The one beauty essential we can all afford is water!

One of the most important, if not THE best way to nourish your skin is to drink plenty of water, at least two litres a day.  Water assists the body with it’s natural elimination process by flushing unwanted toxins out, and keeping the skin hydrated, plump and supple.  Sometimes those really fine lines on your forehead or around the eyes are simply dehydration.

Did you know?  Crankiness and irritability are some of the first signs that a person is dehydrated.  So, the next time you and your hubby are at each others throats, just hand him a tall, cold glass of uisce!  Make sure he knows that you want him to drink it, or else watch the look of horror on his face as he anticipates getting it in the face!

Top Tip No.1

Keep a never-ending supply of water near you at all times.  Try adding a bit of zing with a squeeze of lemon and lime juice and a few sprigs of chopped fresh mint.

Top Tip No.2

For a little added pampering at work, try a hydrating mist.  You can easily make your own.  Just mix 500ml cooled boiled water, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and a tea spoon of finely chopped fresh mint.  Pour the mix into a travel spray bottle (available at your local chemist), and don’t forget to shake well before you use to mix up any settled ingredients.  Failing that La Roche Posay do a great hydrating spray, great for stuffy offices or flying.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Q: I have dark circles under my eyes, help!  What can I do?

A: Dark circles under the eyes are caused when tiny blood vessels are weakened and then rise to the surface, making them more visible and appearing as dark circles.  People get them when they are run down, do not have a sufficient diet, are tired or stressed.

To combat dark circles you should first look at your diet and try to eat plenty of food high in vitamin K such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and asparagus.  You can also combat this problem from the outside using an eye cream with added vitamin K.  I would recommend a product from the Dermedique range called ‘vitamin K gel’.  It is a clear fragrance free gel that is suitable for even sensitive skin.  The vitamin K penetrates deep into the damaged blood vessels under the eyes and strenghthens their walls, making them sink back down into the skin where they will be no longer visible as dark circles.  I would also reccomend that you keep any eye cream in the fridge as the cool temperature then has a tightening effect on the skin, great for those unwanted bags!  Also, try to get out every day for a walk as exercise and fresh air will help.

While you are trying to combat the problem use a good concealer.  La Roche-Posay have a great one out as do Rimmel, remembering to go a shade lighter than your skin tone.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

We are going through the wow girlies for their top 5 cosmetics they would risk life and limb to save from a burning building.  This week I’ll be divulging my cosmetic addictions and must admit to finding it hard to narrow the list to 5… issues!!  Going on the title of the post I am leaving out the skin care items and just listing cosmetics, but it wouldn’t be right not to mention my La Roche Posay serum, A-MAZ-ING.  Back to the ‘can’t open the door unless I’ve got on….’

1) Lancome Teint Idole Ultra foundation.  It’s oil free and retouch free lasting all day without making your skin greasy.  Also, it has an spf15.

2) Poudre Majeure Excellence, Lancome’s pressed powder which sets the foundation and takes away any shine.  It also lasts really well and just needs a couple of touch ups through the day.

3) Egypt Wonder sport matt bronzing powder, without it I would look like I belonged on a slab in a fridge – good old Irish skin!

4) Benefit blusher – the dandelion is my favoured one giving a nice healthy pink hue to cover up the otherwise unhealthy pale hue!

5)Mascara – THE item to save.  My mascara of choice (having tested MILLIONS!) is Clinique’s high impact mascara.  It doesn’t clump, smudge or irritate my eyes so we will always be friends.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

I’ve been testing the La Roche-Posay – Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub for the last few weeks and here is how it went.

I have very sensitive skin and have always found it near to impossible to get a facial exfoliator that doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and quite red and aggravated.  I therefore gave up on trying to find one as I felt I was doing more harm to my skin than good by “assaulting” it with these products.

That is until recently I tried the La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub and to my utter surprise and delight I found it absolutely brilliant.  It has tiny little granules that you can really feel cleaning your skin whilst you rub it in, it foams slightly but is easy to spread around your face.  After washing it off, my skin was honestly “glowing” and felt really fresh and soft.  I had no hint of any redness… which I swear is a first for me and finished off by applying my moisturiser.

I now use my scrub about 2/3 times a week and find it has really helped to get rid of the blackheads on my nose.  I’m just happy I can stop torturing my poor face now and let it get old in the more than capable hands of the La Roche-Posay ultra-fine scrub!  5 out 5 from me…. give it a go ladies and let me know what you think!  You will find La Roche-Posay products in most chemists or on-line and this scrub is a steal at only €14.00.  Pour moi, a small price to pay for not looking like the victim of a terrible accident, as I usually did from other scrubs!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Q: Why are anti-ageing serums beneficial and how should I use one?

A: Anti-ageing serums are definitely beneficial in helping to prevent or prolong the onset of ageing, because serums are highly concentrated in active ingredients and are more fluid based so that they penetrate the skin much quicker than a traditional moisturiser and deliver quicker results.

When applying serums, always apply prior to your daily moisturiser and for best results, use morning and evening. La Roche-Posay recently launched the first serum in their range – DERM AOX. This Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Serum is €35 and suitable as a serum for any stage of ageing. It is non-comedogenic (blackheads), paraben-free (nasty preservatives!) and tested on every skin type including sensitive skin.  For what we thought of this product please read our review.

Our ask the expert question has been answered today by La Roche-Posay’s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Q: Does smoking really affect your skin?

A: Yes, smoking is one of the main causes of extrinsic ageing. Smoking causes a destruction of collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis of the skin and depletes moisture from our skin causing a dull complexion. Smoking creates free radicals in our bodies and deprives us of Vitamin C, which is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient.

Smokers need an intake of around 66% more vitamin C than non smokers.

If you are going on a night out where there may be smoking, apply a face cream containing antioxidants such as Vitamin C and/or E. When you get home cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove any surface pollutants, and apply a night cream containing antioxidants such as Vitamin C and/or E.

Our ask the expert question has been answered today by La Roche-Posay’s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

As skiing trips become increasingly popular in Ireland, La Roche-Posay gives the following advice to skiers before hitting the slopes.  It’s worth remembering the cheapest anti-aging treatment is a good SPF!

Many factors affect UV intensity, which subsequently alters the UV Index. This in turn, alters the amount of time that you can spend in the sun before starting to burn. The environment or terrain can alter the level of UV radiation that you are exposed to.

Did you know that there is:

1. An 85% increase from snow reflection

2. A 100% increase at 3000m altitude

3. A 25% increase from white-water reflection

4. That 80% of UV rays pass through cloud

Here are the top 5 skincare tips recommended by dermatologists favourite, La Roche-Posay.

1. The intensity of the sun’s rays increases at higher altitudes. Protect your skin against UV damage by ensuring that you use a sunscreen with high UVA/UVB protection. La Roche-Posay recommends La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluide Extreme 50+ €21.50 which offers the strongest protection on the market against UVA and UVB rays with an ultra-fluid and light texture. La Roche-Posay Anthelios stick €10.50 (above), is a handy targeted ultra-protection stick SPF 50+ to effectively protect the most sensitive areas.

2. Lips are particularly prone to drying out in harsh weather so make sure you use a moisturising lip balm with UVA/UVB filters to prevent chapping and cold-sores. For dried out lips try Nutritic Lips €7 for sensitive which not only soothes and nourishes dry lips but transforms the 4 clinical signs of dry and sensitive lips – chapping, tingling sensation, thinness and extra sensitivity. Thanks to the patented Ceramide 5 in Nutritic Lips which reinforces the cutaneous barrier, lips are transformed. Nutritic lips is an non-greasy ultra fine balm that also contains biolipids to nourish and soothe dry lips.

3. Cold weather dries out the skin and can cause cracking and splitting, so when exposing yourself to the elements, do take extra care to moisturise your skin thoroughly morning and evening. La Roche-Posay Nutritic Ultra-fine cream €16.00 with 5% Biolipids concentration was tested by a famous explorer, Nicholas Vanier, in temperatures as low as -50ºC and proven to protect his face from all the drying effects of extremely cold weather.

4. Eyes require special protection so wear wrap-around sunglasses with adequate UV protection to approved EU standards. ‘Snow blindness’ (photokeratitis) is sunburn damage to the cornea of the eye caused by UV radiation. This painful condition can be associated with temporary vision loss for up to 48 hours. Choose eyewear that meets the European Standards EN 174, EN 1836

5. Pamper and restore your skin après-ski with a re-hydrating face mask or use La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water €9.50. This product is unique by virtue of its composition which contains the highest concentration of any water in the world of the potent anti-free radical, selenium, an essential ingredient in the prevention of skin ageing and induced UV cellular damage. Its therapeutic properties have been dermatologically proven by in-vivo and in-vitro studies to be highly healing, soothing and decongesting.

Today’s skincare tips came from La Roche-Posay’s training manager, Janette Ryan.

Wow.ie previously reviewed this product, click here to see what we thought.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Intensive Anti-wrinkle Radiance Serum from La Roche Posay was put to the test and it’s no surprise to start straight off by saying this is a great product.  La Roche Posay are one of the few skin care ranges that never get it wrong.

On reading the aim of the product I decided to test this one out myself, being in much need of all that was promised!  To start it comes in a small silver tin with an easy to use pump action top.   The product itself smells of an almost wheat sent, on reading the ingredients I presume it’s actually one of the seed oils.   The texture of the product is so light, almost a water like consistency when applying to the skin.   It’s a kind of yellow almost orange colour and does warn on the packaging that this could change, but not to be concerned.

The product did indeed give my skin a glow as if I had a shimmer or light reflecting make-up on, honestly!  You are advised to use the product morning and evening, as I am lucky if I get my make-up off at the end of a day I only used it every morning and still saw an improvement.  I would definitely recommend this serum and suggest applying it after cleansing your face and give a little time before applying your moisturiser.

This is the first serum La Roche Posay have introduced to their range and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.  The product will cost you €35 and goes a long way.  Also, there will be none of the confusion that goes with finding the product you want from La Roche Posay as it’s their only serum!  Let us know how you get on…

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

It’s no secret that we here at wow.ie are huge fans of La Roche-Posay – OMG have they hit the jack pot with this one! La Roche-Posay recently released Corrective Pen Brushes and I put the beige brush to the test, and could only squeal with sheer delight at the result! This ‘magic marker’ as it has been christened was just that – magic! The brush tested is for any type of imperfection so away I went applying to the circles under my eyes and, to any blemishes only to see a flawless complexion looking back at me!

These brushes come in four colours, Beige (dark or light) for all types of localised imperfections, Yellow for dark circles and bruises and Green for intense redness or localised rosacea (form of acne).

The application is really easy, just twist the top and the product comes out on the brush meaning you don’t have to touch your skin so you won’t spread or aggravate any problems. The product itself covered well without caking as many others do. I’ve been using (previously mentioned) Rimmel coverstick for years and tried every other brand on the market to date, this is now in my bag and I won’t be leaving home without it. I can’t recommend this one enough, cost is €15. We give it the fingers, toes and thumbs up!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Over the past number of weeks I have been using a selection of sun protection products from the LA ROCHE-POSAY range and I must say I am very impressed with each and every one of them. Let me start with the face product – ANTHELIOS EXTREME FLUID 50+ VERY HIGH PROTECTION. Extreme fluid it certainly is so be warned as to how thin a liquid this is but so nice and easy to apply to the face and neck area. Previous products I have used felt as though they dragged on my skin to apply as they were much thicker textures. I am very happy with the protection level it gives me. It is water resistant and is recommended for combination to oily skin types. (There are three other types for normal to dry skin, Tinted Cream SPF50+, Melt-in cream with fragrance 50+ or Melt-in cream 50+ and 30+) It is also available in both 40 & 20 SPF. It is recommended to apply cream thirty minutes before exposure to the sun and to reapply regularly there after and even though it is a water resistant product it is advisable to reapply after bathing.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend