For The Lil' Recessionista

Bikini season is among us ladies and what a better way to celebrate than by going hair free FOREVER? There is no better time than now as Laserderm Clinic in Claregalway is running a special offer on their two most popular hair removal treatments, a bikini and underarm removal for just €199 per session. So what are you waiting for? You bikini will thank you for it (and your boyfriend too!)

Is a Pretty Lil' Galway Girl the next Miss Ireland?

Are you (yes you!) the next Miss Galway? Do you dream of competing to be this year's Miss Ireland and possibly even becoming the next Miss World?

Closing date for entries is fast approaching pretty ladies, so contact Riikka at Coyotes Late Bar & Club by April 30 for your chance to be in the running. Entrants must be between 18-24 and must be a minimum of 5'7 in height. Phone 086 7943460 or email info@coyotes.ie for more information and entry details.

Irish skin prevails as La Roche-Posay launches high tolerance sun care spray

It should come as no surprise to the millions of Irish skinned across the country that Ireland has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in Europe. With 66% of all Irish people at risk of developing this deadly disease because of their skin type alone, a mere five minutes in the sun is, literally, like playing with fire. So, as we head into May's Melanoma Awareness Month and with new reports showing that holiday 'binge tanning' is on the increase across the UK, La Roche-Posay has launched their new high tolerance sun products Anthelios XL 50+ Spray. Designed with an ultra fluid texture that allows for easy application and quick absorption, this non-sticky and non-greasy formula offers long lasting hydration that keeps you protected for up for four hours.

The La Roche-Posay sun protection range Anthelios XL provides unparalleled effectiveness and dermalogical tolerance to protect against cellular damage caused by UV rays and is clinically proven to be the most effective sun protection on the market thanks to the combination of patented filters Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL, which ensures efficient protection against the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays, whatever their intensity.

Get it now exclusively from select pharmacies nationwide.

'Binge tanning' increasing skin cancer in UK women

The number of UK women diagnosed with the most serious form of skin cancer is on the rise according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK.

The numbers show that nearly 350 women were diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2005, up from 220 in 2003. And the numbers are continuing to rise each year, with nearly one woman in her 20s diagnosed with this deadly form of skin cancer each day in the UK at present.

The researcher say that the use of sunbeds all year around and "binge tanning" on holidays were to blame for the spike in young UK woman and that around 50 women under the age of 40 die from melanoma each year.

The experts also warn that rates are likely to continue to rise by the year 2024, when it is expected that it will become the fourth most common cancer in both men and women with upward of 15,500 per year.

Read the full story here.

I say bring on the bronzer and throw me my bottle tan...I'm as happy as can be with my skin, thanks very much!

La Roche-Posay launches nationwide anti-aging promotion

To celebrate the launch of their new Substiane Eyes Anti-Aging Restructuring Care, La Roche Posay are running a nationwide pharmacy promotion on their anti-aging products.

While stocks last, customers who purchase any full size La Roche-Posay anti-aging products will receive a free gift that includes a number of travel size samples of the company's best known anti-aging products, worth approximately €40.

La Roche-Posay products are tested and recommended by dermatologists and are available exclusively fro selected pharmacies including Matt O'Flaherty's Chemist in Eyre Square.

A Lil' Review

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask

I'll be honest, I don't really take care of my skin as well as I should. I know that, I admit, and yet somehow I was lucky enough to be blessed with skin that didn't really blemish or get oily or dry out, no matter what kind of trauma I put it through. I wash it in the morning before I put on my makeup, I wash it at night when I can remember and I keep it lotioned when it needs it. Boring I know, but it works for me. So when the small tub of Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask landed on my doorstep late last week it admittedly took me a few days to find the time to sit down and try it out. Why fix something that isn't broken right?

But alas, here I sit, just moments after washing the mask off, rubbing my face in awe. The term "baby's bottom" comes to mind, but then I touch it again and think it may actually be softer than even that. I am amazed.

One of two new additions to the famous Yes to Carrots range of skin, body, and haircare products, the Yes to Cucumbers line is designed to cool, calm, and hydrate sensitive skin thanks to key ingredients that include aloe vera, green tea, broccoli, dill, and (duh!) cucumbers.

I have to admit, the Soothing Facial Mask didn't smell great...but it definitely could have smelled worse, all things considered (especially when you discover there is algae thrown in there as well). Still, it manages to go onto the skin smooth and doesn't dry to a cement-like crater that leaves your skin feeling like all the moisture has been sucked straight from your pores. Better yet, when the five minutes were up, a quick rinse with some warm water was all I needed to wash away this greenish goop (is there nothing worse than rubbing your face red raw trying to get these silly masks off?)

And the end result? Well, it is now almost 20 minutes since I started writing this review (so maybe I decided to celebrate my wonderfully smooth skin with a glass of wine in the middle of blogging, its allowed right?), and I am still rubbing my skin in wonder.

And I have to admit, the smell kind of grew on me as well. There is something clean, somethign fresh, something...well, natural, about it. Makes sense I guess, since I doubt you could really get much more natural than putting cucumbers on your face, right?

It would appear it is time for me to reevaluate my facial regime. And cucumbers have most definitely just made the cut.

Don't forget to check out the second new addition to the Yes To... family, Yes to Tomatoes, aimed at bring a healthy and fresh balance to oily and combination skin types.

Galway Stockists: The complete line of Yes To.. .products are available from Boots on Shop Street and Matt O'Flaherty's Chemist on William Street.

Bring on the blusher — Research shows that rosy is healthy

Ladies, you will be happy to know that all that endless searching and mindless spending we go through to find the perfect blusher hasn't all been a complete waste. A new study from the University of St Andrews shows that people really do believe that healthy women should display a rosy glow on their face, and that pink cheeks increase a woman's overall level of attractiveness to both sexes.

The researchers responsible for the study confirmed that natural redness in our cheeks is reflective of a general level of fitness in women, and is associated with increased levels of oestrogen, both reasons why the tint makes us more attractive to both men and women. So the next time you've had a few too many glasses of the good stuff the night before a big date, don't forget that the most important thing you may have in your clutch is that trusty pink compact.

Click here to read the full story on BBC News.

Want to know my blusher pick for the season? Try The Body Shop's Roseflower Blush in Pink. The perfectly pale tint is great for any skin tone this spring and has just enough shimmer to prep you for that summer glow.

For the Lil' Recessionista

Get your hands on a copy of this week's Galway Advertiser and get a little 'Spring High' at Zenith Hairdressing in Galway City

Cut out the advert on page 14 of today's Galway Advertiser and book your appointment to lighten up for spring with Zenith's fantastic highlight offer — a full head of highlights, cut, and blowdry — all for just €95.

Book now by quoting 'spring highlight offer' to 091 533680. Offer only available on production of advert, terms and conditions apply. Spaces are limited, offer valid until the end of April.

A Lil' Review

Crabtree & Evelyn's Rosewater Collection

I will admit, I have always had a little bit of a soft spot for Crabtree & Evelyn's Rosewater products. Growing up my Nana used to use these rose scented soap bars that smelled exactly like this line and every time I get a whiff of it I am brought back to the days of my childhood when sleepovers at Nana and Grandpa's used to be the highlight of the week. Ah, those were the days, right?

Ah, but now you're thinking, "she is going to use something that smells like old ladies?" Wrong. You see, first of all, my Nana may be in her 80's but, with energy levels that would put most of you readers to shame, she is most definitely no old lady. Second of all, never forget that there is no scent more classically feminine than that of roses.

Infused with Rosa Damascena, one of the world's oldest roses, the collection has a deeply luxurious scent that is also naturally theraputic to even the most sensitive skin types. Lathering up the bath and shower gel (pictured above) my small encased shower soon blossomed with the smells of spring and enveloped me in smells of the past and those yet to come. My skin was left soft and my spirits soothed as I dipped into the Rosewater body cream (not pictured), which deeply conditions with glycerine, beeswax, and borage oil, and left my skin smelling sweet and feeling beautiful all day long.

A timeless scent wrapped in two wonderfully luxurious products that brings feelings of femininity to a whole other level. Enjoy this one ladies!

Galway Stockists: Matt O'Flaherty Chemists on William St, Hayes and Hayes Pharmacy in Castlerea, and O&B Pharmacy in Tuam.

For the Lil' Recessionista

50% off Highlights and Colour at Barry's Hair Studio

Ba-rill-iant. Coming from someone who knows just how expensive the upkeep of a wicked fabulous 'do can be, the limited time offer coming out of Barry's Hair Studio couldn't have come at a better time for all us penny pinchers. From now through Saturday March 28th, customers of the popular salon will get 50% off highlights and colour treatments from Monday to Saturday. But don't delay, we have a feeling their appointment book is going to fill up mighty fast. Call 091 561392.

Real Life Stories - "Starving on my honeymoon"

A frighteningly real story about the horrors of living with an eating disorder. Click here to read about Laura Wilson, the 24-year-old woman from Ballymena, Co Antrim who lived on a daily diet of four green beans and a teaspoon of salsa for seven months leading up to her wedding. (From Pick Me Up Magazine)

Oh yes! It is time to holler “Yes Yes Yes” to safe sex, as The Body Shop and MTV link-up to launch an exclusive Tantalising Lip Butter, funding HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention. This is one campaign you’ve totally got to shout about, as shockingly, every day over 3,000 young people are newly infected with HIV. Singer Kelly Rowland is adding her voice to the safe sex campaign as research indicates many young people are continuing to ignore the importance of safe sex, taking risks with their own health and that of their sexual partners.

Each purchase of an eye-catching Tantalising Lip Butter through The Body Shop means that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the Staying Alive Foundation - a charity on a mission to save lives through empowering young people around the world to protect themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS. As nearly half of all new HIV/ AIDS cases are among 15 - 24 year olds, there has never been a better time to get behind a safe sex campaign - as HIV and AIDS doesn’t discriminate against anyone, regardless of age, sex, background or race.

The preservative-free lip butter, which is made up of extracts of exotic dragonfruit, also includes ingredients sourced through the unique Community Trade fair trade programme at The Body Shop, including moisturising shea butter from Ghana to help protect your lips, as well as organic beeswax.

Make a positive impact on lives all over the world and shout aloud ‘Yes Yes Yes’ with the Special Edition Tantalising Lip Butter, available from March 23rd from The Body Shop on Shop Street for just €6.95. In addition to in-store activities, the campaign includes an advertising campaign on MTV Networks International, and web activities at www.yestosafesex.com.

Over the last two years MTV and The Body Shop have raised over £1.1 million which has gone directly to the Staying Alive Foundation. This funding has provided grants to young people to work on HIV prevention efforts amongst their peers at a grass-roots level - through influencing, educating and inspiring young people to make them aware of the risks of HIV/ AIDS. To find out more about the award recipients benefiting from campaign support, and see the difference that just one voice can make, visit: www.staying-alive.org.

"Psst...I'm with the short notice club"

spirit one spa offers 'short notice club' discount for March

Who doesn't need a little rest and relaxation during these stressful economic times? Well, now the spirit one spa at the Radisson in Galway city has made it possible. Just quote ‘short notice club’ when booking your spa treatment at spirit one spa and avail of 15% off all treatments for the month of March!

Customers must quote 'short notice club' at time of booking. Terms and conditions apply. Valid until 31st March 2009. Visit www.spiritonespa.ie or call 091 538 462 for more information.

20% off Dermalogica at Laserderm - ONE DAY ONLY!!

Laserderm Clinic in Claregalway is offering all their customers an amazing one-day only offer of 20% off Dermalogica products in store until 8pm this evening.

For those who can't make it into the shop this evening, order your products by phone on 091 739344.

For more information on Laserderm Clinic visit www.permanenthairremovalgalway.com or visit them at Unit 15 Cois Chlair Shopping Centre in Claregalway.

Is the recession affecting our beauty sleep?

According to The Body Shop the answer is yes. New research from the ethical beauty retailer has revealed that millions of women are losing valuable shut-eye every night due to the credit crunch and family worries. More than half of women surveyed (54.9%) claimed that they were getting a worse night’s sleep now than previously, largely due to the economic down-turn. And, lack of sleep is causing more than just dark circles and sallow skin; sleep-deprived women are reporting increased anxiety and relationship issues.

The Body Shop Sleep Survey, conducted online by Opinion Matters/Tickbox.net, revealed the extent of sleep lost each night as women toss and turn worrying about the economic crisis, with one third saying they are suffering from at least one hour’s less sleep each night now compared with previous years. One in seven people told the survey that they are losing at least two hours more sleep per night than before the credit crunch kicked in. It should come as no surprise then that money worries were cited as the number one sleep-depriver by 50% of the women surveyed. Those aged 25 to 34 years are particularly anxious about making ends meet with 61% being kept awake by the credit crunch. Worries about bills, job security, credit cards, and rent were also high up the list of reasons why we can’t nod off at night. Furthermore, almost half of women are having restless nights worrying about their families.

And what is the big problem here? Well, aside from those dreadful bags under our eyes, this is coming at a time when we’re all worrying more about our job security, yet more than half of women questioned said that lack of sleep made them less focused at work. Furthermore, almost half of women revealed that not getting enough sleep adds to their overall feelings of anxiety, which, in turn, promotes sleeplessness. Even more worrisome? The effects of sleep loss have been cited as being similar or worse than the effects of drinking alcohol to excess – bad news when jobs are in jeopardy.

Luckily for all those sleepy-heads out there reading this blog there is a few solutions, including the most popular ones cited by the survey — sex, hot milk, baths, and counting those always trusty sheep. However, naturally-inspired sleep solutions are gaining in popularity with one in seven spraying sleep mist on pillows and one in eight burning aromatic candles in a bid to encourage a peaceful night’s sleep.

And this is where The Body Shop comes in. Their recently launched Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist, which encourages restful sleep, has reported unprecedented sales (six months of stock sold out in just four weeks!), and now they know why.

The quick-drying mist-spray is packed with a soothing medley of camomile, jujube date, geranium, juniper and patchouli essential oils to promote tranquillity for a deeper, restful night of sleep. But what makes Deep Sleep Pillow and Body Mist really unique is its innovative formula. Applied to the pillow or body, the mist employs special encapsulation technology that allows bursts of active fragrance to be released throughout the night to aid more satisfying sleep.

And what's even better? To ensure everyone involved in the production of Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist can sleep soundly at night, one of the key ingredients in this product is Community Trade camomile oil, sourced from a cooperative of small-scale farmers in Norfolk, an area that has been facing declining incomes and employment opportunities. Not only has new life been given to a community under threat, but the methods used by the cooperative help ensure the environmental quality of the area and support local wildlife.

In addition to Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist, The Body Shop is also offering a range of products for those suffering from sleeplessness, including an essential oil, bath float, moisturiser and shower cream.

Be sure to check out the whole Deep Sleep range, available now at The Body Shop on Shop Street.