Category: Beauty & Skin Care

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Red Carpet Beauty Inspiration

When it comes to style and beauty celebrities are usually leading the way into what’s hot and what’s not. 2014 was full of red carpet gowns as well as all the varying beautiful makeup and hair styles to match.

If you’re looking to reinvent your image in 2015 then there is no better place to look. Why not set the tone this New Year by being a little adventurous – go on be a little bold and try something new. However if changing your overall look is a little too out there for you at this stage then maybe there is a party or special event that you can have a little play around for and try new ideas until you find something that works.

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As our skin ages and as winter creeps in, our skin gets less proactive about shedding dead skin cells; result? Dull, dry and flaky skin is hard to apply makeup to and can also contribute to breakouts.

Keeping on top of exfoliation is one thing…but are you doing it correctly? Many people make the mistake of using the wrong equipment to begin with; those nylon “body puffs” are terrible for the job and loofah? They’re germ magnets!

How to exfoliate your face with a flannel

The best single item which you can invest in for exfoliation in the area of the face is a cotton flannel; a simple washcloth which can be washed in the washing machine after each use and is the perfect size for the job.

Use plain, warm water; dampen your flannel and gently scrub your face in a circular motion paying particular attention to the t-zone. Be very careful not to scrub at your delicate eye area as the skin here does not need rough treatment. Following exfoliation moisturise as usual. Once a week you can use a commercial facial scrub but be sure to choose a gentle one and not one with large granules which can damage your skin.

How to exfoliate with dry brushing

For your body, the best tool to use is a dry brush; if you’ve heard of dry brushing but aren’t sure what it is, read on. Dry brushing is exactly that; it’s using a coarse brush to brush your body before you get into the shower or the bath…which is what washes away all of those dead skin cells you’ve loosened with your brush. Keep your brush dry…store it away from the bath or shower or it will become damp and mouldy. Wash it regularly and dry it naturally in a well ventilated area.

Before you begin your dry brushing routine, apply some oil to your skin; plain old baby oil works well. Now starting from your feet, brush up in gentle, short strokes until you have covered your entire body. Now take your shower or bath and use a salt scrub to rid yourself of those dead skin cells. Moisturise as usual afterwards.

Try to stay on top of your exfoliating routine and within a month you should notice a real improvement in both the texture and the appearance of your skin. During the winter it’s even more important to continue to exfoliate as the cold weather, central heating and layers of clothing all contribute to dull and flaky skin. Make sure you care for your skin in the colder months and when summer rolls around you’ll be beach ready!

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The irony of the Halloween season is related to that most spooky of fruits…the pumpkin! We spend hours carving the most hideous faces out of their plump, orange flesh and many of us don’t realise that that very flesh could be the key to helping us make the most out of our own faces! Our pumpkin facial is popular all year round and not just for Halloween! See our other facials

Pumpkins are good for your skin

Pumpkins are like nutrient bombs…they’re a perfectly packaged parcel of goodness:

• so rich in fruit enzymes
• alpha hydroxy acids

If we only made decent use out of all that scooped-out-flesh, we’d possibly be spending a lot less on expensive skin creams!

Many people mistakenly believe the pumpkin to be a vegetable because it is not sweet…if we’re going to get specific it’s actually a berry…belonging to the Cucurbitaceous family which also includes cucumbers, melons, squash and gourds.

Within the pumpkin are some of the vitamins which are most beneficial to skin…including vitamins A and C which are excellent at both softening and soothing dry or irritated skin. Funnily enough, these are the vitamins many of us most need as Autumn draws in and chill winds take hole…chapped skin is one of the most annoying things about the colder months!

Pumpkins make excellent facials

It’s not only the flesh of the pumpkin that’s uber powerful though…those pesky seeds which we’re often far too keen to discard are packed full of good things for your skin.

• Zinc: Zinc is notoriously hard to get through your usual diet and it’s fabulous for acne-prone skin as it helps control both oil production and hormonal changes.
• Essential fatty acids: This helps your skin to form and maintain its natural barriers…again great for cold weather.
• Vitamin E: This is another wonderful vitamin for acne sufferers as it helps to regulate sebum.

Because the molecular structure of the pumpkin is small, it is better absorbed into the skin and the body making it one of the most powerful natural foods for improving your health.

Look out for pumpkin within over the counter products or consider making your own!

DIY Pumpkin Face Mask

150g pumpkin flesh

1 egg

For dry skin: a tablespoon of honey

For oily skin: a splash of cranberry juice

Apply the mixture to your face immediately and leave in place for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

This is a great way to soothe breakouts on your skin or to calm down any sore or rough patches. The pumpkin might be the perfect Halloween decoration but if you want to maximise your beauty rather than your spooky…try using it on your face!

You can always try our version of the pumpkin peel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Jojoba shrub grows in the harsh climate of the Sonoran Desert where locals have harvested it for centuries for use in preparations which have a number of health benefits and medicinal uses. Today it’s sold widely in the Western World and if you’ve never investigated this magical elixir then you’re missing out!

Jojoba is rich in beneficial ingredients which are amazing for a number of problem areas on your body…read on to learn more about the health benefits of Jojoba oil and the 5 ways in which your body can recover from minor irritations with it’s help.

Makeup remover: Treat your skin as it needs to be treated by using an all natural makeup remover. Jojoba oil is non-greasy and unlike many commercially sold makeup removers it is free from harsh perfumes. You need only a few drops on a cotton ball to successfully remove even the thickest of makeup and without dragging or rubbing. It won’t cause breakouts because it won’t clog your pores so your skin will benefit from being clean and makeup free and there will be no nasty residue left over.

Moisturiser: For your face and for your body Jojoba oil makes a great moisturizer and will nourish your skin and calm dry or flaky patches down. Massage it into your driest areas straight after a shower when your skin is still moist and if you make a habit of this, within a week you will notice a huge difference in softness and flexibility.

Deep conditioning treatment: If your hair is dry due to over processing or regular dye applications, then use Jojoba oil as a recovery aid. Dampen your hair and then apply a blob of oil and massage it in… leave it to work over an hour before washing out…you’ll find your hair is softer and shiner than ever.

Hand and foot treatment: Massage Jojoba oil into your hands and feet, pop on some socks and some cotton gloves and relax for an hour; when you remove them the oil will have conditioned your skin and nails.

Lip conditioner: Use Jojoba oil instead of thick, greasy lip balms…in the winter or summer months it will moisturize and protect at the same time.

Natural oils are pure and free from chemicals….and chemicals are often the cause of sensitive or red skin. Don’t use over the counter treatments unless you must. All-natural Jojoba oil can perform so many miracles on the health of your skin, hair and nails that it really is a wonder-oil!

Jojoba oil is inexpensive and you know there are nothing but natural ingredients in it; give it a try…your body will thank you for it and you should see an improvement in your problem areas with a week or two.

You are what you eat and if this old adage is true, many of us are made of sugar and spice and all things nice! But in reality, junk food and sugary processed foods are not the best medicine for over-stressed and blemished skin. Your skin is the largest organ you have…and yes, it is an organ just like your heart, liver or kidneys!

Continue reading “Top 20 Skin Cleaning Foods”

To the uninitiated chemical peels can sound rather barbaric. After all…this is your face we’re talking about here! The thought of adding chemicals which cause peeling to your facial area can sound rather frightening but in fact, chemical peels are highly effective and surprisingly non-painful to undergo.

Continue reading “What Is A Chemical Peel And How Does It Work?”