If you're still yet to head off to the sunshine this summer, fear not; there's still time to primp and preen yourself to perfection and get ready to hit the beach..
More women than you would expect are blighted by cellulite - even skinny minnies like Kate Moss can't escape it! Massage has long been heralded as a tool to help, and the experts at Scholl have shared the massage secrets that can help shift stubborn fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite. The Scholl Muscle Therapy Shiatsu Massager uses a sculpting programme to stimulate the skin and help break down fat clusters using heat and pressure. The massager relaxes muscles and promotes a feeling of well-being by using heat to penetrate deep into the skin, which can boost blood flow and help revive poor circulation which can trap toxins and cause cellulite. £39.99, available from Argos.
New to the world of wonder-creams, Sisley's Phyto-Svelt Global combines a cocktail of new active ingredients to help prevent cellulite on all fronts. Coriander Seed and Bitter Orange Seed work to reduce the transport of lipids inside adipocytes and the new key active ingredient Lotus Leaf, an aquatic plant rich in flavanols, stimulates the expression of the gene capable of limiting adipogenesis. In addition, Phyto-Svelt Global has the active ingredients of Bitter Orange Blossom, Caffeine and Cedrol help to improve elimination. The bitter orange blossom also works to reduce localized swelling, stimulates tissue drainage and relieves water retention. You will see a visible difference after just a few weeks of use. £123, available from Harrods & House of Fraser.
Ensure super silky summer legs with Braun's latest epilator. The Silk-épil 7 Dual Epilator 7871 combines the long-lasting effects of epilation with Gillette Venus technology to produce a long-lasting new skin feeling. It can even be used under water with shave get for a more gentle experience. More accurate then previous models, with an LED light to shine one areas being de-fuzzed - extremely useful to catch stray hairs in my poorly-lit bathroom! The 40 tweezers have been re-engineered to close at the optimal angle and grip hair even closer to the skin for better short hair removal, and the flexible head can pivot by up to 15 degrees forward and back to better adapt to the contours of the body for more comfort. It's now half price (£79.99) at www.boots.com
For the ultimate bikini wax, head to London's No.1 waxing destination, Strip. With four locations (Chelsea, Notting Hill, Soho and the City), Strip's menu offers a host of waxing solutions for the London lady, using their signature scented waxes. The famous Chocolate-Hazelnut wax is the one that all the celebs are raving about it... a chocolate treat without the calories! Leaves the skin smooth and shimmering making it look and smell good enough to eat. The vibrant pink, super creamy and flexible So Berry wax contains the latest and unique titanium dioxide technology and vanilla extract. Amazingly gentle, it's excellent for sensitive areas and perfect for Brazilian waxing, while the Lavender Hot Wax is perfect for removing short or stubborn hairs as short as 1mm, and contains lavender and chamomile essential oils making it ideal for sensitve skin. I paid a little visit to the super-talented Hayley before my holiday, and without going into unnecessary detail it was undoubtedly the best wax I've ever had! Book in for a Brazilian now (£49) at www.stripwaxbar.com.
If you need a super speedy last minute figure fixer, the Universal Contour Wrap might just be your saviour! Scientifically proven to lose 6 inches in 2 hours (I know, I didn't believe it either!) you will be measured all over before before wrapped head to toe (literally... well, chest to ankle...) in warm clay soaked bandages before being helped into a rather stylish metallic boiler suit (lush), and wrapped up in a warmed duvet for a half hour snooze! That was obvs the best part. The unique clay formula and special wrapping techniques the therapists use, also tighten and tone your body while exfoliating and cleansing the skin so you will not only look great, you’ll feel fabulous too, after just one treatment. After being unwrapped you'll be measured again - I lost an incredible 13 inches with one treament. Unbelievable. A course of 3 is recommended over 7-10 days, plus by cutting out caffeine, alcohol and sugar from your diet for the three days afterwards, the weight will continue to drop off. An amazing treatment. For more information and to find your nearest salon, visit www.universalcontourwrap.com.
Love Laurel x
