On the shelf life of beauty products...

Please can you advise me of the shelf life of unopened cosmetics? Over a few years I have accumulated a fair amount, and with 3 teenage daughters it seems a shame to throw it out if it's still fit for their use. The makes I have are Smashbox, Laura Geller and Stacey. Also how long can I keep nail polishes that have been opened for?

Alison: There weren't always shelf lives for beauty products so here are a few guidelines that you can go by. I tend to think that if it looks ok, it usually is!

Your powdered products will last the longest, such as blushers and eyeshadows, as bacteria can't grow there. Any products that have a wax base (not containing water), such as cheek and lip tints, will last for quite a few years as well.

However, bacteria will grow more easily on emulsion-based products, such as cleansers, face creams and moisturisers. Plus, people tend to apply them with their fingers, which can increase the possibility of bacteria growing. So the average shelf life of these products is about 2 - 3 years unopened, and about 6 months once opened.

Pampering treats for a neglected skincare routine...

My Mum is 80 years old and has recently been very suddenly widowed. The shock has taken its toll on her face and she has also understandably neglected her skincare regime. Her skin looks sallow, droopy and heavily lined. Would any products help her? I would love to treat her.

Alison: I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum and hopefully I can help her with her skin dilemmas. It's important not to overload her skin with complicated products after she's suffered from shock. Skincare that's a treat, enjoyable and easy to use is what she needs.

For pigmentation on the face...

I'm 35 years old and every summer as soon as the sun shines, I get tea stain-like pigmentation on my face, just under my eyes - and that's without sunbathing! Is there anything you would recommend to stop this pigmentation such as a total sun block?

Alison: Pigmentation will always increase in the sun so it's good to think about protecting your skin when you're out and about over the summer. Bear in mind that some medication and contraception can exacerbate pigmentation or list it as a side effect.

I recommend using Ultrasun SPF 30 Face Cream. Apply the Face Cream each morning for all-day protection and there's also Ultrasun Body Cream if you're planning on spending longer in the sun or holidaying by the beach or pool.

Another tip is using physical make-up. Full make-up coverage can help to protect your skin from the sun and what's more, this season formal make-up is in so you'll look on-trend too! Try Bare Escentuals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen or Amazing Cosmetics Concealer for full pigmentation coverage. Then, you can choose your own eyeshadows and cheek tints to personalise your look.

On a beauty product to help deter mosquitoes...

Can you recommend a beauty product that will help deter mosquitoes from biting me and my children, as when we go on holiday we tend to get attacked by them.

Alison: First of all, make sure to follow your doctor's advice, who will probably recommend to you products that contain Deet. On top of one of these products or in my case, as I'm actually allergic to Deet (a little unfortunate!), I suggest applying tea tree oil.

ABC have a great range of products containing tea tree oil. Firstly, there's pure tea tree oil. Simply add a few drops to your skin - particularly your hairline, ankles and scalp (that's where I seem to always get bitten) - or mix it in with your suncream (this shouldn't cause pigmentation problems).

Or ABC also offer tea tree oil in a body lotion and wash formula which may be easier for the kids - just wash them in it every day.

Have a mosquito bite-free holiday!

On a suitable lipstick and eye products for younger-looking skin...

I have an olive skin tone and cannot seem to match a lipstick. Ideally I would like my lipstick to be young-looking without it looking too pink or too red, which I have a hard time finding. Which out of the Fran Wilson range would you recommend?

Also I suffer from insomnia and have tired-looking eyes with dark circles and fine lines. Which product would be the best?

Alison: Fran Wilson change their lipstick colours so often that it's hard to recommend a staple colour for you to try. I'm looking into them providing us with a range of basic colours that are easier for me to recommend.

I celebrate 14 years at QVC!

I can't believe I've been here for 14 years - I've loved every minute!

Read my full interview in QGossip to find out who made my hair stand on end, why I'm thankful that I was chatted up in a petrol station and much more...

Plus, tune in to my Anniversary shows on Monday 15th June from 9pm - 11pm and on Tuesday 16th June from 7pm - 9pm.

What's the best nail colour for toes this summer?

What's the best colour for your toes this year? I'm going away in three weeks time and would appreciate your advice.

Alison: If you're looking for the key fashion colours to be seen wearing this season, then you want metallics. Nails Inc and Leighton Denny both offer strong colours with a gorgeous metallic finish. OPI also have a stylish Designer Series Colour Duo, which fits this season's trends bang on.

However, if you want a colour that lasts the trends and flatters all tones and tans - I recommend a pink shade with a hint of lilac or blue. This is a top colour in nail bars and is both pretty and feminine. Pall Mall from Nails Inc is a fabulous example of this classic shade with its soft oyster pink shade with a slight luminescent shimmer.

  

For full and conditioned hair...

I'm a 28-year-old Asian girl and over the last year I've lost two thirds of my hair. I have an iron deficiency which is being treated but I would like to know what products to use to make my hair look full and well conditioned.

Alison: I think your hair will really benefit from our Ojon range. I recommend you use the Restorative Hair Treatment and the Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. Plus, you can also use any of the styling products in this thickening range.
 
Then once a week, I'd like you to use the SWA Hair Ritual kit. In this kit you'll get a hair cleanser, conditioner, leave-in treatment and eight pots of serum. This serum offers you a once-a-week scalp treatment that you put in the hair and scalp and then wash out. It's specifically for hair loss and hair weakness.

You may not even need to re-purchase this Hair Ritual kit, because if you're following your medical advice and this haircare advice, then the condition of your hair and scalp should improve.

View the full Ojon range.

On the best moisturiser for use on flights and in hot countries...

I'm a 21-year-old Asian. I currently use Liz Earle products. I'm going to India in the summer and needless to say it gets extremely hot - so much so that when I apply my moisturiser there, I just sweat it out. Along with the dehydration from the flight, this causes my skin to be dry all the time with dry flaky patches all over, especially around my eyes.

I would really like some advice on the best moisturiser to use during the flight, as my skin gets extremely dehydrated and itchy, as well as the best moisturiser to use while I'm out there.

Alison: You could actually use the same moisturiser in both instances, and the one I'd recommend is Prescriptives Super Flight Cream. You can apply this as a daily moisturiser, morning and night, and even as a mask, which you could do during your flight or when you have landed. You can also just press a little into your skin throughout the day, even through make-up, to keep the skin hydrated. It's so versatile - wear it under and over make-up, everyday or just when your skin feels dry.

For oily, sagging skin and on using mineral make-up...

I'm 51-years-old and menopausal (sweats!) with a very oily T-zone and cheeks. I love Elemis products but would like to know which ones would give me a proper routine. I also have sagging skin with deep ridges at either side of my mouth (not attractive!).

My other problem is with what make-up to wear - I love the idea of mineral make-up but whenever I try it, it seems to cake and accentuate my wrinkles. I HATE the smell of lavender which seems to rule out so many products.

Alison: When mineral make-up cakes and accentuates the pores, it's usually a sign that your skincare routine isn't right. When you use a really good mineral make-up - and we only stock the really good ones - then this shouldn't happen. Our easiest ones to use are from Laura Geller.

It's also crucial that you wear a primer underneath your make-up, especially at your age, to create a smoothing effect. Laura Geller Spackle Under Make Up Primer is great at calming down the look of redness with its slight lilac tone. Plus, it contains aloe vera and creates a lovely calming feeling on irritated skin.