Why not treat yourself to a full set of individual eyelash extensions at Beauty Define.

Individual eyelash extensions are a hit with female celebrities. The great benefit of eyelash extensions is they don't clump together and are practically weightless.

Book your appointment today, patch test required, contact Natalie on 07794477014

Intimate waxing is fast becoming one of the most popular salon treatments for men and women alike. But if you have never had hair removed from the pubic region what can you expect? Here, Beauty Define give you a “Brazilliant” lesson on how to handle what can be a daunting experience.

Waxing is a great alternative to shaving if you have hair you are uncomfortable with.

It removes hair from the root while shaving leave the hair follicle below the skin, resulting in hair re-growth less than 24 hours later. Waxing can last up to a month.

The younger you are when you start waxing the better the long-term results too. This is because younger skin has finer hairs. However bear in mind that most salons only do intimate waxing for people aged 18 or over.

Intimate waxing

Let’s not beat around the bush (excuse the pun) waxing is not pain free.

But there are ways to reduce discomfort – something we will get to in a minute.

First let’s discuss shape.

There are five basic shapes for intimate waxing:

1. The bikini wax shape

A standard bikini wax is a basic shaping of pubic hair into a neat upside-down triangle shape to the edge of the panty line.

2. The extended bikini wax

An extended bikini wax takes the sides of the bikini line in deeper than a regular bikini wax leaving a more defined triangle with narrower edges.

3. The Brazilian wax

A Brazilian wax takes away all the hair off the bikini line leaving a small strip on the front. Hair is removed from the front all the way round to the bottom area.

4. The Hollywood wax

The Hollywood wax removes all hair from the front, round to the bottom – complete hair removal.

Preparing for a wax

If you’ve shaved recently, wait five days. And though the time does vary between waxes, it’s best to wait around a month.

If you're worried about pain, take one or two paracetamol an hour before your appointment.

Try to stay calm too. If you are tense it will make your skin feel more sensitive.

You should also avoid waxing if you are on your period because this will heighten pain. And if you are pregnant, bear in mind that again, you are likely to be more sensitive.

What to expect

All waxing sessions should take place in a private room.

You will be asked to get undressed and in some cases you will be given a pair of paper knickers to put on instead of your own. In other cases you might be asked to lie down and cover yourself with a sheet. If in doubt ask.

Your waxer will discuss what kind of “haircut” you are after. She or he will then clean and disinfect the area before applying the wax and remove small areas of hair at a time.

There are different types of wax that can be used.

Strip wax is hot wax that’s spread on the area, left for a few seconds then covered with a strip of material and ripped off with haste, lifting out hairs as it does so.

Hot wax is smoothed on the area in a heavier consistency. The wax is then left until almost hard, which takes about 30 seconds, then gently lifted off, pulling out the hairs as it’s peeled away.

Hot wax is generally more expensive but it’s less painful.

After your wax, your therapist will remove any residue and apply a soothing cream.

Is the pain worth the gain?

Yes!

Waxing is uncomfortable because the hair is being pulled all the way out.

But discomfort is only felt at the time of service and stops immediately after.

Having said that the area can remain sensitive so you should not to use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and not to expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. This shouldn’t be a problem for anyone other than naturists!

After the tenderness has subsided you should regularly exfoliate in the shower to remove dead skin so the pores don't become clogged, causing ingrown hairs and bumps.

If bumps do appear, don't squeeze or tweeze.

Waxing is an excellent way to deal with most hair removal. Waxing leaves the area smoother than shaving does because it pulls the hair out from below the top layer of skin. This is the easiest and most convenient way to go about removing hair from large areas.

With hot waxing, a thin layer of heated wax is applied to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax as it cools. The wax is then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, taking the hair with it. Cold waxes work similarly. Strips are pre-coated with wax or a sugar-based substance and pressed onto the skin in the direction of the hair growth and pulled off in the opposite direction.

Brazilian and Hollywood Bikini Waxing

A Brazilian bikini wax removes the hair from the entire pubic region, except for a small patch just above the vaginal area. A Hollywood bikini wax removes the hair from the entire pubic region. Many men and women request these waxing treatments because it gives a clean, close wax and the freedom to wear even the most revealing swimwear and lingerie. You'll have a smooth, bump-free bikini area that looks fabulous in a bathing suit or au natural.

First the hair is snipped with scissors so the wax can reach the follicles. Then, using a wooden stick, a technician places warm wax on the area a little bit at a time. As with a regular bikini wax, cloth strips are placed over the hot wax and, after it hardens, pulled away from the skin.

Traditional Brazilian and Hollywood waxes includes the labia and the area that reaches into the buttocks. If there are stray hairs after waxing, the technician may also tweeze the area. The key to allowing wax to penetrate into the follicles (and provide the closest possible wax) is to relax. And many women claim the treatment is not nearly as painful as it sounds.

Stayed out too late? A busy week at work and too many early mornings at the office? I can guarantee the one place that will give away your tiredness will be your eyes! Whether your eyes are tired from too much time at the computer, lack of sleep, too much partying or a little bit of everything, here are some neat tricks to treat your tired eyes.

Soothing and Cooling – the mighty cucumber

We all know that applying slices of cucumber on your eyes is synonymous with relaxing. So why not create a soothing, cooling eye mask using cucumber juice? These eye masks fit much better over the eye than a cucumber slice but still contain all the hydrating and de-puffing properties. All you need are some cotton pads, a cucumber, fruit juice extractor and freezer bag.

Extract the juice from the cucumber, pour the juice out into a container to soak the cotton pads. Stick the soaked pads in a plastic bag and place in the freezer. Once you’re ready to use them, take the plastic bag out, thaw for 10 minutes and apply to your eyes for 10-15 minutes.

Time to get fruity

Cold fruits are always a delicious treat but they also make a pretty nice eye treatment! If you wake up with tired, puffy eyes, grab a couple of chilled fresh strawberries from the refrigerator and slice the tops off.

Next, slice them again about 1/8 of an inch thick. Then, lie back, close your eyes and apply them under your eyes and relax for a few minutes! The alpha hydroxy acids in strawberries can help smooth out the skin and reduce swelling!

Chamomile tea bags - 1, puffy eyes - 0

Another cheap and effective home remedy for tired eyes is to place chilled tea bags on your eyes. Chamomile is known to have anti-inflammatory properties so they’re great to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Grab a couple of tea bags and soak them in hot water. Next, rinse the tea bags with cold water until they’re cool and place over your eyes and unwind for about 20 minutes. You can also freeze the tea bags instead of rinsing in cool water to make the experience extra refreshing!

An apple a day keeps dark circles away

The next time you’re going to have an apple as a snack, cut up a few slices for your eyes, too. Using apple slices to de-stress tired eyes isn’t as common as using cucumber but it can be just as effective. Apples contain tannic acid or tannins that help reduce the appearance of dark circles and help nourish the delicate skin around your eyes. Stick an apple in the fridge, cut a few thin slices, place them over your closed eyes and kick back. Lovely!

DIY soothing milk pads

This eye treatment is an old home remedy that many people have used and it works! Milk contains naturally soothing ingredients such as protein, amino acids and lactic acid to calm and ease puffy, weary eyes. Simply dip some cotton balls in some cold milk (use any type except for skimmed) and place them over your eyes for about 10 minutes. Make sure to place a towel beneath your head in case of any milk dripping!

We may have all started off in this life with a near perfect skin tone, but, as the years go by, acne breakouts, sun damage and discoloration of the skin can all take its toll, leading to an uneven skin tone. But fear not…help is at hand with these simple tips on how to even your skin tone. These small changes will help ensure you see and feel the difference in no time. 

Say hello to H2O!

Drinking lots of water not only helps in cleansing your skin from the inside out, but also keeps skin wrinkles at bay. If you’re lusting after skin that looks plump and baby like, then reach for the water at every opportunity as keeping it hydrated will help to achieve this.

Water should be your primary drink… not cosmos girls… and avoid sugary drinks as much as possible.  Alcohol is a no no if you’re after beautiful skin as it actually robs the skin of moisture, making it look older and fizzy drinks full of sugar can cause oil to build up, leading to pimples.

If you’re not keen on the taste of plain water, try adding lemon, mint or cucumber to give it a new lease of life. Not only do they add a zing and refreshing taste to water, they also have skin stimulating benefits – a win win situation!

Reach for the sunscreen all year round

Sun damaged skin can happen any time of year and is the most common cause of an uneven skin tone. And, when it comes to the effects of sun damage, believe me girls, wrinkles are the least of your problems as it also causes a cancer risk. Solution is easy, wear sunscreen during the daytime, all year round.

Take up regular exercise

If you do regular exercise, not only will it keep you slim, healthy and feeling great – it also helps the body to produce new skin cells which help keep skin looking young and even. We’re not suggesting you run marathons or swim for miles every single day (although go for it, if that’s what takes your fancy!), even enough to get your blood pumping for a few minutes daily will have a big impact.

Just a point, should you sweat during your workout, make sure you wash and clean the oil and dirt from your face to avoid blocking the pores which can lead to acne breakouts and an uneven skin tone.

Avoid junk foods

We all love a treat from time to time so it may not be possible to completely cut out junk food, but try to at least limit your consumption.

Oils, sugar and chemicals found in junk foods trigger the skin to produce more oil, which can clog your pores and result in an uneven skin tone. Instead pile your plate high with fresh fruits and vegetables.

A few lashes from the past week, all mink from eyelash emporium, only the best for my clients 😊

Let’s be honest, nothing gets your day off to a better start than having a good hair day! A beautiful Barnett puts an extra spring of confidence in your step and makes everything else feel right in the world. I don’t know about you but I am trying really hard to grow my hair but getting to that goal length is quite difficult and I was keen to know of any tips out there which will help me reach my desired length. So… the good news is, I’ve done my research and for anyone else in the same boat – here are some top tips. Enjoy!

It sounds like common sense but just as having a healthy diet will give you glowing skin, a great figure and boost your energy levels, it will also do wonders for your locks too. After all, I truly believe in the mantra that “you are what you eat.” I’ve also noticed that the more I eat of certain foods, my nails look healthier and my hair shinier and in better condition.

Likewise, on the other hand if I’ve not been paying proper attention to my diet and when I’ve cheated or slacked a little in the healthy diet department, suddenly my face becomes spotty, I lack energy and my hair looks dull and lacks lustre. So, here is some research about the best foods you can eat to make your hair grow. These three amazing foods are naturally rich in vitamin B and biotin which are essential for healthy and long locks. Here goes…

1. Walnuts and Almonds

Put the crisps down —nuts are one of the healthiest and easiest snacks to throw in your bag when you’re out and about and in danger of snacking on all things naughty! This brilliant snack is also responsible for boosting your biotin levels. Walnuts are a wonder food with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (that nutrient we love for shiny hair), and they’re also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect your cells from damage. Walnuts also contain copper, a mineral that helps keep your natural hair colour lustrous and rich. Pass me the nuts!

2. Leafy Greens

This one really is a no brainer but I bet many of is still aren’t eating enough of them! Leafy greens should be top of the charts if you’re after healthy hair, a flat belly and clear skin. That’s because leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard and kale are extremely nutrient-rich. Swiss chard specifically is one of the top producers of biotin, the water-soluble B vitamin that is essential for healthy nails, skin and hair.

3. Halibut and Salmon

Salmon and Halibut are powerful foods recommended for overall body health as they are rich in vitamin D and protein, which are both necessary for healthy and strong hair. These omega-3 fatty acids rich foods are responsible for those shiny strands we find ourselves lusting after. Halibut is often called a “brain food,” as it also contains large amounts of natural biotin. You’ll notice a plethora of beauty benefits, including longer hair if you add these two beauties to your diet a little more.

It’s important to remember that having a balanced diet of all different kinds of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, proteins and legumes (and lots of water) is the key to looking and feeling great. After all, you can’t just eat salmon and spinach all day and expect your body to feel its best. Also, it may take a few months of your body absorbing these nutrients for you to notice hair growth. But nonetheless, I guarantee you will notice some benefits along the way.