THEGAYUK

Tag: Beauty

All the latest breaking news on Beauty. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Beauty.

  • Tom Tries It: Dermalux Facial

    Tom Tries It: Dermalux Facial

    The world of male grooming can be a daunting place.

    With a myriad of product types and treatments available, it’s hard to know what products you need to be using and what treatments are right for you. This is why at THEGAYUK we have sent our beauty expert Thomas Swallow to try them out and decode the enigma of male grooming.

    Carry on reading below, to hear about Tom’s experience trying a Dermalux Facial for the first time. Missed the first instalment of this series? Click here to find out about Tom’s previous adventure, where he tried intimate waxing.

    Check them out on Instagram

    What is a Dermalux Facial?

    Now I have to admit until I first went into 193 Whitecross Street for my previous adventure in intimate waxing, I hadn’t really heard of a Dermalux facial before either but once Elizabeth from London Professional Aesthetics explained the procedure to me, I knew I had to give it a try.

    Essentially the Dermalux Facial is an LED light facial, where the different wavelengths of light penetrate the skin and cause different positive reactions. The treatment can be targeted to specific skin concerns and tailored to fit every client’s needs. All resulting in less-inflamed and more rejuvenated skin. A quick summary of what each of the 3 wavelengths of light do, can be seen below.

    Infrared Light:

    Supercharges cells in the Dermis, enhancing rejuvenating properties within the skin, increasing hydration levels and boosting collagen levels. All resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

    Near-Infrared Light:

    Causes regeneration in the skin’s deepest layers, increasing blood circulation allowing an increased flow of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. Accelerating repair, reducing inflammation and reducing sensitivity for those suffering from skin conditions, such as rosacea.

    Blue Light:

    Targets bacteria in the Epidermis and causes a chemical reaction, whereby spots are reduced and the skin is left blemish free.

    During the Treatment:

    Each Dermalux Facial treatment at London Professional Aesthetics starts with a sit-down consultation with Elizabeth to build a profile of your skin and to record any relevant medical information. Having been a Nurse Practitioner in the NHS for many years, it’s safe to say you’re in good hands here.

    Following the initial consultation, Elizabeth will then go on to cleanse your face with a mild chemical exfoliant. This is to remove any dirt from the skin and leave your skin in the best state, to absorb the LED light.

    She will then take you down to the Dermalux Facial studio where all the magic happens. Once down there Elizabeth will set up the machine for your desired treatment and then ask you to lay down, while she positions the machine and puts goggles over your eyes. The next 20 mins or so of the appointment is quite simple, you lay back and relax. It’s ok to fall asleep here, the light is very soothing and I have to admit, I did have a cat nap.

    After your 20 minutes of bliss, Elizabeth will then finish the treatment by prepping your skin with a vitamin C serum and some SPF. Always important to use following any vitamin C treatment! Basically, you end up leaving with a visibly brighter and clearer complexion.

    Elizabeth would recommend repeating the treatment once every one or two weeks, in order to achieve the long term benefits.

    Pricing:

    Like the waxing, of course, we cannot comment for every aesthetician in the country who does this procedure. In terms of Elizabeth from London Professional Aesthetics though, who by far we would recommend over the rest. The pricing is as follows:

    Single Session: £50.00
    A course of Six: £260.00
    A Course of Twelve: £500.00

    Final Thoughts:

    I have to say from start to finish, I couldn’t fault any aspect of this treatment or the service I received by Elizabeth and the London Professional Aesthetic team at 193 Whitecross Street. In terms of the treatment, I visibly saw a difference in my skin after one treatment and continuously saw this difference in my skin for at least the next two weeks. As a regular aspect of my grooming regime, I would definitely invest in this treatment if my skin concerns were more prevalent. Due to me having very few breakouts and my face being the one area of my skin, that isn’t very sensitive. I personally wouldn’t go every other week to get the treatment but in terms of an instant pick me up for my skin when getting ready for an event, I would definitely do so! To sum up, it’s a pretty amazing treatment and I will be making another appointment very soon.

    Want to check out Elizabeth’s website for yourself? To visit the London Professional Aesthetics click here and 193 Whitecross Street sites click here.

  • Top 5 Grooming Items for March 2019

    Top 5 Grooming Items for March 2019

    Damn this year is going by quick! We are already in March and yes, that does mean that Winter has finally gone and Spring is finally here. This month’s feature is all about being fresh and walking into spring with a smile on our faces. Here are our Top Grooming Items for March 2019.

    1. FIT Skincare: Moisturising Ultra Serum (£50.00)

    Now if you’ve never tried a serum in your skincare regime before, then I definitely recommend you start doing so ASAP. Serums are generally more concentrated moisturisers full of active ingredients, that do work miracles for the skin. This one in particular from FIT Skincare is no exception. The lightweight formula sinks into the skin and visibly hydrates more than a moisturiser ever could. Since using this product, I have stopped seeing blemishes in my beard line and I can only presume, that this has something to do with it.

    Available at: fitskincare.co.uk

    2. White Glo: Diamond Series Whitening System (£15.00)

    Remember when I mentioned walking into spring with a smile on our faces? Here’s the reason why. This 2 step kit from Aussie brand White Glo, has given me visible results in less than 2 weeks. I never had major discolouration on my teeth but like everybody, I am partial to the odd coffee and glass of Malbec. I said I was London’s answer to Carrie Bradshaw for a reason. What this kit does though, combines a whitening treatment with a daily dental regime. The whitening gel is used for 10 mins daily, to achieve a brighter smile without abrasion and then the White Glo® Professional Choice toothpaste locks this treatment in place while providing your daily dental care. You do have to use the product for at least a week, in my opinion, to start seeing visible results but when you do, it is definitely worth the wait. I have been shocking myself in the mirror with my new brighter smile!

    Available at: Superdrug

    3. Mr Vanguard: Vanguard Eau De Parfum (£64.99)

    Another important aspect of stepping into spring is that ever important spring fragrance. Our pick for this season is Vanguard Eau De Parfum by Mr Vanguard. If you’ve never heard of Mr Vanguard before, they are an award-winning perfume brand from the UK, that pride themselves on the uniqueness and longevity of their fragrances. Having put this to the compliment test, yes I did see how many people complimented me on my aftershave for a week. I can safely say this one seems an all-around winner.

    Available at: mrvanguard.com

    4. Rosalique: 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula (£29.99)

    Now, this is one for anybody who has ever suffered from red and or inflamed skin. Yes, it’s one for us sensitive souls out there and will make our skin that little bit less sensitive. Rosalique is quite an ingenious product. It instantly covers redness with the green pigmentation, whilst protecting from UVA and UVB damage with SPF25 and then in the long term, it gently reduces redness within the skin. My advice here though is to only use a little product. The green pigmentation is quite strong and so this is definitely one to use sparingly. Once I got the quantity right, I started to see the results immediately and my skin has gotten less inflamed over the last month using this product.

    Available at: rosalique.co.uk

    5. Kiehl’s: Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men SPF19 125ml (£33.00)

    Another solid product from Kiehl’s and one that has yet again been in my bathroom cabinet over and over. To put it bluntly, this moisturiser is hard to fault. It keeps your skin energised, hydrated and even controls oil production, keeping you shine free all day. Now, this was the original, they’ve now made it even better and added broad-spectrum sun protection to the moisturiser. Boasting a more than adequate SPF19, this moisturiser is ideal to see you through the Spring months. If you fall in love with it, as we’re sure you will and carry on using it into the Summer months, we definitely do recommend adding an extra SPF into your routine. It’s set to be another scorcher guys, say no to premature ageing and use an SPF daily!

    Available at: kiehls.co.uk

  • Witch-Influencers and New Wellness Trends

    Witch-Influencers and New Wellness Trends

    From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, we are increasingly becoming mentally and physically engaged to the outside world.

    CREDIT: Romina Introini

    We are in the midst of the social-media age and sometimes it really is hard to just switch off from it all, take a step back and really focus on our mental and physical wellbeing. Very clearly, this isn’t good.

    Now I could go the obvious route on saying just switch off your damn phone for an hour before bed and don’t look at it first thing in the morning but for some of us, that really isn’t an option. By all means, I recommend it if you can do it but when your job directly involves using your phone on an hourly basis, it’s not such an easy feat.

    Recently though, I was invited to attend an interesting talk on Witch-Influencers and New Wellness Trends by the lovely team at The GLAMOUR Beauty Festival 2019. Now I’m not usually someone who gets caught up in the allure of spells and charms to sort out all of life’s worries and problems but a lot of what was said really struck a chord with me, on the concept of self-preservation.

    CREDIT: Romina Introini

    The entire talk, that was hosted by Angela Scanlon and featured Emma Lucy Knowles and Giselle La Pompe-Moore as guests, was entirely focused on the notion of self-empowerment and giving yourself a positive mindset for achieving your goals and in doing so, taking time for yourself to reflect and recenter your thoughts and emotions daily.

    Now, this is something I can definitely get on-board with!

    The guest speakers went on to outline their own practices of using various charms and objects such as crystals, that they use on a daily basis to centre their thoughts and achieve their goals. For me personally, the totem aspect of their rituals is something that I find relatable. No, I don’t have crystals over my writing desk at home but I do have keepsakes. These are objects that hold meaning for myself and I associate them with certain memories or emotions. Albeit you could argue there is a difference, I personally don’t think there is.

    I’ll give you an example. When my uncle Dennis passed away, he left me a number of watches. One of them is a solid gold Swiss watch that honestly, I’m petrified of losing every time I wear it. Now long story short, my uncle is someone that was very inspirational to me. He travelled the world, went on great adventures and stressed the importance of education to me, in understanding the world and its myriad of cultures. This inspiration has made me an avid traveller and was one of the primary factors in me pursuing my degree and subsequent career, as a writer.

    So this watch now symbolises to me my uncle and all that he stood for. This association has made this watch a totem for me of self-preservation and self-belief. As now when I wear it, I genuinely feel that I can achieve anything and he is stood right there with me. It’s even in front of me now, as I’m writing this feature.

    So to me, my watch sounds very similar to a crystal with empowering properties. Wouldn’t you agree?

    I think we all have these keepsake items in our lives, no matter what they may be and these are our symbols of support, love, empowerment and everything in between. They are our crystals, spell jars and tarot cards and like our Witch-Influencer friends Emma and Giselle, I think it’s important we take time to appreciate these objects.

    Let them refocus us and remind us of who we are and what we want in life. This appreciation is how we can switch off from the social-media age, how we can survive it and most importantly, how we can thrive in it!

    Finally, I just wanted to say thank you again to The GLAMOUR Beauty Festival 2019 in association with Boots at the Saatchi Gallery in London, for inviting me along to this talk and helping me find my own way of switching off.

    If you’re interested in attending the festival. Look out for news on their next event in Manchester later this year, on their social media.

     

  • Top 3 Grooming Brands for Spring 19

    Top 3 Grooming Brands for Spring 19

    Here at THEGAYUK we like to highlight to you new products each month to keep you looking and feeling your best. Beauty expert Thomas Swallow takes us through the best products.

    With spring just around the corner though, we thought we’d take this one step further. It’s time to clear out the old, bring in the new and explore some new grooming brands, that are guaranteed to get you strolling into spring as fresh as a daisy.

    1. ALTR for Men:

    ALTR for Men is not a stranger to THEGAYUK. Having featured in our New Year’s grooming feature with their iconic Face Fix, this brand has been going from strength to strength since then. With new products launching on a regular basis, this brand is surely one to look out for as we head into Spring 19. Driven by the notion of simple, no-fuss grooming, that yields exceptional results. This brand is ideal for the city boy who needs to looks his best but not spend hours in the bathroom every morning.

    Check out the brand on altrformen.com

    Our Top Picks:

    ALTR for Men: Face Fix: Half & Half (£13.99)

    ALTR for Men: Blemish Balm (£11.99)

    ALTR for Men: Whiskey Infused Moisturiser (£9.99)

     

    2. WAR PAINT. for Men

    Created as a means of combatting the founder’s body dysmorphia, WAR PAINT. for Men has become more than just a grooming brand. It has become a hub of information for men who are curious about makeup but who don’t feel comfortable going to their local Boots. The brand is all about empowering men to look their best and to do so with products specifically tailored to their skin. With all products being vegan, cruelty-free and made in the UK, we think it’s definitely worth giving their products a try.

    Check out the brand on warpaintmensmakeup.com

    Our Top Picks:

    Foundation (£24.00)

    Bronzer (£19.00)

    Powder Brush (£7.99)

    3. skyn ICELAND

    Having lived in a Nordic country myself, I really feel akin to the ethos behind this brand. Founded by Sarah after her time spent in Iceland, following a battle with critical-illness induced by high-stress levels. She noticed the longevity of the Icelandic people and their vibrant healthy skin, realising the pristine and unpolluted nature of the land was a primary factor in this.

    Having lived in Sweden myself, I can completely relate to this. Last summer my skin went crazy in the London summer heat. I had a multitude of factors adding stress to my life and my skin was having none of it. During the gap between my tenancies in London, I went back to the south of Sweden with my family and my skin cleared up within a few days. By the end of my week there, it was glowing and I do genuinely think, that this is due to the lack of pollution in these countries.

    The brand itself centres around skin care, that is designed to treat the daily damages caused by stress and uses the remarkable natural resources of Iceland to do so. It is definitely worth grabbing a few products and checking them out on their website skyniceland.com.

    Our Top Picks:

    skyn ICELAND: Pure Cloud Cream ($55.00)

    skyn ICELAND: Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($30.00 for 8 pairs)

    skyn ICELAND: Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels ($35.00 for 8 patches)

  • What’s the best fake tan for the face?

    Tango used to be a dance, then it was a drink and now, it’s word to describe some of the worst tans in town.

    So here at THEGAYUK we’ve tried the best and the worst – the good and the bad. We’ve been shades of professional bodybuilders and shades of wallpaper from the 70s. Here are our top choices.

    Sunkissed Gradual Lotion

    Smells like holiday, tans like you’ve been on one too. Sunkissed is an inexpensive fake tan that gives a healthy bronzed glow in two to four hours. It’s packed with vitamin E and nourishing shea butter, so it’s easy to use this as a night cream – you can wake up looking refreshed and with a glowing visage. Perfect. Just £4.95 on Amazon

     

    St. Tropez

    No fake tan review would be complete without the ever-present St Tropez. The tanning system that revolutionised the fake tan. It was the first tanning lotion that actually gave you the colour of holiday and not the colour of several E numbers.

    There are several steps to the perfect St. Tropez tan, but let’s face it how many people actually use steps 1 and 2? My advice is stick to the moose and make sure you’re not flaky before applying.

    One of the problems is the drying time – which is lengthy, so I used to do it before I went to bed, usually to wake up with brownish stains on my bedding. Never attractive. Available from under £8 on Amazon.

    TESCO TAN

    I know what you’re thinking, the man’s gone mad, but bear with me! This was a little gem I found when I was a student all those years ago, back in the days when I was dancing and prancing. Cheap – check, tan colour – check, easy application – check. Streaks when sweating – surprisingly resistant!

    No tricks just old fashion slap it on fake tan. Tesco’s proves you don’t need to spend over £30 in order to get a good colour. In fact, you don’t need to spend a tenth of that! From all the tans I’ve ever ended up using – the Tesco own fake tan, was always the one that got me compliments – and as we know – every little helps.

    Don’t forget to use a fake tan mitt. It will keep your fingers from looking like carrots and will help create an even finish to the tan on your face. You’ll need to change the mitt every three to six months as it will start to disintegrate. Also, don’t forget to give it a rinse every so often to keep it clean.

  • The easy way to find out what skin type you are

    The easy way to find out what skin type you are

    I was recently asked a question by one of my readers that I am hearing a lot recently. “How do I determine my skin type?” Many people will go through life having no clue about their skin but because we are all unique knowing your own skin type is crucial to knowing what your skin requires to look its best! Identify your skin type may seem difficult at first but is actually pretty easy. Just follow my guide.

    CREDIT: ©-nd3000-Depositphotos

    Pay attention to your eye area, cheeks and T-zone. Look at the texture and tone of the skin around those areas. How does it look and feel?

    Normal Skin
    A balanced oil and water content will leave your skin feeling evenly textured, smooth and toned all over. If you have this then your skin will be referred to as ‘Normal.’ All the other skin types will hate you, as it is the easiest skin type to look after.

    Combination Skin
    This skin type is probably the most expensive type, as you will require different products to treat different areas of your face. Usually your cheeks are dry while your T-zone is oily and your temper is aggravated. Good luck.

    Normal To Oily Skin
    Say hello to my skin type. Most days I can see my own reflection in my forehead. That’s right is you have normal to oily skin then you may like shiny and greasy and pores and blemishes may be (will be) more visible.

    Normal To Dry Skin
    That feeling you get when you leave a face mask on for too long, if you feel like that without the aid of a lazy face mask you have normal to dry skin. You may also notice fine lines and rough, flaky patches.

    A FINAL NOTE
    No matter your skin type do not panic, there’s a lotion or potion to suit everybody! If you have any questions regarding your own personal skin type or what products you should be leaving leave a comment below or tweet me @StephenCroweFit and I will do my best to get you a hasty reply. You’re very welcome.

  • Grandparents are outraged by LUSH’s saucy suggestion

    Grandparents who bought their granddaughter a present from Lush were not happy when they read the saucy instructions

    Yikes. A couple from Essex who bought their 8-year-old granddaughter a shower gel pressie from LUSH were left red-faced because the instructions on usage weren’t “age appropriate”.

    The product’s instructions read,

    “If you really don’t know how, then we suggest you find someone you really like and invite them into the shower with you to demonstrate”.

     

    Speaking to The Sun, Richard explained…

    “My wife spends quite a bit of money in Lush and bought two sets for my two grandchildren. It didn’t say anything about age restrictions or anything. They opened their bits and pieces on Christmas night, and Macy undid her one. It was called ‘Little Snow Fairy’ which to me indicates it’s ideal for kids.

    “I happened to pick up the bottle and was reading aloud how to use it.”

     

    Well, all was not happy in the Essex household. Richard phoned Lush. Speaking to the manager he said,

    “I told him, ‘Innuendo amongst adults is fine, but when you’ve got to explain to an eight-year-old what it means, I think that’s wrong.’”He said I wasn’t the first person to complain about this – they’ve had four or five complaints over the past couple of years about it, but nothing’s been done about it. And he actually said this batch is aimed at children.””He did apologise and offered me two free bath bombs, but I said it wasn’t about that – I wanted their labelling to be changed.”

    Kill joys.

     

     

     

  • Freshen Up Your Skin With Epsom Skin Clinic

    Is your skin in dire need of some rejuvenation?

    CREDIT: ©-CandyBoxImages-Depositphotos
    CREDIT: ©-CandyBoxImages-Depositphotos FILE PHOTO

     

    If your face is in need of some much needed tender loving care then you could do with a professional facial.

    Recently I was invited by Epsom Skin Clinic to try out an Agera Vitamin C Skin Peel (£65) to renew my Winter blasted skin.

    It’s surprising how much the seasons affect your skin, but Wnter is one of the toughest. Cold Wintery snaps, our dependence on central heating and high-street shops that have those electric fan heaters on full blast can all take their toll on your skin – and if you’re not in the habit of using sunscreen, that low hanging winter’s sun is probably doing more damage than you think.

    Let’s not forget the dreadful Winter colds and flus that many of us suffer, stingy eyes, red raw snotty noses and dreadful dry mouth – by the time Spring comes around you’re about ready for a kick start to your skincare regime.

    As I lay down on the heated therapy table in the lush surroundings of Epsom Skin Clinic’s rooms in Rush – Piccadilly, I’m immediately put at ease. The soft sounds of calming music and a feeling of warmth surrounds me in a completely relaxing bubble.

    I’m here to try the Agera Vitamin C Skin Peel, a treatment which promises to tighten, brighten and rejuvenate giving my skin much needed powerful antioxidants, which protect against free radical damage – sign me up.

    I’m warned as we start that my skin may start to sting, but it’s actually pleasant, I’m no stranger to having treatments and compared to a dermaroller procedure or a bit of dermabrasion, this treatment is a walk in the park.

    The facial takes around 30 minutes to complete and as I leave the central London clinic, my skin feels refreshed, renewed and glowing.

    The next day despite being warned that I might look red and a little irritated I’m amazed to find that my skin looks 10 years younger. Really fresh, really balanced.

    Charlotte Botting for Epsom Skin Clinic suggests that for Spring you follow her top 5 tips for keeping your skin fresh, youthful and protected.

     

    ADVERT

    [adinserter block=”1″]

     

    1. Wear an SPF – this should be done all year round but reminding clients at this time of year when the sun starts to make an appearance, SPF is the number one product to help with skin ageing.

    2. Antioxidants – these powerful vitamins how protect the skin from harmful free radicals and pollution.

    3. Re think your professional treatments – as the sun is out your skin will be more susceptible to sun damage so maybe hold off on the stronger treatments and try light peels and microdermabrasions. 

    4. Use an exfoliator – slough off dead skin cells to reveal smooth brighter looking skin.  

    5. Dump your Winter products – If you are still using products from the Winter months they may be too thick going into spring. Pick something lightweight that won’t leave you feeling greasy but provides enough hydration. 

    For more information call Epsom Skin Clinics 01372 737280 or 0207 042 3200 for the London clinic.

     

  • Meet The Skin Educators

    There’s so much information out there about how to look after your skin. We are bombarded with adverts about youth serums, daily regimes and scientific words that we can hardly pronounce. With all that info are we really any closer to understanding what is best for our skin and what actually works?

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  • IT’S TRUE: Men Vainer Than Women

    WHILE women are renowned for investing significant time and money into their appearance, new research has found that it is in fact men who are the vainer sex.

    The study by luxury men’s lifestyle etailer, avaj.co.uk, revealed men look at their reflection 23 times a day, whilst women did so 16 times per day.

    Men confessed to ‘mainly’ looking at their appearance to admire themselves and the body parts they like the most. This is in direct contrast to women, the majority of whom said they mainly looked at their appearance for reassurance that they look OK (for example, that their make-up is in place). Women also mainly focussed time spent in front of the mirror on looking at the body parts they are the most self-conscious about.

    On average men spent 10 minutes per day looking at their reflection which amounts to almost six and a half days per year. 11% of male respondents confessed to mirror gazing over 30 times a day.

    82% of men agreed that maintaining a good personal appearance was a key prerogative.

    Dominating the list of body parts men were most happy with was arms (76%), followed by legs (54%), smile (49%), eyes (43%), and hair (38%).

    Tracey Denison, managing director at avaj.co.uk, said “Surprisingly, unlike women, men are more likely to spend time in front of the mirror admiring the parts of themselves they are happy with – suggesting vanity is the real purpose behind the time spent looking at reflections. The trend for even those men who opt for a more rugged look ensuring they are well groomed – investing in beard care kits and the like – further reinforces this idea.

    “It’s also possible that the selfie trend is partially driving this rise in male vanity, as people become more used to celebrating their appearance. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to have seeped through to women as much, and they still seem to be the more self-conscious sex.”

    Two thirds of men (67%) revealed they had 3 or more cosmetic products, suggesting that men no longer wish to grow older gracefully.

    The survey also found a third of men (34%), had used a female friend or family member’s cosmetic products at least once, whilst one in 10 (9%) said they used cosmetic products targeted at women regularly.

    avaj sells a unique range of grooming products, clothing, homeware and men’s accessories for the modern gentleman.

  • THE MAN WHO WORE MAKEUP: Me, My Enemy And My Ally

    THE MAN WHO WORE MAKEUP: Me My Enemy My Ally

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