Health & Beauty: NUDE Skincare

Founded by eco-entrepreneur Bryan Meehan (who brought us Fresh & Wild), and Bono’s wife, Ali Hewson (of Edun fame), the key ingredient in NUDE skincare is probiotics.

Yes, those friendly bacteria found in live yoghurt, when transformed into probiotic-derived proteins, can also help support the skin’s ability to repair and renew.

NUDE’s range of cleansers, hydrating waters, moisturisers and masks was recently joined by the Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum. Already a bestseller, it packs the biggest probiotic punch of the lot – and in just one drop, applied to the face at bedtime. I have to admit I’ve never had so many compliments about my skin since using it, alongside the equally gorgeous Cleansing Facial Oil.

This luxury range is free of harmful chemicals, and available from Space NK and the NUDE skincare website.

Jane Lee

Health & Beauty: Bounty of Nature “World’s purest honey” reaches UK market

I am an absolute honey nut...as in I go crazy for the stuff and eat it with absolutely everything. Mainly in tea, on yoghurt, in porridge...you name it, chances are I've tried smearing it in honey and eating it! I even use it as a face mask!

Honey is an amazing natural product which aids health, detoxifies, reduces stress, improves memory and tastes so damn good! It's nature's candy and it's healthy!!

Now, when the delightful package arrived from Bounty of Nature you can hardly imagine my excitement at receiving the Eurphoria Longana Honey, Honey with Royal Jelly, Honey with Propolis and amazing Bee Pollen each with their own characteristic health properties. Ethically sourced from the highest quality producers around the World, there are currently four great products to choose from.

Euphoria Longana Honey

This honey is harvested from the beautiful tropical flora jungles high in the mountains of Thailand's Northwest region of Chiang Mai, coming from the nectar of oriental Euphoria Longana flower, which bears the sweet, juicy, succulent  Longan Fruit, the cousin of the Lychee. In the Far East Longan Fruit is  seen to be an  anti-ageing fruit as it contains a high level of proline which is known to help  improve skin texture by aiding the production of collagen. Something which we all need to replenish!

It also acts to reduces tiredness and boost energy levels, soothes sore throats, nourishes the skin and has a calming effect on the nervous system. With a delicious flavour and consistency, this pot is a great one to try out of the range for everyday use.

Honey With Royal Jelly

This honey contains 5% fresh Royal Jelly, known to promote vitality and stamina. This magic elixir also helps to preserve  youth and nourishing the skin. Due to the level of amino's and globulin's present in Royal Jelly, it is classically regarded to be the key to optimal health and longevity as it helps enhance the immune systems ability to fight off infection.

A beautiful soft-tasting honey, use this to Promote vitality & stamina, preserve youth, nourish the skin, lower cholesterol, strengthen memory and promote collagen production. It also makes a great face mask and firms, softens and tones tired skin!

Honey with Propolis

This is a stronger flavoured, darker coloured honey enhanced with 5% Brazillian Green Propolis extract, a substance that bees collect from various trees and shrubs to seal the walls of their hive. The antimircobial properties propolis possesses ensures that the hive becomes a germ-free sterile zone, thus protecting the bees from the risk of infection.

Propolis helps to boost your immune system by stimulating the thymus gland to produce more white blood cells, which the body uses to rid itself of viruses, poisons and other metabolic waste products, thus selctively destroying harmful bacteria while leaving useful bacteria alone.

This honey is great to improve the immune system and selctively destroys only harmful bacteria and promotes a healthy heart. It's slightly stronger flavoured than usual honeys and so this one is best used mixed into drinks, in salad dressing or added to food. With it's antiseptic qualities, it's also perfect for getting rid of a sore throat.

Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen is a real superfood that contains a comprehensive mix of essential nutrients. Vitamins B-complex A,C,D and E, minerals, enzymes, amino-acids, carbohydrates, proteins, natural antibiotics and phyto-nutrients that are important for the rejuvenation of body cells, as well as folic acid to provide increased stamina and endurance.

Use of bee pollen helps promote healthy skin and fights premature ageing as it helps repair and stimulate cells, balances blood sugar level, stimulates the metabolism, detoxifies the body and helps repair and stimulate cell growth. I enjoy this amazing product in my smoothies, on top of fruit, yoghurt and also as a drink. It's flavour is very mild and although eating it takes a bit of getting used to it becomes quickly addictive!

Health & Beauty: THE BRUSH WITH FASHION MAKEOVER : DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MAKE-UP MEETS STYLE

New from The Body Shop for Spring 2011 comes the limited edition ‘Brush with Fashion’ make-up. This fashion-forward, sustainable and cruelty-free collection has been developed in collaboration with the acclaimed London College of Fashion.

Featuring covetable packaging designed by the celebrated college, a sensational catwalk inspired Spring palette is brought to life with Community Fair Trade ingredients. From vibrant pinks to sumptuous matte shades of chocolate and rose-tints, products come together with ease for stunning looks and make-up artistry.

Pieces include the Illuminating Face Base, gorgeous Hi-Shine Lip Treatment, an innovative Tailored Cheek Tint and essential Limited Collection for Eyes. All are paired with the award winning and convenient built-in cruelty-free brush for professional results.

Nikki Palmer, the make-up artist for ‘Brush with Fashion’ and London College of Fashion alumna says, “In contrast to the minimalist, neutral shades of Autumn/Winter, Spring 2011 will be a celebration of brights, with no colour left unrepresented... It’s about creating a look that’s graphic and playful, with bold colours that can be mixed and matched.”

We tried out the illuminating face base which is a great addition to the new fresh-faced catwalk looks that I saw at London fashion week. The base gave my skin a warm glowy finish and made me look fresh and awake. I would love to see a chemical-free version though of this collection, it would be amazing if the Body Shop started a completely chemical free range that also mixed with fairtrade values. We also loved the fact that they were siding with the LCF  fashion students and giving them opportunities to showcase their work...this gets a big thumbs up from us!

The collaboration with London College of Fashion is the first in an exciting series of partnerships with the world of fashion. Both pioneers share similar values and beliefs, combining ethical beauty and the address of sustainability issues through fashion education, research and consultancy.

The new limited edition ‘Brush with Fashion’ collection is available in The Body Shop stores nationwide from Tuesday 15th February 2011. Prices for the collection range from RRP £2.00 to RRP £15.00.

Health & Beauty: Freshen up for Spring With a Fragranced Love Letter

Perfect for popping into your handbag for a neat fragrance hit in between shopping, socialising, working and simply living your life!

'Love Letter' is a gorgeous Rose and Jasmine solid floral scent, with a base note of Sandalwood. Created and designed for any woman who loves the smell of a flower garden. This scent invokes memories of love and romance. This little pot of goodness matches your new wafty spring clothes perfectly!

Certified 100% organic by the OF&G. Vegan friendly and packaged in a little recycled/recyclable box, biodegradable labels, 100% recyclable tin as always.

Health & Beauty: Detox Your Body for Spring at Blueberry Healing

For you dear readers, I embarked on a challenge to start the New Year on a high by experiencing a Colonic Cleanse at Blueberry Healing in Brighton.

As part of my new focus in 2011 to detox more regularly, Rani recommended to me that a colonic provides the best way of kick-starting your system to remove waste, toxins and hardened matter in the colon.

Now before you start getting squeamish about reading further, you must first understand why having colonic hydrotherapy at least a few times each year is important. Rani explained to me that our colon’s are about 3 to 4 feet in length, receiving the remaining digestive waste products from the small intestine and reabsorbing water and minerals from food waste. Often waste that hasn’t been digested properly can become caught in the colon and then, over time harden and start to slowly poison the body. This can take the form of allergies, tiredness, blemished skin, unpleasant odours and internal yeast infections.

This is where colonics come in handy – they gently remove the unwanted material stored in the colon allowing the body to feel lighter, energized and free of toxins. Having colonic hydrotherapy is really the fastest way to detox the body and create an immediate result. This process is so natural that it can be used monthly as a preventative measure for illness, much like visiting the dentist. A lot of people feel scared or even embarrassed by the treatment which is perfectly normal, yet it’s important to remember that your therapist has treated lots of people and will put you perfectly at ease during the process. Rani at Blueberry Healing was extremely gentle, understanding and informative during the process, always letting me know what was happening and what I could expect from the treatment.

The treatment starts with a small disposable tube being inserted into the rectum (your bum!!) and the process begins with water being filtered in and out of the colon. The process is completely comfortable, painless and dare I say it…even relaxing.

During the treatment you can actually choose to see the waste that is being removed and it’s often very telling to see old, hardened matter meandering through the tube. The treatment lasts for just under an hour and it’s recommended that you have three treatments in close proximity to see the full benefits of having colonic hydrotherapy.

What I found was an increased sense of lightness and well-being, clearer skin, the whites of my eyes were much whiter and my previously bloated stomach now looked flatter. I also had highly increased energy levels which made me want to run around getting things done for the entire day, whilst I also had a wonderful, floaty nights sleep. As an additional test I had measured my waist before the treatment as 27”, afterwards my waist had shrunk to 25”, it hasn't been this tiny since I was 19 years old!! I am now absolutely sold on the pro’s of having regular colonic hydrotherapy and I will be willingly going back to Rani at least 3 times a year for a super cleanse!

The initial awkwardness of a colonic far outweighs the gains, allowing for pending health problems to be eradicated from the colon and enabling the body and internal organs to function better as a whole. If you have any problems with lethargy, bloatedness, gas, IBS, yeast infections, gynecological disorders or weight issues then this is the treatment for you, it can literally remove problems in a flash!

We are running a special La Luminata offer at Blueberry Healing - throughout January and February you can get a set of 3 colonics for only £150 (Normal price £60 saving you £30).

To book your appointment contact Rani: www.blueberryhealing.co.uk

The benefits are:

• Hydration of the body
• Reduces Weight
• Greater energy and vitality
• Stronger immune system
• Relief from common digestive complaints such as IBS, gas, bloating and constipation
• Improved natural bowel movement by exercising the colon
• Healthier skin and hair
• Clearer mental functioning and concentration

Rachel

Health & Beauty: LUSH HELPS TO SOLVE YOUR WINTER SKIN DILEMMAS

Keeping your skin in prime condition can be a challenge at any time of the year, but particularly in winter when, not only are conditions more extreme, but your skin is also facing sudden changes in temperature. Cold, winter weather and the drying effects of heaters can wreak havoc on you skin, especially if it’s sensitive and dry by nature.  Helen Ambrosen, Lush Product Creator & Co-Founder, recommends keeping skin gently stimulated in order to maintain a healthy circulation at this time of the year. “The face has millions of tiny nerve endings, which react to extremes in temperature.  By keeping skin stimulated you’ll encourage the elimination of toxins, ensure a healthy turnover of cells and stimulate muscle tone. This will combat the drying effects of cold and central heating.  You’ll also find that skin tone improves and you’re less likely to look blue with the cold!”

We tried out a few magic products to improve the quality of our skin in the chilly, frosty weather that we are now having!

First up is Lush’s Skin’s Shangri La moisturiser (£25.50 for 45g). Deeply softening and protecting against the elements. Rich, but light in texture, it is a rejuvenating and remineralising cream that leaves the skin feeling soft and plumped up. It has a multitude of cold-pressed, organic, supremely nutritious oils and butters, plus antioxidant wheatgrass and toothed wrack seaweed to protect the skin from free radicals. We loved the thick texture, rich fragrance and decadent feel of this product, total dreamy skin bliss.

Constant changes in temperature can cause the skin to over compensate making an imbalance in the production of sebum, which can then lead to breakouts. We tries two products specifically created for this.  Lush’s Ultrabland (£5.75 for 45g and £9.25 for 100g) is excellent for all skin types and is a wonderfully gentle deep cleanser that softens and helps keep moisture in.

We also tried Cupcake Face Mask (£4.95 for 75g), which contains rhassoul mud, is exceptionally deep cleansing, is a powerful antiseptic and also has antimicrobial properties making it ideal for problem skins or breakouts that can occur at any age. Rhassoul clay also absorbs excess sebum lifting off any dry, or scaly skin flakes. The texture and smell is of pure chocolate, a total treat when it's frosty outside!!

Sitting indoors by the fire and heaters may keep us warm in the depths of winter, but it dehydrates our skin in the process. Last but not least, we tried out A Breath of Fresh Air (£3.25 for 100g / £6.35 for 250g) which is made of nutritious gifts from the sea. Sea water is revitalising and beautiful for dry, tired skin and Irish moss seaweed gives skin back the moisture it needs. This blend of ingredients from the sea will care for skin that has become dry or rough during the day. Rose absolute and aloe vera are soothing and will help ensure your skin is restored and refreshed in no time.

So sit back, look beautiful and enjoy your Christmas!

Health & Beauty: Treat Cold Winter Skin With Madara Deep Moisture Fluid

MÁDARA ecoface organic deep moisture fluid is the perfect fix for this blustery cold winter weather we are having of late. Deep Moisture Fluid is a natural and organic moisturiser to protect your skin from moisture loss as well as protecting your facial skin and neck from the harmful environmental factors - effects of sun, pollution and stress. MÁDARA ecoface organic deep moisture fluid will hydrate, firm, nourish and soften the skin, balancing oily and dry areas of your face and neck. With the classic, wholesome Madara scent, this product will whisk you back to memories of summer and of warmer days!

After a few days use, your skin will be noticeably softer, firmer and better protected from the elements. The perfect New Years solution to this cold Christmas Period!

99.875% of the total ingredients are of a natural origin.

18.3% of the total ingredients are issued from organic agriculture.

Natural and organic cosmetic certified by ECOCERT.