So, in case you haven’t already noticed, curls and waves are all the rage this summer.  With celebrities like Mylene Klass and Eva Longoria showing how to do it best.  There are many different ways to curl your hair; from simple hair products to electrical hair styling there is something to suit all hair types and lengths.

The curling wand is the latest of a curling iron/tong and truly is a wonderful invention that helps you create a flawless curly or wavy hair style with little effort required.  The only decision you have to make before using a curling wand is, “Do I want tight curls, loose curls or just waves?”.   You are able to create different styles depending on where you place your hair on the barrel.  They also come with heat settings, so if your hair is fine or damaged you can keep the temperature lower or if you have thicker hair you can use a higher temperature to create the desired look.

Before using the curling wand be sure to wash and condition your hair thoroughly and in some cases you may have to apply a little mousse to make sure that the curls stay in place.  When applying products to your hair before using the curling wand, don’t use too much as this can make your hair sticky and hard and will affect how your curls turn out.  You could use John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Hair Serum 50ml which will add gloss and get rid of the frizz.

When using the curling wand, wind your hair round the barrel in the direction you want the curls to sit and be sure not to hold for too long as you don’t want to damage your hair (between 4-8seconds should be enough depending on the thickness of your hair.)  When you have done your whole head, run your fingers through the curls to make them look more natural and spray lightly with a hairspray to set them. 

 Curling Tongs have been around for a very long time as they are a girl’s best friend when it comes to curling hair.  They are available with different barrel sizes in order to make sure girls with short hair and long hair can use them.  For tight curls use a small barrel and for larger curls and waves use a larger barrel.

The same rules apply when using curling tongs that applied when using curling wands.  Make sure you prepare your hair properly by shampooing and conditioning it to ensure it is well moisturised.  If you think your hair will need some products to ensure the curls stay in then you can use mousse or a frizz ease treatment to help it.  

The best way to use curling tongs is to divide your hair into four sections to ensure even styling the whole way round your head.  Spread your hair evenly on the tong before clamping and make sure it is securely wound around the tong to avoid crimping the ends.  (This is a common occurrence if they aren’t used right and it’s not a good look!)  Hold your hair like this for no more than 10 seconds and you should have the desired curl.  It takes a bit of practice with curling tongs before you will get the look you want, but keep at it because the result is brilliant.  In some cases when you release the hair from the clamp you will have to re-do with your finger while the hair is still hot, just to set the curl.

If you want your hair to stay styled with tight curls simply spray with hairspray and DO NOT BRUSH! However, if you want looser, more natural curls then wait until your hair cools and then either go through your hair with your fingers or a brush.  Again finish with hairspray.

 If you want to achieve curls without having to damage your hair by applying heat to it then braiding or plaiting your hair before you go to bed is the best way to do this.  Once you have washed your hair comb through it, getting rid of all excess water and pin the top section of your hair.  If you want really curly hair then the more plaits you have the better, however, if you are just looking for a wavy more natural look, thicker plaits are what you need.  

French braids are a good way of ensuring that your hair is curly right to the very roots but normal plaits will still have a nice effect.  Once you have your hair in plaits, let them dry.  It will take a while for this to happen so it’s nearly best to keep them in overnight.  When your plaits have dried, slowly take them out, dividing with your fingers but NEVER use your brush!   Add hairspray to finish the look.

You may wish to use the following products when plaiting or braiding your hair to help style it and keep it look frizz free and looking beautiful.

The following styling brushes can prove quite useful when curling your hair using any of the above methods.  They will make styling and dividing hair much easier.

What method do you use for curling your hair or do you have any other suggestions?  We would love to hear about them.

“1000 Kisses Lip Tint gives your lips a royal flush of intense, vibrant colour that stays on duty and ready for action for hours - leaving no trace, so your kisses never tell.”

I personally have never tried a lip tint before so I was keen to give this a go as re-applying lipstick when you are out can get a bit tedious.  The first thing that catches your eye is the packaging.  I had it in my head that lip tint came in the same bottle as liquid eyeliner or an ink pot, but Rimmel Lip Tint 1000 Kisses looks like a felt tip.

 I decided that Perpetual Plum would be the best shade for me (shown above), however it does come in many other colours.  At one end of the pen is the actual lip tint and the other end is the clear lip balm.  I applied the lip tint first of all, which was very easy to do.  I was a bit afraid that it would run all over the place or would be really dark, but it went on very easily.  After applying the tint around my lips I then filled in the rest.  At first my lips were incredibly dry so you couldn’t use it without the lip balm at the other end, but once I applied the balm it was perfect.

I was very pleased with the outcome; I even tried drinking and eating with it on and it didn’t budge, no need to re-apply like you need to do with lipstick.

If you like to have some colour on your lips but are getting fed up with having to carry your lipstick with you then I would definitely recommend trying this lip tint, you won’t be disappointed.

Kyran says he was under stress as a sportsman which he feels attributed to his hair loss around the age of 25.  Nicknames such as Kojak and Cat Flap didn’t make losing his hair easy as he says; “I was paranoid about my hair loss.”

 He had a transplant in 2006 which worked to a certain extent but now he uses Viviscal Hair Loss Concealer Fibres which he describe as “pepper on your head” to make it look fuller.  He says that hair loss is the one thing that “sill makes me feel insecure about myself in terms of how I look.  It’s something that’s constantly on my mind.”

Kyran thinks that it’s become more acceptable for men to use cosmetics and treatments to improve their looks.  He said:  “A lot of men in the public eye, for example Wayne Rooney, are not as embarrassed to admit they have had a transplant, as they would have been a few years ago. They’re happy to accept that yes, I want to do something about my hair loss.  I think hair loss is the biggest hurdle most men have in their mid twenties (or sometimes before) – single or not single. Having hair maintains the way men look and feel and hair loss, certainly for me, was the biggest physical problem I experienced. But not everyone can even afford treatment or hair transplants, so, if there is something simple that really does help and work, people are going to try it”

For Kyran, hair loss affected his overall confidence.  He said:  “I think it’s really difficult for men who have lost or are losing their hair. The internal conversation you have with yourself about the way you look often becomes a negative one.  You look in the mirror and you see your hair is gone.  Then when you go out and meet people, you believe the first thing they notice is the fact that you’re balding.  Because you are!  Also, if say, you’re single, 31 and losing your hair, it could definitely make your confidence low which makes things hard when it comes to meeting a new partner. It affects how you feel about yourself and that will come across when socialising with people.

Kyran was introduced to the fibres during his triumph on Dancing On Ice, he said:  “Nobody likes to see themselves on TV. You tend to pick fault in the way you’re walking, or talking. You really pick up on the littlest things and criticise yourself for them. I was in front of 10 or 12 million people nationally on Dancing On Ice and when I watched the footage back, all I could see was these bald patches, which I hated. My hair stylist recommended I try the hair loss concealer fibres. The next week it was as if I had a full head of hair! It made me feel much better.”

The Viviscal range includes a supplement for men and women and Kyran says that he thinks hair loss is “definitely worse for women” and would “recommend they try them”.

Kyran uses Viviscal Hair Loss Concealer Fibres which can be used in conjunction with Viviscal supplements and hair care range to help prevent further hair loss.

Jolen Crème Bleach is a cream that bleaches unwanted hair blonde, with the result being that hair is less visible to the eye.  From speaking to a number of people who use this cream it only really works if you have light skin and dark hair because if you had dark hair and dark skin the hairs would be visible when bleached blonde.

If you are fed up of waxing (which is painful) and/or shaving (which means the hairs come back dark and stubbly and needs constant attention) then you seriously need to consider bleaching unwanted hair.  You can use Jolen Bleach on your chin, tummy, arms, toes, upper lip and eyebrows.  Once you have purchased Jolen bleach you will find everything you need inside the box which includes:

1. A mixing tray

2. Spatula

3. Crème bleach pot

4. Accelerator Power

 Be sure to follow the instructions given as you don’t want to burn or agitate any skin.  If you have never used Jolen Bleach Crème before then it is advised that you do a patch test to test for allergies and reactions.  Once you have applied a small amount of crème to test, leave for approximately ten minutes, then rinse off and wait for 24 hours to ensure you can use on larger areas of skin.

1. Here are some of the responses we got from people who use or have used Jolen Bleach:

2. Brilliant on sensitive skin.

3. The pot is extremely good value and lasts a long time.

4. I was expecting the smell of bleach to be a lot stronger.

5. Blends the hair colour in very well but doesn’t last for the claimed 6 weeks, 5    weeks maximum.  But then I suppose it depends on how dark your hair is.

6. Works very fast on eyebrows, so keep an eye on it, if this does happen use an eyebrow pencil to darken slightly, you don’t want bleached blonde eyebrows unless you have bleached blonde hair!

7. Works very quick so watch your timings.

8. Very strong so if you want to completely bleach hair then it’s perfect but needs close attention if used on eyebrows etc.

9. Sometimes, I have found, the bleach can become itchy and painful after about ten minutes but it soon disappears and the results are perfect.  No more waxing for me!

Nair Sensitive Hair Removal Cream

Nair Hair Removal Cream for sensitive skin is a very effective and easy way to remove unwanted body hair.  It is suitable for dry and sensitive skin and is gentle enough to use on legs, bikini and underarms.  The great thing about this cream is that it is enriched with moisturising Camellia Oil and a protecting Ylang Ylang extracts to gently but effectively remove hair as well as nourish the skin leaving it soft and smooth to the touch.

 Once again, before using this product it is advised to do a patch test and leave for 24hours to monitor how your skin reacts to this product.  Irritation or allergic reaction may occur with some people, even after prior use without adverse effects. Therefore, a test should always be carried out on a small part of the area to be treated before each use. Follow the instructions and if the skin appears normal after 24 hours, proceed with the full application.

Once you have carried out the patch test and are confident with the outcome to proceed, you must ensure skin is clean and dry, then using the spatula provided apply a thick, even layer of the cream.  Be sure to add a thick layer and not just a light covering as it won’t work properly if not applied in this way.   After 5 to 6 minutes, test a small area with the spatula. If the hair does not come away from the test area easily, leave for a few minutes longer; however do not exceed 15 minutes in total.  Remove the cream using the spatula, then rinse the area immediately with plenty of warm water to remove all traces of the cream. Do not rub or use soap.

We have spoke to a number of people who have used this product and the consensus is that it is a very effective hair removal cream that is easy to use and does as it says.  Here is what they say about the cream:

1. Very effective and easy to use.

2. Does exactly what it says and doesn’t irritate the skin.

3. Massage the cream when taking it off as it tends to help remove the last few hairs.

4. Quick and painless.

5. Doesn’t sting like some creams.

6. Very effective cream, but it has a very strong smell, but once washed off it is fine.

7. I have used it on my underarms and legs, I had to keep on for the required time as I have thick hair, and the smell wasn’t the nicest but is definitely not the worst.

8. It has quite a strong chemical smell which wears off your skin, but showering helps.  It didn’t burn and works very well so I would recommend but prepare yourself for the smell.

Veet Hair Removal Cream Sensitive

Veet Hair Removal Cream for Sensitive Skin is another very effective way of getting rid of that unwanted hair.  Veet claim to put nasty rashes and stubble behind you and help to avoid embarrassing lumps and bumps.  Veet appears to be quite similar to the Nair hair cream shown above and contains aloe vera & vitamin E for deep moisturisation.

 Once again it is advised to do a patch test to ensure your skin won’t react to the product.  Once you have completed the test and are sure your skin won’t react it is time to apply the cream.  Simply apply the silky moisturising formula onto your skin, wait 5 minutes, and remove cream and hair with the spatula.   Rinse your skin thoroughly with water after use and dry.

 What most people have said about this product is that your skin is also left incredibly soft and smooth after use.  Many girls would have moisturised their legs after showering but now they don’t need to because Veet does it for them. 

1. Here is what they had to say about the product: 

2. Brilliant results but the smell isn’t pleasant, but most definitely not the worst.

3. The result is way better than shaving and didn’t irritate my skin at all!

4. Does what it says, hair comes away easily, leaves you with soft skin.

5. Hair grew back quicker than I thought.

6. Removes all hair and is really good for sensitive skin.

7. I would tend to have quite sensitive skin and have tried previous creams that have left me red and with hives but this one was brilliant and my skin was very soft afterwards.

8. My hair actually grew back softer!

Check out the other hair removal products we have available.

1. St. Tropez Bronzing Lotion

There seems to be a lot of hype around St. Tropez recently so I was very keen to try it out.  In any beauty salon I go into you seem to have the choice of St. Tropez or Vita Liberata and I was never sure which would turn out better.  St. Tropez contains Aloe Vera which helps the skin absorb the lotion and I found that while applying the lotion I didn’t need to keep rubbing it to get it to absorb, I just very gently rubbed it on using a tanning mitt.  What was also very helpful was that it contains a colour guide so I could see where I had missed when putting it on so I could avoid the horrible white patches the next day. 

After applying the tan very easily, I left it on overnight before showering the next morning to wash off the top coat.  It dried in very quickly so I wasn’t left feeling very sticky and warm when going to bed and it didn’t come off in the bed sheets, which was a bonus.  Once I washed the top coat off, I was VERY impressed with the colour.  I would be quite pale so I find a lot of tans are either too dark for me and don’t look natural or too orange, but this was perfect.  St. Tropez Bronzing Lotion is a very natural fake tan and lasted for roughly 5 days before I had to scrub it off.  If you like to be really brown I would advise two coats of the tan, but on me it looked like a natural healthy tan.

2. Vita Liberata Extra Rich Silken Chocolate

This is another fake tan product I was keen to try as I have seen a lot of advertising surrounding the product and it seems to have won a few beauty awards.   Once again I applied the tan using a tanning mitt in order to ensure it went on as smoothly as possible.  My first impression was that it appeared very dark on the mitt and I was a bit scared as to how it would turn out but also that there was very little smell.  The tan went on very easily but I found that it took a bit longer to absorb than St. Tropez but it didn’t come off in the sheets.

Once the tan was applied I left it on overnight before showering the next morning to wash the top coat off.  When I looked in the mirror before showering I was a bit alarmed at how dark it appeared, but after showering it turned to a natural dark brown. 

This tan was slightly darker than St. Tropez so I would probably use this tanning product if I was heading out for the night but for me the bonus was that it doesn’t smell as strong as normal fake tan.  Vita Liberata Extra Rich Silken Chocolate tan is a natural dark tanning product that would suit someone who has already got a bit of a tan or wants to be a bit darker than normal and is very easy to put on.

3. L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Smooth Milk

This is one of the slightly cheaper fake tans to be reviewed so I have to say I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as the others but I was pleasantly surprised.  I found it slightly harder to put on as there was no colour guide so I was a bit afraid of missing a patch on my leg which would have been a bit of a fake tan disaster.  The tanning product is white and milky but is very light and is easily spread with a mitt and absorbs quite quickly.  It has a slightly different smell than normal fake tans but it’s not strong so it wasn’t an issue.  The main object of L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Milk is to give you a natural tan or to build on a tan you already have. 

In the morning I was quite pleased with how it looked before showering off the top coat so I was slightly worried that I would be left with a very light colouring once I did shower but once again I was pleasantly surprised.  Showering off the top coat really just took away the fake tan smell and left me with a very even natural golden brown tan.  There was a slight smell left on the bed sheets from the tan but nothing overwhelming and no tan came off onto them.  In short, this tan does what it says,

“The L'Oreal Sublime Bronze self-tanning agent works to mimic the colour of your skin, when you have a natural tan. Whatever the weather, look as if you have stepped straight out of the sun!” 

If you want a tanning product to wear everyday to ensure you look sun-kissed and to cover the white pasty legs then this is a brilliant product that lasts around 5 days and comes off easily when scrubbed.

4. Whitetobrown Self Tan Lotion 250ml

In comparison to the other tanning products mentioned, for me this is the newest brand of the lot and was very keen to try it out.  The tan went on very easily with a mitt and once again the smell of fake tan was not overpowering.  The tan goes on with a colour guide so I could easily see where I had applied and what I had missed.  The tan absorbed quite quickly into the skin and wasn’t sticky while absorbing.  In the morning there was a slight smell from the sheets but that was all and it was appearing quite dark.  But after my experience with the other tans I knew that it wasn’t necessarily the way it would look.  After showering I thought I had washed it all off as there appeared to be a lot of it going down the sink but I was wrong.  I was left with a dark natural tan, not too dark but darker than L’Oreal and St. Moritz.  It would be more along the same lines as Vita Liberata’s colour. 

Again this would be more of a tan I would use if I was heading out somewhere as opposed to an everyday natural tan.  I would definitely use this tan again and it was quite reasonably priced.  It stays on for 5 days and is easy washed off.

Out of the tanning products that I have reviewed I have no real bad points on any, each have their own benefits.  If I was going out for a night and needed a darker tan I would use either Vita Liberata and Whitetobrown but to suit my skintone I would choose Whitetobrown.  If I was looking for a natural every tan throughout the summer months I would use either St. Moritz or L’Oreal and I am finding it hard to pick one over the other.

1. Katy Perry Eyelashes - Oh My

Oh My Lashes are "big and beautiful with a layered effect. All the texture you could want in a lash yet so wearable and really flattering."  These lashes are very thick and make your eyes look amazing.  We really loved these ones.

2. Katy Perry Eyelahes - Oh Honey

Oh Honey Lashes are " a flattering full lash ,textured for a natural finish but with enough volume to take your lashes from fine to fab!"  These lashes are a lot lighter and make your eyes look bigger and rounder.  Cute look.

3. Katy Perry Eyelashes - Sweetie Pie

 


Sweetie Pie Lashes are "dainty natural hair lash that will discreetly add length and volume to your own lashes".  These lashes are very natural and you wouldnt automatically know that you were wearing false lashes.

4. katy Perry Eyelashes - Cool Kitty

Cool Kitty Lashes "will make your eyes look amazing. Gorgeous framing with manicured tips, these lashes can be work in the day  to be daring or at night as the perfect finishing touch." These lashes are almost spiky and are a bit different looking than the normal lashes.  Cool Look.

All in all we love these eyelashes by Katy Perry, they are fun and there is definately a style for every occasion.

There are many ways to get volume into your hair.

Shampoo

Using certain shampoos can really help with how your hair will react when it is blow dryed. A couple of our favourites are:

1. Pantene Coloured Hair Protect and Volume Shampoo - to protect your colour from washing and give your hair added volume.

2. Aussie Mega Instant Shampoo - To add moisture and nutrients to your hair.

Hairdryers

Remember to use heat protection spray before applying heat to your hair to keep it well conditioned

1. Remington Shine Therapy Hair Dryer - Hydrates your hair, is easy to add volume with the nozzle shape and keeps frizz at bay.  All here at Gordons Direct agree that the best way to get that extra lift into your hair is to tip your head upside down when your hair is very nearly dried and put cold air onto it....it works wonders!!

Brush Type

1. Denman Protip Porcupine Brush - Boar bristle with ball ended porcupine effect quill which penetrates and separates the hair and the vented radials allow for fast, effective blowdrying. This brush is really gentle on your hair and is brilliant for adding blowdrying as the bristles grip your hair.

2. Denman Head Hugger - The hourglass shaped barrel 'hugs' the contour of the head and provides extra volume and root-lift. Perfect for volumising longer, thicker hair.

Hot Brush

If you can't seem to manage getting volume into your hair through blowdrying why not try a volumising hot brush?

Remington Volumising Hot Brush - Full body, sexy hair with salon shine and movement is the look of the season and this hot brush will achive this look with little effort. This hot barrel brush lifts and styles to create desirable volume.

Protect your style

In order to keep your style, use Pantene Volume & Body Hairspray 300ml! Its brilliant at keeping the volume and as a bonus your hair stays put!

If you have any other tips or secret tips on how to get that added volume into your hair, we would love to hear them!!

"A bit of humour is proven to help people feel better. We see the differences between men and women and our insights into relationships as the source of inspiration." For example:

"Women just don’t understand how bad we feel, if they loved us they would do anything and everything to help us feel better"

OR

"Men just exaggerate to get more sympathy and attention, while we have to battle through it... I’m sick of him moaning!"

Either way, this is a great product that does not  prevent or cure illness and disease but will help people feel better.  When someone close to you is feeling miserable ask them if they would like a bit more comfort, soothing and sympathy. See if they say no.

Great tasting and effort free, this natural lemon-lime and honey flavour drink contains 1250% RDA of Vitamin C. With Echinacea + Zinc! -Designed for modern man it is perfect hot or ‘on the go’ as a shot.

For example:

1. Breakfast - Celebrity Slim Meal replacement - shake, soup or bar.
2. Mid-morning Snack - Celebrity Slim Snack Bar or allowable snack.
3. Lunch Meal - Celebrity Slim Meal replacement shake, soup or bar.
4. Mid-Afternoon snack - Celebrity Slim Snack Bar or allowable snack.
5. Dinner Meal - Balanced Meal.
6. Supper Snack - Celebrity Slim Snack Bar.

Celebrity Slim is not a 'no' or a 'Low' carbohydrat programme, it does allow a regular intake of healthy fibrous carbohydrates - but compared to the traditional diets, it contributes about a quarter of the amount of carbohydrates.

We currently stock them in Red, Plum and Crackle and they all look amazing.  All you need to do is give your nails a wipe with some nail varnish remover, find the correct size for your nails, peel off the back and stick on.  THAT IS IT, SIMPLE!!!

There is no need for glue, filing or heat, that is why they are so great. Give them a go and let us know what you think.

Gordon's Direct are happy to be stocking some of Aussie hair products and I absolutely love them.  They smell DELICIOUS and really do wonders for my hair.  The 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Conditioner is brilliant, it really helps my hair and replaces the moisture that vanishes when I use straighteners or blow dry my hair.

If you want shiny hair that doesn't go flat then Mega Shampoo is the one for you.  The Kangaroo Paw flower cleanses hair of build-up, leaving you with squeaky clean, bouncy locks – no matter how much product you've been plastering on.

If you haven't tried Aussie Hair Products yet then you should give them a go, I would definately recommend!!

We're very excited about our newest store, and are hopeful to retain those customers who were loyal to the previous owner over the years. 

This brings our total number of pharmacies in Scotland to nine. 

We also have moved our existing pharmacy that was situated just off the Main Street in Omagh, to 30 Market Street. We look forward to offering our existing customers the same great level of customer service and support as they've become accustomer to, in addition to offering as many great deals and bargains as we possibly can! 

Don't forget that you can follow us on facebook - www.facebook.com/gordonsdirect; or on twitter - @gordonsdirect; for the latest information on Gordons Chemist and on some of our special offers! 

Gordons Inject Vaccine Funding

Gordons Chemists have once again teamed up with Pampers and UNICEF to offer vaccines, to help babies in need. 

The Pampers and UNICEF '1 pack = 1 vaccine' is now in its 6th year, and sees the cost of one vaccine donated to UNICEF for each pack of Pampers sold. 

Gordons Chemists is proud to take part in this initiative, and additionally offer an extra vaccine for each pack - doubling the number of women and babies protected by the campaign. As well as nappies, the vaccine donation campaign extends to Pampers wipes, Fairy non-bio detergents and Fairy fabric enhancers. 

Last year, Gordons Chemists were able to donate 34,090 vaccines thanks to mothers choosing to purchase their nappies and other qualifying products at Gordons. This year, we hope that number is even greater. 

For further information on this, please visit: www.pampers.co.uk or www.unicef.org.uk/pampers

How to Apply

1. Paint your nails with a coloured nail varnish of your choice, if you choose a contrasting base colour the better it will look.

2. Apply New York Crackle over the top layer and watch it work!  The thinner you apply the crackle nail varnish the more cracks you will have.

3. Let it dry, the longer you wait the better!  Then apply a top coat of clear nail varnish to seal it.

4. Be amazed at your new look!

Using New York Crackle will update your look instantly and give you the best nail designs EVER!!  For only £2.99 and four shades to try from, why not give this new craze a go?

 As celebrities including Wayne Rooney, Elton John, James Nesbitt and Ryan Giggs admit to spending thousands on hair transplants, Viviscal, a 100% natural supplement has been used by celebrities including Cheryl Baker, finalist of this year’s ‘Popstar to Operastar’, Pat Cash, former Wimbledon Champion and former Manchester United footballer Lee Sharpe. 

 Viviscal is 100% natural and works in four stages over six months.  Viviscal nourishes the hair follicle, strengthens existing hair, promotes growth of poorly growing hair and finally allows all hair to strengthen.  Other items in the Viviscal range which complement the nutritional supplements are shampoo, conditioner, scalp lotion and scalp guard.

 Cheryl Baker said:  “I first experienced this devastating problem after I had my twins and then again as I hit the menopause.  Experiencing thinning hair is a real shock for any woman and one that is very hard to accept.  When you find a lot of hair on your pillow or in the shower tray it’s terrible.  You feel all alone, like the only woman with this devastating problem.  But since I ‘came out’ about it I’ve realised that 1 in 3 women suffer at some stage in their lives.  I’m always keen to make people aware of the problem and the most effective up to date solutions. 

 “Things have moved on and improved since I first took a hair supplement and now I’m delighted to recommend the world-renowned Viviscal natural marine enriched supplements to nourish thinning hair and promote existing hair growth.  I’d recommend Viviscal to anyone with thinning hair.”

 Lee Sharpe, former Manchester United footballer, has also enjoyed the benefits of Viviscal and said:  “My brother is younger than me and he’s gutted that his hair is thinning.  I panicked about whether I might be going the same way but I started taking a natural food supplement to nourish my hair.  And now things have moved on and improved and I’ve discovered the new Viviscal Man with an impressive 30% protein content to provide the essential nutrients to support natural hair growth.  It’s working for me and I’d recommend it to anyone worried about thinning hair”, Viviscal is available for both men and women.

 Following use of Viviscal, hair becomes stronger, healthier and more vibrant.  A recent study showed that taken over six months, 92% of people experienced regrowth of hair and 52% experienced 70-95% regrowth after 12 months.

 Ryan Gordon, Marketing Manager, Gordons Chemists, said:  “Our customers are as image conscious as A-list celebrities and at Gordons Chemists we are committed to offering them top health and beauty brands at affordable prices.  The success rate of the clinically proven Viviscal range, used as an alternative to an expensive hair transplant, is phenomenal.”

 Gordons Direct is offering Viviscal at £39.99, £10.00 off the RRP per box of 60 tablets. 

 The product range includes the exfoliator, body wash, self tanner and a tan extending cream to name a few.  White to Brown uses an ideal pH balance which allows them to work in harmony with the DHA in tanning products in order to optimise your tan.

 The tanner is a creamy lotion so it doesn't leave your skin feeling dry and because it is a darker shade, it gives you an instant colour and you can see exactly where it is being applied. 

 The tan develops over a period of 6-8 hours and the most popular time to do this is in the evening after a shower or bath as it gives the colour longer to strengthen.  The top coat of tan that is applied is only there as a guide line so it will eventually rub off, so make sure you wear loose clothing for the first few hours.

 The next morning, take a shower or a bath and the top layer of tan will be removed, leaving you with a natural golden brown tan. 

 White to Brown have a number of tips when it comes to applying their tan. 

• Always exfoliate your skin thoroughly before applying as dry or rough skin will cause tan to go patchy and uneven.
• Do not wear moisturiser, deodorant or perfume before a treatment.
• Wear loose fitting clothes to prevent tan being washed off.
• Wear nail varnish to prevent your nails being stained by the tan.
• Do not use a bodywash with a high alcohol content as this will cause the tan to dry out very quickly.
• Avoid physical exercise and contact with water for the first 5 hours as it will reduce the affect of the tan.

 White to Brown is now available online at Gordon’s Direct and in Gordon’s Chemists Shops.

 The female head louse lays eggs on hair strands cementing them close to the scalp to keep warm.  They hatch 7 to 10 days later leaving the empty eggshells behind.  These empty shells can be more easily seen with the naked eye and  are often referred to as nits. The lice feed by biting the scalp and sucking blood and become fully grown within 10 days.  It is then at this stage they can then transfer from head to head.  A female can lay eggs as early as 7 days after she has hatched and therefore it is important to remove the lice from the head by day 6 so as to break the lifecycle.

There are several methods for getting rid of head lice.  A simple chemical free method is fine-combing.  This involves separating wet hair into small sections and carefully combing through with a fine comb.  This removes the adult lice – no more eggs can be laid and so the life-cycle is broken.  Realistically this needs to be carried out every night for a week so that any adult lice are removed and no further eggs laid. 

Traditionally a more intense chemical based treatment was popular.  This involved the use of an insecticide which was applied directly to the hair, left overnight and then washed off in the morning.  Initially these treatments were effective but there were concerns about the use of strong insecticides on children’s scalps.  Overuse of these chemicals was also contributing to resistance to them by the head lice. In addition the strong chemicals plus overpowering smell often led to problems with asthma and eczema sufferers.

New products are now available which have none of the dangerous side-effects of the older treatments.  Products such as Hedrin are not absorbed into the scalp and work by essentially smothering the head lice. Treatments are available in different formulations, some are left on for only 15 minutes (handy if you want to treat in a hurry) and others are left on for 8 hours then washed off along with the dead head lice! Both treatments should be repeated after 7 days to complete the course.

Excessive sweating (known as hyperhidrosis) is suffered by some people where they sweat more than normal even when not hot, exercising or ill.

The usual places where we sweat are the armpits (axillae), palms of the hands and soles of the feet and in affected individuals one of these areas will produce excessive sweat. The sweating occurs equally in both arm-pits, both palms and both feet but the rest of their body will sweat normally. There is usually no particular cause - some people just seem to have overactive or oversensitive sweat glands in these areas. Occasionally it can run in families but it can develop at any age and both men and women are affected equally.

For some sufferers the condition varies from time to time and may be made worse by certain triggers such as spicy food, heat or anxiety.

 There are some basic tips which you can try to minimise the condition:

Use a bland soap or soap substitute to wash, trying not to irritate or over-stimulate the area.

• Use a normal anti-perspirant regularly. Remember an anti-perspirant reduces sweating whereas a deodorant just masks an odour.
• Wear loose fitting clothes in the underarm area made from natural fibres. Man-made fibres are more likely to make you sweat.
• Avoid wearing clothes that show the sweat marks.  Generally black or white clothes are less likely to show wet patches.  Sometimes dress shields (an absorbent pad) may be worn in the underarm area.

 For excessively sweaty feet it is advisable to:

• Use an absorbent foot powder twice a day.
• Change socks twice a day.  Again try to wear cotton socks not man-made materials.
• Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day and try to wear shoes that are made of a breathable material.  Avoid trainers or boots as these often trap the sweat making the condition worse.

 If normal antiperspirants are not working for you it is possible to buy stronger ones which contain aluminium salts.  These seem to work by blocking the sweat ducts and can be used under the arms, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  In the pharmacy two brands are available, Perspirex and Driclor both of which come in a handy roll on applicator.

They are applied to dry skin at night then washed off in the morning and this is repeated daily until the desired result is obtained.  It may then be possible to reduce the frequency of applications as the condition improves, eventually only having to use the treatment weekly.  It is important that the skin is dry before application and that the skin hasn’t been shaved within 24 hours of application. If used correctly these products make a great difference to sufferers and can be used indefinitely.

There are different forms of hair loss.  The most common form, androgenic alopecia occurs in both men and womena and is also called pattern baldness.  This is a hereditary condition and is related to the male hormone testosterone.

Hair loss can also be caused by an autoimmune disease.  This can result in some loss of hair to the scalp, total loss of hair to the scalp or in extreme cases total hair loss from the scalp and body.

Chemotherapy or radiation can result in hair loss but hair usually grows back after treatment ends.  Temporary hair loss can occur after pregnancy, as a result of stress or a poor diet.

Hair growth occurs in cycles.  The growth phase usually lasts about three years.  After this time there is a resting phase.  This lasts about three months in which time the hair remains in the hair follicle until it is pushed out by growth of a new hair in the next growth phase.  At any one time 15% of hair is in the resting phase.

In androgenic alopecia, the affected hair follicles gradually become smaller than normal.  As the follicle shrinks, the new hair is thinner than the previous one.  The growth phase is much less than the normal three years.  Eventually, all that remains is much smaller hair follicle and a thin stump of hair that does not grow out to the skin surface.  Different hair follicles are affected at different times making the balding process gradual.  Only scalp hairs are affected and areas such as beard or armpits are unaffected.

Sudden stress on the body can trigger large numbers of hairs to enter the resting phase at the same time causing a large number of hairs to be lost at the same time three months later.  This is the type of hair loss that occurs following pregnancy or as a result of stress or poor diet. 

If you experience hair thinning you should:

• Continue to wash and style your hair.
• Try to identify the cause.
• Take a nutritional supplement.
• Treat hair gently, avoid pulling it and allow it to fall into natural direction of hair growth.
• Avoid over styling which can weaken hair and cause it to break near to the scalp.

A dietary supplement, taken as a tablet, that has been developed specifically for thinning hair is Viviscal.  There are formulations for both men and women and, the active ingredient is a pure marine protein complex called AminoMar C.

Viviscal works in four stages over six months.  Firstly it nourishes the hair follicle, strengthens existing hair, promotes growth of poorly growing hair and finally allows all hair to strengthen.  Other items in the Viviscal range which complement the nutritional supplements are shampoo, conditioner lotion and scalp guard.

There are currently two drug treatments available for hair loss.  Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription only medicine which your doctor could prescribe but is not available on the NHS for this purpose.  It will only work for men.  Minoxidil (Regaine) is available to buy from pharmacies.  It is available as a lotion coming in two strengths, two per cent for women and five per cent foam for male use only.  It needs to be applied twice daily and may take four months for the effect to be noticed.  The treatment must be continued indefinitely as any new hair growth will fall out two months after stopping treatment.

Nappy rash can vary in severity, from mild to severe. In mild cases, the redness is on the areas of skin that are in contact with the nappy, with folds of skin unaffected. The baby feels little or no pain/discomfort.

In more severe cases of Nappy Rash, there may be fungal (thrush) or bacterial involvement. In thrush there are small red spots which spread to form a solid red rash. Bacterial infections may have pus-filled spots or yellow patches and the baby may have a temperature. In severe cases, the rash is painful and the baby may become distressed. 

The aim of treatment of nappy rash is to keep the skin clean and as dry as possible. All cases of nappy rash should be managed using the follows measures:

• Leave the nappy off for as long as possible each day, to allow the skin exposure to fresh air.
• Change the nappy frequently to keep the skin as clean and dry as possible and reduce the time it is in contact with the contents of the nappy, to a minimum.
• Wash the area with water only, as soaps may irritate the skin further. Pat the skin dry instead of rubbing, and ensure it is thoroughly dry before putting on a new nappy. 
• Use a barrier cream at each nappy change, to protect the skin from moisture. Only apply a small amount as too much may affect the breathability of the nappy.

There are a number of products available from your pharmacy that act as barriers, and some help to promote healing.

• Zinc based ointments for instance (Zinc and Castor Oil, Sudocrem, Morhulin) are both drying and mildly antiseptic, without causing irritation.
• Other products contain dimethicone, soft white paraffin (Drapolene), or liquid paraffin (Bepanthen) which act as sealants, preventing moisture from coming into contact with the skin. It is important that the skin is thoroughly dried before applying these, as they will hold in the moisture and worsen the problem.
• Metanium may also be used to treat nappy rash, applying a small amount to the affected areas at each nappy change. 
• If a fungal infection is suspected then an anti-fungal cream should be used. Apply to the affected areas two to three times per day, and continue for seven to ten days after the infection clears. 
• In more severe cases the measures and treatments we have described above may not be sufficient, and you should seek medical advice from your GP. 

Gordons Chemists recommend that in all cases, you contact your GP or healthcare professional if you are not sure about a particular treatment or if you are in any doubt about the severity of your child's nappy rash.  

RapidLash is your must have beauty product for Autumn 2011, if you want to go out on a Saturday night without having to worry about applying false lashes or endless amounts of mascara.   You may also be already thinking about the party season, preparing to attend a formal event, getting organised for this year's Christmas celebrations or planning your winter wedding and RapidLash really is the must have for these or any occasion.

RapidLash is the only lash enhancement product available in the UK with clinical trials to back up its claims.  Clinically proven, following two years of extensive research and testing, RapidLash has been evaluated by an accredited laboratory for performance and safety, producing up to 50% longer looking natural lashes and up to 75% more volume.  In as little as between eight and twelve weeks, you will notice how RapidLash will give you healthier, fuller appearing-looking lashes and brows, literally at the stroke of a brush.

The innovative high-performance serum conditions lashes and brows to look stronger, fuller, longer and thicker with a once a day application.  The eyelash enhancing serum replenishes lashes encouraging growth of lashes and brows which we may have damaged due to ageing, applying false lashes, mascara or even curling in preparation for a night out.

John Clark, General Manager, Gordons Chemists, said: "At Gordons Chemists we are always researching new products and when this idea was discussed with our buying team, we immediately saw its benefits.  This is one of the most exciting launches we’ve ever undertaken and we know our customers will be delighted with the product.”

RapidLash is available at a special introductory price of £34.99 (a saving of £5.00 off the RRP) in your local Gordons Chemists, the largest independent pharmacy chain in Northern Ireland, or shop online at www.gordonsdirect.com