This month I'm loving......

This month I'm loving Balance Me's Super Oil with Juniper and Bergamot.



I stopped using this brilliant oil for a while (was trying other things) and now I have gone back to it, I'm remembering how good it is! Packed full of hardworking essential oils, it works a treat on troublesome areas like thighs and bums by helping to detoxify and boost circulation. It is also super moisturising and smells amazing! Despite being an oil, it is not messy and disappears into the skin quickly. It is certified by Ecocert so even better!
www.balanceme.co.uk

Black Hair Magazine - Beauty SOS

I was delighted to be asked to answer some beauty dilemmas from some of the readers of Black Hair Magazine, one being on ways to tackle blackheads.

I think a good cleansing routine is essential in the fight against these little blighters. If you wear make-up and live in a city then cleanse twice, the first to remove make-up and daily grime, then the second to get deeper into those pores getting rid of any excess oil which can cause the blackheads. Try using a hot muslin cloth in your routine, after massaging the cleanser into your skin, soak the cloth in hot water (not too hot, you want it to be comfortable on the skin) and hold to the face. The heat will open the pores allowing your cleanser to really get to work, remove the cleanser with the cloth and then splash with cold water. The muslin cloth is also a gentle exfoliant which will help shift any dead skin which can contribute to blocked pores.

Exfoliating is a must when dealing with blackheads, using a muslin cloth daily will help but try something a bit stronger once or twice a week. Also invest in a good purifying mask to help decongest skin, I really like the one from Elizabeth's Daughter, this great mask only takes three minutes to work it's magic!

DIY Facial

There is nothing like a good facial to revitalize tired winter skin and lift the spirits. If your finances are a bit stretched though, it doesn't mean that your skin can't have a treat, try this DIY facial once a week. Ok, it's not the same as an hour in the spa but your skin will thank you for it.

• Saturate a cotton pad in eye make-up remover and hold to the eyes, letting the remover melt away any make-up.

• Massage a cream cleanser into your skin, making sure you get right into the creases of the nose and chin where oil and impurities can build up. Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is great for a really deep cleanse. Run a muslin cloth under hand hot water and then hold to the face to open the pores and really let the cleanser get to work, gently remove the cleanser with the cloth. Repeat if necessary.

• A muslin cloth used daily is perfect for regular gentle exfoliation but for an extra boost to slough of those dull cells, try something a little stronger. Choose one with grains but make sure they are not scratchy or abrasive and use a light massage to apply.
  

• In preparation for your mask, add a few drops of rose water or Jurlique's Lavender Hydrating Essence, into a bowl of hand hot water. Saturate your muslin cloth in the mix, wring away excess water then lay it over your face. Breathe in the comforting smell while the warmth from the cloth relaxes your muscles and gets the blood flowing.

• Now comes your mask - I like to use two, a hydrating and soothing one for winter worn areas like cheeks and then a purifying one for the t-zone. Choose according to your skin type, whatever you choose make sure you sit back and relax while they do their job! Try laying your hot cloth over the top to intensify the treatment.

• Remove the mask gently with your cloth, using cotton pads soaked in toner to remove any last traces and to refresh your skin.

• Warm a few drops of facial oil or serum between your palms, take your time and massage it in. Massage is great for relaxing facial muscles, stimulating circulation and helping to eliminate toxins, which are all essential in the quest for radiant skin.

• Using firm upward strokes take your oil right down from your decollete, up your neck and onto your face. Use your fingers in small but firm circular motions to ease away any stress along the jawline, right up to the ears. Then from the corners of your mouth, along your cheek bones, up to your ears and onto your temples. After a long hard day this is great for alleviating any tension. Work your fingers over your forehead, from the middle back out to the temples, and then back again. Gently press your thumbs into the top of your inner eye sockets, under your brows and then work along your brows, squeezing them gently as you go. Now work underneath your eyes, press your fingers along the orbital bone working from the inner socket, up and out (this is great to do in the morning if you wake with puffy eyes, it really helps to get toxins moving). Use firm strokes to massage up the nose, between the eyes and back onto the forehead. Then circle around the nostrils, above the lip and the chin. Repeat as many times as you like!

• Now do the same with your favourite moisturiser.

• Give your eyes another helping with your eye cream, remember that you need just a small amount of product. Apply with your ring finger as this is your weakest finger so is gentle for delicate skin.

• Not forgetting those lips who are very often victims of the cold weather. Slather on your best lip balm, choose one without petroleum which although can feel good, will not actually nourish.

Now you should feel brighter and your skin should be glowing!

This Month I'm loving ......

This month I'm loving Liz Earle's Superbalm.



This gorgeous skin salve is a brilliant multi-tasker, you can use it pretty much anywhere! Packed full of plant oils and shea butter, it's great on lips, cuticles, knees, heels, elbows, even fly away hair. I put some on my cheeks before I run to protect them from the wintry air - although no running required to reap the benefits! Also great for adding a sheen to the skin and grooming eyebrows.
The list goes on ......

Check it out at Liz Earle

InStyle 100 Best Beauty Buys 2010

The prestigious InStyle Beauty Awards have announced their winners for 2010 alongside celebrating their 10 year birthday. The much anticipated awards have become renowned in the beauty world, with Instyle readers keeping the results magazine as their beauty bible for the coming year.

I was honoured to be part of the judging panel and even more chuffed to have two quotes in the magazine!

Brilliant new facial!

If you're feeling a little lacklustre from the wintery weather or suffering from too many late nights, why not give yourself an early Christmas treat and take some time out for ARK's new Skin Response Facial. ARK treat your skin according to age rather than type, they also take your lifestyle into account so they can really tailor the facial to you. I was lucky enough to experience the treatment and it is 75 mins of pure indulgence. It's a great way to pamper yourself, ease away any tension and give your skin a new lease of life to help keep you glowing through the festive season. To learn more about ARK and their fantastic facial click here to read a feature I wrote for Clique magazine.

Winter Skin Savers

As the temperature starts to drop outside and the heating comes on inside, it can play havoc with our skin. Complexions start to lose their glow, lips are prone to chapping and hands can become dry and cracked. We don't have to suffer with winter skin though, a few changes in our skincare can make a difference and help keep us radiant throughout the colder months.

Try using a creamier cleanser to soothe and nourish your skin from the start of your routine, something like Ren's No 1 purity cleansing balm, which will remove the day's grime without stripping essential moisture.

If you're still using a lightweight moisturiser from the summer then try switching it to the richer version or boost the one you've got by adding a hydrating serum. Facial oils are fantastic as well, they can penetrate further into the skin taking nutrients with them. If you don't like the feel of an oil on your face, then mix a couple of drops in with your moisturiser to still get the benefit, Trilogy's rosehip oil is a great one to try.

A moisturising mask once or twice a week can really help too, Liz Earle's intensive nourishing treatment mask is a real treat for winter skin, don't forget to exfoliate first so that the mask can really get to work.

For those lips try Balm Balm, this great little balm is brilliant for keeping them lovely and soft and is also great for anywhere else that might need a little attention, try it on windswept cheeks.

Handcream is a must in the winter as your hands are exposed to the elements and constant washing, keep one in your bag and one by the kitchen sink, ready for whenever you need it. I love the super moisturising cream by Balance Me.

Organic Skincare that looks after your purse as well

Purity Organic Skincare launched less than 6 months ago and their products are already winning awards. The British company has a strong ethical ethos and the carefully sourced sustainable ingredients make it Ecocert certified, with 98% coming from natural origins and on average 82% from organic farming. Purity have deliberately kept the ingredient list minimal, sweet almond oil, aloe vera, coconut and cranberries are among the selected few that run throughout the range. They may be few in number but as a joint force they work hard to look after your skin.
The actual range itself comprises of just seven products, keeping it as fuss free and uncomplicated as the ingredients. The creams at first seem a little rich but warm them up between your hands and they sink nicely into the skin leaving no residue. The regenerating over night moisturiser does just what it says it does and the anti-ageing serum and mask works a treat too. An even bigger treat is the price which starts at £4.99 for the cleansers and goes up to £8.99 for the mask, although from 22nd November to 27th December the mask is on special offer at £5.99. The range is exclusive to Superdrug and you can buy online, check them out at http://www.purityorganicskincare.co.uk/