About Alison Young

Beauty is so much more than a job for Alison! After her beauty therapy training, she worked in beauty salons, trained an elite team at Clarins and finally worked as Head Therapist at the exclusive Grayshott Hall health spa. In 1995 Alison joined QVC to offer her no-nonsense beauty advice. She lives in Surrey with her husband, Simon.

Favourite Colour?
Blue. I wear it a lot and always choose blue horse rugs.

Favourite Food?
I love coffee éclairs, though I'm not allowed them, and shepherd's pie with cheesy topping.

Favourite Film?
National Velvet and International Velvet - I'm a pony mad girl and always will be.

Favourite Book?
My Friend Flicker, I've read it about 30 or 40 times. It's the start of a series by Mary O'Hara about the love a boy has for his horse. I still read the same copy I've had since I was 8 or 9 years old, and it still makes me cry!

Do you have any pets?
Two dogs called Zack and Ziggy, and five horses. There's Alliarna (a nickname the directors have for me) and Figo (after the footballer), who were both born after Today's Special Value launches, and Poppy, Carriotta and Quanda.

What do you enjoy doing?
Everything and anything to do with horses - I do all the hard work myself, from breaking them in to harrowing fields. I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

What's the first record you ever bought?
Either an Elvis Priestly or David Bowie one. As a child I was a massive fan of them both.

What can't you live without?
My husband, my horses and my dogs. Beauty-wise it would be moisturisers - for lips, face, hands or body. When I go away I take more skincare than clothes.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
Yes - for me and my husband it was love at first sight. He badgered me with messages and tried to order me from QVC! He eventually got my number from Julia Roberts.

What's been your silliest moment at QVC?
Slipping on fake tan and breaking my wrist. I knew I'd broken it, but it was the Ojon launch that afternoon which I didn't want to miss, so I worked all day before going to hospital.

What's the scariest thing you've ever done?
Being thrown off a horse is frightening - that second in the air when everything's in slow motion and you're wondering what's going to happen. I always get back on though.

Comments

[Danielle Brownhill]

HI i am 26 year old female, i have problems with my skin, its very dry on my t section, and nothing is working i have tried Liz Earle, the problem i have is if i use cleanser and toner my spots play up, if i use nothing on my skin at all my spots stay under control but the dry skin is really bad, i dont no what else to try and its driving me mad, i would be really greatful if u could help me.
Many thanx

Danielle

[charlotte]

I am 29 years of age and I am struggling endlessly to tackle the fine lines around my eyes and very tired looking eyes. I have tried so many lotions and potions which all seem to have failed miserably. I've tried Liz earl, clinique, chanel and many more. I would like to try Decleor would this be suitable? Please help!

Charlotte

[maureen pettitt]

Hi,I have been ill recently and have very dry split ends and thinning hair,I am not sure do I choose to buy Ojon products or Philip Kingsley products please help me choose

[Ritu Singh]

Hi Alison, my son has become a teenager and has very dry facial skin with a few "rough" patches. The central heating does not help. Wondered if you could recommend something specific for teenage skin that is not too girlie.

Many thanks.

Ritu

[LYNNE BROWN]

Hi alison i am struggling to find a lipstick that will stay on tried loads can you help me please am getting married in july for the second time around so want to look my best
hope you can help me lynne brown in cumbria

[Elizabeth Smith]

Hi Alison
I just wondered how I could slot the Elemis 45 day spa collection into my routine.
I am 31 years old, with combination skin, prone to congestion with medium/large pores. My skin has much improved since using Decleor. My current routine is Decleor Combi Skin Cleanser and Toner, in day Ultrasun, Sarah Chapman Eye Recovery, Neroli Oil, Prolegene, Hydrafloral and at night Sarah Chpman Eye, Neroli, Prolegene, Decleor Night Cream. Weekly I use Philosophy Micro Delivery Peel and Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask and Gatineau Mask on Eyes and Neck.I also use Gatineau neck gel and cream morning and night.
I am currently on a weight loss program and fancy trying the bliss capsules followed by the liquid radiance. How can I slot them into this routine as I cannot live without using Neroli Oil. Could they be slotted in after or before Neroli? Thanks very much. Liz

[Kim Dainty]

Hi Alison.I have a very good skin care regime and am always being told that at 46 I look 10 years younger than both my two younger sisters. I absolutely adore the elemis range. I have a 5 year old daughter who always watches mommy clean her face but the problem is that now she refuses to wash her face because mommy doesn't. Can you suggest a cleansing routine that would be gentle enough for her to use. I really would like her to inherit my good skin if nothing else.
Many thanks
Kim in Birmingham.

[Laura Bryan]

Hi Alison,
Can I use liquid gold on face if I have moles?
Many thanks,
Laura

[Aisha Chaudhry]

Hi Alison,

I am 29 will be turning 30 this year and really want to sort out my skin, i have dry cheeks with oily t zone and on the hairline area along with black and white heads on my nose, i am asian so the spots i get leave scars on my face and have dark circles despite drinking so much water and sleeping well, please advise a skincare line for my face to bring freshness and to calm down my breakouts, i would really appreciate this. Thank you so much Aisha

[Carol]

Hi Alison, my hair is moderately long and is greasy.
If I wear it down it needs a wash the next day. As my hair gets longer I think I will need to wash it every day - and I dont always have time for this. What is the best product to use?

Any advice would be most welcome

[H Ali]

Hi Alison,
I always watch your shows and you really are a god send!! I'vve been using the Alpha H Clear Complexion Kit and also the Trilogy Resurfacing kit and just wanted to know how soon will I see a difference in the pigmentation marks that I have on my cheeks and jawline and what else you could recommend for me? I have olive asian skin.

Many thanks

[Bareena Cummins]

Hi Allison,
I am 43 with dryish mature olive skin, very hooded eyes - you can't see my eyelids at all, it looks like under the eyebrows has swollen and just dropped. There is a lot of crepiness on the eyelids, probably as a result and I have diagonal dark blue lines from the tear-ducts of the eyes.
Can you help? Is it Decleor Excellence (or Experience) De L'Age Eye Cream and Eye Serum I should be using or Gale Hayman Youth Lift Gravity Defying Eye Cream or perhaps something else? And what about the dark blue lines? Pleease help! Many many thanks

I currently use an eyecream, and do not have any lines or wrinkles but it is not helping with the hooded eyes,crepiness or dark blue lines.

[Mary Margaret Doyle]

Hi Alison,
I am three months pregnant and am wondering if its ok for me to use the Decleor Today's Special Value during pregnancy? I know I can use the prolagene gel but can I also use the system corps and is it safe to use neroli essential oil. I am getting a little paranoid about what I can and can't use so would be delighted to get your advice.
Many thanks,
Mary.

[Edna Wood]

Hello Alison
I broke my wrist before Christmas and have just had the plaster off. Will it help the stiffness and slight aching if I use Arnica please?
Regards
Edna Wood

[Anusha Patel]

Hi Alison

I am 39years of age, I bought the Decleor TSV this month and I have been using it ever since, its great. I would like to try Decleor for the face. Could you please recommend a Decleor product/s that I can use. I have dry to combination skin. I also have aging spots in the area below the eye above the cheek, the skin breaks out with red spots and then they leave aging marks. I have dry patches on the face but its usually not visible once I put moisturiser on the face. I have dark patches under the eyes too.

[shantirajah@blueyonder.co.uk]

Hi Allison,
I am 64years of age,and have young looking skin. I am an insulin dependent diabetic and on medication for high blood pressure. In the last 18th months I developed an allergic dematitis to teatree oil, nutmeg, mint and allergens of limonene and terpentine were also found on the skin and only recently diagnosed with eczema, mainly present on the face around the eyes andon either side of the neck.I have been shopping with QVC for almost 13years Please recommend suitable head to toe productsas I have used most products Kind Regards Shanti rajah

[Nazma Ahmed]

Hi Alison

please help I'm 34 years old, I have very sensitive dry skin. I bought Liz Earle's normal/combanation 11pce travel colletion a month ago, and I love it. My family and friends have notice the difference and have all complemented on how good I look. I am on a lot of medication as I have arthritis. My skin is still a bit dry and I have shiny/oily patches and spots on my forehead. Do I need to change the moisteriser? I also have extremely bad dark circles under my eyes. What is the best eye cream to use on an asian skin? I Find heat realy helps me alot with my condition. Is there something I can use on my face and hair when I use the suana and the steam room? because i use the them 4 to 5 times a week. I can't use products with alcohol in for religious reasons.

[j burns]

Hello Alison
Could you please assist me in choosing a powerful and fast acting gel or cream for my eyes.
I am 35 years old but due to years of sunbed abuse have the eyes of a much, much older woman - I have very deep lines the length of my whole lower eye area, lots of small fine lines and crepey skin. You will be glad to hear I stopped using sunbeds about a year ago but the abuse has well and truly taken its toll. I now use Decleor Cleansing Milk, Tonifying Lotion and move between Aromessence Neroli and Iris. I also use Bare Escentuals Medium foundation and Bisque concealer. This has all had great results on my skin but my eyes are desperately in need of help. My skin is combination - I sometimes have a greasy t-zone, dry cheeks and open pores.Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Jenny from Shetland]

Hi Alison, I am 51 and am confused between the Decleor experience and excellence ranges. I love the prolagene gel and the oils. My skin has always felt dry and I have supposedly had rosacea for years, tho' the spots are painful, hard, angry lumps on my chin and around my nose which scar,appearing every 6 weeks or so, not the typical rash you are supposed to have with rosacea. Antibiotics do help tho'.I have most of the Decleor range and most of the Elemis,I love them both, also the Sarah Chapman range. What do you suggest for my very awkward skin?

[Bethan Raistrick]

Hi Alison,

My partner has afro-caribbean skin and is adamant on using his own facial products ... that I'm convinced are the equivalent of paint stripper !!!
Being a huge fan of Decleor, Liz Earle, Elemis and all things QVC I have been desperately trying over the last few months to convert him to a skin friendlier range. After much Q&A sessions and mistrust, he eventually succumbed to a Liz Earle facial that I performed 2 weeks ago. and low and behold ... he liked it. The sceptic is now even pestering me for facials every week giving Liz Earle the major thumbs up!!!
The question I had to ask, he suffered terribly as a teenager and in his early twenties with acne and ingrowing hairs and he goes to the barbers on a weekly basis for a shave, so it would be pointless in me buying a kit with aftershave cream in it. I know Liz does her own male skincare range, but the kit that I think suits him most is the female kit which includes the Cleanse and Polish, Instant Tonic and Skin Repair. Is it ok to use this kit on mens skin or is it too "weak"???
Also, he now wants a facial wash. Does Liz do a full kit which includes the C&P, tonic, moisturiser and facial wash ??? and if so, what is the item no please.

Please respond, he's driving me crazy. I don't think I'll have any "me" time or products left. My only option is to get him his own kit!!!

Kind Regards,

Beth

[Morag Milne]

Hi Alison

I am 44 and I spend a lot of time outdoors as I have dogs and horses but I really want to protect the skin on my face but can't work out which order to put products on.
Do I put skincare on then SPF or the other way round? I always have some form of makeup on the top. I also tried to use a primer as well as sunscreen but that didn't work either. What do you do??

Thank you

[Caroline]

Hey Alison

PLEASE HELP ME! I'm 18 years old and last year I suffered a very angry acne breakout. Although the spots have gone, I am now left with lots of harsh dark purpley red marks all over my cheeks. This has really affected my confidence and I hardly go out any more. I have tried so many different products to treat and conceal these marks, but they either don't work or I've had to cake on so much concealer it's so obvious that everyone can see it. So I feel like I can't win. Can you please help me find a something that will help treat the marks and also what's the best concealer and foundation?
Thank you so much Caroline.

[g.geni]

Hi Alison
I have been using liquid gold and white gold on two brown patches on either side of my cheeks is it safe to use both everyday until the patchs go, or should i have a break and use moisturiser.

[Christine Yeates]

Hi Alison - My sister is a foster carer. At present she is looking after a baby on oxygen. She has very dry hands and cannot use a moisturiser that contains oil because of the hazard with oxygen. Can you suggest a handcream for her? Thanks

[linda pegram]

hi alison lv your shows ! got a problem with my eye area,i am 42 have always looked after my skin but as i am getting older i am not liking my eye area.at the moment i am using either elemis pro collogen when i can afford it ,elemis moisture day or gatineau,i have just started on my second pro collogen eye renual but am not really noticing alot of differance,as its quiet expensive,is there anything else i could try ?? my concern is not really wrinkles its the texture,underneath my eyes seems creapy and loose is there any products out there to help tighten up please help me alison thanks lin from cheshire x