Blog Posts by Tamara Hinson

You might never consider your scalp or its health until it gets itchy or irritated. But a healthy scalp is the key to beautiful, shiny, easy-to-manage hair, so it's worth sparing it a few minutes in your beauty regime.

The good news is that our scalps are surprisingly low-maintenance, and some of the best products are everyday ones – such as intensive conditioners and hair masks – which also incorporate ingredients designed to give our scalps’ health a boost.
Beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp [REX]Look for intensive conditioners that incorporate some kind of scalp-boosting properties – ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud, £18, is a great example of this type of multipurpose product, and will help to detangle locks while giving your scalp a deep clean.

You might not be able to see your scalp, but it’s important to think of it in the same way that you think of the skin on your face. You wouldn’t drag a hair brush across your face (we hope), so don’t do it with your scalp.

Spend some time finding the right hairbrush for your hair typeRead More »from Essentials for a healthy scalp to ensure beautiful hair

Having separate sets of skincare products for the colder months and for summer, is one way of dealing with fluctuating skin concerns (and weather).



But as spring approaches, we’ve been hunting out perfect products that work in both conditions for our ever-changeable climate. Creams and potions that offer long-lasting hydration while controlling shine to give you a perfect, healthy, matt look, whatever the weather. 


Controlling shine while hydrating and protecting your skin can be tricky ©Rex

Shine stoppers

Louise Thomas-Minns, Skin therapist and founder of U and Your Skin suggests that those prone to both oily and dry skin should keep an eye out for some key ingredients when choosing a moisturiser.

"Look for vitamin A derivatives such as Retin-A," says Louise. "Vitamin A is a skin vitamin which also helps normalise oil control and products with zinc help with sebum control." Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient worth looking out for, due to its ability to attract and bind water without irritating skin.

Read More »from The best skincare products for combination skin to mattify and hydrate

While the majority of us update our wardrobe on a regular basis, it's all too easy to forget that our skin care regime needs regular overhauls, too.

Here's how to find the ideal products for your skin, whatever your age.Young skin is concerned with oiliness and spots ©Rex

15 to 25

Young skin needs less moisture but extra help controlling bacteria and preventing spots, although it's important to remember that the very ingredients commonly used to treat spots can often lead to dryness. 

Those with oily skin should look for mattifying products infused with anti-bacterial ingredients, while those prone to drier skin should opt for light moisturisers which won't clog pores.

It's also important to exfoliate regularly as cell turnover is highest when we're younger, and exfoliating will help to boost radiance by removing dead skin cells.

 "People between 15 and 25 are looking for products which will treat the major problem: acne and imperfections,” says Aurélie Guyoux, scientific director at skincare

Read More »from How to care for your skin at every age

This week, we take a look at the trends and innovations which will shape skincare in 2013

Shake up your make-up and skincare regime in 2013 © RexWater, water everywhere…

In 2013, water will emerge as a key ingredient within make up - especially powder-based products. Several of the larger cosmetic brands are planning to launch such products in 2013, alongside make up products which can be mixed with water to alter consistency and shade.  “Water-infused skin care and make up will start to make a big splash in 2013,” predicts Chase Aston, the Body Shop's international make up artist. “Expect to see formats which are infused with water-based key ingredients, which can be combined again with water to change and adapt the existing format and product.”

Buy it now: MAC Pressed Pigment, £16.50, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

[Related: The bad beauty habits you need to ditch in 2013]

BB or CC?

2013 will see the arrival of the CC (colour corrector) cream. Chanel’s CC cream launched in Asia last year, but has yet to go on sale here. Olay Regenerist’s CC cream

Read More »from Top 5 beauty innovations to watch out for in 2013

January is always associated with New Year resolutions, whether it’s quitting smoking, cutting back on the booze or joining the gym. 

But in the post-Christmas haze, it’s easy to forget that our beauty regime is probably also in need of an overhaul. To get you started, we've identified five bad beauty habits to break in 2013....

New Year beauty resolutions for 2013: Throw away any make up you haven't used in three months ©RexAlways using the same foundation

Our skin's requirements can change incredibly quickly, and our choice of foundation should reflect this. The mattifying, shine-stopping foundation you used in your twenties is unlikely to do your skin justice ten years on. 

"As we age, so does the need to change your foundation format," says Chase Aston, the Body Shop's international make up artist.

"The skin needs more hydrating and radiance-enhancing key ingredients, to ensure that the complexion looks and feels fresh whilst ensuring that fine lines are erased and softened."

It's also Read More »from The bad beauty habits you need to ditch in 2013

Winter can spell dermatological disaster, but don't panic: we've rounded up some top tips for those seeking skincare salvation.

Check out our pick of the best winter beauty tips, to help you tackle the drying cold air this season...

Follow these top tips to beat dry skin this winter © RexFreeze factor

Cold air is actually drier than warm air, which is why we're more prone to dry skin in winter - the cold air literally sucks the moisture out of our skin.

[Related gallery: Breathe some life into your hair with our Top 10 hair oils tried and tested]

"For your face, the trick is to seal enough moisture into your skin, in order to prevent dry and chapped skin which happens so easily when temperatures drop," says skincare guru Ole Henriksen.

"Just like you layer your clothes during winter, a little layering on your skin becomes necessary."

Complexion oils are the ideal way to lock in moisture - simply apply first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Pucker up

Show your lips some love this winter: instead of simply slathering on the lip

Read More »from Winter skincare: How to revive dry skin this season

A hint of glitter or a smattering of sparkly make up is the perfect way to give your look a festive makeover.

But be warned, a heavy handed approach to this top Christmas trend will leave you looking more like a piece of tinsel than the belle of the ball...

Christmas beauty: How to wear glitter this festive season ©Rex
Glittery or shimmering make up can be hard to get right, but that doesn't mean it should only be worn after the sun's gone down.

[Related: Top 10 glittery make-up palettes]

"For the day, keep the glitter simple," suggests Chase Aston, international make up artist at the Body Shop.

[Related: Get your Christmas party look sorted with our pick of the best dresses around]

"Apply it as an accent colour along the top lash-line. Doing this will make the eyes pop, but won't appear too Burlesque!"

Nights out are the best time to try out new glitter-inspired looks - Chase suggests using glittery make up to create your very own twist on the trend for colour blocking.

Christmas make up: Check out our best beauty buys to achieve the look"For the evening, glitter can be applied to the lids as a block of colour for an

Read More »from Christmas make up: How to wear glitter this festive season

Party season is just around the corner and we've got some top tips to ensure your make up lasts as long as you do!

Follow these top tips so your make-up stays in place all night © RexWith the constant round of after-work drinks and Christmas parties, we often end up spending more time than ever worrying about those pesky dark circles when it comes to the eye area. However, the right eye make up can minimise the appearance of fine lines, conceal under-eye bags and make dark circles disappear, so working out how to boost its staying power will leave you looking bright-eyed and bushy tailed all night long.

Powder patrol

Whether you're crying with happiness at the present your other half's just given you or simply sweating it out on the dance floor, keeping your eye make up in place can be tricky. The powdery nature of eye shadows means that they're especially prone to smudging. "To prevent eye shadows from slipping, sliding and creasing, dip a cotton wool pad in toner and swipe over closed eyelids - this helps to reduce any excess oil on the lids,"

Read More »from Festive party season: Best make up looks