The best bit about this fab 1999 clip is Linda Evans of Dynasty Fame. She is rumored to have had face work such as lip Collagen, chemical peeling, cheek implants and a brow lift.

It is possible for a celebrity her age to have had a face lift since her neck doesn’t show any sagging skin.  Other of the procedures that Linda probably got is a blepharoplasty or eye surgery, removing the bags that appears under the eyes with age in some people and lifting the upper eye lid in case that is needed.  But the question is, did she use the Rejuvenique Electric Facial Mask?

From your late 20′s to your early 30′s you may start to see the first signs of aging.  These changes may be small at first, but crow’s feet, dark eye bags, crows feet and open pores are all things that are almost inevitable…almost.  Find out what our lady friends across the big pond are doing to combat aging.

1) Small lines in the corners of eyes, or crows feet, are usually the first area of the face that is prone to aging.  Small but increasingly deeper lines from the corner extending outwards are more likely to make you look older that you are.  It is best to try not to get them in the first place.  Living in a hot place like Hong Kong, we are more exposed to the sun that in other parts of the world, but make sure you wear sunscreen and sunglasses everyday to prevent early offset of these lines.

Doctor’s Fix – Botox or Dysport, known as Botox’s twin or cousin,  is still the treatment of choice for this problem in the USA.  Botox is a substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax, whereas the newer Dysport is also an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A, but it is 3 times cheaper, but also 3 times weaker, so therefore ends up costing about the same.  But the good news is it is said to last up to a year, whereas Botox tends to last about 3 months. Therefore more ladies (and men) are turning to Dysport in the USA.

2) Dark Circles and Eyebags. “No matter how much concealer I put under my eyes, they always look dark and tired”.  Sound familiar?  As we age, the fat beneath out lower lids start to protrude and  the muscle becomes loose.  Genetics have a massive part to play in the problem, but add to that late Hong Kong nights out,  with too much drinking, eating and sun exposure is a recipe for eye-bag disaster.

Doctors Fix -In America it is becoming more popular in inject hyaluronic acid fillers into the hollow parts to give the illusion of less eye-bags.  There is therefore no place for shadows to hide, therefore visually removing the dark circles and eye-bags.  Ladies as young as their early 20′s are having this treatment to prevent the eye-bags developing in the first place.  Other methods being used are chemical peels, IPL lasers or fractional lasers to help tighten the skin in the area, or of course there is the last point of call, the surgical lower blepharoplasty, or lower eye-lift.

3) Nasolabial Folds are the lines that start to appear from the nose around the sides of your mouth, otherwise known as smile lines.  However the older you get, you don’t need to be smiling for them to appear.  They appear when fat is lost from around the area, and start to appear in the mid 30′s but become very apparent in the 40′s.

Doctor’s Fix – Again, hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are the most popular treatment of choice in American patients.  If the fold are more pronounced, then cheeks may be injected too to plump out the area.

3)Age Spots.  Years of spending time in the sun causes damage to the skin.  Age spots or sun spots are caused from sun exposure and burning from possibly as far back as when you were a child.  It takes years for them to develop, but once they pop out they start to appear at an alarming rate.  If they are not looked after, they may become darker and cause your skin to turn crepey. Nice.

Doctor’s Fix – The first point of all in The States for sun spots is hydroquinone, generally applied in a gel, it helps to disperse the menaline more evenly in your skin.  A retinoid is then used to remove the top layer of skin to hopefully reveal sunspot-less, younger looking skin.  For deeper and more stubborn spots, then lasers are used to zap them away.

BBBHK TOP TIP- Before resorting to cosmetic surgery, try using a lemon daily on the spots to lighten them.  The vitamin C in the lemons act the same was as the hydroquinone by dispersing the menaline more evening and lighting the skin in those areas.

Next look out for the Top American New Cosmetic Beauty  Innovations…

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!

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