There is nothing better in life than finding something that makes you smile!  It instantly makes you feel better and somehow the day just doesn’t seem so bad!  Not that we’ve had much to smile about in the last few weeks especially with the football but don’t worry Andy Murray is about to change all that and bring a smile to Murray Mount!

So just to make sure you are looking your finest, why not have your teeth whitened and we thought it might be nice to just give you a little guide courtesy of our friends at the Cosmetic Clinic@ and Dr Stephen Hennessy.

So here are some frequently asked questions that will go a long way to help you!

1)      What methods are there for teeth whitening?

 Either “in surgery” or at home methods are available. In surgery uses a light/laser to speed up the process and takes about an hour. The at home method uses very thin bespoke moulds containing a special gel which are worn for an hour a day for 7 days

2)      Which method is best?

Most dentists find the at home treatment more predictable, less uncomfortable ,gives better and longer lasting results as the special gel is in contact with the teeth for a longer time overall a deeper ,more thorough whitening is achieved

3)      Is it harmful to the teeth?

 No. Studies have shown the whitening process does as much damage as a can of cola. The gel is a form of peroxide and works by oxygen bubbles penetrating the layers of the teeth and breaking down the stain/discolouration.

4)      How white can the teeth go?

This varies from person to person but everyone will see a difference. Some people’s teeth can take longer than others to reach the final shade and not everyone will achieve the same end shade as this depends on the individuals teeth .However, the majority of people will see a very significant change.

5)      Is it painful?

Only mild sensitivity is generally felt for 24 hours after whitening. The “power “ (in surgery) whitening can cause more severe , longer lasting sensitivity.

6)      How long does the new colour last?

The new colour will last for many years but is dependent on oral hygiene and if the diet is rich in coloured food/drink when the colour may fade quicker. Most people will top up the treatment to maintain the colour by wearing the moulds for a few hours every 6 months or so

7) Does it whiten crowns and fillings?
 

No. Any method of whitening only works on natural tooth

8) Any downsides?
 

Not really, it has been used for many years and done correctly causes no harm. However, do only let a dentist whiten your teeth, as it is illegal for anyone else to do so because there have been cases of permanent harm being caused to teeth and gums. These cases have arisen when unqualified people using different materials have performed the whitening, which has caused the enamel to dissolve or gums to recede. These problems cannot be reversed

9) How much does it cost?  

On average the cost is around £300 for the at-home method, with the laser whitening around £500.Prices a lot cheaper than this will generally be from someone who is not a dentist and hence not properly insured and more likely to be using inferior/dangerous products.

10) Will I get the same result from whitening toothpastes ?

No. Only professional whitening will give you noticeable results. Some toothpastes may remove a little more staining than others but none will significantly change the colour of your natural tooth structure.

For clinic locations refer to the website:- www.thecosmeticclinicat.co.uk or call 01772 774630.

Well we are not remotely suggesting that any of us in this office have (for want of no better word….) saggy boobs but there is no doubt that hot weather brings about dilemmas in the boobs and bra department - especially with the pletherer of skimpy dresses and the Maxi dress imposing all sort of issues for us!

But it appears help is at hand….especially if you have no desire to go under the knife of indulge in the art of chicken fillets….

The latest technique to come our way is the TLC Breast Enhancement which makes use of intense pulsed light (IPL) to lift and firm the boobs or increase the size! No needles and no scars!

All the rage in LA, this treatment is now being offered by Daniel Sister, based in Notting Hill.  ‘With laser enhancement, you are not placing or injecting any foreign material into your body,’ explains Dr Sister. ‘The laser stimulates the natural growth process experienced throughout puberty and pregnancy - it’s completely natural’.

‘During puberty, oestrogens are produced by a woman’s body. The size, shape and fullness of the breasts depend on the amount of tissue the hormone formed. Then, throughout pregnancy, the body again starts creating these hormones, which causes the breasts to enlarge.
‘The micro-beam from the laser encourages oestrogen production and mimics this natural growth.’ 

During the 30-minute session, a gun-like handpiece is manoeuvred over the chest, emitting a micro-beam wavelength which activates the nerves within the breasts.
This process increases blood pressure in the capillaries, promotes microcirculation, thickens the connective tissue and encourages the breast cells to enlarge. It also tightens the collagen fibres causing the skin to lift.

Results are not immediate: you’ll need two treatments per month for three months before you see a difference.  On the plus side, TLC breast enlargement promises no downtime, bruising or bed rest: you can even have sessions in your lunch break. The only side-effects are minor tingling for the first few weeks, due to the reactivation of the nerve, and firmness towards the end, indicating the development of new tissue.
But the treatment isn’t suitable for all. If you’re hoping to increase your bust by more than two cup-sizes, then this is not for you. Nor will it be effective on someone with larger (E or above) breasts

The ideal candidate is a woman with a size A to C bust who wants a slightly more voluptuous look, or is seeking to replace volume lost after weight-loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
With such a positive reception, can the ‘laser boob job’ spell the end to traditional surgery? ‘I find that very doubtful,’ cautions plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover. ‘This technology can improve skin texture and tone in the face, but there are no long-term studies confirming its role in lifting or increasing breast size by any significant amount. The public should remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’
However, Tara Kelly, a 23-year-old beauty therapist from West London had a treatment in Australia ten months ago and is delighted with the results. ‘I lost weight and my breasts shrank by two sizes. My bust looked droopy and the firmness had gone. After four laser enhancement sessions, my breasts were like new. They look fuller at the top, taut all over, and my stretch marks have nearly gone.’
So for those of you yearning for a subtly enhanced bust, or hoping to see your boobs return to their youthful best without painful surgery, this treatment may be worth considering. 

TLC Breast Enhancement costs £1,500 for six sessions with Dr Daniel Sister at Beauty Works West, 020 7221 2248; www.beautyworkswest.com

1.  A kiwi is not a fruit – it is New Zealand’s native flightless bird (pictured above) and a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit “kiwifruit” – they are also known as Chinese Gooseberries.

2.  New Zealand was the first country to have its three top positions of power held simultaneously by women: The Prime Minister (Helen Clark), the Governor General (Dame Silvia Cartwright), and the Chief Justice (Sian Elias).

3.  Famous New Zealanders….Keith Urban, Hayley Westenra, Kiri te Kanawa, Russell Crowe (actually he is technically New Zealand as he was born there  but for some reason has decided to say Australia is home…he actually has Maori heritage no less…)

4.  I guess we must mention the All Blacks….but who knew (unless you love Rugby) that the reason they are called that is because a commentator commented on their kit being “all black”….

5. And the musical award goes to….The music band Split Enz gained international fame in the 1980’s, with some (notably the Finn brothers) later regrouping as Crowded House.

And finally we unleash upon you all the greatest band ever to come from New Zealand….Penknife Glides…..www.penknifeglides.com - purchase A Stab in the Dark from Itunes now….

Happy Maori..xx

Well in honour of our fellow chums in New Zealand and indeed their football team this week, we are dedicating the rest of this week to all things New Zealand - to highlight some of the fabulous reasons to visit, to purchase, to listen to and generally give them all a big up!!!

So today’s honours go to a fabulous dress designer who has been brought to our attention - Annah Stretton and we are loving her collection for A/W 2010!  Here’s just a few of the delectable items going on our wish list!!!

The Round Up Dress       The Caboose Dress         The Audrey Blouse

Now they get our vote - and you can view all these and more at www.annahs.co.nz

Happy shopping!! xx

So with that thought in mind and (indeed is precisely why we called the site What a Girl Needs) here comes our wish list for this week - it’s only 2.4m on the Lotto tonight but that should be enough to cover off this little lot!!

In no particular order:

1.  A Maxi dress in green from CH Carolina Herrera

2.   My hair cut like Michelle Williams - grown up version of Edie Sedgwick - book Colin now….

3.  All the Anya Hindmarch travel accessory luggage in black

4.   The new Maybelline Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara - verging on industrial…..fab!!

5.  Any sunglasses from the new Tom Ford Range - they all suit me!!!

Not too much to ask…xxxx

You know we love a song lyric - gosh sometimes we just wow ourselves with how witty we are!

Anyway, enough drivel….just enough time to give you latest Toning update with my fabulous (was there life before this machine…..) Slendertone Face machine….

Only way I can even become close to you realising that this baby might actually be working is that teenager actually asked me today if I had had botox or some such thing….

Now first miracle of that question is that she actually bothered to notice I was there let alone that I might be looking fresher, younger, generally more fabulous….second miracle was that she actually said “you just look kind of better”…..I know let’s not get too above ourselves here….

Third miracle (they say things come in threes…), she actually put something in the dishwasher!  Now if it can make teenagers do that too, they are seriously on to something!!!

More toning as I get it…xx

With Summer upon us, it’s time to peel off the layers and what better way to start the day than with Madara’s Eco Face Deep Purifying Foam Cleanser!  After months of heavy duty camouflage, it’s time to embrace your freckles and cleanse your inner layers!!  In other words it’s time to bare all and freshen ourselves up!!

We love this range and once you are crystal clear with cleansing, move on to the Moon Flower Deco Face Tinting Fluid - forget layers of foundation - just use this gorgeously light tinting fluid that tints, illuminates and lightly moisturises the face and neck!  But it still manages to cover up the all important minor imperfections that one might have left over from Winter excesses….

“Like daisy petals shimmering in the moonlight” - perfect way to describe me really!!!  

Well it’s time - the sun has got his hat on and he’s coming out to play!  Which unfortunately means my legs are now ready to peel off those skinny jeans and say Hey Presto!

Except that they are so not…..so it is with delight and Glee (we can’t speak we are in mourning at the end of Glee…), that a tube of E45 Endless Moisture lands on my desk just as I am contemplating the great reveal….

Now I do suffer from dry skin, so whilst this might not be the sexiest cream you can ever wear, the packaging is actually quite pleasant and not pharmacy like at all (if you know what I mean!)

Now I could quote you some fabulous statistics such as:

• 82% thought that Endless Moisture was more moisturising than other body lotions currently on the market
• 85% of people would recommend E45’s Endless Moisture to others
• 85% of people thought Endless Moisture was very effective at moisturising their skin

but quite frankly it really doesn’t cost a lot (£6.99) I believe, that really you should just slip on your Fit Flops (Anna Sui stylee from Net a Porter….) and flash that Endless Moisture limb for all to see!!

Shame it doesn’t add Endless inches to your leg too….maybe they are working on that!!

Happy Moisturising…xx

It’s 9.30pm and I am midway through and they have just announced that Spain gets to go again….they are talking about some kind of pitch invasion….well you would looking at that Leo Sayer lookalikee…..should not be allowed….

Current ridiculous favourites are Greece and that guy that I think was from Serbia….kind of half Chinese looking with a silly blond bob - and the butterflies from Belarus…

And now if you were wondering what Angelina Jolie was doing tonight, well she’s the entrant for Armenia….dead ringer…and that’s about all they’ve got going for them…

Now our boy….(actually looks like Craig Logan…we are doing quite well with our lookalikees tonight….) - song was written by my good friend Pete Waterman….so for that reason alone, I will vote…oh, wait I can’t….well mentally I will

But here come the Germans…quite good but God love her, she can’t dance….and a weird accent….mmm… had hopes but she’s knock knee’d…..(is that the right spelling???)

So that ends my annilation….but here comes Portugal and they have entered 35 times and never come anywhere, not even Top 5….but it’s a nice place to go on holiday and I go every year so I won’t  be dismissive…

And Graham is actually making me laugh…you can’t replace Terry but actually now he’s in his stride, he’s doing fine

So here’s hoping we come at least in the Top 5 and Greece win so we can have a good laugh again!

And the final thought for the day is that thank goodness I don’t work for International in a record company anymore… because you could guarantee that Monday morning you would always get the call…”so what are your plans for the record in rest of the world now we have won the Eurovision…..”

Yeah right… and you know some poor bod is going to get that call Monday morning..

Happy Eurovision…xx

P.S.  Israel well off key….