Blitz away the bumps.

CHRISTMAS shopping, busy jobs, demands of children, air conditioning and falling temperatures can play havoc with your skin and levels of well-being. What everybody needs at this time of year is a little bit of pampering, from a quick facial through to a full day of massaging and treatments.

It's also the perfect start to getting ready for the festive party season. Even if the diet plan's failed and your gym membership has expired, you can still have body confidence to rival Elle Macpherson by incorporating beauty slimming secrets into your pampering routine.

"While no cream will magic your cellulite away, regular massage and body brushing will help break up fatty deposits, making your thighs look smoother," says Charmaine Yabsley, author of How To Look Good Naked: Looking Hot With What You've Got.

Look for ingredients in firming products that help blood flow, such as grapeseed extract, pomegranate extract, aloe vera, seaweed, caffeine and green tea.

If you want to shed instant inches, mummifying your wobbly bits in a body wrap the night before a party can really help you squeeze into that dress.

"Body wraps work by drawing out toxins and excess water, so they're a great last-minute fix to fit into a little black dress," says Charmaine.

Chances are you need speedy solutions to look and feel gorgeous before your night on the town. So turn to a trusty fake tan bottle for an instant slimming effect. "A subtle golden glow will make you look thinner, healthier and camouflage any lumps and bumps," says Charmaine.

Kalmora Spas are tranquil spa retreats where you can gather your thoughts, be pampered and get real results - there's one tucked away on the top floor of Browns in Chester. Friendly, helpful and highly qualified therapists give you space when you need to relax and get away from your everyday stresses and strains. BBlliittzz Spa manager Sarah Oldham, from Oswestry, leads a team of three therapists, who offer a wide range of Kalmora Spa treatments in four rooms, with Dead Sea antiageing facials, inch-loss body wraps, waxing, manicures, pedicures, Indian head massage and Fake Bake tanning. tthhee "We have a massage journey room where we can offer luxury treatments, such as hot stones or the Loma Loma treatment, which is a massage on the forearms and elbows and only takes 90 minutes," said Sarah, 24. "You could spend the day Christmas shopping and then pop in to us for a pre-booked treatment to ease away the stresses."

The Kalmora Spa Find products are suitable for sensitive skins, from those suffering eczema to acne, as well as soothing away aches and pains. They contain allergen-free fragrance and no parabens, genetically modified organisms or animal ingredients.. Kalmora Spa, Browns of Chester (01244 403019, kalmoraspa.com) . How To Look Good Naked: Looking Hot With What You've Got by Charmaine Yabsley (Cassell, pounds 12.99)

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