Elsa McAlonan’s Beauty Upgrades: How to get show-off legs ready for spring
- Elsa McAlonan reveals how to get your legs ready for spring and warmer weather
- She also shares products loved by Gwyneth Paltrow which are now on sale in UK
- Three of the best leave-in conditioners for different ages are also rounded up
WHAT’S NOW AND HOW TO DO IT: SHOW-OFF LEGS
Elsa McAlonan reveals how to get show-off legs ready for spring (file picture)
There are no excuses! It’s time to ditch the black opaques and get your legs out for spring.
If the thought fills you with horror, don’t panic. What you need are fast-working rescue remedies to make your legs smoother and glossier.
Exfoliation is a must before hair removal, and it makes it easier for tanning and toning products to be absorbed.
Michaella Bolder, a St Tropez skin finishing expert, says: ‘Use a rough mitt and an exfoliator, such as Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub to kick start cell turnover and stimulate the circulation.’
boots.com
Moisturising is the key to glossier legs, so slather it on twice a day. Once your legs are hair-free and smooth, add a veil of colour.
For ease, glide on This Works Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine, a handy roll-on which produces a subtle golden shimmer.
thisworks.com
Or if you want a sunkissed look that lasts longer, try the St Tropez Self Tan Watermelon Infusion Mousse. You’ll look as if you’ve just been to the beach!
boots.com
GWYNETH’S VEGAN SMILE
Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured) is a fan of vegan brand Schmidt’s and their products are now available in the UK. Items include toothpaste and deodorant
Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan of the U.S. vegan brand Schmidt’s, which has now launched in Britain.
The ingredients for its deodorants, toothpastes and soaps are derived from botanicals and minerals, with refreshing fragrances such as rose and vanilla or bergamot and lime.
Star products include the deodorant stick (£6), bar soap (£4.50) and Tooth+Mouth Paste (£5.25) in mint or coconut and lime (all ocado.com).
THIS WORKS
What we need to prep our skin for warmer weather is a serious cleanser, and this new one from Vichy fits the bill.
Normaderm Phytosolution Purifying Cleansing Gel helps to reduce excess sebum and makes pores and blackheads less visible, leaving skin nicely refreshed.
boots.com
THREE OF THE BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS
Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-In Conditioner uses nourishing natural oils to restore shine and hydration to damaged hair for softer, stronger and silkier locks.
boots.com
Virtue Refresh Purifying Leave-In Conditioner detangles and protects hair without weighing it down. It also helps tame flyaway strands.
cultbeauty.co.uk
Living Proof Restore Repair Leave In is infused with silk proteins to transform dry hair and prevent split ends. The perfect cure for damaged mature hair.
livingproof.co.uk
SHAMELESS INDULGENCE
Christian Louboutin beauty products are as covetable as the designer’s beautifully crafted shoes, and the latest collection, LoubiGraffiti, is no different.
The highlight of the limited-edition range of four lipsticks and six nail varnishes is the stunning Velvet Matte Lip Colors. There are four gorgeous shades — dark pink Bengali; coral Diva; striking red Altresa (all pictured from right); and So Tango, a dark maroon.
The creamy formula is not only free from chemicals including parabens and phthalates, but is also ultra-pigmented, long-lasting and, thanks to added natural oils and seed butters, protects your lips from drying out, too.
harrods.com
RACE YOU THERE
Cosmetics brands love offering tasters of their best-sellers through special gifts, and one of my favourites is the A Model Recommends Elizabeth Arden Beauty Bag — a collaboration with model Ruth Crilly.
Worth up to £79, it is free when you spend £70 on Elizabeth Arden at Boots until April 28. It comes with Superstart Skin Renewal Booster, a Prevage anti-ageing cleanser and a Beautiful Color lipgloss.
You can also choose between two Prevage products (the Anti-Aging Intensive Repair Daily Serum and City Smart SPF50), or the Advanced and Retinol Ceramide serum capsules for day and night. There’s enough in each bag to last a two-week holiday.