Fancy A Makeover

Archive for the ‘Advice’ Category

As men and women both continue to struggle to shift the extra weight put on over the Christmas period many have started to cheat instead. Over the last 6 weeks control pants, magic knickers or shape wear (some of the names they are referred to) have increased in sales. And with the release of shape wear for men being as popular as shape wear for women it’s easy to see how gyms are still struggling to hold on to or recruit new gym members.

Although there is no scientific research confirming this, many people believe e that control pants may in time cause the wearer to lose some inches as the area is compressed and toxins and sweat are released from the body. Some manufacturers have also released shape wear that promises to reduce cellulite and improve appearance of skin if worn at least eight times a day, but research has found that diet and exercise can cause the same results with determination.

Recent shape wear that has been released for men include padded vests that create the illusion of a toned and sculpted torso such as a ‘6-pack’. It gives men a boost in self confidence especially if they are not used to the extra love handles around the waist.

Control pants have become increasingly popular as people try to cut back on luxuries such as going to the gym and poor eating habits because of the vast quantity of cheap food around cause’s people to put on weight. Control pants make the wearer appear slimmer and smooth out lumps and bumps that would make the outfit look ill-fitting and frumpy.

With celebrities also widely seen wearing control pants and shape wear it’s not a surprise that women also feel that they can cheat as celebrities are doing it too. Some celebrities pictured wearing control pants are: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denise Van Outen, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Katy Perry and even Paris Hilton! Gwyneth Paltrow admitted to wearing two control pants at a time to create the illusion of a slimmer figure after the birth of her first child.

Control pants are just a short term solution to looking slim and feeling good in those tight fitting outfits, with regular exercise and a healthy diet most people should be able to maintain a size and weight they are comfortable with. Shape wear is also a great addition to the wardrobe for outfits that require a little extra body contouring and smoothness, so feel free to cheat every once in a while.

At the moment if you want an abortion it must be approved by two health professionals in a hospital or clinic. You cannot buy abortion pills over the internet legally or over the counter at a pharmacy, as a result of this women and young girls have to be seen in a clinic or hospital to be administered the abortion pill.

The UK’s largest abortion provider is going to court to change the law that states the abortion pill can only be taken in the presence of a nurse or doctor. At the moment the first pill is taken then another tablet is taken 24-48 hours later to complete the termination. GP’s also have the power to administer these pills but most refuse to do so. If the law is changes then the changes could come into effect in as little as two months.

Women who choose early medical abortions over surgical abortions are more likely to need hospital treatment as bleeding heavily are a common and dangerous side effect. The first tablet makes the lining of the womb instable, and then the second causes the womb to contract and push the foetus out.

DIY abortions at home will only be available to women who are 9 weeks or less pregnant as a powerful tablet is all that is needed to successfully terminate. Women who are over 9 weeks pregnant will need to be supervised by a nurse or doctor. DIY abortions are already available in other parts of the world such as America, Canada, France, Norway, Sweden and Denmark where women do not have to suffer unnecessary stress travelling to an abortion clinic.

Pro-life campaigners are horrified by this move and say that abortion pills will become more like taking aspirin rather than being a serious pill taken under medical supervision. They also argue that younger girls will use this as a form of contraception rather than using it in emergency situations when contraception fails.

Those who have had the abortion pill are half and half, you are given the pill and asked to go home straight after but many find that they do not make it home in time and are crippled in pain for hours by painful cramps and heavy bleeding. So what is the point of travelling to a clinic only to be told to go straight home afterwards to let the tablets work?

The contraceptive implant also known as Implanon has been available worldwide since 1998 but has only just been approved by the UK in 2005 and 2007 for the US. Implanon is a plastic implant that is injected under the skin usually the forearm; it slowly releases progesterone to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.

Implanon is most commonly requested by teenagers are younger women who have trouble remembering to take the pill every day. It has become so popular that millions of women in the UK alone use Implanon as their number one choice for contraception.

Like all contraception it is not 100% guaranteed to protect against unwanted pregnancy so there is always a risk. The most common side effects are:

• Prolonged vaginal bleeding
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Breast tenderness
• Changes to sexual desire

The advantage to most is that once it is in place you are protected for 3 years and there’s no need for regular checkups or remembering to take a pill every day. Another plus side is that many women report getting no periods at all so they no longer have to worry about sanitary towels or tampons.

So it all sounds very good but what about all the negative points to having the contraceptive implant?

The NHS has reported that they have received nearly 2000 complaints regarding the implant failing and them getting pregnant, some women have gone on to miscarry when they did not know they were pregnant and others have been faced with the difficult decision of having a termination. The most common reason for the implant failing is not inserting it properly, it should sit right under the skin but many nurses and doctors have been injecting it in too far, sometimes into the muscle. In the past 11 years it has resulted in nearly 600 pregnancies.

Many women have also reported scarring due to insertion or removal of the implant, as the implant cannot be seen on an x-ray doctors cannot guarantee that it is in the right place. Since then a newer version has been supplied called Nexplanon which has a small chip inside allowing it to be located via an x-ray.

The implant is supposed to be 99.95% effective compared to the pill that has only a 99.7% chance of protection, it costs the NHS £90 for every implant that is inserted.

If you have had the implant then it may be worth opting for the new one that can be detected to see that it has been placd properly, other than that if you are truly worried then have it removed and opt for a different form of contraception, there are around 15 to choose from.

Having a miscarriage can have devastating effects not only emotionally but also it can damage a marriage as some couples do not know how to cope. If you have a good relationship and communicate well then it eases the sadness and inability to cope but if you have an unsupportive husband or partner that cannot approach the subject or doesn’t know what to say it can cause problems.

Pregnancy after miscarriage

After a missed miscarriage the nurse may give you details on support groups or counsellors that may be able to help you through this distressing time. If they don’t and you really need some support then contact your GP or practice nurse who will be able to advise you. Some women so not feel ready for sex a while after and depending how far along you were its normal to bleed for some time afterwards. The nurse or obstetrician will advise you to wait at least a few months to heal and recover both emotionally and physically. Some places even recommend waiting at least 6 months before falling pregnant again.

There is no right or wrong answer as to when you should try again after a miscarriage; you should do so when you are ready. A recent study has shown that women do not need to wait much time after a miscarriage to start trying again as previously thought. Most women postpone trying to conceive again for fear of having another miscarriage. Studies have shown that women who get pregnant within 6 months of a miscarriage are most likely to go on and have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Those that wait longer are at higher risk of having another miscarriage; if you have problems carrying a foetus full term your obstetrician many put a stitch in place to help prevent another miscarriage. If you have previously had a miscarriage then you will be closely monitored the next time you fall pregnant and may need to have tests more frequently to check progress is good.

There is no reason why women should be scared of trying to conceive again as miscarriages are unfortunately not as uncommon as people may think. One in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage most before 12 weeks gestation.

Preventing miscarriage

• Eat healthy food
• Exercise
• Lose weight if you are slightly overweight before trying to conceive
• Try not to stress
• If you have a stressful job that is very demanding see if you can change tasks whilst pregnant
• Listen to your body

   

Years ago there used to be a lot of awareness for people going abroad and getting temporary henna tattoos. The majority of henna tattoos are applied using natural henna but there are a small minority who have experienced black henna tattoos with devastating side effects.

Henna tattoos are popular all over the world but not many people know what henna actually is. Henna is a plant or small tree that is used for the dye in their leaves; it is a natural dye that doesn’t irritate the skin. Natural henna is usually dark brown or red in colour, it is commonly used in Africa and Asia as bridal art on the hands and feet of the bride. Henna is also used to dye leather and wool and can also be found in natural henna hair dye.

Black henna

Black henna does not contain henna that is grown but chemicals such as PPD that can cause very severe reaction to the skin. These include blistering, burning, rash and permanent scarring. There have been many holidaymakers that have had black henna tattoos when on holiday and have ended up permanently scarred.

There was a little boy who went to Turkey and had a few black henna tattoos on his arms, they started to blister and his skin started to pus. When he went to the doctor he had to be given antibiotics and cream. He is now allergic to rubber, household cleaning products, sun cream and many more things. It has ruined his life as the chemicals in the henna have made him sensitive to many things. He cannot even play most sports in his school because of the severe allergic reaction his skin had to the henna.

Next time you go on holiday do not be tempted to have a henna tattoo as you don’t really know what’s in there. Research well and if possible buy your own henna and do it yourself. There are professional henna artists that use real natural henna a instead of black henna but unless you do your research it’s hard for you to know which is real.

With the recession hitting most countries services such as plastic surgery are also being affected. Plastic surgery abroad used to be very popular especially within Europe as the pound was strong against the euro but now the pound is very weak and there is little or no savings being made. As a result of this many plastic surgeons are slashing their prices to attract more foreign patients who will benefit from reduced plastic surgery rates.

What are plastic surgery holidays?

Plastic surgery holidays are when you have surgical procedures but combine it with a holiday at the same time. You can go to India for surgery then Goa for a holiday, Spain, Greece and even Malaysia or Dubai. Some procedures require you to rest for a few days then you can leave but still take it easy; this is good for some but not all plastic surgery procedures. Many people think this is a fantastic idea but the reality is after major surgery such as a face lift or tummy tuck the last think you want to do is wear a bikini and sit in the sun. Some procedures also mean you have to wear surgical undergarments such as corset, stockings or special bra after any breast surgery.

Can you really save money by having plastic surgery abroad?

In a way yes you can, you can go to a reputable hospital have your surgery and have a dedicated team of nurses that will look after you. If you were at home then you would need your partner or friend to take time off to look after you while you recover. Some procedures can be as less as half the price that you pay in the UK for the same procedure. A tummy tuck is a prime example; costing over £4,000 in the UK you can pay half that price in Spain for the same surgery.

Beware that there are many unqualified surgeons that are scamming people into believing they are professional. Always look at previous work carried out on clients and do not feel rushed, forced or pushed into a decision you were no happy with. Some places have a UK office for consultations and then surgery carried out abroad this can be a good idea so you can talk over your options and then have surgery for a fraction of the price in a more exotic location.

The idea of combining surgery with a holiday is not ideal and there may be complications that arise that will interfere with the holiday part of your surgery holiday. With most surgery you need to allow time for healing and withhold from doing anything to strenuous that can cause stitches to burst or infections to occur. Plastic surgery holidays really do not make much sense so if you do choose to have plastic surgery abroad then be warned that there is a chance that you won’t feel up to sun bathing and taking tours as part of your surgery package.

With so many different ways to get firmer and fuller breasts the competition for the best surgical or non-surgical way is still debateable. So if you had the chance to get a better fuller bust what procedure would you choose? Do you want to go under the knife or do you prefer the non-surgical approach? Lucky for you there is now a revolutionary way that you can get a fuller taunt bust without the need to have surgery.

TLC breast enhancement – non surgical breast enhancement

This is a new procedure that has been causing a storm in the world of plastic surgery, not only is I cheaper than a breast augmentation but has better recovery time and no scarring. How does it work? Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used on the bust area, it can increase bust size, make breasts firmer and also give a well needed lift.

This procedure works well for women who have had a baby, lost weight or as a result of age have lost the firmness and fullness of their breasts. The procedure is only 30 minutes long but a total of 6 sessions are needed for the results to be seen. A small device is motioned over the bust and micro-beam wavelengths are pulsed through to the nerves in the breast. As a result of this the nerves swell causing the breast to regain its firmness, as the collagen fibres start to tighten the skin will also lift therefore the breast will no longer sag. The procedure can be performed during your lunch break and no special bra or injections are needed to be administered.

TLC breast enhancement has already got many celebs talking in America and its set to do the same here in the UK. If however you want a dramatic new look and want much fuller breasts then TLC is not for you. This procedure can only give back what you lost not give you what you never had so if you have lost volume in the bust area TLC can help, if you never had a big bust and would like one a more invasive procedure would be needed.

At the moment the cost for this procedure is in the £1,500 range for 6 treatments, two a month for 3 months. Many plastic surgeons are sceptical about this procedure because no-one really knows of the long term success rate. There is a chance that the breast will lose its elasticity and sag again but for £1,500 for a non-invasive breast procedure it is a small price to pay for a procedure that could last years.

Although there is a massive decline in the amount of shoppers that buy clothes on the high street, most people are turning to the internet to buy everything online. This includes shoes, clothes and other accessories. There are many women who love nothing more than to spend all day going into all the different shops and trying on different outfits, but there is a small minority of people who find this task boring and uneasy. As most people work weekdays, the weekend is known to be busy and booming with shoppers looking for a bargain or enjoying a day out shopping. This is when many people try to avoid going out because of the crowd and the endless queues to try on outfits.

What if we could go shopping but not have to try anything on?

As a woman, I and many others will tell you how hard it is to wear something nice and be disgruntled having to take it off every five minutes to try on another outfit. Many people who go clothes shopping will try on the outfit they intend to buy, whether it’s to check the fitting or to see how it looks when worn. But if you are wearing an outfit that is hard to get in and out it does get annoying. In time you just don’t dress up anymore because of the hassle of trying things on.

Soon enough we will be able to go clothes shopping without trying anything on, instead of having to queue up, wait and then find you don’t like what you had waited so long to try on, a new system will be trialled over the next few months. ‘The Magic Mirror’ as it has been called is basically a large screen that scans your body; it determines your gender, size and shape. The automated computer software will then show a virtual rail of all the clothes that the shop has to offer in your size. All you do is stand facing the screen and touch what you would like your virtual ‘you’ to try on.

At this stage it is only 2D but in future as technology and investors improve you will be able to get a better image when they launch it in 3D. One of the reasons this has been decided is because of the rapid decrease in high street shoppers. High street fashion retailers are hoping to lure back customers by cutting changing room queues and making clothes shopping a joy not a chore.

With so many companies setting up stalls in shopping centres and busy public places, I take a look to see if free makeovers are really free? Nothing is given away for free anymore unless for promotional reasons. Studio makeovers have been around for a long time but only until recently has this been made affordable to everyone of all budgets and social status.

Why free makeovers aren’t free?

• A free makeover should be as advertised, ‘free’ but in most cases you have to pay a booking fee of £35 minimum. Now really it should be free but it states in the terms and conditions that they charge a booking fee so that it ensures you turn up as many people have just not turned up in the past. Rest assured they say that the booking fee is refundable but if you wanted to, you could use it to pay towards the cost of any pictures you purchase that day.
• Some places have luxury photo shoots offering champagne or wine with other refreshments and snacks but this doesn’t always happen on the day. In most cases you have a lot of waiting around until hair and makeup are ready for you. You are crammed into a room with a whole load of other people, mostly models.
• The costs of photos vary as in most cases you can a free 6X4 print and any extras you have to pay for. The more you purchase the more money you save but it has been reported that some places have bundles where you can purchase up to X pictures. It has been found that a customer paid £310 for 6 pictures only to find out after that she had paid for pictures put on a CD rather than printed photos. The pictures can cost hundreds more depending on the size you will want them blown up to.
• Another con to studio makeovers are you have to buy the copyright to the photos otherwise they can sell them on for marketing or advertising purposes. This can also set you back £100’s if not £1,000’s.

If you really want a studio makeover, I would advise you to use an independent photographer that have their own studio and not part of a marketing scam. You will pay more than other places that offer this sort of service but it will be much better quality and more personal. If you have children or pets, you can even have the photographer come to your home to capture these precious moments.

With pictures emerging showing little Suri Cruise, daughter to Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, and Zahara Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, we ask: are kids growing up too soon? Even Madonna’s little girl Mercy has been spotted with her very own designer handbag, a replica of her mums. Although as cute as they look in their little matching handbags, the handbags that these little celebrity kids are holding can be worth as much as £1,200. In some cases celebrities don’t actually pay for them; instead their favourite designers will make it for their children for free.

Where to buy designer handbags for kids?

Most children who go to private school will have a designer school bag and this is a very popular way that young children fall into the designer handbag trend. Top designers such as Gucci, Fendi, Prada and L.A.M.B all have designer bags for kids and a good enough size ideal for kids of school age. If you can afford to get a bag custom made, then this is also an option. Whether it’s a replica of your own designer handbag or one of a designer, if you have the money then anything is possible.

There are also many internet websites that have compiled a list of all designers and the current styles of bags they sell. This is a good option as you can browse through a whole range of designers you probably didn’t even know made bags for kids. Another option is to shop at the higher end of the market by going into central London and places like Harrods and Selfridges. You may be able to get the designer children’s bags for cheaper if you go to the country the designer is from. So next time go to Spain, Italy and the US for good bargains, though the Euro is struggling at the moment you may not be that better off.

Designer replica handbags for kids

Replica handbags are easier to buy as you can buy them pretty much everywhere and at the fraction of the cost, so why not? You can buy really good ‘real fakes’ over the internet and in most cases buy two matching handbags one for you and another for your little girl. Places like Egypt, Turkey and China are also well known for replica handbags for kids so if you go on holiday there, you can see them first hand and buy them cheaper. If you buy more than one handbag, you can also get a discount and by buying online you could save you some money too.