Live beauty webchat with Caroline Hirons Thursday 26 July 1-2pm

wiggofan

There was a lot of hullaballoo about a supermarket's baby bottom cream being the best thing to use on your face EVER. If this is the case why pay a fortune for really expensive moisturisers? Or do you really get what you pay for?

I'm aware of the cream in question. In theory, it would work for someone with incredibly dry skin, such as eczema or psoriasis as a protective barrier cream, but it is incredibly thick and would give any other skin the possibility of breakouts.

I'm not a fan of the £500 face cream, you should be able to get the best quality for between 30 and 75.

Noni

Regular monthly facials - yes or no? I have been told yes, but I often get spots erupting (small ones thank goodness) afterwards. When I don't continue with facials (only started fairly recently anyway) my skin seems to settle down and be smoother. Interesting to hear your thoughts Caroline.

No to monthly facials. It's nice if you can afford it to have a facial with the change of each season. If not, try twice a year and go to a named facialist rather than a brand, if possible. Ie, the Caroline Hirons clinic (there isn't one!) rather than a department store brand facial. Hope that makes sense.

trishs

How long should we keep and use products, especially sun creams and lipsticks?

And are there any tricks to achieving a smooth line with eyeliner on older skin with the inevitable wrinkles! Do any of the cosmetic firms make a 'filler' that could be applied first ?

Sun cream should be changed every year, all leftovers should be binned especially when used on children! Lipsticks I would go by the smell - if they don't smell of the fragrance that came with them, they belong in the bin. Mascara as soon as it starts to dry out. Face creams in pots, again, go by the smell. The most long-lasting products are airtight products in pumps and tubes.

As for older skin and eyeliner and filler, brands such as Daniel Sandler make make up pens that temporarily smooth over the area and help make up to last longer.

jack

I asked a beautician the other day if she could remove some tiny pin-head sized lumps (or spots) that have appeared on my face recently. She had a look and said I should ask the GP to remove them. I was astonished. I thought a good facial might do the trick.

crimson

I seem to get more and more white spots [which is what I think they're called; small white lumps under the skin]. Is there a way of removing them without bruising the skin?

Hi jack and crimson,

It's hard to be specific without seeing your skin, but they sound like milia in both cases. They are almost impossible to remove yourself (I don't even take my own out and I'm qualified!), you need a specialised facialist or skin specialist to remove them using a needle to lance them and specialised equipment such as a mag lamp. If you go for a facial to get them removed, make sure you ask beforehand if your beauty therapist knows how to remove them and has experience, or you can be scarred.

Anagram

What are those little red marks, like freckles, which have appeared in recent years on my hands and forearms? I'm sure they must have been caused by sun damage, but are they age spots, which I thought were brown?

Hi Anagram,

They are indeed signs of sun damage and pigmentation, but don't feel bad, everyone gets them, unless you've been covering yourself in SPF since you were born! There are newer formulations of hand creams available now that encompass SPF and vitamin A derivatives that both prevent and cure.

cheeseandonion

Desperate question (in hope summer will actually turn up at some point this year)

Fake tan (mainly for the legs) - please tell me what I can use that won't streak horribly (despite promises from the manufacturers) and ideally something that smells vaguely ok too. Thanks

I prefer gradual tanners, as you can apply them daily until you can get the coverage you need. Also, they don't stink and they are less likely to streak. Lots of brands make them - my current cheapo version is Garnier Summerbody.

getmehrt

I am very excited by this! Had a look at your blog and it's very funny and no nonsense. What is a good moisturiser for middle aged, normal to dry skin?

Depending on your price bracket, you can usually get something that works and is affordable by brands like REN and Decleor. Go for labels such as nourishing and anti-ageing.

greengran

Eyebrows...pluck, wax or thread? (Or go for the full Dennis Healey?)

I'm not a fan of waxing, as it stretches the skin. I'm a threader with plucking as maintenance, but plucking is fine if you can't afford regular threading.

greengran

Eyebrows...pluck, wax or thread? (Or go for the full Dennis Healey?)

I'm not a fan of waxing, as it stretches the skin. I'm a threader with plucking as maintenance, but plucking is fine if you can't afford regular threading.

lilysgran

I would love some advice about my decolletage - always something I have been happy to show off but lately noticing the odd wrinkly line. How can I firm it up?

The french believe that facial skincare ends at the bottom of the breast. If you incorporate your normal skincare routine, including your decollete and breasts, everything will firm up. Although you can buy specialised bust creams, for example by Clarins and Mama Mio for that area.

heatwave

Further to Grannyruth's question I would like to ask how to avoid getting lipstick on your teeth. It's not there when I apply it btw

Also - are those make up remover wipe things any good?

Hi grannyruth,

When you apply your lippy, stick your finger in your mouth, wrap your lips around it and pull it out. All excess lippy will be on your finger, not your teeth.

And makeup remover wipes are acceptable in hospital, on flights and for sticky children. That's about it!