Lovin’ Summer Legs

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Lovin’ Summer Legs

With summer just around the corner it’s time to turn your mind to getting your lovely legs beach ready. I don’t know about you, but throughout the winter months laziness tends to stand between me and a good exfoliating regime, so come spring my knees are looking a little on the crusty side and my thighs, well just a hint of a tint of orange peel begins to appear. There are lots of theories behind the reasons we develop cellulite, covering everything from genetics to indolence and over-eating, but in truth no one really knows what causes that irritating dappled and doughy look, so it’s difficult to take treatments claiming to ‘cure’ it seriously. But, like everyone else, I’m a sucker for a feasible idea, and whether they actually combat the dreaded ‘C’ word, or just slough off dead skin cells and reveal a sparkling new complexion, I feel that a spring time exfoliation is never a bad thing. So, to set you on the road to reaching that beach body beautiful, we’ve been road testing a few of the best exfoliators and anti-cellulite treatments on the market, as well as one or two complementary products. 

Scrub and Polish

Beauty Lab Peptide Tanning Pre-Tan Skin Polish (£18.00/ 150ml) – Packed with active ingredients, from smoothing and revitalising Ginseng, to anti-oxidising Grapefruit and Glycopure, that heady mix if Glycolic, Citric and Lactic acids, widely used to remove dead and dying skin cells and encourage new growth, Beauty Lab’s Peptide Pre-Tan Skin Polish pretty much does what it says on the box. The scent is a light and slightly unusual citrus, not at all unpleasant to use, while the polish itself is effective, yet surprisingly gentle – skin does not feel at all abraded, which is somewhat disconcerting during use as it doesn’t feel like it’s actually achieving anything, which thought is belied by the results; silky soft skin ready to take the world by storm! To complete the look, Beauty Lab Peptide Tanning Lotion is also available.

Beauty Lab Peptide Tanning Pre-Tan Skin Polish is available from http://www.beautylabshop.com.

Crystal Clear Crystal Body Polish (£32/150ml) – I’ve not come across Crystal Clear before, which surprises me because their range is pretty extensive and, going by the example of the Crystal Body Polish, both pleasant to use and effective. The formula combines a ‘special blend of anti-ageing ingredients’ (Honey, Grapefruit Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Matrixyl 3000 – a mixture of powerful peptides) with essential oils and ground garnet, with the aim of providing a microdermabrasion treatment, which will ‘leave your skin feeling smooth, supple and instantly revitalised.’ The scent is distinctively ‘spa’ while the product is one that actually feels like it’s working – the fine particles really do scrub, but in an agreeable way, rather like a good back scratch, that leaves the skin quietly singing and feeling utterly alive. During the course of a week, with daily use, I found that even the roughest patches of dry skin – knees and elbows – were exfoliated into submission and my whole body felt cleaner and smoother. This is not a product that promises miracles, but it does deliver all that it promises and I very much like it for that.

Crystal Clear Crystal Body Polish is available from www.crystalclear.co.uk. 

Yon-Ka Phyto-Gel Exfoliant (£35.70/200ml) – Well, having looked at the celeb’s (J-Lo, Kylie, Jennifer Anniston, Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Eliza Doolittle, to name but a few) favourite, Yon-Ka hand cream earlier this year and found it counterintuitive (surprisingly dry for the purpose), but effective, I was curious to try another product in the range. The Phyto-Gel Exfoliant is more in line with expectations; an uplifting, zesty shower gel with obvious – but not abrasive – ‘diatoms and jojoba pearls,’ which work to scrub away impurities and dead skin cells while hydrating the epidermis left behind. All in all, I have to say that I like it; Rosemary, Sage and Citrus oils rejuvenate, cleanse and provide a stirring scent, while Sweet Almond Protein, Algae Extract and Castor Oil moisturise and protect, the finished result being a feeling of alertness, a willingness to face to world that is often hard to come by and skin that feels beautiful both inside and out. The tagline of Yon-Ka is ‘the alchemy of pure wellness,’ the mixing of modern technology with holistic principles, as such over 70% of Yon-Ka products are comprised of more than 90% natural ingredients.

For more information, or to purchase Yon-Ka Phyto-Gel Exfoliant visit www.yonka.com or call 0207 518 8370

 

Lulu’s Bombshell Body Revealing Body Cleanser (£12.75/200ml) – This one is perhaps aimed at the slightly older beach babe and designed to ‘gently lift and remove the dull, dry top layer of skin,’ while a blend of revitalising and moisturising ingredients pamper the freshly revealed skin below. Bombshell Body Revealing Body Cleanser is made up of exfoliating beads and micro-crystals, luxuriantly coated in a mixture of mineral- and protein-rich green and red algae, silk amino acids and essential oils, which work together to soften, smooth and renew your tired outer layer. Lavender and Rosemary, both known for their rejuvenating and antiseptic qualities, play a large part in the product, not least in the scent, so if, like me, you’re not a fan of lavender, this won’t be the exfoliator for you. That said, the results are gratifying; skin is left looking clear and bright and feeling super soft, so it does everything that it claims in the most gentle of ways and at a bargainous price.

Lulu’s Bombshell Body Revealing Body Cleanser is available from www.lulusplace.co.uk and www.qvc.co.uk.

KORRES Body Scrub (£12.00/150ml) – Being Korres, this one makes no grand claims about slimming and firming, it simply uses lovely natural ingredients to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation, leaving skin soft and supple and ready to face the world. Bamboo and Jojoba beads do all the hard exfoliating work, while a ‘multi-mineral combination’ of Sodium, Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese deeply hydrate and restore the skin. Vitamin-rich Wheat, soothing Aloe Vera and protecting & moisturising Shea Butter also all play their parts. The deliciously scented Basil Lemon is my favourite in the line, but a light and summery Watermelon – rich in vitamins A, B6, C, lycopene, potassium, fibre and free radicals (those lovely little fighters of environmental ageing nasties) – is also available. All Korres products are created from homeopathic premises and free from parabens, silicones, phthalates, synthetic scents and dyes, mineral oils and animal products, and as such are a complete joy to use.

KorRES Body Scrub is available fromwww.korres.com and www.amazon.co.uk. 

 

Green People Sensuous Sugar Scrub (£19.95/245g) – I like Green People; I personally share their ethical viewpoint and all the products I’ve tried so far have been pleasing, so I was pretty sure that I would find something positive to say about the Sensuous Sugar Scrub. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was to fall in love! Now, I’ll admit that it is something for a superficial love, based largely upon the wonderful scent that gently caresses your nostrils the second you peel back the lid – a light mixture of citrus and rosemary with a slightly coconut-y base – but once I’d stopped inhaling and started scrubbing I found that there was more to this little pot of goodness than a fabulous aroma. Created from a blend of cane sugar crystals, moisturising Shea Butter, healing Rosehip, anti-oxidising Pomegranate and much more besides, this is a fairly dry scrub, which is initially difficult to handle, but manages to spread itself a long way. The sugar crystals are quite coarse and leave your skin feeling slightly glowing, not unlike the less indulgent spa treatments, while the essential oils get to work feeding your parched epidermis, removing the need for a moisturiser later. The overall result is wonderful and the knowledge that you’ve attained beautiful skin without the use of parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals and artificial fragrances is even better.

The Green People Sensuous Sugar Scrub is available from www.greenpeople.co.uk.

Fight that Cellulite

Fushi Really Good Cellulite Oil (£19.95/100ml) – Fushi’s RGCO works on the premise that cellulite is, if not caused, at least increased by poor circulation, so they set about harvesting a powerful mix of simulating, circulation-enhancing ingredients. Triple-infused Gotu Kola rubs shoulders (or thighs) with Green Coffee bean, which is known for its diuretic properties, nourishing, vitamin E-enriched Wheat Germ Oil, cleansing and anti-oxidising Grapefruit and detoxifying Sweet Birch. This combination is designed to enhance lymphatic drainage, help strengthen connective tissues and prevent collagen binding with fat cells, all of which works towards reducing the appearance of cellulite. Being made from 100% natural ingredients, the oil smells fantastic and is a real pleasure to use, so it seems impossible that it can be doing any good, but... It surprisingly does. Using RGCO alone is not going to give you svelte thighs, but it does really seem to improve skin tone, so with time and a little bit of effort your legs should be beach-ready. Fushi’s body care products are also pleasingly free from Parabens, Petrochemicals, SLS, PEGs and synthetics.

Fushi Really Good Cellulite Oil is available from www.fushi.co.uk. 

 

Proskins Anti Cellulite Leggings (£50) – Now, I know what you’re thinking and yes, I have to agree that £50 is actually a lot of money for a pair of leggings, but no matter which way you look at it, Proskins are no ordinary leggings; no, no, these are…Super Leggings! Caffeine, Retinol, Ceremides, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Fatty Acids all lurk within the weave of the fabric – made from a ‘patented microencapsulated yarn’ – creating a pair of comfy trousers which work to reduce your wobbly bits even while you’re sat on the sofa, watching telly and eating a bag of crisps! Obviously, the results will be better if you don’t partake of the junk food, but that’s not the point. Apparently clinically proven to ‘reduce thighs by 2cm after 4 weeks of 8 hours a day wearing,’ Proskins have attracted celebrity fans in the form of Danni Minogue and Mel C, and employ the above ingredients to increase lymphatic drainage, improve circulation, flush fluids and toxins from the body and leave the skin feeling smooth and healthy. Now, I only have one pair and I’ve only had them for a fortnight, so I’ve not been able to put the Proskins claims truly to the test, but I must say that they are incredibly comfortable to wear and my skin has been feeling both firmer and nicely hydrated. As for the girth, well... there is perhaps a small reduction, but I’m not yet prepared to put it down to the leggings. But, as the Proskin’s goodly properties last for around 100 washes, further trials will continue and I’ll get back to you on that one.

Proskins Anti Cellulite Leggings are available in three lengths from http://www.next.co.uk, http://www.clothingattesco.co.uk and http://www.proskins.co.uk.

 

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate thighs / hips / buttocks (£25.50/75ml) – 100% glamorous and 100% natural is the claim made by Caudalie for their slimming and firming range. The natural bit isn’t up for dispute; a quick glance at the list of ingredients confirms a sumptuous range of actives including the ever-reliable Rosemary, Grape Seed, Sunflower and Lemon Oils as well as the less common Juniper (antiseptic, diuretic, detoxing), Pelargonium (healing, balancing, reduces excessive oil and helps complaints such as psoriasis) and Cyprus (improves circulation, reduces fluid retention, heals). As for the glamorous, well the simple scent and feel of this product checks that box very nicely – this feels like an indulgence, which is pretty good going for a £25 product. The main remaining question is; does it work? The aim is to increase lymphatic drainage and filter excess fat to reduce cellulite and improve the appearance and skin tone of the treated areas, as well as – here’s the big statement – reduce your thighs by up to 3.8cm. Hmm. Despite being largely made from oils, the Contouring Concentrate is not the slightest bit greasy, it can be applied either in or after a shower and seems to be absorbed in moments (perhaps I just have thirsty thighs??), leaving skin feeling hydrated and smooth, with none of the tackiness one associates with oils. Skin immediately looks and feels healthier after the first application and after a week’s use my thighs did appear firmer and my behind a little less wobblesome! Time restraints prevent me from running the full 28 day trial recommended, but those two factors alone endear it to me and I shall be sticking it with it for the duration to see if there are wonders to behold!

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate is available from www.caudalie.com and selected Boots outlets.

Finishing Touches & Little Helpers

Caudalie Draining Organic Herbal Teas (£10.00/20 sachets) – If you’re looking for something a little extra to help you gain the perfect beach body beautiful, Caudalie may just be able to help. Caffeine-free, so great for all you detox-ers, the Draining Organic Herbal Tea is a beautiful blend of five organic plants – red vine, blackcurrant, cinnamon, blueberry and orange zest – selected for their detoxing and diuretic properties. I prefer to use them to make a hot drink, but they can be used cold as a reviving fruit punch. It’s hard to tell if they have any real effect in terms of weight loss and water retention, but they do taste great and are much better for you – in terms of both toxins and calories – than a latte, so it can’t hurt to add them to your beach-ready routine.

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate is available from www.caudalie.com and selected Boots outlets.

Parissa 2 in 1 Roll-On Body Sugar (£19.99/140ml) – Of course, the final part of readying the body for summer exposure is the one that we all hate; hair removal. If you’re brave enough to attempt the deed at home, then Parissa have a great range available to help you. Sugar-based, rather than wax, to make sure that all you lose is your unwanted hair, rather than your freshly primed skin, the 2-in-1 Roll-On just needs to be popped in the microwave and applied – it couldn’t be simpler. The two applicators are ideal for covering all parts of the body and, best of all, should it all get too much, you can chicken out and rinse the sugar solution off with warm water – no harm done. Simple, effective, with a built-in get-out clause!

Parissa Azulene Oil (£8.99/60ml) – And finally, once you’ve buffed, scrubbed and shaved yourself to within an inch of decency it’s worth smoothing the skin over with a good, soothing moisturising solution. Azulene Oil is designed to prevent in-growing hairs, razor burn and irritation from sullying your lovely legs. With ever-reliable chamomile as the main active ingredient, it does a wonderful job at calming skin, leaving it soft, healthy and ready to show off.

Parissa products are available from Boots, www.boot.com, www.amazon.co.uk and Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.

© Purple Peccadilloes