Showing posts with label Alpha-H. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alpha-H. Show all posts

Friday, 3 September 2010

Brand Focus: Alpha-H

Although not the most famous of brand,s as they prefer to pour money into their product development rather than on expensive advertising campaigns, Alpha-H is a Australian skincare brand which has developed a cult following around the world.

There is no fancy packaging, just great products in generous sizes, which actually live up to their promises.

As an Australian brand, the focus is on dealing with problem skin, and in particular, sun damage. The whole range is fantastic for getting real results for those with acne, scarring, sun damage and pigmentation. Alpha-H is frequently used on the non-surgery route on the TV show '10 Years Younger: The Challenge', and this is a testament to the fact that it really works!

The straight talking, no nonsense Michelle Doherty is the brand representative and she is like a breath of fresh in the industry with her 'no fluff or puff' approach, realising that all we want to know is whether or not a product works.

Michelle openly admits that she suffered with acne for 14 years and like many of us, used all sorts of abrasive lotions and potions that end up causing more harm than good. She would cover her face with makeup to hide the spots and I remember doing the same at university when I had terrible spots on my face, back and chest. When I look at photos from that time I look like I am wearing a mask!

The solution for Michelle was a simple regime from Alpha-H, using just the Triple Action Cleanser and balancing moisturiser to allow the skin to settle down. She was so impressed that she bought into the company and now her mantra is that everyone deserves and can get good skin.

Alpha-H White Gold - to target pigmentation
Alpha-H is renowned for using glycolic in many of their products, and the runaway success of the brand is Liquid Gold. Applied with a cotton pad direct to cleansed skin (avoiding the eye and lip area) at night, you don't need to layer any other products on top, lie back and wake in the morning with radiant skin. It is that simple. Liquid Gold is recommended for mature, sun damaged and dull complexions.

Aside from Liquid Gold, my favourite products are Micro Cleanse and Daily Essential Moisturiser with SPF 50.


Micro Cleanse is a gentle exfoliant to help remove dead skin cells, leaving a smoother, more radiant skin and allowing you moisturisers and serums to work more effectively. It can be used as a cleanser or more intensively as a mask.

The Daily Essential Moisturiser is what is says on the tin, a daytime moisturiser with a matte finish that protects the skin from sun damage with a high SPF whilst not leaving the skin greasy or chalky. I have been using it all summer and it has really helped prevent any pigmentation (that I am prone to) from developing.



Due to the success of Liquid Gold, Alpha-H have just released a more intensive version for use at night that you can alternate with Liquid Gold, Liquid Gold Intensive Night Repair Serum, £36.36 for 50ml (from http://www.qvcuk.com/). Although not suitable for sensitive skin, it contains vitamins A, B3 and glycolic acid and is worth giving a try for those who think their skin needs an extra boost.

I have pre-ordered my night serum and expect to receive it mid September, so I will write about it in more detail once I have thoroughly tested it for a month.

If problem skin is getting you down, Alpha-H might just be the answer to your prayers.

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Top 5 August Must-haves & Lust-haves

This will be a regular feature every month, where I list the top 5 beauty products I have been using and the top 5 beauty products I am desperate to get my hands on (it will be hard to restrict it to 5!).



Must-haves
  1. Estee Lauder Pure Gloss Stick in Rose Dusk £17 - the perfect everyday colour with a great finish
  2. Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser with SPF 50 £25.50 - essential to protect against aging sun damage
  3. By Terry Rose de Rose Sheer Liquid Blush £38 - the secret to subtle, glowy pink cheeks
  4. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc -£29 gives a stunning natural finish, your skin but better
  5. Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick in Pure Pink £35 - crazy price but fantastic pigment & texture



Lust-haves
  1. Urban Decay Naked Eye Palette £27 - 12 of the best neutral, everyday shades
  2. Dior Misty Mauve Eyeshadow Quint £39- I'm on a lifetime mission to collect all the Dior quints in existence, but sadly at this point my collection exists of 1
  3. Burrberry Light Glow Blush in Peony £28 - am under the delusion that it will magically turn me into one of the Burberry models!
  4. Nars Soft Touch Eye Pencil in Palladium (I could add the whole Nars Fall Collection) £17 - used as a base will add a new dimension to all my existing shadows
  5. By Terry Touche Veloutee £29 - I am always on the quest for the perfect under eye concealer and maybe this is it?
So here is my list, what products did you find indispensable this summer and which items are on your wish lists?

Although not in my top 5, my quest for September is to find the ultimate lip balm to soothe my very chapped lips which will only get worse one the central heating comes on. I have tried various different brands but find that most only provide relief for the first 5 minutes and then they promptly disappear. If anyone has any recommendations do let me know, I'm currently considering splashing out on either the Creme de la mer lip balm or By Terry Baume de Rose so if anyone has tried these I'd love to hear how you found them. However, suggestions of cheaper alternatives would be greatly received!

Picture: Burberry Beauty Advertising Campaign by Mario Testino