Though fashion is full of trends (some of which we look back and truly regret), one thing that constantly remains stylish is having great skin. No matter what style you model, having great skin truly makes the ordinary look, look extraordinary.

Being the daughter of a cosmetic dermatologist has allowed me to be privy to loads of insider information, allowing me to achieve and maintain great skin no matter the conditions or stresses of my life! Therefore, I have used my fabulous "connection" and convinced my father/ dermatologist to divulge the secrets to achieving fabulous glowing skin!

Q: Tell us about your history:
Dr. James Solomon: I am a US Board Certified Dermatologist with a PhD in Immunology. I am a Full time academic Dermatologist at Boston University Medical Centre, Director of Dermatology at HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), Private Practice Dermatology (medical, surgical and cosmetic Dermatology),and the Director of Ameriderm Research: new drug and new device development.

Q: What can a girl do to achieve great skin?
DJS: Great Skin is always about a healthy lifestyle. This should include basic nutritional suggestions such as drinking plenty of water and eating a well balanced diet. Ideally, one should eat a neat but not complete vegetarian diet, in which chicken fowl, and fish are eaten weekly and red meat only eaten monthly. While diet is important, it is essential that one exercise regularly, avoids tobacco, drinks in moderation and mostly significantly avoid and protect skin from the sun.

Q: What is important to avoid?
DJS: Non-comedogenic is a test to show unlikely to cause acne; Products not listed as such are likely to aggravate acne. Many hair products also aggravate acne but are not listed as such. If your hair products are producing acne, the acne will follow the contact areas of your hair with your skin. Bar soaps, especially all natural soaps tend to be strong irritants. They burn the skin and will keep your skin care specialist and dermatologist very employed fixing the effects on your skin. Overly fragranced products will enhance sun absorption and possibly irritate or produce an allergic reaction.

Q: What does healthy skin care include?
DJS: Attaining radiant skin takes a support system of a dermatologist, the right skin care products and of course you! It is not just about avoiding the obvious. Non-comedogenic cleansers (not soaps), skin care, hair care, and cosmetics are products which are not just preventative but supportive towards the skin. Furthermore, it is best to have a yearly skin exam from a Dermatologist and work with an Aesthetician, this will help create and individualize skincare (which may include medications, peels, lasers, fillers, botox, etc).

Q: Is there one product you most recommend?
DJS: If there is one product I truly cannot live without, it is olive oil. It is a truly effective product. It can be used as liquid cleanser/ emollient; it is non-comedogenic, hypo-allergic, anti-inflammatory and contrary to popular belief reduces excess oil production to skin. The best way to use it is in the shower, just put it in a plastic spray bottle and spray away! Pat dry with towel and you will wake to gorgeous, soft, glowing skin!

Q: What products do you recommend?
DJS: The best products on the market right now are easily available and a truly a small investment. The Avene, Dermatologica, and Ahava Dead sea salt product skincare lines are all wonderful lines which in combination can be extremely powerful and effective. Great skin, does take effort and time, and that can be a pain, but as the saying goes "Beauty is pain"!

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Spring is rapidly approaching and with it comes flaming sunset shades, water colour florals, safari themed prints and super luxe brocading; and this is just the clothes. To compliment the bright bold styles of the S/S 09 catwalk, this spring make-up is all about having fresh, glowing skin with bold make-up.

This season, make-up artists’ showcased the impact of glowing complexions. From Proenza Schouler to Calvin Klein, the theme this season is fabulous glowing skin! At both the Nathan Jenden and Carolina Herrera shows, the models were treated to mini-facials and make-up was kept to a minimum. Meanwhile, Celine highlighted the look with sculpted cheeks and Luella featured porcelain skin and cool pink cheeks. Whilst the Ossie Clark models were inspired by the 1970s California beach girls, and thus had creamy bronzed complexions. So, how do you achieve this look without the help of trained professionals? Easy! Having great skin is all about the product! As the daughter of a cosmetic dermatologist I have had the pleasure of learning what products encourage continued great skin! French skin care line Avéne, is one of the best skin care lines available (and highly recommended by Dr. Dad) and is actually sold at your local Boots! The creams are both physically and cost affective! From skin recovery cream, Anti-redness light moisturizer to the anti-shine regulating lotion, this quality line has the right creams to help every girl with any skin type achieve beautiful, dewy, fresh skin!

                                                    Lips, this season are a compliment to the eyes. While Proenza Schouler complimented this look with creamy red lips, Chanel and Carolina Herrera left lips nude to keep focus on the dramatic eyes and soft, peachy skin. At the Danielle Scutt show models stood out with bright coral shades on their lips. The key to this look is to keep lips natural and clean when the eyes feature strong colours, otherwise the look will appear outdated. What is best about this look is it is easy to achieve at any price. Technique is key to rich great lips. This can be emulated by applying two coats of lipstick, then matting the lips with tissue and a dust of powder. Finally, apply a glossier lip colour in the same shade. No matter what brand you choose, with this technique any girl can capture the look. My favourite is Chanel. The best thing about Chanel’s line of lipsticks is that all of them are super hydrating and nearly every colour is featured in both a gloss and matte form! Best of all, the products are placed at a very economical £19, and is sold at the local Boots. So, even a fashionistas on a budget can afford this small splurge!

 

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There are so many exciting trends coming in from the S/S 09 collections with designers taking inspiration from tribal Africa, far-east, modernist and ancient styles. Missoni, Etro, and Kenzo feature looks inspired by the far-east. African styles, colours and patterns were the main focus for Alexander McQueen, Just Cavalli, Louis Vuitton and Christopher Kane. Designers give a nod to the fashion of the past with Mario Schwab, Dior by John Galliano and Miu Miu all looking to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Meanwhile Calvin Klein, Jil Sander and Yves Saint Laurent all feature futurist and modernist pieces.

Though these collections will be much of my focus in the near future; this week, as the weather slowly creeps back up to a (slightly) more comfortable temperature I would like for the first time this season to focus on winter’s most controversial clothing, fur.

My relatives used to be in the business of fur and through this my grandmother came to have a fine collection of the most exquisite furs, which my mother (and hopefully one day I) has come to inherit. I grew up with a great appreciation for both the beauty and longevity of fine fur. Nevertheless, there are many people who believe that wearing fur is a form of animal cruelty and offensive. Though, I enjoy wearing fur, thanks to many wonderful designers, such as Stella McCartney, beautiful pieces featuring faux fur are available in many fabulous styles making it equally enjoyable to wear!

What is so special about fur is the right piece can instantly make a simple outfit glamorous without being overwhelming. This winter, when I am on the go I always depend on my fur Ugg earmuffs. I have them in both black and tan (these and a variety of others can be found at the Ugg Australia website < www.australia-uggs.com >) and are super thick and comfortable. They keep my head warm on even the coldest London days and are very winter chic!

When I want to use fur to accessorize an outfit I love to use fur scarves or shawls. They are super elegant and with the addition of a couple of broaches can be both classic and stylish. Best of all, in this case a smaller piece is optimal so it can be a more affordable investment. Scower your local charity and vintage shops and you can easily find plenty of affordable fur neck scarves. And if you are comfortable in wearing larger pieces, Hermés, Marni, and Dolce Gabbana all have fabulous fur coats and giléts perfect for this extra cold winter!

For those of you who love fur, you will love the fur bags from this winter’s collections (many of which will soon be on sale recessionistas!). Alexander McQueen, Gucci and 3.1 Philip Lim all have fur totes and evening bags. And I cannot get enough of my Marni Blue Alpaca fur bag (<www.marni.com> )! It is just gorgeous and when I don’t want to wear fur on my body I love having it on my arm!
Whichever style you feel suits you this winter in the last months of frost, when spring is seemingly further and further away take comfort wrapping yourself in a cozy piece of (faux) fur!

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