Insight: Megan Gale

Megan Gale, model, skincare ambassador, designer and actress and all round beauty is known for her glowing skin and health attitude to life. Here is an insight into her beauty and fitness regime! 

What’s your weekly exercise routine? 
It depends on how busy I am and how much travel is involved. In an ideal world I’d work out four to five times a week and that could be anything depending on what I’m feeling like. I love to exercise outdoors and I’d love to run a couple of times a week, have at least one or two yoga or Pilates classes… It’s really good to mix things up. 



Are you into any particular diets?  
I try and use organic produce as much as possible. It’s hard when you’re on the go staying in hotels, but you adapt as best you can. My summer and winter diets are different. It’s all very healthy and plentiful, but in summer I tend to eat a lot of fruit and graze on dates, nuts and salads. In winter it’s more about roast vegies and organic meats and soups and wholewheat pasta.
 


Do you take any supplements for your skin or hair? 
I take a really strong Omega 3-6-9 capsule, which is great, and I take a little capsule called ArmaForce. It’s got olive leaf and if you’ve got the slightest bit of a cold, it will wipe it out. It’s also really great for skin, nails and hair.



What do you see as your responsibility to women as a role model?

I think it’s about presenting that idea that it’s okay to look after yourself. You shouldn’t feel you are being vain or self-indulgent. It’s about going back to the obvious slogan that ‘you’re worth it’ – you’re worth spending money on, you’re worth pampering and looking after. You’re in this body and this skin for life so look after it.



What does true beauty mean to you? 
Oh gosh… I don’t think someone has to be aesthetically beautiful to be considered truly beautiful. I do believe in that saying, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. If someone is a positive person who shares their positivity and shares loves and an honest, truthful spirit, I think that comes through. 



What’s your relationship to ageing? Are you afraid of it? 
I’m not scared at all! I mean, we’re all going to get older. It’s not something I’m fearful of. My mum hasn’t had any kind of cosmetic enhancement or intervention, and I think she’s ageing beautifully. I don’t really do anything to try and look younger.  I do things to try and look healthier, and those things are pretty basic –live a healthy lifestyle, eat the right foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, don’t smoke, drink lots of water, wear sunscreen. They’re basic things anyone can afford to do.

Source: Vogue.com.au, Sigourney Cantelo.

Puffy eyes, be gone!

We've all had them one time or another, and we're guessing you've all hated them! So we've complied a few remedies for you to help deflate puffy eyes! 

Tea Bag Trick: You would have heard the age old remedy of the cold tea bag, this is not just some old wives' tale. Many experts recommend and suggest the little old tea bag can produce a great de-puffing effect. Wet regular tea bags then leave in the fridge until chilled. Place over eyes for about ten minutes. If the thought of putting teabags on your eyes freaks you out, use the tea water and soak cotton pads and place them on your eyes! If you are out of tea and have a cucumber on hand, this will also give a good de-puff. If all else fails, try frozen peas! 

Doze & De-puff: Make sure you aren't burning the candle at both ends as being tired will not help those puffy eyes! If you are getting enough sleep perhaps try sleeping with your head slightly elevated (2 pillows will do the trick), this will help to reduce excess fluid. 

The Professional Product: If puffy eyes are a common sight then considering investing in an eye gel (store in the fridge for a further soothing effect). We recommend - Bergman Comfort Look Eye Gel (purchase here).

If all else fails, a great flat concealer will help to cover up those troublesome bags and puffiness. Make sure you steer clear of anything that will catch the light. We recommend BECCA Compact Concealer (purchase here). On days that your eyes are particularly puffy, try a statement lip to draw the eye away. 

Non Surgical Cheek Lift

A plump, full high cheek is a hallmark of a beautiful face

Full cheeks and high cheekbones are classic signs of a youthful beautiful face. Sagging and sunken cheeks make your face look older and create a tired look. A Cheek lift is one of the common plastic surgery procedures but the new non-surgical liquid cheek lift can create a beautiful full looking mid face in a matter of minutes!A new and exciting technique using injectable dermal fillers to correct sagging cheeks and sunken cheeks.

A young face should be round and full in the mid face; proper correction of the sagging or sunken cheek should create:

•               A full, round plump cheek high on the cheek bone

•               Correction of the sunken cheek look

•               Lift of the nose to mouth lines or nasal labial fold

•               Lift of the marionette line

•               Lift of the jowl

Check out the video here for an insight into how the procedure is performed! http://youtu.be/UV70myo5zTA 

A guide to buying beauty products online

Be a savvy internet shopper and don't fall for fakes.

Check out Boutique Skin Store for all your skin care needs. Brands such as Decleor, Priori, St Tropez and so many more!

 

Shopping online makes life a breeze. It's fast, efficient and delivered to your door. It's the perfect way to shop, until something goes wrong. Reputable cosmetics houses have recently been inundated with complaints about product efficacy and bad reactions after consumers have unknowingly purchased fake, out-of-date or grey-market products from unauthorised online stockists.

"We recently consoled one consumer who had purchased a fake product from a random website," says Mandy Gray, CEO of cosmetics distribution company True Solutions. "Idebenone, the active ingredient that gives the product its yellow tinge, had been replaced with saffron. The client was devastated, but could not contact the supplier for a refund."

Many companies say complaints of bad reactions, due to formulas with the incorrect balance of active ingredients, have escalated.

"We receive calls from clients who have had reactions from products purchased online and have received little or no support when asking for assistance," says Liane Scior, distributor and director of education and marketing at Pevonia Botanica.

"Many also complain that the products are off, with some expiry dates exceeding one year. I have also had several complaints that these companies boast free shipping, but then you are charged high shipping fees."

But before you go cold turkey on your online shopping addiction, read these helpful hints. Armed with a few smarts, you'll be able to confidently fill your online cart.

Skincare

When purchasing skincare products, in particular cosmeceuticals or anything with highly active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or vitamins A or C, only purchase from the brand's official site. If the brand doesn't sell online, look for its authorised stockist list, which should be on the site. Some brands have initiated their own programs to stamp out the grey and fake markets, by creating an "Authorised Stockist" stamp.

Be wary, too, of purchasing highly active ingredients, even from a legitimate site, without first having your skin diagnosed. You run the risk of reaction if it is the wrong formula for your needs. For instance, slapping on high-percentage vitamin A products without professional advice may lead to burning and other sensitivities.

Anything active should be used with care, so buying it for the first time over the internet is not recommended. Once your skin is used to it, purchasing it online should be fine.

Fragrance

Many luxury brands such as Chanel will never be found online. If you do find them, they are most likely counterfeit, grey-market, secondhand or used. The scent could be spoiled or a poor imitation of the real thing.

Some fragrance houses do supply to legitimate online retailers such as Adore Beauty, but it's still important to do your research. Ask for the batch number and date of manufacture. If it is more than six to 12 months old, don't buy it. Make sure it is still in its box and wrapped in cellophane. If possible, find out how it is stored. A cool, dark warehouse is best for scent longevity.

Remember, too, it is illegal to post fragrance by air. Make sure your online retailer has quality land or sea shipping.

Make-up

Buying make-up online can be a minefield because of the risk of product contamination and infection. Only purchase from the brand's website or authorised stockist. Check the product has never been opened and, where relevant, ensure it is still in its box and cellophane wrapping.

• What if I have bought a fake or bad product? "If you've purchased it from an official stockist, you will be entitled to a refund or credit, as well as assistance in choosing the correct products for your needs," Scior says. "However, if you purchase from an online trader that does not acquire products from the manufacturer, in my experience you will receive little help. In most cases they won't even respond to your complaint. As most of these traders are based overseas, local protection laws will not apply."
• How can I be sure a website is legitimate? "Generally, it's a well-known, reputable brand," says Alice Hampton, communications manager at Estée Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty. "The site will have a large selection of products and its prices will be on a par with what you would pay in store.

"Unfortunately, if the price seems too good to be true, it often is. Most beauty brands list their authorised retailers on their own websites. If in doubt, do a search for a list of retail outlets or purchase direct from the e-commerce agent, so you can ensure you are receiving the genuine product."


Story from BodyandSoul - by Shonagh Walker

Liquid facelift

Over the next couple of weeks we will be updating you on all the latest procedures with videos of our very own Dr. Joseph Hkeik performing them! 


First up: The Liquid Facelift.

It’s called a liquid facelift and is the answer for anyone that feels they need a “lift” in their looks and lives and wants a flexible way to reverse the signs of ageing quickly and cost effectively. With no more visible scarring or long recovery periods and delivering results in around an hour it’s no wonder that these days it is all about the liquid facelift.


The liquid facelift is a completely non-surgical, multi-step treatment that involves the use of both advanced dermal fillers and muscle relaxants. A combination of these dermal products, which are composed of different materials and injected at varying depths, are chosen for specific facial applications and are often layered to provide optimal results and longer lasting improvement. By targeting areas of the face where the skin has permanently creased and/or has lost volume or elasticity Dr. Joseph is able to immediately diminish lines, lift the skin, replace lost facial volume and restore the contours of the face.


Check out this video on the amazing Liquid Facelift http://youtu.be/l7A0Au4s31s  

6 Tips for Winter Perfect Skin

Here are my 5 TOP TIPS for a blissfully happy-looking winter skin.

While the temperature falls, the wind-factor picks up and the dreaded flu lingers in the air, its hardly our favourite season (mmmm, if only we had the beauty of heavenly snow).   Harsh as the weather may be people, there’s no reason your skin should be bullied into uncomfortable dryness, flakiness, dullness, or awfull blinding whiteness!  Wrap that scarf around, zip up your jacket, and say good-bye to dry and helllllooooo to a winter glow!

1.  See a skincare specialist. 

We all like to think we know what’s best for ourselves, but the truth is, the expertise of a skincare specialist can make a world of a difference in how you understand and treat your skin. Skincare consultations at the Bronzalicious Clinics are performed by Dermal Therapists and best of all are FREE* from 10-5pm Monday to Friday, outside of those times a skincare consultation is $50, which is redeemable from any treatments/ products purchased.  We stock over 6 Internationally Recognised SkinCare Brands: Priori Cosmeceuticals, O-Cosmedics, Decleor Paris, Bergman Cosmeceuticals, emerginC Cosmeceuticals, Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals.  

There are so many awesome skin solutions on the market!  What we look for as skin specialists at Bronzalicious are ingredients that pack punch, products that actually work, we are only interested in representing brands in our clinics that are modern and evolving and affordable, so that we ensure we are always bringing you best!

2.  Moisturise like you’ve never before.  

We typically advise having a different skincare routine for the spring/summer and winter months because your skin has different needs due to the changing environment. Upgrade to a thicker, if not oil-based (depending on your skin type, of course!) daily moisturiser to help nourish, hydrate and protect the skin from the harsher outdoor elements. Indulge in richer body lotions/creams  that contain AHA's, these help cellular turnover and prevent the rest of your skin from uncomfortable dryness or cracking. And if you think your skin needs an extra kick besides that facial moisturizer, look into investing in a protective night booster/cream for added defence against dry!

3. Nothing makes you look and feel as healthy and sexy, like a Winter "Kiss-Tan". 

Ladies and gents, by "Kiss Tan" we mean just that, a glow, never over-done, in fact quite the contrary, we suggest and recommend a moisturising formula in a light tone to simply lift the skin and wipe away any signs of sallow!  Light moisturising tans will have virtually "no-wear-off factor" and don't worry, our tanning treatment rooms are always kept toasty and warm. Winter-Glow Tans we recommend: Botanicals X-press, Botanicals Standard, Vani-T Medium, Norvell 1hr, SummerTan Organic Medium, Bronzalicious Latte

4.  Slip, Slop, Slap. 

Too many people make the mistake of limiting sunscreens just for the summer months. Damaging UV rays are present year-round, especially in Australia. So be sure to slip, slop, slap all winter long on exposed skin, you know, the face & the "old-lady" hands.

5.  Scrub-a-dub-dub....aka exfoliate.

Skin needs exfoliation on a regular basis, but hold off on the grittier salt scrubs, instead opt for gentle lightly abrasive options that have active ingredients like glycolic, AHA's and lactic acid compounds. Because your skin is more delicate in Winter these exfoliating actives get rid of any dulling buildup and promote a healthy cell turnover rate. This is the key to radiant, glowing skin, especially in the winter months.

6. Get a flu shot.

Nothing makes skin glow more than healthy insides!  

What are your tips and tricks for winter skin?

* A credit card number is required to secure your free skin care consultation, 24hrs notice is required for changes/cancellations please.

SNEAK PEEK: New Facial Menu - coming next week.

Angelina and Brad do it, cosmetic surgeons are out of a job because of it! Skin needling otherwise known as C.I.T (Collagen Induction Therapy) is taking the anti-aging world by storm. It’s easy, natural and effective!

HOT TIP: Apply your recommended serum then use the home-care needling kit for 400 times better product penetration!


Here is one of the NEW facials as part of our New Facial Menu which is to be released next week:- For complete skin remodelling - check out the NEW Youth-a-nator facial, for visible results a course of 6-12 is recommended.

We have payment plans available for all of our facial courses. Youth-a-nator facial (collagen induction/ skin re-modelling treatment) Treatment Time: 90mins Say bye-bye to the signs of ageing, stubborn pigmentation & acne scarring with a course of the Youth-a-nator facials.

Whether you’ve neglected your skin for years, acquired a nice spread of pigmentation, or are still nursing acne scarring from your teenage years, these skin concerns can be dramatically improved with a course of youth-a-nator treatments.

Professional skin needling + 15min healing green light + anti-aging peel & paraffin treatment for hands

Courses:

3 Course: $1169 ($389 p/treatment)
6 course: $1999.00 ($333 p/treatment)
12 course: $3499.00 ($291 p/treatment)