so desperately wanted was tight over my stomach and hip area. I’ve tried many different diets and weight loss systems over the years, but instead of losing weight from my lower half – my troublesome area – it always came off my face and breast area. I needed to target my weight loss to my lower body so I could fit properly into my dress. A client of mine had amazing results with Hypoxi, so I decided to give it a go.

Talk me through your first Hypoxi session...

During the first 30 minutes, I was asked a whole heap of questions on my current diet and exercise regimen, as well as my general health and stress levels, and I was measured from head to toe. They also tested my skin’s elasticity and texture, which determined the state of my cellulite. I then spent 30 minutes on the actual Hypoxi machine. In all honesty, I was blown away by how thorough that first consultation was, as it allowed them to tailor my session to treat specific concerns and problem areas.

How often did you visit a Hypoxi studio to complete the 30-minute sessions?

I did a course of 12 sessions – three a week over four weeks, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. After each of these sessions, I wasn’t allowed to eat carbohydrates for four to six hours or engage in any exercise. During this 12-week period, I also exercised twice week outside of my Hypoxi session days to help further encourage weight loss.

Let's chat about the Hypoxi sessions. What actually happens in one?

Upon arrival, you slip into an airtight suit made of wetsuit-like material, which is airtight and sits just under your breasts and all the way down to your hips. There is also a hoop-like structure attached to the suit at around hip-level, which is what clips you into the airtight capsule that is the Hypoxi machine. I used the L250 Trainer on all my visits. You lie on your back while clipped into the machine, and use the bike pedals at the base to pedal vigorously for 30 minutes. There’s also a heart rate monitor attached to the suit that ensures your heart rate stays at a certain level, which has been calculated to ensure optimal fat loss. It’s not a hard workout, but you will sweat. You can even watch DVDs or read magazines while you’re strapped in. I actually found the sessions quite relaxing – it gave me a chance to chill out and gather my thoughts in the lead-up to my big day.

How long did it take for you to notice your body was changing?

I noticed a real difference after two weeks. My jeans were a lot looser around my hips and thighs, and I felt much lighter and less bloated around my tummy area.

What results did you see – and feel – at the end of your 12 sessions?

I was so thrilled to find I had lost centimeters from all over my body, except for my breasts. However, the real defining moment was during my final dress fitting. It had to be taken in 10cm around my waist, and 20cm around my hips. My love handles were complete gone! My dream was to look fantastic on my wedding day, but I never dreamed my dress would have to be altered in such a dramatic way. Size wise, I went from a size 14 to a size 10. I began my Hypoxi program eight weeks before my wedding, so if I had continued with the sessions after the four weeks, my dress would have fallen off me on my big day!

How much do the Hypoxi sessions cost?

12 sessions are $690, and it is recommended you attend this many sessions for optimal weight loss results.

Do you see Hypoxi as value for money?

When it comes to looking good for a major event like your wedding, I definitely think it’s good value. I would have done anything – paid anything – to look fantastic on that day. I probably spend $100 on things each week that are bad for me or don’t benefit me that greatly, so why wouldn’t I spend my money on something that is really beneficial? It’s a great investment for your self-esteem and health.

Are the weight loss results from Hypoxi long-lasting?

Like all weight loss, if you go back to eating unhealthy and not exercising the weight will come back on. Because I saw such great results, I found I was encouraged to keep eating in a healthy manner and exercising regularly. I felt better and I looked better, so now I want to keep my body that way.

Who do you think Hypoxi is best suited for?

Anyone struggling with targeted weight loss, really, or those who have injuries, and cannot hit the pavement to achieve weight loss. It’s also great for anyone who has a focus on healthy living and exercise, but isn’t getting results in some body areas. Brides are also perfectly suited to Hypoxi, as the lead up to a wedding is the perfect time for completing the program. It’s structured, it’s targeted, and it allows you to chill out a bit. When you’re losing the weight you want to see disappear, you can essentially tick off that box on your super-long to-do list.

Finally, how did you feel on your wedding day?

On my big day, and those final few weeks in the lead up to my wedding, I felt the best I ever had before. I felt happy and confident in my own skin, and without sounding too vain, I wasn’t self-conscious, which made my day that little bit more special. The wedding photos also turned out great!

 

Have you heard of Hypoxi? Is it something you’d like to try to help you achieve your weight loss goal? Are you impressed with Bree’s results?