Archives December 2024

Does it hurt?

Botox is injected into the skin with a needle. However, the needles used for our anti-wrinkle injections are extremely fine, which helps minimise discomfort. We may also numb the skin to prevent any pain or tingling during treatment.

How long does it last?

Results vary from person to person, but generally speaking, you should be able to enjoy your results for at least 4 months. You’ll need top-ups to prolong the effects, which is something we can plan for during your consultation.

Will I look fake or frozen?

The media has often reported stories of celebrities with frozen features or a fake-looking appearance. However, we take a less-is-more approach to the treatment and will always start with a low amount that can then be built on as per your preference. Unlike dermal fillers, which can be dissolved, botox has to be processed by the body, so it can’t be ‘undone’ once injected.

Will I be able to move my face?

Of course—our expressions are part of what makes us beautiful, and we would never aim to take that away from our clients. Instead, we look to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles at rest, which are caused by making expressions (the reason they’re called ‘dynamic wrinkles’).

How long does Botox last?

Results vary from person to person, but generally speaking, you should be able to enjoy your results for at least 4 months. You’ll need top-ups to prolong the effects, which is something we can plan for during your consultation.

Does it look fake?

The media has often reported stories of celebrities with frozen features or fake appearance. However, we take a less-is-more approach to the treatment and will always start with a low amount, that can then be built on as per your preference. Unlike dermal fillers, which can be dissolved, botox has to be processed by the body, so can’t be ‘undone’ once it’s been injected.

Will I be able to move my face?

Of course – our expressions are part of what makes us beautiful and we would never aim to take that away from our clients. Instead, we look to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles at rest, which are caused through making expressions (the reason they’re called ‘dynamic wrinkles’).

Is Botox safe?

Any aesthetic clinic worth its salt will endeavour to tell clients about possible risks to treatment – and there’s no aesthetic treatment that comes without them. Thankfully, botox is considered to be completely safe and is even used in a medical capacity. Serious risks are infrequent, but it’s not unusual to experience side effects such as swelling, bruising or redness at the site of injection.

There are certainly many things you have to go through as a woman, and knowing how to help or improve your vaginal health as you get older can only be a good thing.

At Buty Salon, we understand that every woman is unique, and each woman feels differently about their body. Going through these life changes cannot only effect how are you feel emotionally but also physically.

For that reason, we are proud to offer our female patients a nonsurgical and non-invasive vaginal rejuvenation treatment that can truly help to restore balance where it matters most.

What type of treatment do you offer?

We offer a non-invasive solution to improve your vaginal health. The treatment we have available for women who suffer with vaginal atrophy symptoms can reduce and some cases eradicate problems you would associate with this condition.

What symptoms can the treatment you have available help?

We can treat most issues surrounding vaginal atrophy. Whether it be vaginal dryness or itching, or even stress urinary incontinence, the technology we have available can help to minimise the symptoms and leave you feeling like you have a new lease of life.

How does this type of treatment work?

Nonsurgical and entirely non-invasive, a small probe is inserted gently into the vagina that omits heat energy. This Energy helps to restore collagen and can help to improve the strength and elasticity of the vaginal wall.

It does not involve any incisions or needles, and the skin is never broken, meaning the risk of infection is essentially obsolete. Treatment times are incredibly fast you will be in and out within an hour. In most cases, as an example, this can be performed as a ‘lunchtime treatment.’

Am I suitable for this type of treatment?

As a rule, most women that visitors are suffering from vaginal atrophy symptoms can find some solace in the treatments we have available. A bespoke treatment plan is designed for each and every patient.

The only way we can determine who is suitable for any treatment we offer at the clinic is through a consultation. A consultation allows you to explain your concern to a healthcare professional before they can examine you and discuss your options.

Botox is one of the most famous aesthetic beauty treatments. It has a long history of creating smoother skin and even being used preventatively to prevent wrinkles from forming.

So, what is Botox, and how does it work?

Botox is an anti-wrinkle injection that helps to ‘dull’ the signals between nerves and muscles. When injected into areas that see lots of movement – expressive wrinkles formed by actions like frowning or smiling – it limits that movement, effectively ‘relaxing’ the face.

How quickly does Botox work?

It takes a couple of weeks post-treatment to really see results because Botox has to reach the cellular level of the muscle—in other words, it has to work its way in! Timing also varies between patients, between injected areas, and between amounts used. Thicker skin may also take longer to see results.

How long does treatment take?

It depends on the number of areas being treated, but typically an appointment lasts under an hour. Of course, you’ll also need a consultation ahead of treatment, partly because Botox is a prescription-only medicine and partly because a consultation is always part of the treatment process here at our London aesthetics clinic.

Can I have other treatments alongside?

Yes, but we’d discuss these with you during your consultation. Because anti-wrinkle injections treat wrinkles caused by movement, we might offer dermal fillers to treat those caused by sun damage. Whatever we recommend, it’s worth knowing that we’d never suggest a treatment we felt wasn’t needed or was unsuitable.

What are the pros and cons?

To give you some idea, the pros include smoother-looking, more youthful skin and wrinkle prevention; the biggest negative is that, as with all aesthetic treatments, you’ll need repeat sessions to prolong results. However, Botox can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months (depending on how quickly your body breaks down the ingredients), so it’s fairly long-lasting.

Have you ever wanted to live abroad? It’s easy to dream about living somewhere warm when it’s so dark and cold in the UK, but there is much more to consider.

Portuguese Housing
Finding your dream Portugal property shouldn’t be an issue, and there are professional companies in the country waiting to help you become a homeowner overseas. The cost of living is reasonable in Portugal, allowing you to secure rented accommodation or buy property easily, bear in mind though that like the UK some areas of the country will be pricier than others; Lisbon, Estoril and Cascais are good examples of this. The Algarve is a popular choice for many moving abroad, as it offers that sense of being on holiday every day with glorious weather and stunning beaches.

Be aware that you will need to apply for a registration certificate if you stay in the country for more than three months and, after holding this for five years, request a permanent residence certificate for the remainder of your stay.

Portuguese Money
The Euro is Portugal’s currency, and it’s important you seek the right methods for transferring your funds into a bank account in the country. Consider using a currency specialist instead of your bank, which might not offer you the best rate when converting your money.

Portuguese 
It’s important when moving to another country that you can understand and speak the language, at least in its most basic form. If you do not, you’ll feel like a tourist in your town and unable to take part in local events properly, deal with any issues effectively or secure and hold down a decent job.

Portuguese Schooling
The Portuguese education system is much like our own. School is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 26, and public schools are free to attend. You can also source pre-schools and child minders for younger children between the ages of three and five. Look into your options as soon as you arrive because if you have children, they must be enrolled quickly.

Work
Finding work in Portugal is much like any country, but first you must ensure you can speak the language fluently. The Algarve isn’t going to provide high-paying jobs, as it bases itself on its tourist industry, which includes restaurant work and positions in popular attractions. Lisbon and Porto are the two biggest cities in the country and where people usually flock for higher-paying roles. The average salary in the country is around the €35,686 mark, compared to £26,500 in the UK. However, the cost of living is lower to balance this out.

Healthcare
While it’s a reassuring fact that most doctors in Portugal can speak English, so you can effectively communicate your problems, the public healthcare system is a frustration for both local residents and those moving to the country. Access to free healthcare is available to all legal residents but the industry is experiencing an overload of patients and understaffing, this is why most who can afford it when moving the country look into a private healthcare plan.

Hopefully this quick guide has been helpful! If you’re planning a move to Portugal simply ensure you do plenty of research and have everything in order before you even book that one way flight.

You will find plenty of agile project management training resources online, as well as numerous agile project management courses you can take, as well as advice and articles about implementation methodologies, education plans, and adoption patterns. 

· Failure is a disaster – Getting over this mindset is often easier said than done. After all, if we make a mistake, we are inclined to think that it is a disaster. With agile project management, changes can be made, and they are welcomed if it results in a better outcome. Because of this, failure needs to be viewed as a chance to strengthen your team and the end product. It is not something to be feared or dreaded. Failure will be part of the business process if you and your team are pushing yourselves to create something incredible.

· I can’t ask for help – Many people do not want to ask for help when they are struggling with something; they fear they will look bad. This approach will cause issues to escalate to the point where it is too late to fix them. Instead, your role is to ensure teammates are open about any challenges. You also need help with tools and software.  You will learn about one of the most popular project tools now.

· If you don’t have a structure, you won’t be productive – With agile project management, you aren’t supposed to have everything perfectly organised. You will be working in short sprints, and parameters will be changing all of the time, so embrace the ‘chaos’ that comes with this. You will also capitalise on unexpected opportunities by embracing free form.

· I need to keep my ideas to myself to get credit for them – Naturally, people want credit for their ideas. All working environments are competitive, and no one wants to be overshadowed or for someone else to capitalise on their great idea. However, you need to actively share knowledge if you are to foster innovative thinking and genuine collaboration, and this is the only way your agile team will be successful. Remember, the overall goal is project success, not individual credit. Plus, it would be best if you had faith that your hard work will not go unnoticed.

· The project ends once the product is delivered – This modern methodology embraces the fact that true work never ends. This is because things are changing all of the time. Your team should continually evaluate what they do and what they have done in the past. This is the only way you are going to spot opportunities to improve and to be better next time around.

· This task will get done better if I do it myself – A lot of people are reluctant to work with others because they believe they can get the job done better if they do it themselves. However, collaboration is the foundation of agile project management.

The weather has turned cold, and after the last half-term, we are now on the countdown to Christmas, which means there are lots of winter school runs to do before we can wear our sun hats again!

1. A woolly hat. My son tends to wear baseball caps in the summer, but for winter, I have found a cosy, warm bobble hat. If it has a trendy design, he’s happy to wear it—I always have my hat on!

2. An umbrella. Don’t you find that it always seems to rain when you are on the morning or afternoon school run?! I don’t know why this happens, but when rain is forecast, it always seems to come at 4 p.m.! To keep your children dry, choose one of these children’ umbrellas—if they choose the style themselves, they will want to use it rather than it being a battle of wills between mother and child!

4. Warm boots. This is more for me than the children, as they have to wear black regulation school shoes, but I usually have my fur-lined boots on during the school run. For parents collecting children, there is a lot of standing around in the cold, so boots are essential!

4. A body warmer. Sometimes, when my son sees that the sun is out—even when it is cold—he doesn’t want to wear his school coat. So this is when I pull out the bodywarmer! It keeps him warm, even though his arms are out, but as long as he has his school jumper on, I’m happy to compromise!

5. Gloves. These are items that children don’t seem to ask for in the morning but appreciate when they are there during playtime. I always put a glove in each coat pocket so my son can find it when he is playing outside and needs to stay warm.

Now is a great time to stock up on winter essentials with so many sales on. A new website called Woznow brings all the sales into one place, so you can easily find some warm winter clothing or cosy accessories!

As you read this, I’m jingling bells and enjoying the run-up to Christmas and the family time we’ll share together (literally—I have some bells on my desk!). So I couldn’t wait to reveal to you a few Christmas snack hacks that I did this week to help provide some snacking inspiration for the whole festive season!

Christmas sandwiches

To make these bite-sized sandwiches, you need:

• White bread
• Primula cheese of choice (I used the Cheese with Chives and also the Original Cheese tubes)
• Chives – finely chopped
• Red chillies – finely chopped
• Cucumber – cut into ribbons
• Pomegranate seed (optional)
• One large and one small circle cutter or other Christmas shape. I used a tree for the open sandwich and a star for the small sandwich.

For each sandwich, lightly toast two slices of bread. Cut out one sandwich base with your largest cutter, then spread Primula cheese on the slice and sprinkle with your topping. With your second piece of bread, cut out the same large shape and then a smaller shape within it. Place the smaller shape over the larger shape to form the sandwich with a ‘cut out’ effect. For the open tree sandwich, I piped Primula Cheese with Chives straight from the tubs, in a zig-zag style from the bottom up, directly onto the tree shape. I topped this off with a pomegranate seed as the tree star!

Christmas trees

Christmas trees are easy and effective.

• 2 ripe avocado
• 2 dessertspoon lemon juice
• 70g (approx half a tube) of Primula Cheese with Prawns
• Pitta bread – toasted
• Twiglets
• One red chilli – finely chopped
• A few pomegranate seeds (optional)

Peel and chop the avocado and place in a mixing bowl with the lemon juice and Primula Cheese with Prawns. Use a fork to mash up the bowl contents, ensuring it is fully mixed and smooth. Then cut the toasted pitta into triangles. This is done by cutting in half then slicing from the bottom edge to the top centre at both sides to form a triangle. You will get two triangles out of each pitta bread. Then, spread the avocado mixture into each triangle, sprinkle with the chopped chilli, and place a Twiglet at the bottom to be the tree base and a pomegranate seed at the top!

Tomato pops

Everyone will love these easy finger foods and they are straightforward:

• Small Italian red ripe tomatoes
• Primula cheese of choice (I used Light Cheese to make this recipe slimming!)
• Chives – finely chopped
• Wooden skewers

With a sharp knife, cut a lid off the tomatoes – not the stalk end!! Then with a small sharp knife cut the core out of each tomato and scrape out the seeds. Drain upside down on kitchen roll. Then, insert a wooden skewer into the stalk end and place in a jar to hold. Pipe Primula cheese into each tomato then sprinkle with chopped chives. Easy!

Glamorous fig starter

This more ‘grown up’ Primula treat has some luxe ingredients. You’ll need:

• 4 ripe, fresh figs
• Primula cheese of choice (I used Primula Cheese with Ham)
• 4 slices of parma ham
• Pistachio nuts, finely chopped
• Runny honey

With a sharp knife, cut a cross into the top of each fig, cutting two-thirds of the way down and opening each fig up slightly. Pipe Primula cheese into the centre of each fig, place on the serving plate, and surround each base with parma ham. Sprinkle with the chopped nuts before drizzling with runny honey and serving!

Mac & Cheese!

After making all the Christmas snacks, I was hungry, so I whipped up a quick mac and cheese. I cooked my macaroni pasta according to the packet instructions, drained it, and placed it in a bowl. Then, I squirted on some Primula cheese straight from the tube! Mix it in with the pasta, and enjoy.

Half-Term Holiday Essentials: It’s just two more weeks to half-term (I know, right?!) It seems like the children have only just gone back to school after the summer, but if you are looking forward to a half-term holiday getaway, it’s time to start thinking about the essentials you need to buy for yourself to stay stylish on your holiday.

The kaftan is perfect as it’s sheer enough to feel summery and floaty which is what you want on holiday but it’s long enough to make me feel suitably covered. It has a pretty plaited rope feature along the neckline and in fact this detail will tie it in nicely with the bag which also has a rope handle!

My raffia duffel bag is roomy enough to carry the whole family’s swimwear and lotions! It has a lovely little gold button on the side featuring the Heidi Klein palm tree logo and is casual enough for the perfect beach getaway. I can’t wait to use it in Costa Brava.

If you are near Heidi Klein’s boutique in Luton, you can pop in and have a Mystic spray tan to look beach-ready at any time of year. The spray tan costs £27.50 for the basic tan and any enhancements are between £4and £15 each.  I had one recently when I visited the branch and it looked so natural, several friends asked me where I’d been on holiday!

A beach holiday wouldn’t be complete without sorting your skincare, so I have these sun lotions from Vichy to use. I’ve tried this brand before and love it as the range provides a high UV filter protection whilst suiting all skin types. The formulations are quickly absorbed with no sticky residue, which means it’s easy for me to lotion up my lot without too much drama, as they’d always rather be off doing stuff on holiday than standing while ‘Mum’ gets the lotions on!

I have the Vichy Ideal Soleil range pictured here, and even the dry oil has a high SPF of 50, which I don’t normally expect from an oil! The large tube of SPF 40 will be used on my whole family, and the box of SPF 50 that you can see is a tinted velvety cream for the face to provide a glow before you even get your tan while offering protection. The silver and blue tube is an after-sun balm called ‘SOS Balm’ to soothe and protect sun-damaged skin.

Also pictured is the new shower gel from Roger & Gallet. It is called Gingembre Rouge and is an energising shower gel. It will complement my sun skincare regime perfectly. It has been designed to pamper and refresh delicate skin, so it will be great after we’ve been out in the sun all day. As it is energising, it will help combat that holiday lethargy you get when you are out in the sun doing nothing all day!

I’ll probably travel in my flat ballet-style pumps for comfort and to stop my feet getting cold at 49 thousand feet. After take-off, I will roll on these cosy, soft socks from The Sock Shop. The Sock Shop has a wide range of socks in all fabrics, including several cashmere ones, but my grey cashmere socks (called Shark) are £22. I also picked up the latest Red Magazine for my journey!

It’s time to take off that thermal underwear and strip off the heavy jackets, it’s finally spring! As we finally get some sun and start to enjoy the warmer weather (thank god), it’s time to start thinking about changing your outfits for this new season. 

Belts Galore
Belts are absolutely the thing this spring. Whether you go with something skinny and low-key or decide to make a statement with a big centrepiece, a belt is the perfect complement to your work outfit. Belts can also help to add some definition to your waistline if the weather is still forcing you to sport heavier coats or less form-fitting outfits.

Tan/Slate and White/Light
Mixing tans and slates with whites or other light colours is the perfect way to bridge your darker winter outfits with brighter ambitions this spring. Pairing a white shirt with slate trousers will give you a professional look that feels fresh and ready for warmer weather. This is also the perfect opportunity to break out the spring classic, the trench coat, with light tan shades that especially complement your outfit.

Midi Dresses
Midi dresses are a classic all-day outfit that looks great even in the after-work hours. A midi dress will help you transition from the cosy trouser and jumper combo that’s kept you warm over the last few months without leaving you exposed to the weather. If you still feel a little chilly, then you can pair the dress with some warm tights or leggings or even experiment with layering a shirt or jacket on top.

Late 70s Chic
The 80s revival is very much in full force, and now it’s also started to leak into the adjacent decades. Last summer saw the rebirth of the tiny sunglasses that were popular in the 90s, and this spring, we will see a rise in the popularity of the late 70s chic look. Slightly flared, high-waisted trousers and shirt/jumper combos are on the comeback, and they make an excellent choice for springtime attire. Work in some of that 2028 style by experimenting with accessorising to keep this outfit looking fresh and new while still paying homage to classic fashion.

Floral
Spring is the season of the floral patterns, and now is certainly not the time to break that trend. Floral patterns are one of the best ways to escape the darker, heavier shades of the winter season and celebrate everything that spring brings. Combining a floral dress with a tan trench coat is a great way to combine two springtime classics, or you could try a floral dress or shirt with puffier sleeves to keep on trend while still getting your floral spring fix.

When you first go self-employed, it’s an incredible feeling. Scary – but exciting. Making that leap from employed to self-employed is a big step. But when you manage to handle things well, you’re always glad that you did it.

Whether you’re someone who has been freelancing or working for themselves for years, or you’re still a newbie, you may think of taking another big leap.

But what does the move involve? And how do you know that you’re ready for it? Do you even need to make the move? Right now, there could be quite a few questions going round and round in your mind. And that’s okay. But you don’t have to worry so much about them, instead, you just need to work out what the process involves and pick up some tips to help in the process!

2. Know You’re Ready For It

So first of all, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re absolutely ready to do it. If you’re making under the higher income tax threshold and you’re happy operating on a self-employed basis, then you may be okay as you are right now. But, if things are rapidly starting to grow, and you notice that you’re earning more and more, it may be more efficient for you to make the leap sooner rather than later. The second point can help you to clear this up a little more.

2. Speak To Your Accountant

Other than wanting to look more professional and have a registered business name, one of the reasons that people go from a self-employed sole trader status to a company is because it’s more tax efficient. As a sole trader earning a high income, you may be paying a significant tax. Your accountant can advise you on whether this is the right move for you just yet.

4. Register The Company

If you decide that you’re ready, or when you do, the next step is registering the company. For this, you have a range of options. You could use a limited company formation agent, set it up yourself, or even work with your accountant. But, if you’re not sure you know what you’re doing, working with a professional may be the safest option.

4. Stay Organized

Another thing to make a note of, is that you’re going to want to make sure that you’re being organized. Being set up as a company, rather than a sole-trader, has a few more limitations. You have to be very stringent on what you’re recording, how you’re taking money out, and how you operate. So for that to be easier, you need to be very organized with your paperwork and finances.

5. Make A Plan

From here, you may also decide that you want to make a plan for your business. If you’re already growing or you have a rough idea of how you want to grow (and where you want to be), it can help you sit down and give it some serious thought. Ensure you’re thinking about all areas of the business and creating a business plan that gives you actionable points to work on.

6. Keep Moving

Next, you’re then going to want to make sure that you’re executing on that plan. You have to keep moving when you want to be a big business, or at least be bigger than you were as a sole trader. So this means that you’ll want to start hiring people, investing more money into your marketing, and generally looking to push your growth to get results.

7. Stay True To Yourself

And finally, just make sure that you’re still running things as you always have. Yes, you have to be more organized now. Yes, there are more restrictions financially. But everything else should essentially be the same.