Fourth-time-pregnant fashionista Victoria Beckham revealed the secret to keeping stretchmarks at bay last week when she tweeted a picture of her favourite treatment, Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend, £27.60. 'Pregnancy tip!!!!' she announced. 'I have used this through every pregnancy, it's amazing!!'
The blend contains Japanese White Nut Camellia Oil, which keeps your skin supple as it stretches, helping to prevent stretch marks. What's more, you can also use the oil to deep-condition your hair, scalp and

cuticles plus it's perfect for baby-massage too. So a bottle goes a long way. I've found a great saving online, in the shape of this lovely Mother-to-Be Collection from Elemis containing Japanese Camellia Oil, Skin Nourishing Milk Bath, Instant Refreshing Gel and an Exotic Moisture Mask (along with a cute RUSS teddy bear for baby - bless). It's priced £35.80, saving you £20 if you bought the products separately. We hope VB didn't miss out on that bargain! Buy online at www.timetospa.co.uk

Redness Relief

Redness, flushing or irritated skin is common amongst new mums. Dermatologists say it can be caused by anything from lack of sleep to stress and hormonal shifts. And as new mums experience most of these hindrances, it explains why our skin gets irritated so easily! I'm easily prone to flushing (most notably after a glass of wine, annoyingly) so I'm always on the lookout for new creams and lotions that can help strengthen the skin's barrier to curb what can be an embarrassing problem.

So I was interested to see a new addition this month to the Dr Andrew Weil for Origins â„¢ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection, which in recent clinical tests gave good results. The Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream is pricey at £46.00 but an impressive 96% of users said their skin felt calm and soothed immediately after use and 86% reported their skin felt less sensitive and reactive after four weeks of using. I should hasten to add these volunteers also used the Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum, £41.00, during the test, so it may be that the good results came as a consequence of using both products in tandem. But as I'm convinced that a serum is the new vital addition to everyone's skincare regime, it may be money well spent, especially if it gets the flush away. Available from www.origins.co.uk or call 0800 731 4039 for stockists.

Pencil Perfection

If you haven't already heard of the MUA (Makeup Academy) range from Superdrug, it's well worth taking a look, especially if you're thinking of experimenting with new colours.

The range comprises over 100 products including eye shadows, blushers and lip-glosses, all at just £1 each. What's more, I'm impressed by the quality of the products - well pigmented and on a par with more expensive brands. New to the collection this season is this range of eight kohl Intense Colour Eye Liners. From your smoky black staple to blue, green and everything in between (even bang on trend orange if you dare to go all 1970s on us), there's a colour to match all your moods. The pencils are soft and smooth to use and what I really love about these little beauties is the built-in sharpener in the lid, a must for busy mums like me who can never lay her hands on something as elusive as a sharpener when she needs one. There are also glitter eyeliners and brow pencils new to the range. Check out the collection at Superdrug stores and www.superdrug.com.

By Kim Jones - Mum & Beauty Editor
May 30 2011

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