Q. I am keen to get party ready for the festive season. I have lost quite a bit of weight this year with a slimming club and my dream is to be able to fit into dresses that would never have been an option this time last year. The only problem now is that I have quite a bit of sagging skin, can you suggest any creams that would help firm my skin in time to wow at Christmas?

A. Congratulations on your achievements this year with your slimming success and yes we do have creams that will help you show off your hard work to maximum potential. It is such an accomplishment to set a goal, stick to it and achieve it. It is also such a cruel irony that with a weight loss goal the greater the success the greater the issue of skin laxity becomes and we can be left with skin that we have no desire to show off, and so it is that Clarins and Guinot come to the rescue!

Both of our skincare houses have creams that can target a range of skin laxity issues from stretchmarks, firming issues, tightening problems and of course he dreaded curse of cellulite.

The Clarins range includes Super Restorative Body Care, designed to streamline the silhouette and help to lift, tighten, firm and define slacken skin around the abdomen and waist. Extra Firming Body Cream/Lotion is a multi-award winning formula which helps restore the skins youthful density and elasticity for supple natural-looking firmness. They also offer creams to minimise the appearance of stretchmarks , contour and strengthen and to streamline and rejuvenate the skin.

In the Guinot range we have again a full range of solutions to target every skin care issue. A cream that would be perfect for your concerns and timeframe is the Minceur Chrono Logic, an innovative slimming cream designed to work in just 15 days. This multi-action serum-cream, burns fat, visibly firms skin and smooths dimpled skin, reducing the “orange peel” appearance of cellulite. Another top seller in the Guinot range is the Age Logic Corps. This revolutionary cream contributes to deprogramming the skin ageing process, resulting in a re-sculptured shape, firming and toning of the skin and a more youthful looking skin. Again they also have an extensive range of body creams to cover issues such as stretchmarks and contouring.

The countdown to party season is well and truly on whether we choose to believe it or not, it is only a matter of weeks before Christmas. Fear not though, you still have time to start seeing the skincare goals you need to fully show off the results of your amazing hard work and have a truly body confident Christmas.

Q. I have been buying my face cream off the shelf at Boots or the supermarket for years now and often find that I don’t like the product or that the product is wrong for my skin. I am now 46 and my skin feels like it needs something more, how do I know what skin type I am and what is right for me?

A. The world of cosmetics can be an absolute minefield if you have no idea where to focus your search. You have known for some time now that you wanted to use a cream but have been disappointed with your choices. Choices made based on fancy packaging, impressive advertising or recommendations from the lady next door, and this has meant that you have not necessarily using a cream appropriate for your needs, and this is where professional advice comes into its own.

With so many products on the market showcasing their impressive lists of active ingredients with names that would be worth 100’s in a game of scrabble, it is hard to know which cream will address your specific concern, or even to know something as simple as which skin type you really are.

There is a misconception that salon based products are expensive, but if you compare the cost of one cream bought under professional guidance, with homecare tailored specifically to your skin, lifestyle and budget, with the amounts you have spent on self-assessed store/internet bought creams that have not been right for you, then I would guess you will probably make a considerable saving.

At The Face and Body Shop every member of our team has had professional training from our international skincare houses Clarins and Guinot to provide the most informed and accurate advice on which products are best for every specific skin care concern. We can write treatment plans and also recommend salon treatments to compliment your, at home routines to achieve maximum benefits and results. We can offer samples and change your routine based on seasonal changes, holidays and other lifestyle impactors, and with prices starting as little as £13 it doesn’t have to break the bank to get excellent products recommended with expert knowledge.

Please feel FREE to call in anytime for product advice or book in for a mini facial from £17 to get a full skin analysis, treatment plan and complementary samples specifically chosen for you.