Samantha Brick - Is She Right?

I've been thinking about Samantha Brick and her comments about women's jealousy over her self-acclaimed beauty and I think she's right, but not necessarily in the way she thinks.  It's not that we deny her beauty, if she feels it that's fantastic for her and we don't need an opinion on that, but the problem is if the rest of us cannot stand to hear a woman proclaim that she IS beautiful - why do we have a problem with this?  So few of us have the confidence to actually say that we look okay, let alone beautiful, that when one woman dares to say such a thing why don't we think "Good for her, how lovely that she feels that way."

Why we don't is the really interesting point of the whole thing.

I meet a lot of women in my world and many of them make the very best of what they've got, yet they still pick on some part of themselves to fixate about - why? We women constantly self sabotage and have low self esteem and there's really no need for it.

I read somewhere yesterday (possibly Daily Mail, possibly Pure Beauty magazine) that women are turning away from model images and increasingly want to look the best they can at their age and with what they've been given.  I'm not totally convinced this is true as the aspirational images fed to us by the beauty industry are very unlikely to go away, but how wonderful would that be if we all said "Shove it, I don't care what the 20 year old model promoting the anti-ageing range or the 50+ clothing line looks like, what matters is what do I look like when using these products?"

Samantha Brick may be onto something...

Natural Beauty

There is so much confusion surrounding organic beauty that I don’t even know where to start.  Different international accrediting bodies have different standards so what might be allowed by the Soil Association might not be allowable by the OFC in Australia.  Likewise, “you out there” seem to be moving away from pure organic products but instead, you seem to want products that work – who’d have thought, eh?  So, here’s a selection of “natural” products that I think will tick your boxes and two others that I give a standing ovation to – read on to find out why.

 Weleda Skin Food

Created in 1926, long before petrochemicals began to find their way into women’s cosmetics (gosh, don’t start me off on that one) this is an enduring “must have” to help dry skin.  62% of the plant ingredients in this range are cultivated in organic or biodynamic environments and they don’t use artificial preservatives.    In short, people whom care about what goes into their product and how it’s made.

Price: £5.95 for 30ml

Stockist: weleda.co.uk

Green People Daily Aloe Shampoo

West Sussex, we need to gather this brand to our bosom as it is based in West Grinstead.  Organic shampoos are difficult to make as we consumers don’t understand shampoo with low foam and so presume they don’t work.  In reality, this shampoo will do the job very nicely thank you and will even foam a little to keep you happy whilst being very gentle on your scalp.

Price: £9.95 for 200ml

Stockist: greenpeople.co.uk

Dr Hauschka Facial Toner

This is a certified “natural” range, but what we do know is that it is celebrity-adored.  Looking beyond this, the word “anthroposophical” crops up (as it does with Weleda) and this is all about how the products are made – in short holistic, respectful of life, in harmony with life.  Plant based, this toner lives up to its reputation.

Price: £22.47 for 100ml

Stockist:            drhauschka.co.uk

Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser

Soil Association approved and 99.9% organic this is a great product.  Use it in the same way you might use other solid cleansers, massaging into dry skin before removing with a hot damp cloth.  I’d be tempted after to use a micellar cleanser or regular toner afterwards to ensure that all traces of make up/grime are gone, but it’s not necessary.  This will not only cleanse but feed your skin with lots of good stuff – not many cleansers can do that.

Price: £29.95 for 70ml

Stockist:            theorganicpharmacy.com

Peony Gold Juniper Exfoliating Crystals

I love this brand for admitting that they are organic and natural by default!  The company chose to base their brand on the healing properties of White Peonies, but as a protected flower these are grown in very carefully controlled biodynamic environments and so the supply is, by default, organic.   This exfoliator mixes peonies with Gold Juniper to create a blend that detoxifies, eliminates dead skin cells and stimulates skin cell renewal

Price: £20.00 for 15mg

Stockist:            peonyskincare.co.uk

Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser

Micellar water is one of the newest style cleansers and contains small oil molecules in spa water to lift dirt, make-up and oil from the skin.   I’ve been testing this product and I love it.  It could be a toner as it has the same type of feel so it takes a bit of getting used to but it’s packed with Avène Thermal Spring Water and soothing alpha-bisabolol to leave the skin clean, soft and soothed.   

Price: £12.50 for 200ml

Stockist:            Boots.com

BEAUTY FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

I was looking to write an entire piece about beauty for - and here you have to forgive me as I'm bound to put my un-PC foot in it - the physically challenged.

It came to my attention that the gorgeous brand L'Occitane had Braille on the outside of all their boxes and I thought this was brilliant.

The top image is one they very kindly took for me - it's not something they have standard product shots of (although it is on every box) as they don't do it for show and their photos are about product, rather than packaging.  This is clearly not an EU directive, otherwise all brands would do it, it's just something they do - I'll find out why.

Bioderma is the other brand that has Braille on the box so top marks to them.  I'll post on them when I get images.

I'm still on the search for easy to open bottles etc. to help people with one hand, tremors or muscle wastage but I think we'll be looking for a long time.  Likewise, I can't find a brand that has an audio list of their ingredients and instructions.

I don't think we can draw any conclusions from this as there are many product categories from washing powder to breakfast cereal that don't cater for the needs of the physically challenged.  I do think it's interesting that cosmetic companies enter into Breast Cancer Month with products (from which they donate funds but still make a profit), but only these two in my search actually make a real effort to engage physical challenges as a core value of their range, rather than as a "pink product" add-on.

It has been suggested to me (by a non-beauty professional) that perhaps physical disability is not something the beauty industry embraces, in the same way mainstream fashion doesn't.  I don't think this is true, I think it's much more about economics.  However, as it seems we're all going to get type 2 diabetes from the incredible rate of obesity engulfing the country, perhaps the potential symptons of this disease might become much more mainstream, which will focus the collective beauty industry mind.

I could make suggestions for physically challenged beauty aficionados but I think they'll sound patronising - facial wipes are easier than cleanser bottles; pump action bottles are easier than twist or flip tops; lash extensions will save mascara disasters etc.  I'm sure they know this already through years of experience. 

I've contacted CEW (beauty industry trade body) the RNIB, the MS Society and Radio 4's In Touch programme to see if I've missed anything.  I'll keep you posted.

Spring Beauty 2013

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

The bulbs are pushing up, we’ve had one or two days that could be classified as “spring-like” and the new season’s beauty offerings are wending their way onto the counters as fast as you can break your chocolate prohibition in Lent.

This spring there seem to be two key trends; nude faces and nails with a pop of shocking pink lipstick and nude everything but strong eyes, either in pink or blue (reminds me of the 70’s).  Here are some of my spring 2013 favourites:

Revlon Baby Sticks

Cheeks pop with these brand new Baby Sticks in a choice of three colours.  You’ll be seeing a lot of these colours in spring summer 2013.

Price:  £6.99

Stockist: superdrug.com

Top Shop Air Kisses Nail Polish

Spring colours are punchy this year and this new colour collection from Top Shop will see you through to summer.  Try Air Kisses, it will set off your pastels a treat.

Price:  £5.00

Stockist: topshop.com

Clarins Limited Edition Face & Blush Powder

Isn’t this sensational?  Isn’t this just what your spring make up bag is calling out for?  Suitable for all skin tones this is a trio of fresh, complexion boosting shades to give skin a beautiful, even tone.  It says it also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections leaving skin looking even and radiant and it’s pretty…

Price:                          £30.00

Stockist:             clarins.co.uk

 

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick

This is another expensive lipstick, but here’s why you are buying it.  It’s got great pigment so doesn’t “weaken” as a colour on your lips, it had volumising oil to plump and smooth and it helps reduce vertical lines on lips.  Cheaper lipsticks are unlikely to do all that and the colour is spot on for spring.

Price:                          £23.00

Stockist:            houseoffraser.co.uk

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm

I know, it’s just not done putting two Clarins products on the same page.  I fought with myself over this but they are just both too good (no, I’m not on commission, no relative works there).  These are just fabulous, with a transparent plastic outer and neon colours popping away, these lip balms are the future.

Price:                        £18.00

Stockist:                   clarins.co.uk

 Organic Glam Eyeshadow Palette

I will do a whole feature on organic beauty soon as there are some brilliant brands coming through.  Organic Glam not only make one of my favourite fragrances (Oud) but their new colour cosmetic range is bang on trend.  Lilacs, plums and purples are all in the mix with the hot pinks so if you love organic, check this new range out.

Price:                        £30.95

Stockist:            theorganicpharmacy.com

Rimmel Glameyes Mono Eye Shadow

This shade is spot on for spring and isn’t nearly as fierce when you put it on as you might think.  Go with nude lips and skin with this colour popping against dark lashes – very glam!

Price:                        £4.49

Stockist:            rimmellondon.co.uk

Laser Lipo Results

To be honest, it does seem strange having Laser Lipo in December, when everyone else is in party mode.  However, I’m trying a treatment that claims to do what surgery does without the surgery.

So, I'm down to my underwear with my hands behind my head whilst the lovely Teresa takes the before photo.    She kindly didn't include my head so when I look at the photo I can be quite clinical about the extent of the challenge, which seems to be bigger than I thought, but Teresa is absolutely undaunted.  She is one of the most enthusiastic therapists I've had and is absolutely committed to getting results. 

The machine is very mild.  You don't feel a thing.  I lie down on the couch and a plastic paddle is strapped to my stomach with an elastic belt and two little attachments are placed at the top of my legs (lymphatic drainage).  You then stay there and the machine does the work for around 30 minutes.  Theresa then pops me on a vibration therapy machine, which wobbles me at incredibly fast speeds with tiny movements.  It really brings the blood to the surface of the skin and Teresa is adamant that for best results you need to follow up the session with some work on a cross trainer or treadmill to get the metabolism going.

It’s odd; I lie here and the work is done but according to Teresa there are around 500 fat calories floating around my system that now need burning off.  The vibration training is fantastic, I know it is.  I know that for osteoporosis and other bone conditions this is a brilliant treatment and I know it works.  However, to be really frank when I’m on the machine I feel a bit sick.  But let’s do the maths – a few minutes feeling not great versus bone strengthening and fat loss?  It’s a no brainer.  The answer is to nut up and do it as not everyone feels this way and the benefits outweigh me being pathetic for a few minutes.  I daren’t even think what I look like in underwear, shoes and vibrating - it’s not a look I aspire to.

It’s true that the best results are gained from a course of 10 and you have to do 2-3 each week to get results.  You also have to lay off alcohol, reduce your carbs and eat sensibly for best results.  I've heard many times people say "but if you do the exercise and diet surely the weight will come off anyway?"  However, what we are talking about is spot reduction, which is very difficult to achieve. 

I stick - more or less - to the programme and there's definitely a difference.  I haven’t done a full course because of time pressures in December but I can see how this really works.  The contour around my stomach & the definition is clearly noticeable.  Teresa says "The clients who do the programme, watch what they eat & drink and exercise after each session always get great results.  Pretty much anyone who doesn’t get a result isn't sticking to the programme.”  If you’re investing in this, do the work.

If you've got specific bikini body issues then I'd absolutely recommend this.  It's a treatment that works with a therapist who really cares – what more do you need?  Go visit the website and you’ll be a believer too, just don’t look for my photos!

www.laserlipo-beauty.co.uk  

Cottesmore Golf & Country Club, Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, Crawley, RH11 9AT

Laser Lipo - The Start of the Course

Which of us doesn't look at our body and find faults?  Too fat, love handles, jelly belly, thunder thighs, back fat, bingo wings....I've probably got all of these and more.

However, I've now lost a stone and with a stone and a half to go, I'm utterly bored by the whole process.  2012 was meant to be the year I lost all the weight I wanted to and 2013 is meant to be about the actual shape and condition of my body - firmer, more defined - you know the drill.

So, not having quite achieved the target set in 2012, I've moved onto 2013's target as it might give me the impetus to lose the remaining fat.

December is a tough time to start a body reshaping programme but in past years I've used this month as an excuse to start indulging in treats as early as possible before the party really starts.  Not this year.  If I'm to print reviews of treatments in January, they need to be completed before Christmas.  So here I am, starting my first Laser Lipo treatment with the lovely Teresa at www.laserlipo-beauty.co.uk

Not me, my stomach is so bad I can't bring myself to put it up here, but it gives you an idea.  On the left, before, on the right, after a course of 8 treatments (4 weeks)

Laser Lipo claims to be able to sculpt arms, backs, thighs, bottoms and stomachs without surgery but there is a downside, you have to put in some work.  You have to do fat burning exercise and the more you do the better the results.  You also have to be pretty sensible on the diet front, but it's not completely restricted, just very sensible.  Not much really after 6pm and no carbs after 5pm.  I'm unconvinced on the science of the no carbs thing, but I'll go with it for now.  What I do know is that eating late is bad for you.

So, after the humiliating photos in pants and bra (so awful I can't tell you) I'm on the couch, a belt is strapped around me, two pads placed on the problem areas and two much smaller ones on my groin (to help drainage into the lymph glands) and each area is blasted for 10 minutes.  So gentle is this treatment that I don't even know it's happening.  After 40 minutes (4 different areas), I'm taken off the machine and popped onto a PowerPlate for 10 minutes.  I'm now in bra, knickers and trainers...vibrating...a lot.  My husband and best friend laugh until they're nearly sick at the image when I tell them.  The PowerPlate is actually pretty unpleasant at first, but a walk in the park compared to surgery, so I keep this thought in my head.  At the end, I'm red all over from the circulation boost and Teresa tells me that my metabolism should be revved up but I need to get back and do some interval training for 30 mins.  She may have said more than 30 minutes, but 30 mins is the blast I'm giving it.

So, currently, I've lost 4 cm's off the stomach/hip area, but what it has told me is that I've got complacent with my exercise.  I need to seriously ramp it up for 2013 in terms of intensity - oh good...

The science behind Laser Lipo is quite good and there are no side effects, no potential of being burnt as you can with lasers during IPL (hair removal with lasers).

Here's the bumpf from the Laser Lipo website:

"Cell Breakdown
The breaking down of the fat cells starts when the laser penetrates the skin and makes contact with the fat cells. Pores form on the cells causing them to 'sweat'. The water, Glycerol and free fatty acids emerge from the cells and then occupy the space beneath the fatty layer in the skin.

"Lymphatic Drainage
The fat cells reduce in size and the lymphatic system then removes the fatty liquids through the venous system, where they are processed in the same way as fatty foods that are digested. Not only is the procedure quick, safe and pain-free, it is also healthy.

"After Care
After Care advice encourages clients to follow a sensible health and exercise routine. The Laser Lipo procedure does not harm the body in any way and will still maintain its ability to store fat in the areas where the work has been carried out. This is an important health factor as it prevents the fat being stored in different parts such as around the heart or other vital organs. If clients eat sensibly and regularly, combined with exercise, the body shape will retain the effects of the Laser Lipo treatment."

Treatment number 2 on Saturday - I'll let you know how I get on.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

It’s time.  Christmas lights are in the shops, I’m a Celebrity is back on TV and the family debates about who’s going where for Christmas lunch are in full swing, so dig deep and make a start.  This week, here are my favourite presents for Christmas.  Next week gifts under a tenner – enjoy.

FOR NANA

Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Collection of 9 Bath & Shower Oil blends, is a real treat that will last for months.  Expensive, but club together and she will love it!

Price:                                    £50.00 

Stockist:                        www.aromatherapyassociates.com

L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream is a best seller and not just for Nana’s.  This set contains three 30ml tubes, each just a joy.

Price:                                    £20.00

Stockist:                        www.loccitane.co.uk

FOR MUM

Anything from Jo Malone will ensure you are let off the washing up, but try this beautiful Fragrance Layering Collection - bath and body heaven.

Price:                                    £38.00

Stockist:                        www.jomalone.com

Caudalie’s Premier Cru Ultimate Anti Ageing Gift set is luxurious enough not to say, “we can see your wrinkles”, but rather “we love you enough to give you these beautiful, clever products”.  Created using the Polyphenols from wine production, this is fantastic skincare at a great price.

Price:                                    £49.00

Stockist                        SpaceNK or uk.caudalie.com

FOR SISTER 18+

This is an absolute no brainer.  Purchase any Jimmy Choo 60ml Eau de Toilette fragrance and get this beautiful Jimmy Choo shoebox as a free gift with purchase.

Price:                                    £44.00

Stockist:                        Nationwide, subject to availability

FOR TEENAGE SISTER

Kim Kardashian Miniature Kollection has just hit the shops.  It includes 4 of their best selling fragrances in miniature making them perfect for handbags.  

Price:                            £19.99

Stockist:                        Debenhams

FOR GRANDAD

Molton Brown’s Lyra Gift Set will set Grandad up a treat.  Over excited kids, chefs on edge and having to play with new fangled toys – all of this will fade into the distance as this three-step deep-sea regime washes, soaks and soothes his skin.
Price:                            £49.00

Stockist:                        www.moltonbrown.co.uk

FOR DAD

Not many dads retain their hair after seeing the bills for Christmas, so help him save money with this fantastic grooming tool to maintain a short haircut at home.  Easy Cut has unique rotary blade technology and a surround comb guide making it foolproof to use with a perfect even finish.
 Price:                                    £40.00 

Stockist:                        08705 133191

FOR BROTHER 18+

Cowshed’s Bullocks for Men Duo Gift Set features a Bullocks Bracing Body Wash and a Bullocks Soothing Moisturiser.

Price:                                    £28

Stockist:                        www.cowshedonline.com

FOR TEENAGE BROTHER

Bulldog for your Mug is the perfect gift set for a teenager.  Natural ingredients to help keep skin in tip top shape and a mug in which they can bring you tea (you can but hope!)

Price:                                    £8.00

Stockist:                        www.Boots.com