Your questions answered

Is it safe to tint your lashes at home or would a salon be better?

Tinted lashes are perfect for summer as you can to go mascara-free for weeks.

But with all beauty treatments which can be done at home, make sure you have plenty of time to read the instructions and follow them carefully.

You must remember to do a skin sensitivity test 48 hours before you start tinting.

Don't rush things, be patient and you can achieve close to salon standard results.

Are there any fast ways to get rid of a tattoo?

You can't make tattoos vanish easily or quickly and the process can be expensive, depending on the shape and colour.

Duolite QS is a new system by DEKA which removes tattoos and deep pigmentation efficiently and without scarring. Two laser pulses work together to remove unwanted pigment in the skin.

The procedure is non-invasive and tattoos of several different colours can be treated.

A course of tattoo removal may last from six to 15 treatments at 200-300 per treatment, depending on the colours of ink and size of tattoo. 

Is there a product my husband can use on thinning hair to protect his scalp from the sun?

LAB Series Skincare for Men Nutriplexx Hair and Scalp Protector SPF 8 is a unique product that not only styles and controls the hair, but helps protect the scalp from sun damage with UVB sunscreen 8.

For protection throughout the day, men can simply work into damp hair and scalp, style as usual and go.

Do bust lifting and firming creams really work?

Bust enhancement creams don't promise to boost your cup size, they're not a miracle cure, but using a product such as Clarins Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel  or Marks & Spencer Beautiful Breast Serum faithfully every day will make the whole bust area feel softer, firmer and generally more toned.

Or try the Bootcamp for Boobs treatment - which they are calling 'A Boob Job in an hour'. It is a bust and upper body treatment that will boost pecs and triceps, dramatically increasing circulation to the whole bust area and releasing pressure points that affect posture.

The biggest bust must-have, though, is a good-fitting bra to support delicate muscles around the breast area.

Bootcamp treatments are available from The Berkeley Hotel Spa, Browns Hotel Spa in London and Esporta and Dove Spas nationwide.

How can you get smooth forearms?

It's not a good idea to ever shave forearms because you'll grow stubble within a day. Waxing is a preferable method because the results are longer lasting.

If you are waxing at home, wax strips are simplest and safest. It's best to wax your arms when there is a bit of growth.

Warm the strips between your hands and apply in the direction of hair growth, smooth on and rip off in the opposite direction to hair growth. With waxing, the faster you remove, the better the results.

Hold the area of skin to be waxed taut to minimise discomfort.

Try Parissa Wax Strips Legs & Body or Parissa Assorted Wax Strips.

Can I help my scars to heal faster following cosmetic eye surgery?

A friend who works in the beauty industry and has access to every product you can think of, recently had a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery, involving the removal of excess skin and under-eye bags) and to speed up recovery, massaged A'kin organic rosehip oil into the area while she was recovering.

Within five weeks of using it, morning and night, the scars were barely visible. Even her surgeon was impressed with the results.

Australian company A'kin have one of the best rosehip oils in the world. Their best-selling Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil, is rapidly absorbed and can be directly applied to even fragile and sensitive skin.

It contains 80 per cent highly potent essential oils and vitamin E. It's best applied to cleansed skin - add 3-4 drops and gently massage in.

How often should I brush my hair to make it shiny?

New York-based hair stylist Paul Labrecque, who counts Renee Zellweger and Kim Cattrall among his clients, says: 'Regular brushing is an important part in the care of healthy, shiny hair, but the key is to use a proper brush.

'A 100 per cent boar bristle brush is the best, and least damaging. A nylon brush will pull and tear.

'Each stroke helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp and release your hair's natural sebum oils to condition and polish. But the golden rule is never to brush very wet hair, as this is when it's most fragile.'

Top stylist Charles Worthington says, 'Brushing your hair 100 strokes a night will cause breakage and irritate the scalp - it's best to keep your brushes as styling tools. For shiny hair I'd recommend an intensive conditioner once a week and leave it on for ten minutes so the treatment penetrates deep into the hair shaft. Then rinse with cold water to give a healthy shine.'