Category Archives: Beauty & Grooming

Advice on still being a socialite when quitting smoking

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If you’re in the process of quitting smoking but class yourself as a socialite — this quiz to discover your smoker profile from Nicotinell should help establish if you are indeed a social smoker — you may find yourself questioning what this will mean for your social calendar.

This guide will explain how you can continue to be a socialite without the need to smoke:

There are links between smoking and alcohol

Before we advise you about how you can continue to socialise while being smoke-free, it is important to point out the close link between smoking and drinking alcohol.

At the extreme, government data has found that up to 90 per cent of people who are addicted to alcohol will also smoke. Furthermore, smokers have been found to be more likely to drink and have a 2.7 times greater risk of becoming dependent on alcohol than non-smokers do.

In general, it is important to understand that both alcohol and nicotine act on common mechanisms found in the human brain.

When it comes to nicotine, the chemical compound will enter the bloodstream as soon as you smoke a cigarette and rapidly get transported to your brain. Once there, the nicotine will stimulate the brain by creating receptors which release chemicals that give a feeling of pressure. These receptors will increase in number as smoking becomes prolonged and your brain will become reliant on nicotine in order to release these feel-good chemicals.

However, the nicotine supply in your bloodstream will drop within 72 hours of your decision to quit smoking — those receptors won’t disappear that quickly though, so your brain’s chemistry will react to cause powerful cravings and strong emotional reactions. Persistence is key, as nicotine receptors will go away with time and your brain chemistry should be back to normal within three months of a quit.

In regards to alcohol, researchers believe this substance fosters feeling of pleasure. If true, this reinforces the effects of nicotine on the brain. There are suggestions that nicotine and alcohol will moderate each other’s effects on the brain due to the fact that nicotine stimulates while alcohol sedates.

Tips for socialising when on a quit-smoking journey

So, you have taken the first step and stopped smoking, but now face the dilemma of socialising in a scenario where you would have previously had a cigarette. Here’s how to stick to your goals and still have a good time:

Don’t put it off

You shouldn’t delay going out for a drink because you’re having doubts. Everything you did as a smoker, you can do as a former smoker. Holding off too long from social drinking after quitting can create a sense of intimidation. Plus, socialising with friends is an important part of your life. The sooner you teach yourself how to enjoy a drink or two without a cigarette, the sooner you’ll feel like your life is back to normal.

Have a pep talk with yourself

Where you go to enjoy a drink could very well trigger your smoking cravings. Before leaving the house or in the car, be mentally prepared by saying aloud, “I’m a former smoker.” Or try, “I don’t smoke. I’m healthier and happier without cigarettes.” The main point is to remind yourself that you’re a former smoker and that you don’t need to light up anymore.

Aim to have a social get-together where no smoking is involved

Instead of going to a place where people are likely to be smoking, why not invite your group of friends to your house instead? You can celebrate your smoke-free success with them. You’ll be able to control what is served which can help stop those triggers and completely avoid cigarettes in your smoke-free home.

Enjoy time with non-smokers

Non-smokers and friends who will be supporting your decision to stop smoking will definitely help. Who you choose to hang out with can help support your ex-smoking status. Slip-ups can occur when quitters are in the company of other smokers who may not be aware of how to support their quit attempt.

Invite a quit buddy to join you

A friend or family member can prove a huge helping hand as your quit buddy, so be sure to invite them along to whatever social event you’re attending. A quit buddy is someone who supports your quit. Should you encounter old smoking friends who ask you to join them, make sure they are aware of your situation so they can be respectful. Not only that, you’ll also have your quit buddy to hang out with.

 

Be Kind to your Body with Kind Natured

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Before your tan fades and you dive into those winter woollies make sure to pamper your body with Kind Natured nourishing body lotions. Free from sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals Kind Natured’s hair and body products are 97% natural – and they smell delicious too.

Slough off that dry, flaky skin with Coconut and Monoi Foaming Sugar Scrub and follow with lashings of deeply nourishing Shea and Macadamia Body Lotion.

Natural sugar crystals blend with coconut, shea and minoi to create a sumptuous foaming sugar scrub that is free from microbeads. It smells of  golden summers on the beach and is gentle on the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.

 

Follow up with Shea and Macadmia body lotion to nourish and protect very dry skin. The rich lotion helps skin regain suppleness and smoothness, so lather it on and let your skin drink it in.

It’s a shame to cover that beautiful skin in sweaters really.

Tested on people not on animals, all products are reasonably priced – £4.99 for the body lotion and £5.99 for the Foaming scrub. Available at Boots and free delivery on orders over £10 direct from www.kindnatured.com

 

Spoil Yourself – Enjoy the Pleasure of Essential Oils by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last month I wrote about Puressential essential oils – some of which are sold for therapeutic uses, to treat insomnia, head lice infestations and joint pains.

 

This month I was sent a lovely travel pack of Aromatherapy minis by Scentered which I am keen to share with you (well, not literally  – they’re mine, all mine, but I will share the experience with you until you get your own – which I would recommend.)

Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants and it is believed that just smelling them can have positive effects on us, including changing our mood.  There have been a number of scientific studies, including EEG (brainwave) and imaging studies, which support this theory. So if you are feeling down, stressed, in need of inspiration or focus, why not give aromatherapy products a try? They may help and certainly smell amazing.

Scentered’s main products, which are 100% pure, are solid sticks of balm – a blend of moringa and shea butters to ensure a non-greasy finish, as well as long-lasting fragrance delivery. These are infused with different combinations of essential oils, in a handy twist-up container, which you can rub on pressure points such as the temples, neck and wrist.

Essential oils are often used to help sleep problems – the scourge of modern living. Scentered Sleep Essentials Set combines a balm stick, infused with Palmarosa, Lavender and Ylang ylang, with a silk eye-mask. Candles, scented with these and other relaxing plant oils are also available.

The first thing which hit me, when I opened the mini travel pack, was the amazing smell, which is quite addictive. The set, which is light and compact, contains five different balm sticks – each claiming to enhance your mood in different ways:

‘Be Happy’ for when you need a little cheering-up

‘De-stress’ – the clue’s in the title

‘Focus’ – to help concentration

‘Escape’ – for inspiration (I’m wearing it as I write this)

‘Sleep well’ – again, it speaks for itself

Scentered recommend you use these balms with breathing and mindfulness techniques for maximum benefit.

In this modern world of constant stimulation of 24 hour emails and social media, a little time out with yourself and some beautiful and powerful natural perfumes can do you more good than you may realise. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

 

Do You Want to Wake up Looking Good With Minimal Effort?

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Well now you can with Miroblading and Permanent Makeup from El Truchan at Perfect Definition.

If low maintenance is your thing, microblading or a permanent makeup treatment could be just what you need to make your life that little bit easier.

Have permanently perfect brows, eyeliner or lipstick and wake up with make up every day. Whether you love a bold dramatic look to your makeup or prefer a low-key natural effect, there’s a permanent cosmetic treatment for you.

The beauty of Microblading or Permanent Makeup is that it really is for women of all ages. It is the perfect way to enhance the natural beauty of your face and overall look.

It is also a great alternative to minimising the time spent each morning in front of the mirror doing your beauty routine. Instead you can wake up with perfectly applied makeup, without having to constantly reapply throughout the day.

For older women, Permanent Makeup can be used as a successful anti-ageing treatment without having to go under the knife.

 

Microblading/Permanent Makeup Eyebrows

Due to ageing the muscle tone decreases and the skin starts to lose elastine making your eyebrows sag and droop, as you get older. Some women seek surgical face-lifts to lift the brows and give their face a more youthful appearance. However, expertly applied Hair Stroke Brows that ‘mimic’ individual brow hairs, in a shape that creates an optical lift, while complementing the natural bone structure of the face can be just as effectively used to make your eyebrows look great without the need of expensive surgery.

Additionally, years of over-plucking means that hairs will often be sparse, something that a surgical face lift unfortunately can’t treat. 

Permanent Makeup Lips

Lips tend to become thinner, colourless and lose definition with ageing due to the loss of collagen, a protein found in our skin. Permanent Makeup / Micropigmentation – creates the perfect lips, which are full, well defined and healthy, this alone is sufficient to give back the shape and definition that age has taken away from the lips while adding colour for further rejuvenation.

Permanent Makeup Eyeliner

Our eyes appear to be sunken as we age, due to the fat from the eyelids sinking back into the eye sockets. This is a direct result of bags developing under the eyes, creating the dreaded ‘crow’s feet’.

The loss of elasticity in the skin makes eyelids droop, taking the attention away from the eyes, which is why the use of expertly applied eyeliner is essential.

Lashes lend to get thinner and weaker with age as well and despite all the products in the market there is very little that can be achieved to prevent that.

Permanent Makeup eyeliner is ideal if you are looking to deceive the effects of ageing and accentuate the eyes.

El is one of the experts in the industry and will be able to advise you on the best shape and colour that’s suits you.

All her treatments are bespoke and every client gets treated individually to their own needs.

About El Truchan 

El Truchan is a fully Qualified, Certified and Insured Microblading, Permanent Makeup, Micro-needling and Medical Tattoo Specialist. She holds Advanced Practitioner qualifications in Permanent Cosmetics as well as an International Accreditation from The Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals. She is a member of SPCP and the Royal Society of Medicine.

El is also a Trainer at Nouveau Contour & KB Pro Academy for Microblading, Permanent Cosmetics and Medical Tattooing – part of the Nouveau Beauty Group – the UK and International leading experts in Permanent Cosmetics.

On the Medical tattoo side – El performs 3D Nipple & Areola Tattooing, Scalp Microblading and Micropigmentation – hair simulation, Vitiligo Camouflage Tattooing, Cleft Lip & Lip Features Recovery.

El also performs Facial & Body Aesthetics Micro-needling procedures including Wrinkle Therapy, Stretch Marks Reduction, Scar Relaxation and Pigment Recovery Stimulation.

For more information visit – www.perfectdefinition.co.uk or contact El directly – info@perfectdefinition.co.uk

El works from a number of London locations including –

BANK

Stonehealth Clinic

LG Floor,

36-38 Cornhill, Bank,

London

EC3V 3ND

 http://stonehealthclinic.co.uk

CANARY WHARF

Bouton de Rose

2 Cochrane House, Admirals Way, Canary Wharf,

London

E14 9UD

HARLEY STREET

Wimpole Therapeutics

2 Wimpole St,

London

W1G 0ED

You can also find more information on El by visiting her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/perfectdefinition/

 

 

Cut out the holiday hassle with Bramley

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It’s stressful enough packing for holiday without decanting your favourite products into little plastic bottles to pass security regulations. Now you don’t have to as Bramley have introduced a range of their larger size products into 50ml and 100ml bottles

Bramley’s countryside inspired collection of bath, body and hair products are available to buy separately so that you can mix and match to create your perfect collection.

We tested the shampoo and conditioner. After a hectic day travelling the lemon, mandarin and rosemary essential oils in Bramley shampoo and conditioner gave an instant lift and soothed frayed nerves. The smell was heavenly and the combination of products left hair feeling soft and glossy. Both products are gentle on the hair and can be used daily.

Bramley use only the highest quality essential oils which not only have renowned therapeutic effects but also naturally fragrance their products. They contain 100% natural botanicals and do not use any artificial colours or ingredients and do not test on animals.

Available in sizes: 50ml or 100ml

 

Lemon, mandarin and rosemary essential oils are combined to create a softening conditioner.

 

Available in sizes: 50ml or 100ml

 

Other travel size products available Hand Wash, Hand Cream, Body Lotion, Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Travel Candles

www.bramleyproducts.co.uk

Why Not Try Essential Oils For Some Common Medical Problems? by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Some plants have therapeutic properties, and some modern medicines are derived from plants – for example digoxin, and anti-cancer drugs, such as taxotere and vincristine. Ayurvedic medicine draws on the many medicinal plants in the Indian rainforests and our grandmas all knew of herbal remedies, such as peppermint for an upset stomach and camomile for a good sleep.

If you have a serious illness you should consult your doctor. Modern medicines have been rigorously tested, and are formulated to deliver a consistent, safe and effective dose.

However, for some conditions you could consider essential oils as an alternative – and why not enjoy Mother Nature’s help, when it is safe to do so?

Puressential invited Frost to a lunch and presentation on their essential oils, which, importantly are high quality, natural and/or organic and are classified as botanically and biochemically defined (EOBBD)).  Some of their products are described below:

Purifying Air Spray

Purifying Air Spray contains 41 essential oils and, in a laboratory setting, kills various viruses, bacteria, fungi and mites. Although this testing doesn’t translate directly to the home, the spray could benefit room atmosphere. It certainly smells lovely and I would rather use this than a chemical-based home fragrance.

Rest and Relax Air Spray

I have used lavender sprays for jet-lag in the past.  The Rest and Relax Spray contains twelve essential oils, chosen to sooth, relax, and aid sleep. I tried my sample before bed and it I certainly felt well-rested the next day.

Anti-Lice and Lice-Repellant

If you’re reading this on the tube, this is the moment where you lift your head from the head-rest and sneak wary looks at your neighbours’ heads.

I remember the misery of having to coat my young children’s hair in a noxious-smelling chemical, for hours, only to find it often hadn’t even worked. And this is the problem – head lice develop resistance very quickly.

Puressential repellent spray contains ten essential/plant oils and no synthetic pesticides. It killed lice, larvae and the eggs during laboratory testing. It is necessary to use it with a ‘nit comb’ (supplied) for best effect. As with any lice treatment, there are no guarantees, but at least it is a natural, pleasant product, and an alternative worth considering.

Interestingly, ‘selfies’ are contributing to an increase. Lice only spread when heads are in close contact – just a gap of 6 cm seems to protect. Puressential sell a repellent spray, which, in laboratory tests, repelled 2/3 of lice by that critical 6cm, 95% of the time. The effect lasted up to 24 hours, so you could use as a daily protective spray for your kids’ hair, particularly when there is a school outbreak. It doesn’t give 100% protection, but may reduce infestation risk.

Puressentials make other products too, including for muscular pains – which can be found on their website http://www.puressentiel.com/uk/

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

Inner-Soul Roses and Lemons Daily Nourish Kit Review

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Inner-Soul’s Roses and Lemons Daily Nourish Kit Review

We love natural skin care so decided to review Inner–Soul‘s trio of 100% natural, certified organic products. We reviewed a trio of products:  Roses and Lemons Tender Cleanse Balm, Barefaced Beauty Natural Serum and Supreme Comfort Daytime Moisturiser. The cleanse balm removes make up well and leaves skin feeling super clean. It is gentle and smells great. The serum can be mixed with the moisturiser and also smells great. It has vitamin C in which is known to be great for skin. The moisturiser feels very nourishing. It doesn’t have an SPF in which would be my only complaint. All three of the products feel great on skin and smell good. They are 99%, 41% and 81% organic respectively. They have a good range of ingredients and are gentle while leaving skin looking great. The samples we were sent were not enough to use for a long length of time so we can’t say if the products make a good, long-term difference to skin, but we were impressed overall. Good stuff.

 

Give your skin the treatment it deserves every day with Inner–Soul‘s trio of 100% natural, certified organic products to cleanse, nourish and moisturise. Presented in a beautiful organic silk drawstring pouch and includes 55ml Cleanse Balm and Moisturiser and 15ml Serum. £59.00

Emma believes that a daily skincare routine including massage equals happier, healthier skin and this kit makes it simple for you to achieve this. Roses and Lemons Tender Cleanse Balm, award-winning Barefaced Beauty Natural Serum and Supreme Comfort Daytime Moisturiser have been designed to balance dry, sensitive and mature skin types with antioxidant-rich fruit and flower extracts leaving you nourished, soft and glowing.
TIP: Become your own skincare expert by simply mixing as much or as little of the face serum with the moisturiser in your hand before applying and see how your skin responds.
Inner–Soul is all about boosting inner confidence through treatment of the skin holistically to nourish, balance and enhance.
Inner–Soul’s Founder Emma Coleman is a qualified Aesthetic Nurse, Clinical Aromatherapist and Skin Nutritionist and offers clients a comprehensive range of bespoke skincare treatments and solutions through a combination of science and nature with natural & organic skincare, facials, rejuvenating treatments and aesthetic injectables.

 

 

Shop Skincare Launches: The New Beauty Site You Will Love

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Very exciting beauty news indeed: a new website for beauty lovers has launched. shopskincare.co.uk are a team of like-minded beauty lovers who love a beauty recommendation. However they describe themselves as a cynical bunch who try every product before it makes its way onto the site to make sure it is good enough. Shop Skincare lets you try something new from a brand you love, experience a new brand or give a gift. If that was not enough each order over £40 receives a free beauty box which contains full size products from the brands on the site.

There is over 200 products on the site from the biggest and best brands. What are you waiting for? Dive in….

shopskincare.co.uk

Are you an aspiring make-up artist or beauty blogger? Do you love trying out new beauty products?

Shop Skincare the exciting new online beauty retail site launches July with a panel of beauty, health and wellbeing experts, the search is on for a makeup artist / beauty blogger to join the team.

We are looking for someone who loves to try out new make-up and beauty products who we can support with free products for them to review as well as feature them on our blog and social pages. We’d love you to share this with your readers, as it’s a great opportunity, or you might want to enter yourself!

How to enter:  

Follow @shop.skin.care on Instagram and tag a photo with your favourite make up look and the winners will be picked as soon as the site is launched.