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April 2010

Editor’s Letter (09.04.10)
I received a curious email last week, telling me about a striped nail varnish by the brand Models Own. According to the press release, the product was the result of “expert colour blending technology and years of revolutionary research.” The release went on to tell me that the “groundbreaking new formula applies a striped effect to your nails… No fiddly application here, just apply the shade of your choice and as if my magic, stripes will adorn your nails!” The launch date? You guessed it: April 1st. This was a well-thought out April Fool’s joke. I’d like to say that I fell for it, but the line that made me doubt it was: “We do not recommend applying to toes as a clinical trial showed that the polish had a mild hypnotic effect when used on feet.” I love a good April Fool’s joke and this one made the beauty industry laugh collectively – and after a year or two of recession doom and gloom, that can only be a good thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clinique. I’ve had a sneak preview of Clinique’s Spring/Summer collection, ‘Brandied Bronze’, and can confirm that the launch date of May 1st is well worth marking down in your diary. The jewel in the collection’s crown is the Eyeshadow Palette (£22.50), which contains six stunning colours to compliment a summer glow. With just a touch of shimmer, along with on-trend shades such as a dusky purple and vivid teal, it is well worth the investment. Whilst the True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer (£20) gives every skin tone a natural, enviable glow. I’ll be wearing the collection all summer. From May 1st at Clinique Counters Nationwide.

Leighton Denny. This summer, nail polish collections are looking very demure and sophisticated, with lots of nude, beige, and taupe tones. So when I caught sight of Leighton Denny’s ‘Notorious’ (£11) – a deep, daring teal blue – it certainly stood out from the crowd. I think the polish would look fabulous in the height of summer, worn with a white sundress and tan – and I will definitely be adding a bottle to my personal collection. Leighton Denny polishes are some of the best I have ever tried – they are vibrant, glossy, and impressively long-lasting. www.leightondenny.com

South Beach Rocks. I have fallen head over heels for this oversized, purple headband from cool accessories brand South Beach Rocks (£5.95). The colour is spot on for Spring/Summer, the satin fabric looks very luxe, and I think it would look equally good worn with cute summer dresses during the day and glammed up with heels and a formal dress for a summer wedding or day at the races. The price is incredible – so whilst I’m shopping online, I may well treat myself to a collection of the brand’s fun, affordable jewellery. Get it quickly, as I think it’ll be a sell-out. www.hqhair.com

ESPA. I love indulging in pampering facials, but spending up to £100 for up to an hour on a treatment bed is sometimes hard to swallow. So when I saw ESPA’s New Advanced Skin Renewal Collection retailed at only £62 (with a combined value of £78 if purchased separately), I knew it was a good deal. The set contains three full-size products that will transform dull, winter skin in time for the spring and summer months ahead – Refining Skin Polish, Eye Complex, and Super Active Tone and Firm Concentrate. Just as luxurious as the very best facial – and the pleasure will last far, far longer. www.espaonline.co.uk

L’Occitane. Not paid your feet much attention over the winter months? Now is the time to get them ready for flip-flop season – and your first priority is finding a really good foot cream. My personal favourite is L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Foot Cream (£16.50), which strikes the perfect balance between luxurious and effective. The rich Shea Butter base absorbs quickly, transforming rough soles to baby-soft smoothness. The minty scent refreshes and cools, whilst lavender essential oil purifies, and anti-inflammatory arnica reduces redness and irritation. The tube will last for months – and you will enjoy every single application… http://uk.loccitane.com

Blog: MAKEUP ARTIST LIZ PUGH – FROM PREMIER BEAUTY WORKSHOP – SHOWS US HOW TO ACHIEVE GLOWING SUMMER SKIN (09.04.10)
To give skin that little bit of extra help following from the winter months, use Chanel Beauty Initial: an energising multi protection fluid in Healthy Glow. It has a very slight hint of self-tan, so really warms your skin tone. Besides all of the other wonderful things it does, it is also a great product for achieving glowing skin. We all need that little bit of extra help coming out of the winter months! Don’t be scared of the self-tan in it – it is ever so natural.
Secondly, I have discovered the most amazing mask; Dr Kadir Matrix Gold Mask. It feels like such a treat, goes on like liquid gold, refines and moisturises the skin with amazing results. Start using this mask twice a week and you will see a difference in no time.
Makeup trends for Spring/Summer 2010 are for glowing skin, full of highlights, and not flat. On the runways, there was a trend for super-natural bronzed beautiful skin, so easily achieved with the right products and application. This trend suits everyone, at any age.
Start going lighter on your foundation. Use less and mix with a little moisturiser to give the effect of a tinted moisturiser, instead of a full base. Apply with your hands as you would your moisturiser to really massage it into your skin. It should never look like a mask, just beautifully enhanced skin. If you have good skin, just use a little concealer where needed. I love the new Metiers De Beaute concealer - it is so creamy and you can really blend it into your skin.
For me, skin should be luminous and glowing – especially in the spring, when the light is changing and isn’t so flat. Create highlights along the top of the cheekbones, by using either Nars Multiple in Copacabana or any of Becca’s wonderful skin illuminators. You can add a little to the cupids bow for extra pout appeal!
Number one rule - don’t use powder. If you have very oily skin, then try the blotting powders, or just a little powder over the T-Zone. You don’t want to look greasy - a Spring/Summer beauty no-no!
There are some fabulous bronzers on the market now. One of my favourites is Chanel Bronze Universal – a gorgeous cream/gel texture that gives the most beautiful glow. Sometimes powder bronzers leave the skin looking a little too flat, but this bronzer is perfect and I haven’t found anyone it doesn’t suit. Nars Multilpes in Cap Vert or Malaysia are also fantastic and look great washed over the eyes too.
Bronzers should be applied where the sun naturally catches the skin - across the forehead, over the cheeks and nose, and a little over the chin. It should never be applied to the whole face; it will just end up looking like a brown mask.
Add a little colour into your cheeks with Nars Multiple in Orgasm for a peachy pink look, Riviera, for a soft pink, or Portofino for a lovely coral. They are all beautiful and will give you the glow you need.
Lips should be matte and bright. My favourite shade is MAC Lady Danger: a fabulous orange-red for a real pop of colour. For a more natural look, try MAC Close To Real, which is my favourite nude shade.
To inject some serious summer colour, a wash of blue or lilac over the eyes is a great start. Nars and MAC have some great colours, with Rimmel London and Barry M offering more budget friendly choices. As an alternative, try coloured eyeliner swept along the top lash line. Think 1980’s - this trend is still around for Spring/Summer 2010, so you can really have some fun with it!
For more information on Liz’s workshops visit Premier Beauty Workshop at www.premierbeautyworkshop.com or call 0207 221 2333.

 

Breaking News: SELFRIDGES REPORT 80% RISE IN FAKE TAN SALES (09.04.10)
With the media reporting that this summer will the UK’s hottest since 1976, Selfridges – home to the largest beauty hall in the world – has revealed that sales of fake tan have risen by a whopping 80 per cent in store.
With hemlines set to rise as quickly as thermometers, it seems the British public are clamouring to get their legs ready for the warm spell. Amongst the fake tan brands being snapped up, are bottles from Fake Bake, Xen-Tan, and St Tropez – whilst body scrubs from Bliss, Kiehl’s and Clarins are also reported to be flying off shelves. Hair removal is also doing well, with sales of the gadget No! No! going through the roof of the iconic stores.
David Walker-Smith, Selfridges’ Buying Director of Beauty and Menswear says; “The predicted hot weather has definitely got Britain excited about getting their pins out sooner than expected! At Selfridges we know our customers like to look their best and we offer the best product and service range to make sure they do.”


The rise in sales has come slightly earlier compared to this time last year and is spear-headed by Manchester and Birmingham Selfridges stores, where one lead fake tan brand is selling 56 per cent more stock in the regions compared to London. Selfridges Manchester Exchange has responded to this demand by introducing a Xen-tan spray tan treatment, which provides a stunning olive tan in just ten minutes.
So it’s official – white, pasty pins are no longer in fashion. We’ll be racing you to the beauty counters in time for the heat wave…

 

Treatment Review: PINKS BOUTIQUE INDONESIAN MANICURE (09.04.10)
What it promises: More than the average manicure, this thoughtfully researched Indonesian themed treatment has been devised by the husband and wife team at Pinks Boutique after many trips to the Far East. It uses organic minerals and natural oils in products specially blended in the UK to condition hands, nails and cuticles, combining them with deep massage and acupressure techniques to wipe out stress and promote good circulation and healthy nail growth. The treatment also includes a mini relaxing head and shoulder massage and an Eastern-inspired massage for feet to help boost wellbeing and leave you with a spring in your step!
What happens: The treatment is billed as more of an experience than a traditional manicure, so I was taken by my therapist into a deliciously scented therapy room to have my manicure complete with luxury massage-style chair. First my feet were cleansed using lime oil-infused water served up in an authentic Indonesian bowl, and then, while listening to soothing Eastern-style music, my hands and nails were cleansed using fresh lime and a hand soak with sweet orange blossom. The serious work of sorting my cuticles and buffing the backs and palms of my hands then got underway. The therapist used a cuticle oil with rose oil, which seemed to have an instant softening effect – and a hand exfoliant with dead sea crystals, which I watched lift away dry flaky skin. Next came my favourite bit: the full arm and hand massage which lasted a blissful 10 minutes, and then, while the oils soaked into my hands and nails, I was treated to a mini head and shoulder massage that worked miracles on my aching neck and I didn’t want to end! Finally, my hands and feet were coated with the moisturising shea butter loaded balm that helps seal in moisture and my hands were given one coat of clear polish to complete the natural look. I was then left alone to relax for five minutes or so with a calming fruit tea blend!
The Results: My nails looked brighter and fresher for days after the treatment and the skin tone of my hands improved too. This is not an express treatment or a regular manicure and something you’d have to set time aside to have as a pampering treat – but it is well worth it and a great gift idea for stressed out friends and family!
Price: £43 for 75 minutes.
Location: The Beauty Studio Medi Spa, 31 Hutton Road, Shenfield, Essex, CM15 8JU. www.thebeautystudiomedispa.com or 01277 230330. For other salons, visit visit www.pinksboutique.com.

Feature: MAKEUP ARTIST – SPRING/SUMMER 2010 KITS (09.04.10)
We’ve spoken to six of the UK’s top makeup artists to find out which colours, cosmetics, lotions, and potions have made it into their kits for Spring/Summer 2010.

CASSIE LOMAS
Cassie Lomas, makeup artist and spokesperson for Bourjois, shares her Spring/Summer essentials.
To give an instant lift to pale winter skin, I swear by St. Tropez Bronzing Spray for the face and body. A quick spritz of this spray in the morning promotes a subtle healthy looking golden glow.
To banish dark circles and signs of fatigue I love Bourjois' new Healthy Mix Concealer. It covers well with its creamy texture and conceals blemishes effectively. I also like to update my kit with a lightweight moisturising cream, which is always useful to prep models skin before makeup. My latest one is by a french brand called Embryolise – it’s a favourite of models all around the world too.
In order to promote a lovely dewy glow to the skin, I use Shu Uemura Shimmer Mousse as a primer, before applying foundation. For spring and summer, I favour cheek tints, which tend to be lighter than powder versions and last all day.
Daniel Sandler's Watercolours for cheeks offer the perfect combination of longlasting waterproof cheek colour and amazing shades. I regularly swap my mascaras and I’m always on the look out for the latest innovations. Bourjois' new Volume Glamour Ultra Care is my new favourite, as it’s especially formulated for sensitive eyes, with a gentle formula that nourishes the lashes and gives them full volume too. Another product from Bourjois that promises to give an instant update to the new season is So Laque Ultra Shine in Tangerine Fatal, a wonderful on trend hot coral.
For hair, I love Bumble Bumble Surf Spray - it gives a lovely effortless texture to locks, which is perfect for my shoots!
Finally, I'm a big fan of Batiste Dry Shampoo, as its great for freshening up models’ hair on shoots – and they have just launched a version for brown and black hair, so there’s no more tell-tale powder marks!
Visit www.bourjois.co.uk

MELISSA EVANS
Makeup artist Melissa Evans - Co-Founder and Director of makeup for ClickMakeover.com - gives us an insight into her essential kit for the season ahead.
Fresh, dewy skin always looks great in the springtime and I tend to swap heavier foundations for lighter textures. I will make sure that I have plenty of Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturiser in my kit and her new oil free formula is perfect as the weather warms up.

For jobs where I want to give the skin more of a glow, I will be packing Rodin Olio Lusso, which can be massaged into the cheekbones after moisturising for added lustre.
Coral is a big trend this year, and I have raided the Bobbi Brown counter to get the Cabana Corals collection. The new Pot Rouge in Caba Coral is a fresh way to add a hint of coral to almost any skin tone.
Adding new nail varnishes to my kit is a spring ritual. I always look out for Barry M’s latest nail varnishes, as they are usually bang on trend – and new launch ‘Coral’ is spot on for the spring, when its time to ditch dark nails for something a litter brighter.
I will also be adding new Chanel nail varnish Particuliere to my kit – and this is also the go-to brand for on-trend, neutral eye make p. Les 4 Ombres De Chanel in Kaska Beige is beautiful and I expect I will using it a lot for jobs over the next few months.
Spring may be about lighter makeup, but I am never without mascara – and Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara definitely lives up to the hype.
I love Bobbi Browns Shimmer Brick in the new Nectar shade - other brands may have imitated this iconic product, but I think the Bobbi Brown version is still the best.
I have started to use the new Nars Orgasm illuminator and it’s as addictive as the original Nars Multiple, which is a perennial favourite for spring and summer looks.
And finally, for a touch of girly chic, I will be using some of the new MAC Give Me Liberty of London range – gorgeous packaging and lovely colours – what’s not to like? I’m using the lipglosses in Frankly Fresh and English Accent.
Visit www.clickmakeover.com

DANIEL SANDLER
Top Celebrity Makeup Artist Daniel Sandler tells us what will be making it into his kit for spring and summer.
Sisley Sunleya Age Minimizing Sun Protection SPF 15 works perfectly underneath anyone’s makeup who is spending time outside - especially models on shoots and any bride who will could be out in the sunshine. This product also acts as a great face primer.
I apply Bourjois Mineral Matte foundation as a finishing touch to fix makeup or use it as an on-the-go touch-up on shoots.
Slendertone for Face is great for use before makeup application. It helps tone the face and neck and gives the illusion of a mini facelift. It works wonders in a very short time.
Clarisonic Facial Cleansing System used before makeup application removes dead skin cells and improves blood circulation – so you need only apply a little blusher to look healthy. It peps up even the most lacklustre of complexions. This cleansing system has changed how my own skin looks – it’s amazing!
Daniel Sandler Tangerine Lip Shine lipstick SPF15 has a wonderfully sheer and shiny orange tone that nourishes and protects lips. It suits every skintone.
I love Omorovicza Sun Kiss Bronzer Lotion for face, because it gives the most naturally tanned finish – and when used on its own, you can skip foundation. The colour is natural and convincing as a real tan. I use it on myself when going out at night and want to look super-healthy.
Liz Earle Superskin Eye and Lip Treatment is a great product to revitalise fine lines and skin texture on lips and under-eyes. You only need a little bit to thoroughly hydrate skin and help under-eye concealer to not cake or separate.
Estée Lauder Black Smoke Signature Quad eye shadows will definitely make it into my kit this spring. I love the sexy, smoky shades - they are so easy to apply and each shade works so well to go from subtle and sexy, to seriously smoky and stunning in an instant.
Dior Long Wearing Nail lacquer in Violet Argent is wonderfully lilac, yet mysteriously expensive-looking with silver grey highlights.
Glo Minerals Globody Glisten looks incredible on bronzed or pale skin. You have to try this lotion, becuase it makes skin look like a million dollars. Each time I apply it to a celebrity, they look like they’re off to grab an Oscar.
Finally, Clinique Instant Lift For Brows is my favourite brow filler. The Soft Blonde is especially good, as it’s not too orange, which is often the case with this shade from other brands. Plus the brow highlighter makes this a must-have essential item.
Visit www.danielsandler.com

CHASE ASTON
The Body Shop’s International Makeup Artist Chase Aston gives us an insight into the products he will be using this season.
After I have cleansed and toned, I always use Clinique’s new All About Eyes Serum - this amazing gel instantly reduces tired and puffy eyes.
Flawless, natural looking skin is key, so I always prepare and prime the complexion using Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer. Smooth it all over the face and neck, and allow it to fully absorb.
For a radiant, matte complexion, I adore Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF15. I apply it using The Body Shop Foundation Brush, which gives a flawless, natural finish.
My favourite pressed powder at the moment is Sisley Phyto-Poudre Compacte in Transparent Matte. This super fine, light pressed powder sets the foundation, whilst allowing the skin to breathe and look fresh and natural.
To create an elegant nude eye look, I use Givenchy Le Prisme Yeaux Island Camaieu Eye-Shadow Palette in Island Sun. These divine natural golden hues can be used to shape, shade, and contour the eyes for the perfect nude look.
My makeup always has a pop of bright colour, so I love The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes in Palette 19. These four fabulous shades can be applied dry for a sheer, seamless, shimmering finish, applied with a damp eye-shadow brush to create intense accent colours, or mixed together to re-create this seasons retro 70’s eye trend.
For fabulous lashes in one swipe, I am lusting after Lancome’s new Hypnose Drama Mascara in Black - an absolute makeup must have!
My favourite brow pencil is the new Clinique Instant Lift For Brows – a duo brow pencil and highlighter pen. Use it to shade brows naturally and highlight along the brow bone.
My makeup must-have for lips is The Body Shop LipScuff Exfoliator, which I always use to remove any dry and flaky skin from the lips. To moisturise and prep the lips before any lip colour, I smooth Sisley Re-Nutriv Lip Balm all over.
For a sheer, natural look for the day, I love The Body Shop Love Gloss Lip Gloss in 02 Golden Coral and Christian Dior Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in 556-Coral Fantasy.
To re-create the perfect elegant nude lip look I love Estee Lauder Michael Kors very Hollywood Lipsheen/Lipstick in Honey Blonde, so elegant yet so modern shade that compliments all that wear it.

LYNN TAYLOR
Celebrity Makeup Artist Lynn Taylor shares her essentials for Spring/Summer 2010.
As the days are brighter (hopefully) and fabrics we wear lighter and brighter, makeup for spring/summer 2010 should be simple, fresh, healthy with more focus for colour on the lips and cheek.
I will be using shades of mink, neutral and earth tones, a touch of forest green, and lavender/grey hues. For lips, barley-there nudes, dynamic pinks, diva reds, or Victorian blood vampire stains.
Products that give radiance and luminosity to the skin are still big in the summer. Switch your foundation for a tinted moisturiser and be more daring with cheek colour. Products that are multi-functioning have SPF, skin benefits; lip plumping effects and that feel luxurious are a must.
A touch of bronzer worn with a blush colour will give a ‘I’ve just been lying by the pool’ glow. I like Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder and NARS Laguna (a classic colour for slight bronzing effect). Be careful when applying bronzers, which should in my opinion NOT be used all over the face, (this will look too flat and muddy. Use them only on the cheekbones, across the bridge of the nose and the temples, and the décolletage, bare shoulders, under the jaw line occasionally.
A light, brightening eye cream, such as the Shiseido Hydro-Powder adds a touch of colour to enhance the eyes – and the shimmer effect flatters Spring/Summer looks.
Finish with a pink or red pout. The right red can be stunning against sun-kissed skin – and, of course, lashings of mascara. Good buys include DIOR Addict Lip Colour in Pink Lust, NARA Lip Gloss in Easy Lover, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte, in Provocative Pink, Dior Skinflash Primer, and Hourglass Prodigy Lip Gloss in Pulse (golden strawberry).
For eyes, treat yourself to Lorac Starry Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Palette and Shisheido Makeup Eccentuating Stick In Rouge Flush (great on cheeks and lips), Makeup Hydro-Powder, a fabulous creaseless cream eye colour in Goldlights, Aqua Shimmer and Violet Visions, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder and NARS Laguna.

 

ATHENA SKOUVAKIS
Take tips from makeup artist Athena Skouvakis on creating the perfect Spring/Summer look.
A colourful pout is a big trend for Spring/Summer 2010 - and red is the colour that must be in every girl’s makeup bag. It instantly adds glamour to your look. My favourite is Collection 2000's Volume Boost lipstick in Red Red. It has a true 1950’s feel and leaves lips feeling moist and plump, with a semi matte finish.
Black Kohl Eyeliners are also essential to intensify your eye makeup for day or evening. Kohl Pencils are softer than regular pencil liners, so you get a much bolder effect. Just line and smudge for a no-fuss smoky eye. My favourite is the Magic Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Black by Givenchy. It has a waxy finish and helps glide over the eyelid and is super soft, so great for sensitive eyes.
Glowing skin was everywhere on the catwalk for Spring/Summer. To achieve this at home, use self-tanners. They can be used a few times a week to achieve a healthy-looking glow. The Self Tanning Lotion & Colour Dial by PIZ BUIN is a self-tanning lotion that can be customized to your own needs and is great for hesitant self tanners. It allows you to put colour control in your own hands. The PIZ BUIN Self Tanning Shimmering Lotion is also great for a quick fix for summer parties.
Makeup wipes are always in my kit and I love Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Wipes. They are oil-free and even remove waterproof mascara.
Finally, concealer is always a good trick after a few late nights and Collection 2000 Illuminating Touch Concealer does just the trick. It hides any dark circles, is available in 3 different shades, and comes in a pen with a brush so is very easy to use and at a great price.

 

Tried & Tested – FAIRTRADE BEAUTY PRODUCTS (09.04.10)
Embrace your green side this spring, by switching your regular products to eco-friendly alternatives. We’ve tested six Fairtrade beauty products.

YES TO CARROTS C THRU THE DRY SPELL DELICIOUSLY RICH BODY BUTTER, £6.99 (www.yestocarrots.com)
Fair Trade credentials: The Yes To Carrots crew have set up non-profit organisation, Yes To Carrots Seed Fund, to help provide under-served communities to create self-sustaining organic food sources.
What they say: This cream blend includes carrot seed oil and juice, Pumpkin and Dead Sea Mud, and promises to be ideal for very dry skin.
The Results: The cream felt very rich and I was worried that it would be too greasy even for my dried-up old skin – but after rubbing it in, the cream absorbed immediately. It left my skin feeling moisturised and silky-soft - a new experience for me! The smell wasn’t cloying like some 'dry skin' creams, but actually quite refreshing and zingy. The only negative thing I would say about it, was that the plastic film on the top was really awkward to remove - coming off in little pieces. If they could sort that, it would pretty much be a perfect product. My skin loved it and I would definitely use again!

 

LUSH FAIR TRADE FOOT LOTION £7.95 (www.lush.co.uk)
Fair Trade credentials: Fresh, homemade bath and body products, which are ethical, against animal testing, and kind to the planet. Lush is big on sourcing sustainable palm oil and raising awareness of the devastating impact palm-oil exports is having on the rainforests. For this foot lotion, fair trade organic butter has been bought from Concado - a small group of Dominican small-scale farmers.
What they say: Keeps your little piggies soft, supple and minty. Minty revitalization for feet with fairly traded cocoa butter. Spearmint and peppermint essential oils relieve aches and cool hot feet again.
The Results: I love the small, travel-friendly tub, which was covered with interesting information about Concado and Fair Trade. The creamy lotion smelt lovely and minty as promised, and has a cute bubble-gum shade of pink! This soothed and revitalised my tired tootsies after being stuffed in socks and boots all day, and I’d recommend this to everybody. You can actually feel the silky lotion working its minty magic for ages after too. Great price, packaging, smell, look and feel. I was even tempted to taste a bit (but held back).

 

OJON RUB OUT DRY CLEANSING POWDER, £16. (www.ojon.co.uk)
Fair Trade credentials: This ‘wild-crafted’ beauty range uses naturally-derived and responsibly sourced raw ingredients found in the world’s rainforests and provides a steady source of income for the indigenous groups that harvest them. A portion of revenues also goes to the Miskito Indian tribes to help preserve the rainforests and their traditional lifestyle.
What they say: Refreshes and recharges hair and scalp without water and helps eliminate excess oil and product build-up, increasing hair volume at the root.
The Results: I wash my hair every two days, so a product that cleanses and re-volumises between washes would be very welcome on my bathroom shelf. This powder comes in an easy-to-apply tube. Once you massage it into the scalp, you need to brush your hair for further distribution. The powder proved a bit difficult to work evenly through the hair with the brush and left my hair feeling quite dry. It did, however, look like I had just washed it, so I would save it for bad hair days or when I was in a hurry.

 

GREENPEOPLE BODY BLISS MOISTURISING BODY LOTION DIVINE ROSE! £17.50 (www.greenpeople.co.uk)
Fair Trade credentials: The first company in the world to supply organic fair trade shea butter employment (providing a fair wage and good working conditions for a community of 600 women), they also buy fair trade organic cocoa from small-scale farmers, and organic essential oils from cool, local projects in India and South Africa.
What they say: This award-winning body lotion restores skin softness and elasticity. Light, natural and divinely scented with Rose, its perfect for smothering all over the body after a shower or bath and leaves skin gently scented.
The Results: I wasn’t sure about the scent when I first smelt it – you will either love it or hate it. For those that like deeply floral scents, this lotion will be a rosy, fragrant dream, but if not then it might be a tad overpowering. The texture is lovely and creamy and the scent toned down as soon as it was applied to skin. It absorbed quickly and left my skin feeling very soft and smooth. I liked the packaging too and the pump makes it economical and easy to apply.

 

LAVERA SELF-SHIMMERING SPRAY. £15.50 (www.lavera.co.uk)
Fair Trade credentials: The Lavera brand includes more than 300 natural and organic skin care products. Raw plant materials from certified organic agriculture are used from fair trading and Third World projects, along with environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. Ingredients are so natural managers actually taste them at the company plant!
What they say: Easy to apply and easily absorbed, this is an eco-friendly choice for those searching for a skin-friendly, natural-looking tan that’s free from synthetic ingredients.
The results: I’ve never used self-tan before, so I was worried about ending up blotchy or tangoed – but it put my mind at rest to know that the product was organic, so would surely be forgiving to my skin. The product was easy-to-use, with a surprisingly pleasant fragrance (I’d heard most smell like marmite) and the delicate shimmer boded well. Three to five hours later, even after a shower, my ordinarily pasty white legs were not orange as feared, but did look like they might actually be presentable in a skirt. I’ll need to work on my ‘even distribution’ but will definitely give it a go and, who knows, I might even be able to put the tights away this summer.

PRIMAVERA SLEEP THERAPY ROLL-ON LAVENDER. £11.24. (www.primaveralife.co.uk)
Fair Trade credentials: Primavera is big on environmental and social health. It believes in ethical business practices and pays fair prices to farm partners and suppliers worldwide. They also nurture long-term, supportive relationships with individuals
What they say: If you have trouble sleeping, apply the roll on to temples, earlobes, wrist and chest. Organic Lavender Fine Essential Oil is deeply soothing and calming.
The Results: I liked the stylish packaging of this product – although I would expect that from the price tag – and had high hopes that it would help me sleep soundly on a night flight across the Atlantic. It had a pleasant, calming scent – and I definitely felt relaxed and calm. Unfortunately, however, it made no odds when it came to reaching the land of nod. I still had to take a sleeping tablet! The smell was not that strong and when I woke up later in the night, it didn’t linger. However, it was easy to apply and I liked the animal-friendly logo on it. I’d use it again when I wanted to de-stress.

 

Tried & Tested: CREAM BLUSHERS (02.04.10)
Add a pretty, radiant glow to your complexion this spring with an easy-to-blend cream blusher.

 

 

ESTÈE LAUDER SATIN CRÈME BLUSH IN CORAL LIGHT, £23 (www.esteelauder.co.uk) crème
What they say: Smoothes on as a cream, finishes as a luminous powder. Sculpts, highlights, and adds dimension. Enhances skin's healthy glow with soft shimmer. Buildable, extended-wear colour stays true. Won't streak or settle into fine lines.
The Results: Like all Estee Lauder products, the packaging makes this blusher worth the purchase alone - and I was really impressed with the size of the product too. I liked the texture, which glided smoothly onto skin (I followed the advice to blend while foundation was still wet), yet quickly becomes matte like a powder as it settles. Although I think this colour is slightly too dark for my pale English-Rose complexion, it would suit darker skin tones and also boost a tan during the summer months. I hate glitter in beauty products, as it tends to settle in my fine lines and I think it’s quite a young look – so I was very relieved to discover that this product was completely free of sparkle!
Best for: A sophisticated, grown-up look

 

LAURA MERCIER CRÈME CHEEK COLOUR IN OLEANDER, £18 (0800 1234000)
What they say: Formulated to provide translucent buildable coverage for long lasting, wearable colour, while creating naturally flushed looking cheeks with a soft, velvety finish. The silky powder allows ample play time before the product dries.
The Results: I’ve tried Laura Mercier’s bath products before, which are very luxurious, but I’ve never tried her makeup range. After trying this blusher, I am converted and want to try everything else in the collection! The blusher is very, very soft and melts like butter as you sweep your finger across it. This makes it really easy to blend into skin – and also leaves the complexion feeling smooth and hydrated. The colour is gorgeous – a pretty rose-pink that is perfect for the spring months ahead. I have an olive skin tone, but it looked equally good on my sister-in-law who has a very pale complexion. The size is very handy too – small and light enough to throw into your handbag, but with a mirror too.
Best for: A pretty spring look

 

CLINIQUE BLUSHWEAR CREAM STICK IN PEACHY BLUSH, £18.50 (www.clinique.co.uk)
What they say: Cream-to-powder finish. Lightweight and easy to use. This stick formula blusher is a new found favourite.
The Results: I use blusher every day, but have never used it in stick-form, so was intrigued to test this product. I must admit that I like the convenience of it – not having to bother with powder and a brush (that usually ends up down my top before I head for work) is a real novelty and cuts down vital minutes in the morning. I also liked the texture and found it very easy to blend into cheekbones, avoiding the telltale lines that sometimes appear when I’m in a hurry! However, having oily / combination skin, I think I prefer the texture of the powder blush, but the colour is spot-on and I think it would suit every skin tone. If you have better skin than me, you would also like the way it gave cheekbones a sheen. I will definitely recommend it to friends with normal or dry skin.
Best for: The convenience

 

NARS CREAM BLUSH IN LOKOUM, £19.50 (www.narscosmetics.co.uk)
What they say: Moisture-rich cream finish formula that provides smooth, silky color for naturally luminous skin. Delivers long-lasting color with a velvety texture and blends easily for healthy glowing skin.
The Results: I have black skin, which is always paler in the winter, and I need something to pick it up. This terracotta-toned blusher is absolutely perfect. It gave a lovely warm tone to my complexion and made me feel much healthier and more radiant! It’s very soft and was easy to blend into skin with a finger – I didn’t get line-marks, which often happens when I use powder blushers and a brush. Better still, it had really impressive staying power, lasting well into the evening. I liked the sleek, stylish packaging and found it very useful to have a mirror in my bag too. I would recommend it.
Best for: Long-lasting colour

 

LIPSTICK QUEEN OXYMORON MATTE GLOSS IN DEAFENING SILENCE, £18 (www.spacenk.co.uk)
What they say: Not only does Oxymoron offer your lips a lustrous look but it gives your cheeks a lift as well. Oxymoron is a clever must-have product that can be used day and night, office to party for all skin types and ages. It’s a must-have for every handbag. Just dab on your lips with your finger (or the mini lip brush included) then dab a little on the cheeks and you will glow like a character from a Jane Austen novel!
The Results: I was a bit dubious about using this product at first, as I was convinced it was a lip-gloss and thought it would feel gloopy and heavy on my skin. After being reassured that it also acted as a blusher, however, I have found that it’s the complete opposite! It has a much drier, more powdery texture than other cream blushers I’ve tried, which made it harder to blend. The effort is worth it though – I love the way it instantly perked up my complexion, giving the impression I had slept for eight hours the night before, when in fact my son kept me awake for most the night! I liked the way that I could slick it onto my lips too – it made the morning routine a bit simpler and with a toddler, anything that saves me a bit of time is a bonus! The packaging is very luxurious, but there’s no mirror, which would have been handy, as I could throw it in my handbag too.
Best for: Multipurpose use

 

CLARINS MULTI-BLUSH CREAM COMPACT IN FRAMBOISE – RASPBERRY, £16.50 (http://uk.clarins.com)
What they say: A powder cream, applied with fingertips, which in turn is a blusher, eye shadow and lip colour. Its ultra-fine, velvety cream-powder texture glides on effortlessly, giving a transparent, satin, incredibly luminous long-lasting finish. Suitable for all skin types, it's great for dehydrated skin.
The Results: I’m quite daring with my makeup, so I wasn’t surprised when I was selected to test this bright pink blusher! Despite my adventurous streak, I have pale skin and really didn’t think this would suit me. I’m very pleased I persevered! As soon as the soft, creamy blusher was blended into my cheekbones (I used my finger and it took just a couple of seconds) it softened and gave my skin a really gorgeous, rosy glow – definitely not bright enough to make me look like an 80’s raver, as I first feared! I’ve fallen head over heels in love with this product – it will work perfectly during spring and summer, when worn with a floral tea dress and big hair corsage! My only gripe is that it could do with a slightly larger mirror, but not even that is enough to put me off!
Best for: Warming up pale complexions

Spa Review: SHA WELLNESS CLINIC, SPAIN (02.04.10)
Location: SHA Wellness Clinic, Verderol 5, 03581 El Albir, Valencia, Spain. +34 902 995 335. www.shawellnessclinic.com
Facilities: The SHA Wellness Clinic is the world’s first macrobiotic retreat. It opened a year and a half ago and has already earned the accolade of ‘Best Spanish Spa’ by readers of SpaFinder – with its A-List status confirmed when Naomi Campbell and Kylie Minogue recently visited. Located 45 minutes from Alicante, overlooking the Spanish Mediterranean Sea, the clinic offers alternative health practices, natural therapies, healthy-ageing treatments, and medical as well as aesthetic medicine. Guests can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the Dead Sea salt water in the Flotarium – as well as the Aqua-Lab, which features a hydrotherapy circuit with powerful massage jets, alongside individual hydro Massage beds, where strategically placed jets gently massage the whole body underneath the water. The stunning spa offer a wealth of treatments, including nine different massages, wraps, facials and energising baths. It even has an Oxygen Bar, which helps release toxins from the body and activate skin cells. With natural therapies such as Acupuncture, Reiki, Hydro-Colon Therapy and even Laughter Therapy, SHA aim to find the cause or root of an illness - and not simply treat the symptoms. Each guest is given a personal programme for the duration of their stay, which includes a basic medical check up, Aesthetic consultation and one to one Macrobiotic consultation with inspirational counsellor Virginia Harper, who gives her assessment using an Oriental diagnosis. She prescribes a combination of nutrition and lifestyle to achieve optimum results as well as recommending one of the three tailored Menu plans, which range from weight loss to a la carte. Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have been two of the most famous devotees of the macrobiotic diet but any preconceived thoughts of strict and boring meals here are immediately dismissed by the varied, gourmet Mediterranean menu overseen by world leading macrobiotic expert and Director of Natural Medicine at SHA, Michio Kushi.
Ambience: SHA radiates peace and tranquility. The spa is built over 25,000 square metres, interconnected with bridges and designed in harmony with the landscape. Numerous gardens, large windows and spacious terraces connect guests to the surrounding nature. The mountain-view from the fifth-floor terrace is stunning - and with its white-canopied day beds surrounded by infinity pools and fountains, the design is Hollywood chic. The staff and therapists are friendly and attentive, going out of their way to make you feel that nothing is too much trouble. The spacious rooms are stylish, comfortable and tastefully decorated in neutral tones. Whilst the beds are so sumptuous that one guest even arranged to ship one home.
Treatment Tested: Deep Tissue Massage, 100 Euros / £90 for one hour
After some Chinese Bancha tea at the Spas Tea Bar, I was led to an immaculate treatment room that smelled evocatively of aromatherapy oils. My therapist pinpointed every knot and ache in my back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms and hands which she kneaded away expertly during the Deep Tissue massage. Afterwards my body felt lighter and more relaxed and I almost floated back to my room.
SHA bookings– Tel: 020 7644 6116 or infouk@shawellnessclinic.com. SHA can also be booked through Wellbeing Escapes (www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk, 0845 602 6202)
Award winning low fares airline Monarch offers flights to Alicante from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £46.50 one way (£76.99 return). For more information or to book, visit www.monarch.co.uk

Breaking News: ESTÉE LAUDER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN THE UK WITH LIMITED-EDITION SOLID PERFUME (02.04.10)
By Louise Emma Clarke
This year, Estée Lauder is celebrating 50 years in the UK at its first international counter at Harrods. To start the year of celebrations, the brand has launched a customised, limited-edition collectible compact, available exclusively at the iconic department store.
After opening its first international counter at Harrods in 1960, Estée Lauder launched the first of their now covetable solid perfume and powder compacts in 1963 – the Youth Dew Boutique Oval Compact. A selection of new designs has followed every year – and the 50th collection includes this beautiful hand-enameled timepiece with the Harrods logo intertwined with the Estée Lauder golden cartouche. It is filled with wonderfully classic Beautiful solid perfume.
The Estée Lauder Harrods Celebration Compact is available exclusively at Harrods London, while stocks last. Only 300 compacts have been created and it retails at £200.

 

Editor’s Letter (02.04.10)
If you haven’t read our Green Goddess feature, make sure you take time to have a read – it gives answers to all those ‘eco-beauty’ questions that you’ve always wanted to ask, gives advice on the ingredients we should be avoiding at all costs, and suggests a few eco-brands that deserve pride of place on any bathroom shelf. If it’s been a while since you last tried eco-friendly beauty brands, you might be surprised by how far it has come… My favourite brands include Jo Woods Organics for the silky scented shower gels that lace skin with rich, delicious scent, LUSH for their eco-friendly packaging and mouth-watering bath treats, Balance Me for the spa-quality body products that are rich in essential oils, and Living Nature for their effective, yet highly luxurious skincare. The choice of green brands is now vast, so there’s no excuse not to be kind to the earth – and your body. This Easter, why not ask for a bottle of heavenly, organic shower gel, instead of chocolate? It’ll cost the same – and you might just be converted…

Victoria Health. I never realised I needed a pair until I set eyes on them – and now I simply have to own them... Victoria Health has just launched Tweezers with Attitude (£2.99 each) and they make plucking just that little bit more interesting. The bright colours mean that we will locate them in seconds in the depths of our makeup bag – and, better still, we don’t have to compromise on quality, as beneath the bright exterior lies a pair of precision slant-tipped stainless steel tweezers that pick up every single hair. My favourite is Cheryl, who bears more than a passing resemblance to our favourite X-Factor judge. Get your pair quickly – as I predict they will sell out fast. www.victoriahealth.com

Shu Uemura. Remember those striking white-tipped lashes at PPQ’s Spring/Summer’10 show? Well, the look is no longer reserved for the catwalk, as we can now get our hands on a pair of limited-edition falsies (£25), created by PPQ’s design duo Amy Molyneux and Percy Parker. Available exclusively at Selfridges from April, there are few easier (or more affordable) ways to add a dusting of high-fashion to your look. Dress them up for a glamorous evening look (the room won’t be able to take their eyes off your flutter) or style them down for a quirky, fun daytime look. Selfridges London and Manchester Trafford. Call 0800 123400.

Cult Beauty. I haven’t plucked up the courage to try it out yet, but if you are feeling confident, you can now purchase your very own Bed of Nails from Cult Beauty… Well, kind of… The Sun Mat (£55) is in fact made up of 6000 non-toxic plastic spikes and work in a similar way to acupuncture needles, helping to release oyxtocin and endorphins (the body’s own ‘happiness’ drug). At first, you are recommended to lay a sheet over it and stay on the bed for just 10 minutes, gently building it up to 20-30 minutes. It’s said to promote a good night’s sleep – so if you are suffering from insomnia, aches, pains, or feeling stressed, it’s well worth investing. www.cultbeauty.co.uk

This Works. Starting to worry about revealing your cleavage as the temperature starts to rise this summer? No need to despair, as one of my favourite brands – This Works – have launched a ‘Bosom Buddies’ deal for spring. When you buy two bottles of Perfect Cleavage this March or April, you will only pay £60 (usual price is £35 per bottle). The product contains Larch extract, yellow Algae and Pomegranate oil to promote firmness and moisturise the skin – along with Brazilian Murumuru butter to add a touch of shimmer to the décolletage. Better still, every purchase gains you an entry to a competition to win one of ten silver Dogeared Good Karema bracelets. www.thisworks.com/bosombuddies

Jane Iredale. It’s not often that you hear about a makeup range receiving the Seal of Approval from The Skin Cancer Foundation - but that’s exactly what’s happened to Jane Iredale, with five of the brand’s most popular products being recommended as effective UV sunscreens. The mineral makeup brand received the approval for PurePressed Base, Amazing Base, Dream Tint SPF 15 Tinted Moisturiser, LipDrink Lip Balm and Powder-Me SPF Face & Body Powder. Treat yourself to the products – and feel safe in the knowledge that your skin is totally protected. 020 8450 711

 

Feature: GREEN GODDESS (02.04.10)
Immerse yourself in all things green and eco-friendly this spring… After all, combining our love for beauty and the planet can only be a win-win situation.

 

ECO WHAT?
Environmental, sustainable, ecological, and green, are all popular buzzwords these days - but what does it actually all mean for the beauty world?
Essentially, eco beauty can be defined as respecting ourselves, each other and the planet. Oh, and an appreciation that nature and we are integrally connected. Knowing that what we are smearing and absorbing onto our skin, body and features is not harmful to nature or us makes all the difference!
“Taking a holistic approach to skincare is to look at the bigger picture of what makes skin healthy or unhealthy” says Star Khechara, holistic practitioner and author of The Holistic Beauty Book, £12.95 (www.greenbooks.co.uk). “Using this viewpoint, it would be impossible to dismiss the ecological side to beauty; we are linked to our environment after all and depend upon it for our survival.”
“Every industry is being asked to become more responsible in its treatment of natural resources, let us vote with our purse to ensure that our skincare is not going to cause damage to us or our environment,” says Star. “After all what is the point of taking good care of your skin if there is no planet left for us to live on?”

 

WE ARE WHAT WE ABSORB!
“Many women don't realise that over 100,000 tonnes of man-made chemicals are dumped into so-called 'natural' cosmetics every year’,” says Charlotte Vøhtz, the founder of natural skincare company Green People.
“We can absorb up to 60 per cent of substances applied to our skin into our body, including artificial fragrances and perfumes, preservatives with hormone-like properties and chemicals with the potential to release formaldehyde, a potent irritant and neurotoxin.”
Scary stuff - but it doesn’t have to be, thanks to fab brands like Green People who make natural, organic skincare products, scents, and cosmetics for beauty chicks to enjoy, secure in the knowledge what we are slapping on our skins is nourishing and nurturing.
As holistic health practitioner and author, Star Khechara notes: “Anything that harms the environment by default harms us too and vice versa. Skincare products that are produced ethically and sustainably will be much healthier for the skin as naturally most of the toxic chemicals will have been omitted.
“Using chemicals upon the skin is not only unhealthy but they invariably end up in the ecosystem where they can cause terrible damage to our environment.”
So there you have it. Eco beauty is the way forward for healthy, happy skin (which, by the way, is the body’s largest organ) - and a healthy, happy planet.

 

TIP-TO-TOE ECO TREATS
Now, more than ever, we have a heap of irresistible eco-brands offering delicious smelling, feeling, and looking skin and hair care treats to pick from. We’ve found the latest brands that tick all the eco beauty boxes – and, most importantly, look and feel fabulous!
HOT HAIR
Freshly launched professional haircare range, Love, Peace and the Planet from TIGI promises silky, shiny tresses with their range of tempting hair treats, such as a Cherry Almond Leave-in Conditioner, £9.95, and Eco Awesome Moisturizing Shampoo, £8.95. The lack of artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or chemical nasties such as parabens, Lauren or Laureth Sulfates guarantees healthy hair. And the packaging is made from 50% post-consumer recycled bottles. What’s not to love?
TIGI Love, Peace and the Planet products are available via selected professional salons. Call 0844 844 0944 or visit www.tigihaircare.com for stockist info.
SUPER SKIN
Barefoot Botanicals’ award-winning Rosa Fina Face & Decolletage Oil feels and smells as delicious as it sounds! 100% natural, this light, silky formula contains rosa mosqueta oil, omega 3 & 6, and calendula oils to naturally nourish face (and that décolletage). Organic, natural and therapeutic, this plant-based brand, are pure in their philosophy and products, and tick all the eco boxes.
Priced £26.95 and available from www.barefoot-botanicals.com
LUSCIOUS LEGS
Parissa use 100% natural ingredients (so natural that the company claim you can munch them, although they don’t recommend it), along with recycled and recyclable packaging certified by The Forest Stewardship Council. They are committed to using local suppliers – and even the Parissa plant is powered by natural gas and hydro-electric power.
Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar is a gentle, yet effective hair removal system that gives a salon-style, hair-free finish with soothing chamomile and brightening citrus extracts for sparkling, smooth pins. Perfect for spring and summer.
Priced £12.99 and available exclusively at Wholefoods and Sainsburys Nationwide.

 

ECO COSMETICS
NATURAL NAIL PALS
Mezaya nail polishes are the first UK-based, toxin-free range of nail polishes that are free from chemical solvents and allow nail beds to actually breathe. Not only that, but there’s a non-toxic nail polish remover available too, which is gentle to the nose (bye-bye to the harsh chemical smell), moisturises nails, and is earth-friendly because it’s easily biodegradable too.
Priced £8.95 and available at www.toxicfreeboutique.com
CRUELTY-FREE CHUMS
Beauty Without Cruelty is the original cosmetic range that pioneered animal-free testing – and does exactly what it says on the lid. Founded in 1963 in England, the BWC charity decided to create the first, full line of cruelty-free colour cosmetics, with everything from tinted moisturisers to blusher.
Priced from £7.35 and available at www.beautywithoutcruelty.com
MINERAL MAGIC
Green People has launched a mineral makeup range of eco lipsticks, pressed powders, eyeshadows, concealers and mascaras, which are gentle, certified organic, and contain cruelty-free ingredients. Not only that, but mineral makeup doesn’t clog pores and allows your skin to happily breathe, reflects light to make your skin appear smoother and even-toned, and is toxic-free. What more could a girl ask for?
Priced from £10.99 and available at www.greenpeople.co.uk

D-I-Y GOODNESS
How much more eco can you get, than by making your very own green beauty product, picked with ingredients from the kitchen cupboard or picked from the garden?
FLOWER FAIRY OIL
Shelf-life: 6 months
Skin types: suitable for all
How to make
- In spring, gather scented blooms such as hyacinths, jonquil, lilac and jasmine.
- At home, strip the plants of any leaves and stems, and put the flowers in a big glass jar.
- Use a single flower species or a blend
- Pour on 500ml/1 pint of organic cold-pressed plant oil (sunflower or almond are excellent for this) so it covers the blossoms, and place the jar in a warm place.
- Every four or five days, strain off the oil and repeat the process with fresh flowers.
- After two weeks, it should be a gorgeous scented oil.
- Continue the process for a further two weeks to make it even stronger if desired. Once scented enough, strain the oil through a sieve.
- Strain again through a muslin-lined sieve. Using a funnel, pour the oil into the bottle.
NB: Be aware that some people are allergic to natural-scented flowers. It is wise to test the oil on a small area of skin before using all over.
How to use
Massage this light and sweetly fragrant oil into damp skin after a bath or shower, and leave to sink in for a few minutes before dressing so that clothes won’t be grease-marked. Use daily for skin as soft as a flower fairy in spring.
Extracted from The Holistic Beauty Book. £12.99. Published by green books and available at www.greenbooks.co.uk
More lovely recipes are available at www.blossomstar.co.uk

 

TOXIC BADDIES TO AVOID
More than a third of us are unaware of key ingredients in the beauty products we use, as Victoria Rogers, founder of www.toxicfreeboutique.com, discovered for herself.
''Whilst working as a professional Contemporary Ballet Dancer on world touring jobs, I began my search for healthier alternatives to the heavy cosmetics I was wearing on stage and off. I discovered that many of the beauty brands I had been using contained cheap fillers (even the expensive ones), Synthetic Fragrances, Parabens & Petroleum derived ingredients to name just a few.”
“I was aware that food has a direct effect on the body, but was not fully aware that Phthalates (often found in Synthetic Fragrance or Parfum) Parabens, (preservatives that mimic oestrogen) and other irritants, may be absorbed through the skin and may implicate a number of health issues.”
Other baddies to look out for are:
Propylene Glycol: a main ingredient in anti-freeze and also a known skin irritant found in foundation, lip products, eyeshadow and mascara. This chemical nasty actually alters the structure of the skin by allowing synthetic chemicals to penetrate and enter the blood stream.
Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulphate: again alters the structure of the skin and allows chemicals to do the same.
Bismuth Oxycholride: found in many mineral makeup brands and often causes itching, rashes and cystic acne.

 

Blog: DIANE WOOD – QUEEN OF SHAVING BRAND KING OF SHAVES – GIVES HER TIPS FOR SMOOTH, SOFT, STUBBLE-FREE LEGS (02.04.10)
I grew up learning about shaving - my Dad owns Paul Molé, the iconic barbers in New York and I have helped out there since I can remember. Inspired by him I went to the Atlas Barber School in New York, gaining my Master Barber License to become one of the few female barbers to hold the title in the world – and now I’m passionate about shaving, for both men and women.
After countless hours in front of the beauty drawing board, King of Shaves has relaunched their women’s range. It’s a fresh and flirty new line, designed to be fabulous on the body and gentle on the budget. My personal favourite is Queen of . . . Ooh La La! Shaving Gel and I’d recommend using this along with my top tips for silky smooth legs….

• Try to shave at night, so your skin can ‘sleep’ when you do and isn’t exposed to the elements during the day. Always shave in the shower or bath - wet hair is easier to cut and the warm water and steam soften hair, which makes it easier to cut through.
• At all costs avoid products that contain soap or alcohol. They’re very drying on the skin (especially when coupled with shaving) and can lead to irritation and ingrown hairs. To get the closest possible shave, apply a thin layer of Queen of . . . Ooh la la! It’ll prime them perfectly.
• Always use a clean and sharp new blade. A dull blade will leave behind some of your unwanted hair and can increase your chances of getting ingrown hairs or irritation.
• To begin shaving your legs – start at the bottom of the ankle, gently glide the blades up the leg in one smooth stroke. Take extra care when shaving areas where bone is close to the skin surface, such as ankles and knees. To avoid nicks and cuts that often occur behind the ankle, flex your heel to stretch the skin while you shave. Remember when shaving - don’t press too hard, let the blade do the work.
• After shaving splash the skin with cold water to help tone and close the pores. Try not to apply or expose freshly shaven skin to anything irritating after shaving (sea water, deodorant, perfume etc.). Wait for your skin’s pores to close (about an hour if possible) to reduce the risk of irritation and then apply moisturiser to soothe and revitalise your skin.