For a self confessed lazy bones like myself, the idea of quick fix toning is just my kind of exercise.  Biannually I visit the gym, go for about three weeks, tend to eat more because i have ‘earned it’, and give up because I have a hang-over and cant be bothered to go.  As I am naturally thin, in my twenties this was fine, but now I have hit the big three-o, gravity (and vodka) has taken over and it is definitely a case of ‘now or never’.   If I choose the latter I will just wobble my way through life, so I decided to try the new exercise that has taken Hollywood by storm – Power Plates.

With a list of celebrities such as Madonna (who has one in her own house), Rachel Wiess and Courtney Cox Arquette as devotees, Power Plates uses high speed vibration training to give you a whole body work out in just 25 minutes.  So you can pop down in your lunch break, and have time for an M&S sarnie!

How does it work?
The Power Plate is a vibrating machine that stimulates the body’s muscles in a high-speed workout by making them relax and contact.  In normal life your muscles contract about once or twice a second, but when standing on the machine, the vibrations cause the muscles to contract 30-50 times a second.  The fact that many muscle groups are activated at the same time, it is claimed that a normal Power Plate session of 25 minutes will have the same results as 60 minutes heavy training in the gym.

Ive got the Power..
I visited The Power Plates Institute (previously Movers and Shapers) in Wyndham Street, Central for a trial session.  The studio has four machines, two changing cubicle and lockers.  There are no showers, but you wont need them, as generally you don’t sweat (well no more than the usual brow and top lip bead from pounding the streets of Hong Kong).  Because there are only four plates, it means that there is only ever a maximum of four people in a session.   Small classes are great for things like Power Plate as the exercises are simple but they need to be performed correctly to get the full benefit – as I have been told by the trainers – ‘It’s very easy to do some of these moves wrong, meaning it wont pull, stretch or hurt at the time, but it also means you don’t get any benefit.’

The Workout
I was told to stand on the machine, hold onto the bars, squat and stand still for 45 seconds to warm up.   It takes a few moments to adjust to the bone-rattling and teeth jarring. Not to mention the instantaneous desire to pee, but my body soon adjusted and I was ready for the workout.  For the first session the trainers are kind to you, but we still worked on a number of moves such as deep squats, reverse lunges, tricep dips, sit ups, planks, and also included medicine balls and weights in some exercises too.  Each exercise takes 30-60 seconds, but as your muscles are contracting at such high frequencies, you start to feel muscle fatigue far sooner than with regular exercise.  Now for the best bit, the ‘massage’.  After your ‘greuling’ 25 minute work out, you are treated to a vibrating massage.  This comprises of you lying on the floor, and placing various fatigued body parts on the vibrating pad, while your trainer gently applies pressure.  Its worth the workout just for the massage!

No pain. No Gain
We are used to the old saying, so in my mind I was still sceptical as to whether Power Plates can actually make a difference to a lard arse like myself.  I left the studio feeling surprisingly un-wobbly, but very ‘worked out’ and rosy.  The next morning I woke up with muscle pain in my entire body.  I was amazed that I had obviously subjected myself to a complete body workout, which I was generally too lazy to complete in the gym, and in only 25 minutes!   Parts of my body ached that I didn’t even know I had worked on.  In a word I was amazed.  The first session was free, as it is for all first time attendees, but I immediately signed up for a paid ten session blitz.

One month later
I have now used eight of my ten sessions.  Unfortunately I had the horror Hong Kong flu for 10 days in the middle, so I may not have had quite the result that I was looking for after ten sessions, but I can definitely feel the difference.  For one, my strength has increased.  Exercises that I found tough in the beginning are getting easier, and I can feel muscle for the first time since I was 18 under my flabby belly.  I also got commended for my slender toned arms the other day.  I burst out laughing, but then flexed and was astonished, there was a lump there, which could only be described as a muscle!

Pros and Cons
I am a complete convert to Power Plates.  It works for me, but it also has to be said I am not an energetic person.  I am also plagued with medical problems, for example I have broken both my knees, and I also have a rather sever curvature to my spine.  I laugh about my laziness, but there is also an element of truth that I am not able to do a lot of exercises that most people can.  That combined with the fact that I am naturally slim has made me tend to do nothing.  So a machine that I can use, that tones me, but does not harm me is a revelation.  I was told by the trainers that many of their clients are just like me, with some like of medical condition that limits their exercise.  They have a lady with polio who comes in a wheelchair, who I was told has movement and some muscle tone for the first time in years.  They also have a 85 year old man that is a regular toner.   One thing that the Power Plates cannot do is a cardiovascular work out.  In some sessions, you definitely do raise your heart rate, but it cannot be compared to a regular cardio session in the gym such as spinning, or running.  So although the Power Plate is handy for those who want a quick workout, or for medical reasons or age cannot exercise normally, I would suggest it is better combines with other types of cardio workout for a complete exercise regime.

Power Plate pros

• Quick results
• Easy to fit into your day
• Good for people with some limiting medical conditions
• Suitable for some older, less energetic people
• Increased metabolism
• Increased muscle strength
• Reduced Cellulite
• Pain Dampening
• Improved Flexibility
• Improved fitness
• Activated circulation
• Improved co-ordination
• Increased bone density

Power Plate cons

• Not good for people who get queasy on moving surfaces
• There are better cardio machines available
• Cannot use when pregnant.

As always you must divulge any medical conditions as Power Plates may not be suitable for you.

How Much? BBHK SPECIAL OFFER AND COMPETITION ALERTS
The team at The Power Plates Institute have teamed up with BBHK to create a fab offer and competition:

The normal price is as follows:
Group Sessions
Single session:    $300
12 sessions:         $3080
24 sessions:         $5880

Personal Training
Single session:    $500
12 sessions:         $6000

A consecutive 12 session course within 6 weeks is recommended to experience the benefits of vibration training.

COMPETITION
From now until the 30th August all BBHK readers can get a 10% discount on packages. Just mention BBHK and your arse will thank us later!

And now for the best bit – the competition!  You can win 3 free personal training sessions at The Power Plates Institute valued at $1500.  All you need to do in send an email to win@beautybuzzhk.com with the title IVE GOT THE POWER, recommending a friend to look at Power Plates and BBHK.  Both you and your friend will be entered into the draw.  The more friends you recommend, the more chances you have of winning., and of course your friend can also invite people!

Terms and conditions apply.  Competition finishes on August 30th.

The Power Plate® Institute
12th Floor,
The Centrium Building,
60 Wyndham Street, Central.

For your free trial session, telephone +852 3621 018

Where did Spring go? We got all excited waxing our bikini lines, and going for extra burning sessions at the gym, and the rainy season is here already?!  Just because the weather is depressing, you can brighten up your (and other peoples) day by wearing a fabulous splash of colour on your lips.

Becca Beach Tint (worn here by Rachel Bilson) is a beautiful scented crème stain that can be used for both your cheeks and lips!   Kiss-proof and water-resistant, it dries to a perfect finish which is streak-free and non-greasy. The stain goes on smooth and streak free, and even leaves a light watermelon scent – like you just spent the day at the beach!

M.A.C – Limited Edition Pro Longwear Lipstain Marker has the look and feel of a standard marker pen, but the sheer density of M.A.C colouring and real staying power.  As it is a stain, not a lipstick dry lips may occur, so consider wearing a clear gloss over the top. Nine delightful colours to choose from.

Vidi Vici – Sheer Touch Lipstick contains nourishing oils to help keep moisture inside the lips.  The new spring collection from the Korean cosmetics superbrand will allow you to feel in the summer mood, ever when it is dreary outside.

Becca – Beach Tint
Retail HK$300
Available in Lane Crawford ifc mall and Lane Crawford Times Square

M.A.C – Pro Longwear Lipstain Marker
Launching in Sept 2010, tbc retail price.
Available in Lane Crawford ifc mall

Vidi Vici – Sheer Touch Lipstick
Retail HK$260
Available in Lane Crawford Pacific Place and Lane Crawford Times Square

What do Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Britney Spears have in common?  They are all fans on US organic skincare range Pevonia Botanica. Now available in Hong Kong, so you can have skin as beautiful as a Hollywood star.  We are loving the new SpaTeen™ range designed specifically for difficult young skin.    A unique Micro-Matrix delivery system of micro particles trap active ingredients such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid to allow for a controlled, 12-hour time released delivery that evenly disperses ingredients for maximum effectiveness with less irritation.  So the products carry on working for you, throughout the day.  The products are free of alcohol, mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial fragrances and colorings, so harmless for young delicate skin and perfect to introduce into a skincare routine from a young age.
If it can bring us one step closer to Angelina’s goddess like beauty,  then its good enough for us.

Beauty Buzz ‘Tried and Tested’ review in progress.

The Spateen range starts from $320 and is available in the following outlets:

More than Skin Urban Spa
1st Floor, 8 Gilman’s Bazaar, Central, HK.
Tel.: 2815 5590

Bodywize Yoga . Day Spa
Shop 2, 2/F, 1 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, HK.
Tel.: 2838 5686
Amrita Spa
1st Floor, 8 Gilman’s Bazaar, Central, HK.
Tel.: 2815 5590
Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel
1 Sky City Road East, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong.
Tel.: 3969 1888

With all the possible risks of complications, side effects and recovery time associated with cosmetic surgery, not to mention the cost, no wonder more people are turning towards non-invasive, less expensive treatments.  So to help you on your beautiful merry little way to eternal youth and a perfect body, We have compiled the Beauty Buzz A-Z of treatments and tricks to aesthetically please you and your bank balance…

A -     Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) treats cellulite and the unsightly “orange peel” effect on the back of thighs and bottoms.  Special paddles emit acoustic pulses that target the fibrous bands of connective tissue that are now known cause cellulite. This tissue hardens and contracts as we age, pulling away from the surface of the skin, creating the dimples otherwise known as “orange peel”.

B –     Body Wraps are a treatment where you are slathered in a mud then tightly cocooned in a bandage.  You may feel like a Sunday Roast, but depending on the concoction you will aim to loose inches, increase your metabolism or detox.  Chlostrophobia sufferers beware.

C –     Chemical Peels. Think of your skin as an onion, a few layers down it looks nice and yummy, and so do you.  The procedure peels away many visible signs of aging, and after healing, wrinkles appear diminished, skin is more even, and may have improved texture.

D –     Dermabrasion literally sands off damaged skin, revealing a new perfect layer underneath.  It can be used for scars, but it most commonly used to fine lines and wrinkles, especially the deep lines around lips.

E –     Exfoliate. It’s the best way to keep your skin young and fresh.  The Hamams of the Middle East have been doing it for centuries.  By removing the top dead layer of skin to make way for brand spanking new epidermis below, your skin will glow and keep fine lines at bay.  Once scrub a week will keep you shiny and rejuvenated.

F –     Fake Tan. When it comes to tanning fake is best.  Sun damage is one of the main causes for premature skin aging, and these days there is no excuse for blobs and streaks.  Go to a salon for a spray or try a home fake tanning cream.  Don’t forget to exfoliate first and don’t put on your best bed sheets that night!

G –     GFX, Nicknamed “the permanent Botox” uses radio-frequency waves to kill the nerve fibers attached to frown lines.  A probe is inserted under the skin, so it is minimally invasive, however no chemicals or liquids at all are inserted into the body, so maybe a better option to those opposed to injecting botulism into their heavenly system.

H –     Hemorrhoid Cream. Apparently Mickey Rourke swears by putting hemorrhoid cream on his… eyes.  It allegedly shrinks baggy eyes, one cant help wonder who first thought to apply it to the wrong end of their body!

I –     IPL Hair Removal is a safe and effective non-invasive laser hair removal for most skin types and hair colors which uses bursts of light energy to remove the hair and inhibit re-growth.

J –     Just be Happy! A positive mind creates a positive soul and body.  Being miserable will create frown lines and creases around the eyes and mouth.  Anyway, who cares if you have a wrinkle or two? Beauty comes from within!  Detox your mind, take a deep breath, forget your woes and Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

K-    Kiwi Fruit are a beauty secret to the stars.  Containing more vitamin C than any other fruit, large amounts of vitamin E, and antioxidants, they can rejuvenate and hydrate the skin, improve circulation and prevent premature aging. Put a slice on your eyes to eliminate dark circles, blend it with strawberries for a facemask, or eat them!

L –     Latisse is the first and only medical treatment scientifically proven to enhance eyelash prominence.  Initially developed for glaucoma, it is applied once a day to the upper eyelashes and Voila!  Your eyelashes will grow thicker and longer!

M –     Mesotherapy. Also known as Lippodisolve is a natural enzyme proven to break down fat cells and lower cholesterol.  Small amounts are injected into excess fat, thus reducing the cells.  After a few treatments, your target fat is allegedly absorbed by your own body, possibly leaving you with a body akin to Giselle.

N –     Nutricosmetics are foods believed by some to have anti-aging properties.  Most of them are packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.  Reese Witherspoon is said to be a fan of Borba’s DeLuscious Vitamin Enhanced Cookies, which claim to combat fine lines and wrinkles. At last a genuine reason to eat cookies!

O –     Oxygen facials. Made popular by Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, high pressure blasts of oxygen compress a serum derived from vitamins, minerals and collagen deep into the skin leaving it plump and glowing.

P –     Placenta Pills. If the idea of modern stem cell technology turns you queasy, it seems the Chinese have been using it for centuries.  Sheep Placenta Pills are said to make your skin and physical functions five to ten years younger by delaying ageing and maintaining youth.

Q -    Q Tips. There are endless ways that the little cotton bud can be used to make you appear younger and pampered. Banish puffy eyes by sticking a wet cotton swab in the freezer for five minutes, then simply roll it under your eyes, or conceal your roots by loading a cotton swab with eye shadow that matches your hair color and run it over roots.

R -    Retinol Cream, a form of vitamin A, dubbed the “Miracle Cream”, has been proven one of the few effective ways to reduce signs of aging.  It increases cell productions in the top layer of skin and increases collagen productions, resulting in plumper smoother looking skin.  Look out for it in the ingredients in your over-the-counter beauty products.

S –     Silicone Scar Sheets are applied every night to scars, reducing the size, softening the feel and evening the colouration to match the surrounding skin.  A great option for C-Section and other surgery scars.

T –     Teeth Whitening. A brighter, whiter smile can make you appear younger and a step closer to the Hollywood look of perfection.  These days it doesn’t have to be a costly option, with home kits, and mouth guards that are worn on sun beds to ‘laser’ them, all of a sudden, the future looks brighter!

U –     Ulthera is an ultrasound treatment that blasts the platysma (neck muscle) thus tightening it and creating a nicer neckline.  It is still in the testing stages, but the results are promising. Start bugging your cosmetic consultant soon.

V –     Victoria’s Secret Bust Firming Bra claims to give your bust a more uplifted effect, by diminishing signs of aging and improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture.  It’s all down to a secret chemical ingredient to the bra.  Wear the bra for four weeks, eight hours a day to get an eighteen percent firmer bust. It might be better to buy two or three, or you might start to smell a bit…

W-     Weight Gain. Who ever said gaining weight is bad for you?  Scientific studies comparing the aging characteristics of identical twins, discovered that heavier twin looked younger and had better skin density.  Therefore proving that facial volume loss can contribute to aging.  Bring on the Chocolate!

X –     Xylitol Gum kills bacteria in your mouth, giving a lifeline to your teeth and gums.  Not only is it safe for pregnant and nursing woman, but it also apparently reduces the chances of transmitting the bacteria that causes tooth decay from mother to child by 80%.

Y –     Yogurt is the gateway to Probiotics, which claim that certain bacteria are good for the body and hair. Cleopatra is said to have bathed in it every day.  Drink Yackult for healthy bowl movements and to clean your skin from within.

Z –     Zeno MD Acne Pimple Clearing uses heat to destroy the bacteria causing acne blemishes and reduces inflammation. Pimples occur when excess skin oil and flaking skin plug the opening of a hair follicle and create the ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Precisely controlled heat applied for a specific period of time causes the bacteria to self-destruct. When the bacteria die, the pimple goes away.

This article was featured in AsiaSpa Magazine.

Why Oh Why Oh Why? I have always considered Carla Bruni to be one of the most beautiful and elegant women in the world, so  you can imagine my shock when these photos surfaced this week.  It seems that she has decided not to grow old gracefully.  Lets be honest though, most celebs’ best friend is their cosmetic surgeon, but she looks more like the Bride of Wildstein than her former beautiful self, and much older than 42. If you consider other beauties in their forties, such as Sandra Bullock, Kylie Monogue, and Elizabeth Hurley, they still look fabulous, albeit with a bit of help from their friends Botox and knife, but with more subtlety.  But what has she actually done?  It looks like Carla has had too much Botox, and fillers over the years, making her face taught and stretched.  It is also possible that she has succumbed to the latest celebrity tweak, the cheek plump, otherwise known as ‘pillow face’ (see Madonna, Kylie and Nicole Kidman).  As we age we lose our facial volume, so the latest trend is to rejuvenate the face by injecting hyaluronic acid onto the cheekbones, which acts like a Polyfila to plump up the skin.  Her naturally high cheekbones now look swollen and puffy, and I would also guess that she has had collagen or Restylane injected into her lips as they seem a different shape and fuller than her youth.

Please Carla, give it a rest or at least sack the surgeon!

No, it’s not a dodgy sex position, showing up all over tinsel town and the catwalks this season it’s the new nail trend of the moment, -the Reverse French Manicure.  Dita Von Tease has been sporting  back-to-front coloured talons for quite a while, and its only a matter of time until the look hits ‘the HK’.  Be the envy of town by following BeautybuzzHK’s own guide to the Reverse French Manicure.

The Reverse French manicure

A look hailing from the 30’s is  back with a bang.  The 1930’s lady usually painted just the middle of the nail leaving the tip and moon bare.  Painting an entire nails was considered OTT, and nice girls didn’t do it!  Well we ARE nice girls, so for 2010’s version, try clashing colours from OPIs new fabulous ‘Hong Kong’ inspired range such as ‘Suzi says Feng Shui’ and ‘Jade is the new black’

1. Start by filiing all your nails to the same length, remember to only file in one direction.
2. Apply a good quality base coat.
3. Take the lighter colour of your two choices, and paint two coats on your nails, and leave them to dry well.
4. Apply some french manicure guides, these are crescent shaped sticker templates that can be found in Watsons, Mannings, Sasa or Bonjour.  Place these on the base of your nails, by your cuticle,  not the end as it says on the packet.
5. Now paint two coats of the darker of your two colours on your nails and over your nails guides.  When your polish is touch-dry, carefully peel off the manicure guides.
6. Finish off with a good shiny top coat.

For a more conventional take on this look, start with a white base coat, and paint a great shocking red like ‘Red my Fortune Cookie’ from Opi, or just do a normal back to front French.

A sign that you have actually ‘made it’ in the world of celebrity is the launch of your own perfume. Mariah, J-Lo, Britney, and Christina have one, and now Beyonce has followed suit and created her own fragrance. After appearing as the face of many other perfume products over the years, Beyonce has launched Heat, her first eau de parfum.

A sneak peak of the perfumes posters show Beyonce wearing a sexy red satin dressing gown with the caption ‘Catch the Fever’.  In the TV advert for the campaign the star sings a seductive version of fever while she writes around in a bath before posing in a raunchy kimono.

Beyonce told Women’s Wear Daily: ‘It’s called Heat, so we wanted the ads to be really steamy and dewy. My sexiest moments are when I’m just getting out of the tub or the shower and I’m clean, so I wanted to incorporate that in the ads. The dress was this liquid-y satin. The song Fever I did years ago and always loved it.  I got to sing it a bit more whispery, more natural’

It looks like she has put more emphasis has been put on the advert (i.e. what she looks like) that the perfume, We are still none the wiser of what is smells like?  I wonder if it smells of her armpits? Will I bag myself a rapstar and private jet if I smother myself in it?  Unlikely.   Im curious about  how much input the ‘celebrity’ has into the creation process of a scent.  Very few people in the world possess the ‘nose’ that can create viable beautiful scents, and I doubt Beyonce, or J-Lo have the skill. I have to say even if the smell is incredible I would have a tough time actually purchasing a celebrity scent.  Not since my Robbie Williams pillow case have I bought into celebrity merchandise, and I doubt I will buy this, but if its nice, someone can buy it for me and Ill pretend its from somewhere else!

The older I get, the less adverse to the idea of cosmetic surgery I become. A little nip and tuck here and there, a bit of Botox and a cheeky laser wont hurt, right? And if its done correctly no one will know. Or will they? With the rise of Celebrity and the taunting media, those in the public eye are getting more obsessed with their youth and perfection, which in turn is being passed down onto us meager beings. Can you imagine in our grandmothers generation the ladies turning to surgery to outshine their counterparts? Family values, good food, and being the matriarchal pillar of strength prevailed. Have a look at some Celebrity cosmetic surgery disasters, and see if you still want that brow lift.

Melanie Griffiths

Jordan AKA Katie Price

Jocelyn Wildestein

Michael Jackson

Pete Burns. UK pop star

Why is it that the celebs that adorn the covers of the glossy mags always looks so flawless?  Of course there is the photo touch ups, the two hour daily personal training sessions, the weekly diamond facials, not to mention the makeup artist and stylist at hand.  But fret not, we have ten super secrets to the stars to help you get their gorgeous looks and not break the bank!

1. Try Mashing up strawberries and mixing them with baking soda for a natural and safe teeth whitening paste.  Catherine Zeta-Jones swears this to make her pearly-whites bright.
   
2. Its 2am, you’re in the Dragon-i bathroom, you catch your reflection, and your skin is all shiny from the champagne and dancing.  Pull out a tissue toilet seat cover and blot a piece on your T-zone (forehead, chin and nose).  It absorbs the oil, just like the expensive blotting papers sold in Lane Crawford.  Just make sure you don’t sit on it first.  Sarah Jessica Parker is a fan.  EWE!
   
3. Ever wondered how Angelina Jolie’s hair always is blown with body to perfection?  She reportedly sprinkles baby powder on her hair before drying, which adds volume and bounce.  You can also shake a bit on your roots between washes to absorb any grease, brunettes beware, use sparingly, or you will look like your granny!
   
4. Want a six-pack like Britney?  After her crazy stint, we have to agree that she is looking great (Go Britney!), of course the dancing and sit ups help, but she has also cut out all sodas (including diet), as they cause bloating, and stopped chewing gum, as all that air-swallowing causes constipation and can also lead to bloating.  See its easy! You can have a body like Britney in no time…
   
5. We all know Mariah Carey has had a few surgical helping hands along the way but we love her easy pout trick.  She adds a few drops of mint extract into her lip gloss to act as a natural stimulant to plump up her lips and intensify natural lip colour.  Love it!
   
6. Talking of lip gloss Jennifier Love Hewitt puts it in a bizarre place, her cheeks! According to JLH it keeps her looking fresh, young and dewy-looking.  It may be sticky, but it lasts all day.  Just don’t go out in the wind, or it will be a whole new look…
   
7. Feeling toxic?  Too many boozy nights out?  Demi Moore swears by blood sucking leeches??!!  Stick them on your belly button to detoxify your blood.  I think I would rather be tea-total!
   
8. Seen photos of Cindy Crawford lately?  She still looks as fabulous as her modelling days, but how?  It can’s just be good genes.  She keeps a little spray bottle handy, with a mixture of water and milk that she spritzes on her face throughout the day.  Magical milk is full of proteins, vitamins and minerals that calm and hydrate the skin.
   
9. Halle Berry has a bottom to dye for.  There i said it.  Her trick is to mix coffee granules into her body wash.  The caffine acts as a diuretic and exfoliant, and by increasing blood flow, is said to break up cellulite. You can be booty-licious in no time!
   
10. The million dollar question.  How do you get rid of wrinkles without resorting to surgery?  Well Sandra Bullock may have the answer: Hemorrhoid cream.  The active ingredient that gets rid of those pesky piles is also said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Totally bizarre, but she does look incredible for 45. I just would like to know who first thought of putting it on their face!
    

Try these out and let us know the results…