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

The Power Plate® Institute

12th Floor,
The Centrium Building,
60 Wyndham Street, Central

For your free trial session, telephone +852 3621 018

Reviews: Vibrate yourself a bikini body with power plates

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?

How much do you want that comb? We totally love Shocantelle and her style..not sure if the ‘look’ will take off here in Hong Kong.  More comedy beauty videos to come…

COMPETITION ALERT!

Win a 20% voucher for a Brazilian Blowout at The Retreat.  All you need to do in send an email to win@beautybuzzhk.com with the title PLEASE HELP MY FRIZZY HAIR, recommending a friend to look at The Retreat 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!  The more people you invite to enter, the more chances you have of winning!  The cost of the treatment is $2500-$3500, plus The Retreat are kindly giving away a FREE Brazilian Blowout shampoo and conditioner to first time visitors (valued at $450 each), so if you win, you could be saving yourself $1600!

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

Is the Hong Kong humidity playing havoc with your hair?  Having a bad hair day?.. or bad hair year?  Then BBHK may have the cure for you.  The Brazilian Blowout is the latest craze from Hollywood and has just hit the shores of Hong Kong.

As a lifetime sufferer of frizzy puffy hair, the idea of a magic potion that could tame my messy locks obviously got me whooping with joy, and trotting off to The Retreat in Repulse Bay to try the treatment, but does it work and does it harm the hair?

The Brazilian Blowout is a brand of the popular Brazilian keratin treatments, only this one takes as little as 60 minutes and you can wash your hair right away and can last as long as 12 weeks. (other brands require you to wait 1-3 days to let the product take hold).

Some salons have been known to falsely advertise the “Brazilian Blowout” when they are actually using something else, then you don’t even know what you’re getting. Some products contain much harsher chemicals than others, while some stylists claim their product is “chemical-free.”So it was good to know that The Retreat have the one-and-only original product.

How does it work?
Gaps in the hair structure causes it to bend and coil, creating curls and frizz.  These gaps also cause hair to absorb moisture, so those of us who were not blessed with naturally super straight and sleek hair have little gaps in our hair structure that suck up all that lovely Hong Kong humidity.  Lucky girls.  The keratin formula in the Brazilian treatments coat each hair with protein, filling the gaps, creating a more sleek, smooth, solid strand that says noooo to humidity.

Doin’ it and Doin’ it and Doin’ it well

Even though the idea of super sleek and basically tidy hair every day was enough to get me all giddy, the idea of putting chemicals on my hair always scares me.  Quite frankly I quite like having hair on my head, and the possibitity that something can go wrong and I end up bald isnt too appealing.  But when I heard that the guru of sleek, Jenniffer Aniston has this treatment regularly, along with other hollywood stars such as Nicole Richie, Halle Berry and  Lindsay Lohan, I decided I was in safe hands.  It also contains no formaldehyde which is a major culprit ingredient for hair product offenders.
I booked my appointment at The Retreat, and said goodbye to my frizzy hair forever.  The treatment was surprisingly simple.  My hair was washed properly to remove any products, then the solution was applied.  It was then blow-dried and flat-ironed to ’seal in’ the keratin to the cuticle.  My only problem with the process was when the flat iron was being used, the heat on the product caused my eyes to water like crazy, so I would possibly advise bringing a pair of sunglasses (yes i know you will look like an idiot, but who wants to smudge their mascara!).

Much to my dismay my hair was washed again.  It looked so beautiful and straight, the thought of runing it brought a lump to my throat, but I was assured this was all part of the bonding process.  I was then passed over to the master hairstylist who snipped my locks to perfection.  Another blow-dry later, I stepped out of The Retreat looking like a million dollars.

With this particular Brazilian keratin treatment you can wash your hair immediately, (unlike others that you have to wait 3 days without tying up your hair), I did actually wait 3 days to wash my hair because it looked so incredible.  Living in Hong Kong, I have resigned to the fact that as soon as I leave a salon, I puff up like a poodle, and look bedragged within about 45minures, but three days later, I still looked like I just stepped out of the hairdressers.

I finally washed my hair, and let it dry naturally to see if the familiar fuzz ball would be staring back at me in the mirror, and I was amazed at what I saw, my hair actually looked like I had already blow-dried it! It was super straight, super sleep and super shiny.  Result!  I ended up dancing around my bedroom doing my happy dance.

Three weeks later
In the height of Hong Kong summer my hair is still sleak and smooth, but not quite as smooth as day one.   In fact I think I like it more.  Even though I love the idea of really straight hair, being a girl with volume and oomph in her hair, I sometimes feel like I have lost a bit of my charachter when it is too straight.  The best thing is there is no frizz at all in my hair, and it is still super shiny, but with movement and very loose waves that people spend ages trying to tease into their hair.  They advise you to buy the Brazilian Blowout own brand shampoo and conditioner to extend the life of the treatment, which contains acai berry among other products to zap life into your hair. I just ended up buying the conditioner, as at $450 dollars each is quite a lot, but  you can use any brand,as long as it doesn’t contain  sodium chloride (salt, which breaks down the keratin treatment).  I love the smell and the texture of the conditoner, and if it is helping to maintain my hair, then I will carry on buying it, but next time with the shampoo too.  2010 will go down in history as my summer of love with the Brazilian Blowout.

Where?
The Retreat
1st Floor, 33 Beach Road
Repulse Bay,
+852 2803 1860

How Much? SPECIAL BBHK OFFER ALERT
The prices are $2500 – 3500 and includes a homecare kit of shampoo and conditioner for first time customers. Normally priced at $450 each, so that is a saving of $950.

There are no surprises as to why skinny people are skinny.  They don’t eat as much as you, and they tend to me more active that you.  There is one sure-fire way to lose weight fast – Spinning.  California Fitness has just opened state of the art Spinning Suites in all their branches.  Don’t be lazy, get off your fat arse, and get back on it and work out!

You will probably hate BBHK for even recommending the class, you will want to die after about five minutes, and be constantly eye-balling the clock at the ever-lasting countdown.  The fat banker in front of you will be sweating profusely, secreting a pool of sweat in which his bike is now an island in.  The tai-tai next to you will be grunting like a pig and there is always one beautifully fit, radiant gym bunny with a perfect bottom, effortlessly pounding in the front row. But then something remarkable happens, you start to get bit stronger, you start to get bit fitter, the kilos will starts to fall off  and all of a sudden you will actually enjoy it.

After the initial shock to your body, the group cardio session is a great incentive.  With an average of 400 calories burnt in 45 minutes, with 30 people in the glass, that’s a combined calorie burn of 12,000, probably enough to light up a tower block in Kwun Tong.

Each Spinning bike is connected to a monitor with Polar blue-tooth. The figures such as heart rate, speed and distance will be displayed and recorded by the monitor to keep track your progress and performance. So you will be a lean, mean bikini busting machine in no time.

For more information on California Fitness call 2522 5229 for Hong Kong Island clubs or 2522 1000 for Kowloon clubs.

The lovely and very talented super Borneo based fashionista designing duo, Sereni and Shentel are sharing some love and independence happiness by creating three super cool limited-edition headbands for the 4th July celebrations.  Flying off the virtual shelves by the name of Block Party, they are available in red, white and of course blue from their website and are a steal at just $15usd plus postage.  Get one (or all) while you still can! We heart them lots and lots.

www.sereniandshentel.com

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…

To commemorate American Independence day we are celebrating all things American this week on BBHK.  From the top beauty treatments, surgery procedures and cosmetics, competitions, where to stay when you pop over there to get ‘things done’ and where you can get the same treatments here in HK.

Enjoy and let the pampering begin!

“Wowzers, where have you been?”  I hear you cry, well the fail-safe computer behind the BBHK operation went to Mac heaven, and we’ve had a few weeks of  “AGHHHHHHHH!!! (&^%$%$£” (expletives deleted), but we are all fine and back on track to send you on your merry little pampered ways. PHEW!

To kick start you off, here are some photos from the fabulous 20th anniversary party of Elemis, staged in Hush Bar Hong Kong.  The gorgeous Sassy Hong Kong girls, brought their clan, and cocktails were sipped, competitions were won, and girlies chatted and mingled the night away.  We are mightily impressed that Elemis is twenty, proving that the superbrand is fab, and here to stay!  Here’s to another twenty years (clink champagne glasses).

The new re-vamped Elemis Day Spa is in

1 D’Aguilar Street,
Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2521 6660
email: elemisdayspa@schinac.com
www.elemisdayspa.com.hk

Monday-Tuesday 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Wednesday-Friday 10.00am – 10.00pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 10:00am – 8:00pm

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