Dare to bare: Follow our advice and you'll be ready to hit the beach

Dare to bare: Follow our advice and you'll be ready to hit the beach

BANISH YOUR BLEMISHES

Don't you just love the lighter, brighter days? But fewer clothes mean more of the body is back on show. Deal with problem areas now and you'll dare to bare in no time.

CREPEY CHEST

Q: I'm concerned about the lines on my chest. I am 47, did a fair bit of sunbathing when I was younger but moisturise regularly. I'm fed up of not being able to wear low-cut tops. I can't afford laser treatment.

A: One of the best products to help smooth out lines on the decolletage is the award-winning Dove Pro-Age Neck and Chest Beauty Serum (£6.99, Superdrug and supermarkets).

This is a light, non-greasy serum, containing glycerine and olive oil to hydrate and nourish the skin.

It is superb at ironing out the appearance of lines on your neck and chest, and performs as effectively as more expensive brands.

Bobbi Brown's new Beach Body Oil (£31, www.bobbibrown. co.uk) contains four essential oils (olive, sesame, avocado and jojoba) and vitamins E and C, which soften the skin. 

You should avoid tanning that area, so use a self-tanning moisturiser that has been formulated for the face and decolletage. Try Darphin Self-Tanning Face & Body Cream (£22.51, 0870 034 2566, www. darphin. co.uk). Ingredients include vitamin E and shea butter, and it produces a golden glow which hides deeper creases.

Another remedy seems to work. If you can stand it, sleep in a bra (one that supports you, but isn't uncomfortable or too tight) and massage body oil into the area. This helps keep your breasts separate while you sleep and helps smooth the area in the middle.

SPIDER VEINS

Q: My legs are in good shape, but I suffer from spider veins, so don't want to go bare-legged in skirts or shorts. I don't like needles - is there a jab-free solution?

ysx vein repair cream

A: If you want to help prevent leg veins, avoid hot baths, as the temperature of the water increases circulation to the surface and will aggravate the problem.

Exercise, especially yoga, is good. If you can't avoid standing for long periods of time, try circling your ankles clockwise and anticlockwise to help get the blood flowing.

YSX Vein Repair Cream (£22.95, Superdrug, www.lifes2good.co.uk, 0845 399 0037), which is formulated to work on thread veins, spider veins and broken capillaries, may help even out and reduce their appearance.

Its ingredients include horse chestnut extract, linden and cypress extracts, and it is said to tone the vein wall, improve skin's resilience and hydrate the skin. Massage into the affected area twice daily after showering while the skin is still warm, but dry.

The manufacturers claim you will see positive results in weeks.

CHICKEN SKIN ARMS

Q: My arms have that awful, wrinkled 'chicken skin' look and I also have horrible bumps on the backs of my arms. Sleeveless tops are out of the question. Is there a quick-fix?

johnson's holiday skin

A: There are no quick fixes, but you can disguise it with a self-tanning body lotion (you can't go wrong with Johnson's Holiday Skin, £4.99, 0845 6012261).

Make sure you apply Vaseline on to your elbows and wrists first to avoid telltale orange streaks.

Some people have had very good results with microdermabrasion, which helps to smooth out the surface of the skin and make it feel firmer (Crystal Clear microdermabrasion, from £40 for 40 minutes, 08705 934934, www.crystalclear.co.uk).

Marcia Kilgore, creator of the FitFlop and Soap & Glory, says if you suffer from bumps on the backs of your arms, use alpha hydroxy acid-infused lotions or rub fresh lemons on the rough and rashy spots to help loosen up the skin that builds up and causes the bumps.

ORANGE PEELTHIGHS

Q: Do ANY cellulite creams and products really work?

thalgo slim and sculpt

A: A combination of exercise and massage is the best way to smooth lumps and bumps on your thighs and bottom.

'Toning exercises, such as lunges and squats, help to firm the area, and regular massages stimulate blood flow,' says Kathryn Freeland, celebrity personal trainer and director of Absolute Fitness.

'It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins, and to cut down on smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty and processed foods.'

Try Thalgo's Slim & Sculpt Expert Slimming and Firming Cream (£46, 020 7512 0872). This new product has been formulated for women aged 35 and above who have lost some of their body tone due to pregnancy or yo-yo dieting.

It contains green coffee and yerba mate (both rich in caffeine), and red algae. It is also paraben-free.

In tests, 73 per cent of women said the orange peel and dimpling faded after four weeks' use.

  • If you have a beauty problem, email me at askelsa@dailymail.co.uk Or write to: Ask Elsa, Beauty Confidential, Femail, The Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers, Derry Street, London W8 5TT.
big fatty waterproof mascara

MUST BUY

Look out for two fab, fat beauty must haves. Samy Fat Hair amplifying mousse (£5.38, superdrug.com) transforms lifeless locks into fuller, thicker hair.


Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara (£13, Debenhams, Boots, House of Fraser, pictured) has a deep, glossy texture that separates and volumises lashes.

REAL WOMEN TEST - Red nail polishes

We asked six women to try out the most popular scarlet nail colour ranges.

YSL La Laque

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque, Sublime Red, £16 (YSL counters nationwide)

Janie McKenzie, 42, Glasgow: This cherry tomato red is fairly watery, but goes on well, without dripping. It needs two coats, and builds into a lovely illuminating shade that makes your hands look pale and lady-like. It also smells delicious. It chipped after less than 24 hours on my fingernails, but lasted longer on my toenails. 6/10

L'Oreal Resist & Shine Titanium, 501, £4.99 (Boots)

L'Oreal

Carol Bryan, 49, Yorkshire: This wasn't thick enough for just one coat, but it dried very quickly. The second coat dried to a really shiny, glossy finish. It claims to last up to seven days, but I noticed a chip after a day. It didn't peel and was relatively chip-free for five days. It's so shiny and a fabulous colour that I'd definitely use it again. 8/10

Bourjois So Laque! Ultra Shine, Rouge Escarpin, £5.37 (0800 269836)

Juliette Raymond, 32, Cardiff: I liked this a lot. It's a lovely rich colour, and the brush applies the nail polish evenly, smoothly and precisely so I had neat-looking nails. It lasted for four full days without a single chip, and didn't lose its shine. It also came off fairly easily, without leaving my nails tinged red. Great value. 9/10

Maybelline Express Finish Cherry

Maybelline New York Express Finish Lacquer, Cherry, £3.99 (counters nationwide)

Chloe McDonald, 38, Portsmouth: This claims to dry in 40 seconds, and it did dry quickly. It's really easy to apply, with no gloopy drops. I found it hard-wearing - it didn't chip or peel for the week I tried it on my toenails - and it accentuated my fake tan well. Really good value for money. 10/10

Bobbi Brown tomato

Bobbi Brown Nail, Tomato, £5.87 (www.bobbi brown.co.uk)

Lindsay Hamilton, 51, Brighton: This is a chunky, meaty red with a touch of blue that works best after two coats. It's in a dinky little bottle, and the brush spreads the colour evenly without dripping. It took a while to dry, especially the second coat, but was pretty solid once it was on. It lasted for ages on my toenails, and about three days on my fingers without chipping. I'd use it again. 8/10

revlon

Revlon Red Nail Enamel, £7.16 (0800 085 2716)

Hannah Lemieux, 19, Surrey: This vibrant red with no orange tones has a lovely shiny finish. The quality of the brush meant I could apply the polish smoothly and evenly. One coat was plenty. 8/10

 

CHEAP TREAT

organic

Your Organics, www.lloydspharmacy. co.uk, 0845 602 9727 


Every product in this range costs less than £5 -cleanser, moisturiser, face and body exfoliators, day and night creams, face mask and eye & lip lift (pictured). It's a no nonsense brand that's great for sensitive skin. No miracles promised, but you can buy all you need for £20. Perfect if you fancy changing your skincare regime without breaking the bank, or upsetting your skin.

JESSICA BIEl

CELEBRITY SECRET

Actress Jessica Biel looked amazing last week in Manhattan.

'I've been using Collin products for four months,' she reveals.

'I use the deep cleansing scrub, eye cream, night moisturiser, day moisturiser and under-eye gel, which is really hydrating.'

COLLIN Nourishing Restructuring Mask, £24.45 (01767 682288, www.collin.ltd.uk).






WE LOVE ... KABUKI BRUSH

valerie kabuki

Hollywood's top celebrity make-up artist, Valerie Sarnelle, let me into the red carpet trick of applying perfect foundation and primers with her bevelled Kabuki brush and there is no going back.


The difference it makes is unbelievable. The Valerie Beverly Hills Kabuki brush (£25, pictured) is available in the UK from www.victoria health.com and with each brush Beauty Confidential readers will receive a tube of Valerie's Magic Wand Concealer (worth £19.95) as a free gift.


Marks & Spencer also has a Kabuki brush at £7.50 (www.marksand spencer.com) in a silver case. Too Faced do a retractable one for £21 (www.hqhair.com).


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