Health & Beauty: A’Kin Invigorating Body Scrub

With the summer still playing peek-a-boo with us, the best bet is veer on the safe side as far as skin is concerned. In the instance of the sun coming out and shorts and dresses going on, A’kin’s body scrub is the perfect way to get your skin in shape. After months of hiding under layers of jumpers and jeans your skin can end up dull and dry.

Subtly scented with sandalwood, orange and bergamot oils, this product gives you an invigorating start to the day and leaves your skin beautifully soft and fragrant, sloughing off dead skin whilst at the same time moisturising. For those fake tanners out there, this award winning product also claims to be the perfect way to prep your skin to give you a lovely even tan.

A’kin makes up one part of The Purist Company, an Australian brand which has been producing high quality natural and animal-testing free products since 1987. With their newest ranges, pureBaby and pureMan, they manage to cater to all the family with safe and eco friendly hair and skin care.

 Poppy Sakulku

Health & Beauty: What’s That Glow?

Is what I keep being asked everytime I go out wearing Madara Moonflower Tinted Fluid. So much more than just a tinted moisturiser this product also helps to improve skintone, moisturises, tightens and disguises fine lines from lack of sleep!

Described as "Like daisy petals shimmering in the moonlight" I have to admit that it's not far off from the truth, as this really does make me look radiant in a natural 'I've just been frolicking through fields' way. Containing Baltic algae, chamomile, plantain, rose water and St.John's-wort, as well as cocoa, jojoba, natural plant minerals and mica, all ingredients which truly deliver their promises.

Simply apply over your normal daily moisturiser and dot on concealer over any remaining imperfections. Add blush, mascara and your good to go! A low maintenance look can be from created from this gorgeous product and make you feel like a million dollars.

With the familiar pure and fresh aroma of the other Madara products, I'm now a total convert and will be stocking up on more of this as soon as I run out. Get yours here and smile smugly when the compliments start rolling in.

Health & Beauty: Lavere Body Peeling

Get your legs and body in tip-top condition for summer with Lavere body peeling scrub. The Luffa and Jojoba Peeling particles scrubs away your dead skin cells and surface impurities, to reveal soft, smooth and glowing skin. With a fresh fragrance and light texture this product really gets to work instantly.

Containing organic almond and jojoba oil to moisturise and condition, this skin treat will leave you bikini-ready and feeling confident.

Health & Beauty: Shimmering Sunflower Eyes

If your looking for a pretty look to update your make-up this spring, then be sure to check out the Korres selection of shimmering sunflower eyeshadows. I've been trying out the 24S Golden shade which is an ultra-flattering go with anything hue. Teamed with red, hot pink lipstick or even a nude colour, this will accent your eyes just enough to still look natural. Propylene free and composed of natural ingredients, these eyeshadows will also be kind to your skin.

Health & Beauty: O Spa Fire & Ice Gel

Here's a cream with a difference! A gel which upon application to the skin heats up and then cools right down creating a strong tingling sensation upon your muscles.

The first time that I tried this gel, I made the mistake of applying it as an all over body lotion. Within five minutes I really knew about it!! Ensue wiggling and running around the house feeling half pleasurable and half very very strange whilst I could only giggle helplessly until it calmed down.

However, I gave the gel another go and this time, 'strategically' placed it onto my shoulder muscles which are the first spot of my body which feel tension when I'm tired or a bit stressed out. The fire and ice gel really did the trick this time around, creating just enough of the same above sensation to penetrate my muscles and release some pain.

I now regularly use this after running or exercising or after the end of a long day spent hunched over my computer. O Spa's Fire & Ice gel can really ease the pain of muscle tension between having a massage or a bath. Just use it sparingly!

Health & Beauty: Your Daily Defence

In case you haven't been introduced to the amazing powers of Rosehip...let me introduce you. Trilogy Daily Defense moisturiser with spf15 not only shields your skin against the daily elements but also infuses your skin with 100% pure plant oils. A new generation of SPF, this cream coats the entire surface of the skin, not just the top layers, for maximum protection.

Containing the almighty Rosehip plant which works hard to remove skin imperfections and even out skintone, not to mention it's long list of anti-ageing properties. Added to the mix, is a plant derived Hyaluronic Acid to help plump and firm the skin and antioxidant vitamins A, C, E to fight damaging free radicals.

Perfect for use at any age but especially for people showing the first signs of ageing. Great for summer 2010!

Health & Beauty: New Lip Care by MÁDARA

Treat your lips to MÁDARA’s new lip care tubes; two lip balms which regenerate, nourish and protect the lips, and two lip glosses in Moonkissed and Sunkissed shades, all of which are made entirely from natural ingredients.

We’ve been trying out the Sunkissed Lip Gloss, which comes in a handbag friendly 15ml tube and is a gorgeous warm coral colour; perfect for the summer months and bang on trend!  

All MÁDARA products are environmentally friendly; free from harmful chemicals and preservatives, not tested on animals and certified by ECOCERT.

Carly Gordon