It's a growing concern that many people have very unrealistic ideas of losing weight and what a healthy body looks like.  Many women and girls are under pressure to be stick thin, and this is validated by the ultra thin size 00 models. This causes a lot of dissatisfaction, and more so when someone is getting married and wants to look their very best. It's one thing to be slim and healthy and another to be gaunt.  Many brides go on crash diets two months before they're due to get married, and get even more stressed when they don't lose as much weight as they'd hoped.  

Winter conditions can really take their toll on your skin, so now is the time to rethink your skincare routine for the winter months to prevent damage and broken veins. Always use a moisturiser and its a good idea to maintain using a makeup with an SPF10+, this can help prevent that awful weather beaten look, and makeup can act as a protective layer against the harsh winter elements.

Let's not forget hair when it comes to looking good.  As winter approaches, we find our hair may get drier and duller. We may find we wash it less often, or just don't have the time to do it. Whatever condition your hair is in there is a treatment out there to help return it to its former glory. If you find yourself struggling for time in the mornings to wash and condition your hair maybe you could adopt some of the tips given here for beautiful, shiny hair in half the time. Remember to cover up hair if it's very cold outside, use a fashionable hat to keep damage at bay.

I've had a few emails asking me for tips on how to apply makeup, and where to put it. So I've decided to write this post to help people to apply a simple daytime makeup that will suit all ages and skin types.

A client recently told me she would love to have a couple of facials before her big day, but didn't want to chance a breakout of spots. When I asked what she meant, she replied that she'd read that getting facials could result in causing the skin to erupt by bringing all the spots to the surface.  Can I say, that this is not the case.  A good facial will deeply cleanse the skin, slough off all dead skin cells and treat any specific conditions as appropriate. 

As you will have noticed, the weather has been very unpredictable, so there's been very little chance of getting anything that resembles a tan!  Don't be put off with fake tan, some colours can be really natural, so try a couple of different makes of tan well before your wedding day.  If you're fair, it's best to stick with a light, golden tan - aim for a natural, golden glow.  If you're dark, you can get away with a darker, tropical tan. Airbrush or Spray tan is a good option, especially since most of them smell more pleasant and can be streakless.

Congratulations to Will and Kate, and wasn't she just the most beautiful, natural looking bride ever?  Her skin was glowing, her eyes sparkling and although she was wearing make up, everything was kept natural and beautiful.  She was a natural, radiant bride and makeup artists - the world over, have had many requests to re-create her stunning make up look. Creating a natural, glowing and radiant look, can take some work, but preparation is the main key. Here are some steps to being a radiant bride:

It won't be long till Easter now, and now is the perfect time to look for all those skincare and make up bargains. Look in some of the larger chemists for good quality sunscreens with 25+ Sun Protection Factor. The weather is warmer now, so don't get caught without your sunscreen! As the weather gets better we want to brighten our make up look. Some large department stores stock some of the funky brands which have the most fabulous, fashion colours e.g. Smashbox, Too Faced and Blinc to name a few. The best way to find out about different cosmetics is to read reviews on particular makeup companies and find out what they are about and what their cosmetics have to offer. Always choose long-lasting makeup with a strong pigment, so you don't have to constantly re-apply makeup. It's great to just put it on and forget about it, and with Smashbox, Too Faced and Blinc you can do this. It's a good time too, to start buying the little trial sizes of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel for your holidays, they are really cheap and fit into hand luggage (under 100 mls). 

Blackheads and pimples can be unsightly, but there are effective treatments to help combat some blemishes and acne conditions. Oily skin usually suffers the most from these irritations, so it is imperative to keep the skin scrupulously clean. Using an anti bacterial lotion will help to clean the skin, but sometimes a deep cleansing mask helps to rid the skin of impurities, so you may wish to consider making this effective homemade face mask for oily and acne skin , which not only cleanses the skin deep down, but mops up the excess oil that causes these skin problems. This mask is cheap to make and very effective, and only takes 20 - 30 mins. Make sure you follow all the steps as they are given, and use the correct ingredients. An astringent toner is also better for oily skin, helping to keep the oil at bay. It's also worthwhile to remember that oily skin needs moisturising too, but not with an oil based moisturiser, aim to use a water based moisturiser to protect and nourish the skin, Always use products for your particular skin type, it really does make a difference. Try this mask and let me know what you think.

As we head towards Easter, many people will be thinking about taking a holiday or maybe a short break over the Bank Holidays. For us gals, that means preparing our skin so it looks its best. Although there are many good exfoliators on the market, I always like to make my own homemade exfoliator, when I have the time. This is a quick and easy recipe, an old fashioned remedy for dry, dull skin. It will leave your skin glowing, with no signs of the grey pallor that winter can leave on our skin. Read this homemade exfoliator for gorgeous skin , it'll get you glowing once again!

On Sunday I exhibited at a Wedding Fayre in Pollokshields Burgh Hall, run by Glasgow Girls Wedding Guide. It was a great day, and lovely to meet lots of brides-to-be, other wedding service providers and the GGWG's very friendly staff. It was a very busy day, with a lively atmosphere and a very nice venue, (not to mention all the nice nibbles and delicious cupcakes) available to try. My airbrush finger was numb by the time we finished! I suppose that's a good complaint to have. I was pleasantly surprised to meet some of the brides I've made-up in the past, who were there with their friends/families who are now getting married, it was lovely to meet you again. In the morning of the Fayre I put some ordinary foundation on (just to see how long it would stay looking good) but by 1.30 pm it was starting to show signs of evaporation/perspiration, so I quickly applied some of my airbrush foundation - it stayed in place until I took it off at 11pm that night. From now on I'll be airbrushed at all times, lesson learned!

While shopping at St Enoch Centre last Saturday afternoon, I was intrigued by a new shop recently opened across from Debenhams. It's called XFoliate Feet, and on closer inspection I noticed that there were various chairs with fish tanks below. Being curious by nature (or is that just plain nosey!), I wandered in and spoke to the girl. Next thing I know I'm sitting with my feet in warm water, having a very relaxing and enjoyable experience known as a fish pedicure. These tiny fish, gathered around my feet, and, using a sucking motion (they have no teeth), gently removed the dead skin from my feet. leaving my skin soft and smooth. I must admit, at first I was a bit apprehensive, thinking it would be a bit nippy and/or tickly, but it was very soothing and definitely the most relaxing 15 minutes I've had all week. It is particularly good for eczema, psoraisis or indeed, any dry skin condition. To give your feet a post Christmas/Sales (or even a pre wedding) treat visit XFoliate Feet. They also have a branch at Silverburn.  Price: £10 for 15 minutes.

It's the Xmas party season and I thought I'd mention a little about make up primers and what they can do for your Xmas make up.  A primer is used all over the skin, after moisturising, and makes a great base for make up, but more than that it smooths imperfections and makes your make up last a lot longer.  This is great for those Office/Work Party nights that begin at 3pm and sometimes finish at 3am! Two very good primers are Laura Mercer Foundation Primer can be purchased from www.spacenk.co.uk for £27 or Avon MagiX Face Perfector from www.avonshop.co.uk at only £10.  These also make great Xmas gifts.  Another hit this Xmas will be the Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, a rich, lengthening mascara in their signature gold tube can be purchased for £21.50 from Debenhams stores or online at www.debenhams.com. (remember to get your beauty rewards card from Debenhams, you can save quite a lot of money when buying all your cosmetic and skin care gifts.

Brrr... the weather is really cold now making this the perfect time of year to rethink skin care routines and consider changing makeup too.  A good moisturiser with a SPF 15 is essential to keep skin from getting dried out and weather beaten.  Skin also benefits from a weekly face mask to nourish it in the winter months, and of course regular exfoliation.  There is very little sunshine now but try to get at least 15 minutes in the fresh air (especially if there's some sun).  We need to keep our skin moisturised from the inside too, so remember to drink plenty of water to counteract the drying effects of central heating.  Skin colour will be paler now so remember to adjust  makeup to suit.  A richer colour of lipstick and blusher can also work wonders to cheer up winter skin and give confidence a boost.  Look out for stunning reds and berry lipcolours available now, and remember to add an extra coat of black mascara for more drama.  Think sexy "Mad Men" glamour!

Hi everyone, here are a few offers I thought were too good to keep to myself, hope you enjoy.

This is a great deal from Boots stores.  Take any old mascara along to the Clinique counter and you will receive a small Clinique mascara in its place (dependent on stock available).  Clinique mascara's are great products and this offer is too good to miss. 

Elle magazine is giving away a free Clinique lip gloss, in blackcurrent.  It's in the November issue and is available until November 10th - so buy your copy soon.  The colour is super - and it tastes good too!

Urban Decay have designed a creative new eyeshadow palette aptly named "Naked".  The colours are muted golds, soft mid tones, warm burnt peaches and deep smokey browns perfect for creating many different looks for this season.  The paler shades of creams and golds add interest to winter skins.  Textures include shimmer, matt, glitter and muted.  Create sexy, smokey eyes for Christmas parties or a natural, almost naked look for daytime winter fun.  The palette includes an eyeshadow primer and two eyepencils in black and brown.  Expect to pay between £27 - £36.  The perfect gift for Christmas!  

Hi Everyone, Yesterday was Debenhams big launch day and I spent quite a while visiting the makeup department and wasn't disappointed.  I thoroughly enjoyed browsing the various counters offering super buys on gift sets for Christmas.  I used my £5 voucher on some new blusher and lipsticks and got the 500 points added to my beauty bonus card.  I also bought some cute packs of  lip glosses and juicy tubes for gifts - my friends just love these.  Clinique have a fabulous offer on but you'll need to be quick as it finishes tomorrow.  I just found out about it yesterday.  They are offering a fantastic Betty Jackson, Black makeup bag filled with 5 fab products (dramatically different moisturiser 30mls, a trio of neutral eye shadows, foaming cleanser, Long Last Glosswear and High Impact Curling Mascara in Black).  All of these products are excellent and the makeup bag is chic.  You also get a 10% off voucher to spend within Betty Jackson , Black Designer Ranges.  Not to be missed!  PS:  Look out for the little packs of Elizabeth Arden lip glosses too - some very stylish colours.  Let's hope they offer a similar day like this again quite soon - a great way to get some bargains on Christmas Shopping (and the free gifts are super for us too).

Hi, Just found out that Debenhams are celebrating the new look of their shop after having a huge makeover and are having a launch day on 28th October.  On the day they are offering a £5 voucher when you spend £25 or more.  They are also offering a whopping 500 bonus points on your Debenhams Beauty Club Reward Card when you spend £25 or more. Pop in and pick up a leaflet. Michelle Mone, creator of Ultimo, will be holding a Masterclass answering your questions on lingerie, TV Stylist Mark Heyes will also be there advising on what's hot this season and how to accessorise for maximum effect, and lots more.  Not to be missed!