Serums - Are They Worth It?

Serums are becoming increasingly popular in skin care ranges. From anti-aging serums to extra hydrating formulations, you can find a serum for every skin concern. But are they worth the extra money. Are they any better than a well formulated moisturiser?

The simple answer is yes! They are most definitely worth spending extra money on as these little products are jam packed full of amazing ingredients at concentrated levels that moisturisers just can’t deliver. Bellow are our favourite serums that will surely bring a glow to your skin.

1, Lancome Genefique Youth Activator
Meet Lancome’s latest age-defying elixir
Beauty nerds brace yourself. Following 10 years of in-depth research, Lancome scientists studied the way our genes work (known as genomics) and the proteins they produce (that’s proteomics), to keep skin at its optimum level. They realised that genes take longer to repair themselves as we grow older and the proteins contained within the cells function at a slower rate too.

The breakthrough? All aging skin needs is a little pick-me-up to get the genes back into action. Lancome’s Genifique Youth Activating Serum forces the genes to think that they are young again. Used twice daily beneath your moisturiser or serum, a few drops of this high-tech elixir stimulates the protein production within our cells for a more luminous, toned, youthful-looking complexion. (May 6, 2009)
RRP: $160, 30ml.

2, Eminence Eight Greens Youth Serum
A powerhouse of organic phyto-estrogens work to lift facial contours and treat the signs of aging due to menopause, breakouts, hormonal imbalances and collagen loss. Concentrated whole plant yucca extract, vitex agnus castus, algae and flax seed absorb deep into the skin to tighten and brighten problem areas, and plump up loss of skin tone. Perfect for those looking for an organic solution to their skin care needs.

Key Ingredients: Yucca Extract, Flaxseed/Linseed Extract, Hop Extract, Red Clover, Paprika, Grape Extract, Chaste Berry, Horse Chestnut, BiocomplexTM: an antioxidant booster of Vitamins A, Ester-C, E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid
RRP: $69, 30ml

3, Alpha-H Age Delay Facial Oil
This preventative and corrective solution aims at reducing cellular degeneration, pigmentation and discoloration, dehydration, scarring and fine lines, this formula is a blend of precious oils, to replenish and strengthen skin. Alpha-H Age Delay Facial Oil helps repair cell damage while firming, toning and softening skin that’s become dry, mature or sun damaged.  It deeply hydrates for noticeable results. Age Delay Facial Oil is a synergistic mix that works to slow the ageing process by protecting the skin against free radical damage while repairing and correcting.

Containing Apricot Oil for its protection and softening properties, Rose Hip Oil to repair and strengthen, Wheat Germ to nourish, Calendula to regenerate, Carrot Oil to improve skin texture and maximise moisture levels, Vitamin E, Frankincense for its firming and toning benefits, German Chamomile to soothe, Lavender to heal and Patchouli to aid in repairing cells and balance.
RRP: $75.95,  25mL

4, EmerginC Daily Affirmation
Ideal for skin that needs lifting and firming.
EmerginC Daily Affirmation is a lifting and firming serum containing a clinically studied micro-collagen pentapeptide, which helps produce new collagen. It also helps to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Contains kelp extract, tetrapeptides, oligopeptides, grape extract, vitamin C, witch hazel, green tea, spirulina, clover and gingko bilboa.

Use morning and/or night, or when a lifting effect is desired.
Price: $119, 30mL

5, Indio Cosmeceutical Queen C Serum
Indio cosmeceutical queen c serum is a super-strength serum for all skin types. It contains Japanese ingredient Nikkol VCIP, a stable, oil-soluble vitamin C ester which has antioxidant acivity, inhibiting lipid perxoidation. Nikkol VCIP offers oustanding transdermal absorption, stimulating collagen production while clarifying and brightening the skin by inhibiting melanogenesis. The serum also contains soybean oil so nourish, soften and moisturise the skin; safflower seed oil which conditons the skin and gives it a soft and smooth appearance; and linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory ith moisture retention properties. It also features vitamin E for antioxidant protection and vitamin A to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Apply a small amount every morning on the face and neck after cleansing and toning. Apply with fingertips in gentle stroking movements. Follow with an indio cosmeceutical moisturiser.
Price: $139, 30mL

6, Trilogy Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum
Instantly lift and restore a luminous complexion.  This light and fast-absorbing formula, contains nature’s ‘moisture magnet’ hyaluronic acid, free radical fighting antioxidants A, C & E and brightening green tea, licorice and mulberry extract. Use under your moisturiser or before special occasions to leave skin feeling firmer, gently lifted and looking radiant.

Price: $42.95, 30mL

Amazing Tips For a Great Smokey Eye Look

If you look, you'll see many people every day wearing this classic look. This tutorial refers to using black and brown eyeshadow, but you can use other eyeshadow colors to match your clothes.

To start, apply concealer and any other products that you normally use. My recommendation is Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer. Curl eyelashes before getting started with this look. Also, make sure to apply your eyeshadow primer, to make sure that everything stays on and doesn't run.

To get started, grab a small makeup brush and some white eyeshadow. Get some eyeshadow from the inner corner of the eye to the bottom of the brow bone. The idea with this is to create a fading pattern from white to black, with white near the center of the face, and black on the outside, at the ends of the eyelids.

Using the same brush, apply grey eyeshadow to the middle of the eyelid, slightly overlapping the white eyeshadow from the last step. Finally, apply black eyeshadow to the outside of the lid, overlapping the gray eyeshadow. You should now have three bands of eyeshadow, lightest nearest your nose and darkest at the outside edges of your eyes.

Use a blending brush to blur the transitions between the three eyeshadows, pulling the eyeshadow into any creases in your eyelids as well. Move the brush back and forth across the eyelid to make a smooth, seamless blend. You now have a nice fade pattern across the lid, and you just need to add a bit of natural colors to complement it.

Add a brown shadow above the eyelid crease. Apply lightly, blending as you go. The brown should extend slightly outside of the black shadow on the outside of your eyelid. Use your blending brush to smooth the brown into the black, gray, and white eyeshadows below. If you don't blend everything smoothly, it ends up looking awkward!

Contouring makes this look stand out even more! Grab your white eyeshadow again and apply to the brow bone, smoothing as you go. This makes the smokey eye even better, as it draws attention to your eyelid makeup.

Apply black eyeliner to darken the eye, and then add mascara to complete the smokey eye look. It's important to use the brown (or some other color) because using just black, gray, and white ends up looking too monochromatic and unnatural. The brown helps the outside of the smokey eye blend into your natural skin tone.

When you're done, you should have a nice gradient across the eyelid, again with white toward the center of your face, and black on the outside edges of your eyelids. With the remaining colors defining a contour for your eyes and brow, you'll have a very polished, beautiful look.

You can also match this look to the clothes you're wearing, by switching the black and white for colors that match your clothes. For example, if you're wearing a bright blue dress, you could use blue for the outside color, and a skin tone for the inside, creating a dramatic look that highlights what the dress.

Summer Makeup Shortcuts

During the summer days, time is more valuable than ever, because no one seems to have any. Everyone is trying to do the maximum in the minimum amount of time, using tips and tricks to shave off a few minutes here and there. But just because you're in a hurry doesn't mean you have to leave your beauty routine in the dust. Shalini Vadhera, celebrity makeup artist and chief executive officer of Global Goddess Beauty, appeared on The Early Show with co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez to demonstrate ways to save time and money this summer on your next trip to the makeup counter or drugstore."It's the time of year where less is more," Vadhera told Rodriguez. "Trend wise and climate wise. You don't want to be wearing a ton of makeup and watching it melt off during the day. Also, summer is a time when the no makeup, makeup look allows you to look healthy and fresh." Vadhera said primer is an essential to make your makeup last longer on your face and in the bottle. Primer, she explained, allows you to use a third less makeup when applying. The product, she added, also keeps your makeup on longer, so you can avoid touch ups during the day. Another beauty secret for summer freshness, Vadhera said, is tinted moisturizer, which allows you to skip the step of applying moisturizer before foundation. "I always like to look for products that have a few uses -- SPF, built in concealer, good ingredients for your skin," she said. "Since tinted moisturizers tend to be sheer, you have a lot of room to use multiple shades without having to worry about a line. Tinted moisturizers add a hint of flawlessness to the face. If you want more coverage, then opt for foundation." But remember, she added, to change your concealer color for summer. "Women should always have a summer shade and a winter shade," Vadhera said. "Racoon eyes are not the hottest look to be walking around with!" Apply the concealer around your eyes and other problem areas and use it as a primer on the eye lids, Vadhera explained. "After applying concealer," she said, "you may find you don't need much else." To warm up your skin, Vadhera said, bronzer works well on days that you don't want to wear foundation. Bronzer, she said, can also double up as eyeshadow and blush. "Bronzer that has shimmer in it is the best multi-tasker," she said. "It gives you that instant golden glow if you use it as an eyeshadow, blush, and shimmer. All you need is mascara and gloss to finish your look." To finish off the lips, Vadhera suggests using a lip and cheek stain that you can sweep on the apples of your cheeks and swipe on your lips for an "instant pop of color." On the eyes, Vadhera said a basic brown kohl pencil liner is the quickest and easiest to use that has a youthful look. "(Brown) is a universally flattering color that helps bring out beautiful eyes," Vadhera said. Vadhera added that mascara is very important -- and to definitely go with black. Vadhera suggests water-resistant mascara with conditioning agents because, she said, it wears just as long, but is much kind to your lashes and is easy to wash off at night. "The key is to find one that goes on flawlessly without smudging and clumping," Vadhera suggests. "Also, don't pump mascara, (it) dries it out too quickly." Vadhera recommends using hair oil. She said the oil will extend the life of hair color and haircuts, saving money on fewer visits to the salon. And if you're headed to the beach, Vadhera said the sun can be used to your advantage. "Add coconut oil to your hair for an instant hot oil treatment," she said. As for summer storage of your makeup, Vadhera said it's best to keep these products in a cool dry place to keep them from heat damage. "(There's) nothing worse than leaving your makeup bag in a hot car and watching the products ooze out and melt when you go to use them."

Sheer glamour: Kate Moss proves less is more in sexy new shoot for her latest line

In striking new images for her popular Topshop line, Kate Moss smouldered in barely there chiffon and statement graphic prints.

Sporting bright red lipstick and an enviable golden glow, the supermodel lent glamour and sex appeal to the pieces from the 90-strong line which is famously inspired by her own wardrobe.

And the collection, which is the 35-year-old's 10th for the High Street stalwart, is set to continue its reputation as a staple for fashionistas during the recession.

A highlight was a sheer Moroccan-inspired blouse, decorated with swirls of tiny beads, £130. Worn with nothing underneath, Kate made the garment look effortless.

A graphic monochrome maxidress with simple halterneck tie (£65) is also set to be a sellout - easy enough for the beach, Kate proved it would work just as well for eveningwear styled with strappy snakeskin sandals and stacks of boho bangles.

Fashion to dye for: Pieces like this tie dye blouse, £40, are designed to be versatile

But despite the high-octane images, the collection was inspired by the pieces that the notorious party girl would most like to take to a festival or on holiday, based on the idea that each is versatile enough to be dressed up or down.

A bright red jersey tunic with bronze eyelets (£35) also features, with a bold bronze necklace almost as much of a statement as the dress.

Effortless chic: Red jersey tunic with eyelets, £35, and right, zebra print vest, £22, and sequin cardigan, £80

A swirl-printed strapless dress (£65) looks somehow graphic thanks to a pleated bodice. The print also features on buff-coloured bikinis (from £30), that one should only attempt to pull off with a tan like Kate's.

Leopard print is another key theme, working to great effect on a babydoll halter dress (£65). The animal trend continues with a zebra-print tank (£22), dressed up in the campaign shots with a sequinned cardigan (£80).

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All dressed up: Swirl-printed strapless dress and leopard babydoll halter dress, both £65

Getting waisted: Studded cropped waistcoat, £75 and right, cream fringed vest, £18 and fringed waistcoat, £60

The embellishment continues on a cropped waistcoat (£75) - this time studs, giving it a dull pewter hue. Moss wears it with nothing but a pair of oversized earrings and bangles. We reckon a simple vest wouldn't go amiss either.

A black fringed waistcoat (£60) is bang on trend, as are the gladiator sandals seen throughout. Several pairs feature in the collection including a fabric ankle-tie pair, studded tan-coloured leather, and luxurious fringed suede (all £35).

Taking it to the maxi: A full-length graphic-print dress, £65, is a highlight of the collection.

9 Trends You’ll Be Wearing This Fall

Thigh-high boots at Chalayan.Photo: Imaxtree

While you pull your frocks out of storage for — eventually — summer weather, retailers will soon be restocking their floors with the fall collections. Ever since Paris fashion week ended back in March, the Cut has been sifting through runway looks from fashion's four major cities in search of the big trends that will define the season. The eighties are back, not just in Marc Jacobs's New York show, but in disco-dolly dresses and boyfriend jackets. Lady Gaga won't be the only one going pantsless, as thigh-high boots arrive — maybe you'll pair them with the deep, brick red that is this season's predominant color. More subtly, leather is worked into anything and everything; fur retreats discreetly for the recession; and velvet, once the material of dark and brooding youth, gets a serious shot of eveningwear sophistication.

Ingredients: Prim Rose

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL/(eev-ning prim-roz oil)/n./ 1. Oil from the seeds of the evening primrose plant, Oenothera biennis, a tall biennial native to North America.; /n./ 2. A rich source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is especially beneficial to the heart, immune system, and skin; /n./ 3. A homeopathic cure-all known for its ability to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual pain, and eczema, e.g., “Evening primrose oil’s cramps-reducing, complexion-enhancing power makes it an asset to any woman’s arsenal.”

Try it: M’lis Evening Primrose Oil 500-mg capsules, $40, www.shop.buymlis.com.

Ingredients: Feverfew

FEVERFEW/(fee-vuhr-fyoo)/n./ 1. A short perennial that is native to southeastern Europe and gives off a strong and bitter odor; /n./ 2. A member of the sunflower family, also called Tanacetum parthenium, used for centuries in European folk medicine as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, and fever; /n./ 3. An increasingly popular anti-inflammatory ingredient that has been shown to effectively soothe irritated skin, e.g., “Get the red out with feverfew and say goodbye to blotchiness.”

Try it: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Night Cream with feverfew, $16.79, www.drugstore.com.