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.

Health & Beauty: ‘Un’ Condition Oil Is Perfect For ALL

Everyone Will Want The Latest Skincare Product From Jane Scrivner - It Works For All Types Of Skin Conditions, That's Why It's Called 'Un'condition Oil.

'Un'Condition Oil is 100% organic, cold pressed and unrefined argan oil, extracted from the Argan fruit which is native to Morocco. Argan oil is highly valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. Rich in vitamin E and loaded with hydrating, essential fatty acids (polyphenols, squalene and ferulic acid), it is also full of anti-oxidants. It promotes overall skin health but really comes into its own when treating a specific skin condition.

Argan oil is reputed to help all sorts of skin conditions - dry skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea - whatever your condition, this is 'un' Condition Oil...bringing your skin back to great condition.
'Un'Condition Oil is £23.00 for 30ml.

Rachel

Health & Beauty: Rock Face Minerals Unveils Latest Additions To The Pure Mineral Makeup Range

Rockface Minerals are another mineral make-up brand that has been doing the rounds on La Luminata. We have been trying out this small new make-up range with very pleasing results. The coverage is light, natural and with a good consistency. Try out their foundation and finishing powder for a polished finish and airbrushed look!

Rachel

Health & Beauty: The Aloka Fragrance Pre-Launch

Myself and fellow eco writer Miss Eco Glam visited the Aloka Fragrance Pre-Launch of the 'Pegasus' range which will be rolled out in the New Year. Not only did we get to sample some raw food delights from Aloka, but we also met some really interesting fellow bloggers and industry experts.

If you don't know about Aura-Soma, you can find out a little more here. The fragrances are based on the same healing principles of the Aura Soma bottles, containing natural oils, fragrance, colour and crystal energy. I have to admit that after having a good test of each I pretty much wanted the whole range. The good news is that a lot of the fragrances translate as unisex so that you can use them with a partner or simply keep it all to yourself! More information will be coming on the beautiful Pegasus range from us in the new year...we are already big fans!

Rachel

Updates: Zappa’s ‘Belle Epoque’ Photoshoot for In-Store Magazines & Window Displays

Last year I worked on a photoshoot for Zappa's hair salon, styling the images for their Fleet branches Window Display and In-Store Magazines based on their 'Belle Epoque' theme. Based on a strong Helmut Newton theme, the salon created the striking hair & Make Up styles and I individually styled each model accordingly in bold, dynamic clothing that would evoke a strong 1940's/1950's mood. I used a lot of vintage items and accessories from my own collection, plus clothing from Ophelia Fancy to create unusual and structured looks based on a light/dark theme.

Hair & Make Up: Zappa's Team, Photographer: Steve Hart, Art Direction: Simon Webster, Styling: La Luminata

Rachel

Updates: Commissioned Photoshoot with Miss Aniela

Earlier this year I worked on a wonderful Commissioned photoshoot with the amazing Miss Aniela, photographing a beautiful lady called Jane.

To celebrate the turning of her 40th birthday, Jane came up with some ideas surrounding images that she wanted to create as a special gift to herself. Collaborating with Miss Aniela photographer Natalie Dybisz, we all decided on several photographs that would express Jane's personality, interests and reflect where she was at this stage in her life. I stepped in to style the photographs and to help create the magical looks that Jane and Natalie had envisaged.

I really love this kind of work, as it allows me to connect with other people and bring out their positive aspects, whilst helping them to see themselves in a new light that is maybe repressed or hidden. Jane did a great job of posing and modeling for the photo's and I know that we took her out of her comfort zone. The photo's speak for themselves...an amazing woman at the prime of her life!

If you would like to commission your own styled and themed photoshoot, it's easy. Get in touch to discuss options: rachel@laluminata.co.uk

Rachel