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Sustainable Christmas Gifts and Stocking Filler Ideas From Elephant Box

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Every regular reader of Frost will know that I am obsessed with sustainability and eco-living. So I was happy to come across Elephant Box. They make gorgeous products that last a lifetime. I recommend the gorgeous Stainless Steel Rainbow Straws and the Elephant Box 2 litre lunchbox. There is a reason it is a bestseller. My son claimed it as soon as he saw it.  Stainless steel is clean, reusable and virtually indestructible. The products are also stylish. Frost loves.
sustainability, eco-living, reusable, elephant box,
Elephant Box – with a 2 litre capacity, our best-selling lunchbox is made from 100% stainless steel. It’s perfect for food storage in the fridge/freezer and is also oven-safe. RRP £29.50.

BRAND NEW Clip & Seal Lunchbox – available in 1.2 and 1.9 litre capacity, the clip & seal lunchbox has a unique locking system making it 100% leakproof and airtight. Lightweight and ultra durable, it’s perfect for carrying food and heating it up in the oven. RRP £29.50 – £32.95.

BRAND NEW Leakproof Food Canister Trio – this set of three airtight twist and lock food canisters is incredibly versatile, equally good for taking food out or storing it at home. RRP £32.

Two-in-One Lunchbox – a long time classic, this slimline lunchbox has a 800ml capacity and a snack pod that fits snugly inside to create two sections for your lunch. RRP £28.

Leakproof Tiffin – this traditional Indian tiffin-style lunchbox has a 700ml capacity and silicone seal, perfect for carrying lunch, storing pre-cooked food in the freezer or picking up meals from your local takeaway or deli. RRP £24.95.

Stocking filler ideas – On-the-Go Cups and Plastic-free accessories

Reusable Stainless Steel Rainbow Straws – the ultimate stainless steel straw – 24cm long so it won’t disappear in your drink, 8mm diameter, and bent so it won’t jab into your gums. If that’s not enough, they’re a lovely iridescent rainbow colour. RRP £8.

Reusable To-Go Cup – a stainless steel reusable cup with a beautiful cork sleeve and silicone lid. RRP £16.

Stainless Steel Pint Cup – this pint cup is made here in the UK with 100% recycled stainless steel. Be a zero-waste hero and take it with you on your picnics, BBQs and camping trips. RRP £10.

Stainless Steel Spork – complete your zero-waste, on-the-go eating ensemble with our pocket friendly spork. RRP £7.50.

Small Screw Top Canister – raisins, biscuits, nuts & seeds, this container is perfect for carrying and storing the little things in life! RRP £12.50

Mini Snack Pod Pair – these little snack containers are big enough for a portion of your favourite snack and small enough to fit bento-style into your lunchbox or to stash some nuts in your bag. RRP £14.95.

Shop the range at www.elephantbox.co.uk – free UK shipping on orders over £50

Madonna’s Still Got It Watch The Video That Proves It

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Madonna has been awesome since 1982 and she still shows no sign up slowing down. Her performance of Living For Love at the Grammys left all young pretenders in the dust. She may get a lot of ageist comments for being 56 but this proves all of her critics wrong. The video is the isolated vocals of her performance, no auto-tune. Her six-minute performance is amazing. If you don’t believe Madonna is still at the top of her game then watch and learn.

o-MADONNA-570

What do you think? Has Madonna still got it?

5 Reasons To Give Up Alcohol

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whitewineAccording to the latest statistics the average person in Britain spends £50,000 on alcohol in their lifetime. The shocking figures were compiled by Macmillan Caner Support who are currently asking people to sign up to Go Sober for October.

Nutritionist Elouise Bauskis from nutricentre.com gives her five simple reasons not to drink alcohol, or at least to reduce your intake:

We’ve been told that a little bit of alcohol is healthy for us, for example a glass of red wine will provide us with resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant.  if you’re especially addicted to alcohol, it is not only important to cut down alcohol, it is also important to visit rehab near me for substance abuse treatment. There may be some health benefits, but there is increasing incidence of women especially, consuming beyond the recommended amount of alcohol, often binging at the weekends. It’s very easy for us to consume over the recommended 2-3 units per day – that one large glass of wine may equal this! How many of us consume way more than this in an evening out or at home?!

Women are more physiologically sensitive to alcohol than men, states experts from alcohol and drug rehab. This is because we have a lower body content of water and we have a higher fat content, therefore alcohol becomes more concentrated in our systems and is retained in our bodies longer. As a result women develop liver disease at lower levels of alcohol intake than men do, and are at increased risk of osteoporosis (due to reduced absorption of nutrients).

1. Protect your liver – The liver is an amazingly robust organ, and is the only organ that has the ability to regenerate itself after certain types of damage. Unfortunately alcohol is one of the toxins that the liver doesn’t handle as well as other toxins, and it cannot regenerate after being severely damaged by alcohol. The liver processes 95% of alcohol ingested. Alcohol is seen as a toxin and therefore the body will preferentially process it before anything else. As a result alcohol is absorbed and processed before nutrients and food; therefore it’s not a good idea to consume alcohol whilst eating!

2. Optimise your nutrient absorption and prevent excess aging – Repeated consumption of alcohol inhibits the liver’s production of digestive enzymes, which then majorly reduces the body’s ability to absorb proteins, fats and the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K), as well as the B complex vitamins especially B1 (thiamine) and folic acid. Many essential nutrients are not retained by the body and are ‘washed out’ rapidly through the urine. This means that alcohol consumption causes a major loss of valuable nutrients and antioxidants. Without these vital elements, we may not have the adequate ingredients to make collagen, meaning we may produce wrinkles more easily. With the loss of antioxidants, we may age much more quickly, losing our vitality and looks.

3. Avoid excess weight gain, especially around the middle – Because alcohol prevents the body’s ability to digest fats properly, excessive amounts of fat may accumulate in the liver. Leptin is a peptide hormone involved in the regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. High levels of leptin are known to contribute to fatty infiltration of the liver. Alcohol prevents the release of glucose from the liver and can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels). This drop in blood sugar often produces a craving for foods, especially foods that raise blood sugar such as more alcohol or sugar – not good for anyone, especially those concerned about weight gain, especially fat around the middle! For anyone with diabetes and are taking insulin, this can have very serious negative results.

4. Alcohol can negatively affect your sex life and fertility – Alcohol reduces the body’s storage of the essential mineral zinc. Zinc is involved in hundreds of reactions in the body, so without it, many processes suffer, including your hormonal balance and fertility. For men! For men it can reduce testosterone production and cause erectile dysfunction, and for women it can disrupt your menstrual cycle, and if you’re thinking about having a baby, alcohol consumption increases your chance of miscarriage and birth defects.

5. Alcohol may be making you depressed and anxious – As alcohol reduces the absorption of many essential nutrients, it may be having a major impact on your brain chemistry in a negative way. For example, those consuming excessive alcohol may have lower levels of tryptophan (the amino acid that is converted to serotonin). Low serotonin is a major feature of depression. Selenium deficiency may occur as a result of alcohol intake and is associated with depression, anxiety, confusion and hostility. The absorption of B vitamins are majorly affected by alcohol consumption, and deficiency in these crucially important vitamins will add to stress, nervous tension and energy levels.

 

 

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan And CC Cream Review

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I am pretty fair of skin and I love it. But just occasionally I give up my paleness for a bit of a tan. Usually when I am traveling, tired or ill. Sometimes you need all of the help you can get.

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan and Karora CC Cream Skin Sensation were all giving to me by the lovely Karora who were not only very proud of their products, but also chose these three to be reviewed specifically for my pale skin.

Karora tanning products review

Karora Golden Girl Gradual Tan – Light/Medium

Is a gradual tanning product, so you can build up the colour. It gives a very good glow along with a deep hydration. This moisture rich lotion conditions skin and leaves it replenished and also gives a natural glow. You use this daily, like most gradual tan products. It can be used on face and body.

I would definitely continue to use this as it is a brilliant moisturiser and it also gives a sun-kissed glow. This is perfect for the kind of light, natural, non-orange tan I love.

Karora CC Cream for Face and Body

I love alphabet creams. I now wear BB creams far more than I wear foundation. I hadn’t tried as many CC Creams though.

This CC cream is less of a tanning product, and more of a skin-perfecting cream with a hint of glowing colour. It certainly made me look like I had just come back from holiday. It certainly gives radiance, reasonably coverage (depending on how your skin is. I would need concealer on top for any hormonal breakouts), and it is also blended with skin tone correcting botanicals of green tea leaf extract and jojoba seed oil, with argan oil and acai berry to rejuvenate the skin. You can use this on your face and body. Good stuff that does diminish every flaw but won’t cover up very bad skin days. Contains no Parabens, Chemicals, Artificial, Fragrances or Synthetic Dyes.

Karora Glow Glamster Instant Tan

I only got a tiny sample of this but I did give it a try: it is a good instant fake tan that is also water-resistant. I would need a bigger sample to do a proper review but I was impressed with my initial test.

Are you a fan of Karora? Do you like to fake tan?

 

 

Permanent Make Up Artist Karen Betts Interview

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Why are we doing an interview with a permanent make up artist you may ask. Permanent make up isn’t very ‘Frost’ usually, but Karen Betts is different. She gives the gift of confidence to those with illness. Like people who have lost their eyebrows to cancer. Karen has changed the lives of many individuals with medical permanent tattooing. See the photo below as an example. The other two pictures are Karen with Arlene Phillips and Katie Piper.

makeupeyebrows karenbetts katiepiper

When and why did you first become interested in your profession?

I personally ventured into this field in 1996 after a childhood friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was not content with being just a pillar of support and wanted to be able to do more. At the time I ran a hair and beauty salon and a conventional tattooist used to rent one of my rooms, I thought to myself if you could adorn people’s bodies with such complex art why could you not develop a technique that would subtly enhance or replace facial features such as eyebrows. That is when I started my research and discovered a micro pigmentation course in the States.

 

 What, if anything, has given you a competitive edge in this field?

 

My desire to always learn more, continuously develop my skills and share this knowledge with all who carry the Nouveau Contour name. I am not precious and love showing my students techniques I have developed that improve the quality of a treatment plus I am lucky to have a fabulous relationship with the manufacturer of the Nouveau Contour equipment and pigments and year on year we work together to develop and improve our products, we now have over 82 fundamental pigment colours to choose from, the largest range in the industry.

 

Describe your typical working day.

 

I am up very early most days and I do a few hours work on the computer managing my 8 brands before catching the train to one of my 3 training academies in Yorkshire, London or Milton Keynes. I absolutely hate to waste any time so once on the train the laptop is back out and I work solid until I reach my destination. I then either prepare for a training class or a full days clinic where I perform on average 10 permanent cosmetic procedures a day. Then you have guessed it, back on the laptop working on promotional plans, critical paths, training manuals, special offers, and budgets… I could go on and on but in essence I work constant all day every day until either my partner or very patient assistant shouts at me to eat something or go to bed. If there was 8 days in a week I would work them all.

 

 What do you enjoy most about your job?

 

The feel good factor you get when you watch someone’s face light up after his or her treatment is just amazing!

 

 What’s been your biggest professional achievement to date?

 

Whilst a lot of my clients are memorable in their own rights 2 clients over the last few years have really pulled at my heartstrings and tested my capabilities. The first is a lady named Julie who was born with a cleft lip. Julie’s cleft lip has affected her confidence for as long as she can remember, aware that the shape of her lip had held her back and prevented her from making the most of her life I wanted to give Julie the perfect lip shape she had always dreamed of. To restore a cleft lip using permanent cosmetics requires a real level of skill that does not come over night but I am happy to state that Julie was overwhelmed with the results and quoted “Karen created the lip shape I had been looking for my whole life”. Her smile and the big hug she gave me at the end of her treatment spoke volumes and I am not ashamed to say, made me cry.

 

The second lady many people will recognise as her recovery from a brutal acid attack in 2008 was documented in the TV series ‘Katie Piper – My Beautiful Face’. I was honoured when I was able to help Katie. Over a twelve month process, I was able to recreate Katie’s lips, brows and eye definition. Over time our personal and professional relationship developed and in 2012 I was announced as the official and exclusive permanent make-up consultant for The Katie Piper Foundation.

What advice would you give to somebody wanting to become a permanent makeup artist?

 

As Permanent Cosmetics is a very precise procedure, the need for the correct training and support is of the utmost importance. I would advise anyone considering a career in this field  to first attend an insight day if the company offers one, this gives the person an opportunity to discover:

What is permanent cosmetics?

Do I have what it takes to be a successful permanent cosmetics artist?

What are the training options?

How long will the training take and how much will it cost?

What equipment do you need to perform treatments?

What treatments can I train in?

What do I need to do to ensure I get return on my investment?

People also need to look for a company that not only listens to what they want from their training experience but whose trainers actively carry out procedures on a daily basis.

Continuous professional development is paramount in this field as techniques and equipment are improving year on year therefore people should look for training providers who offer continued learning with free workshops and shadowing days.

I also recommend that they ask themselves the following questions:

Am I prepared to change someone’s face?

Have I got the determination and drive to make this a success?

 

What skills can people learn at the Nouveau Contour Training School?

 

We offer a developmental training programme designed to turn absolute beginners into elite permanent cosmetics artists. Our foundation courses range from 8 to 31 days long and the student can choose the training option that best suits their lifestyle and financial budget. For a full explaining of our training options visit http://pro.nouveaubeautygroup.com/nouveau-contour/training-options/

 

What are the pros and cons of permanent makeup?

 

In today’s increasingly fast-paced world, it can be hard work looking our best all the time. Juggling a career with home life is tough and our appearance isn’t always a priority. That’s why each year in the UK; thousands of women and men opt for permanent cosmetic enhancements as a timesaving way to look their best with minimum effort.

 

No longer considered a treatment just for the rich and famous, men and women of all backgrounds and social standing are opting for permanent makeup procedures as a way to save time and in many cases boost confidence.

 

Permanent makeup is also ideal for people who take part in sport, have difficulty applying makeup or are allergic to cosmetics. It can also help to camouflage scarring and bring life-changing benefits to alopecia sufferers and to people who have had breast reconstruction work or have experienced hair loss following chemotherapy treatment.

 

The only downside is there is some poorly trained permanent cosmetics artist offering treatments. Research your technician and be very clear about the result you want to achieve. The main risk is choosing a poorly educated technician just because they may be less expensive. Permanent makeup should be considered exactly that – permanent. Whilst designed to fade you should always regard the treatment as irreversible and when deciding on your technician you should always research the company they trained with, the equipment and pigments they use and indeed when they last refreshed their skills. I would also recommend that you ask to view their portfolio and do not be afraid to ask if it is their own work they are presenting to you.

 

Is there any ‘look’ that you’d refuse to do? For example a very unnatural/dramatic look?

 

With permanent make up it is not about following fashion trends but subtly enhancing or replacing someone’s natural features, obviously I can improve area’s, for example, as we mature we loose volume in our lips and I can use clever shading technique to create the illusion of a softer, plump more youthful mouth, but on the whole I do not look to other people to create permanent make up looks as it is more important to understand the individual personality, lifestyle and look of the person I am treating.

 

 As well as Katie Piper, have you had any celebrity clients?

 

Over the last 16 years I have been able to use my skills to help thousands of ladies both for cosmetic and medical purposes and I pride myself on treating every client exactly the same no matter who they are or what their profession.

 

I am discreet and professional and many high profile clients come to be because of that therefore I can not disclose all my celebrity clients. However on my website with their permission you will see that I have treated Amy Child’s and her manager Claire Powell, Coronation Street actresses Sally Dynevor and Cath Tyldesley, Sugababes Jade Ewan, Olympian Jade Johnson, choreographer, TV presenter and judge of Strictly Come Dancing Arlene Phillips, Spanish model Elen Rivas, TV presenter Lizzie Cundy, TV presenter and model Sue Moxley.

 

Do a lot of celebrities have permanent makeup nowadays?

 

Yes they do and in turn these celebrities speaking out about the benefits of permanent make-up has resulted in many new clients coming to see me for a consultation/treatment for both cosmetic and medical treatments.

 

 What’s the most fulfilling thing about your job i.e. Helping survivors restore confidence

 

I feel privilege everyday that I have a skill that can help rebuild so many people’s confidence and nothing I have achieved beats the look on a clients face when I have restored a feature that they have lost through illness or an accident.

 

What’s your motto, or the key premise / message of your business?

 

My motto is always smile, laugh and try to remain positive even when things are going really bad. Life really is too short to be bogged down with negativity.

 

The key message of my business is education, education is a powerful tool and I have built my training schools on the premise that at Nouveau Beauty Group we offer long term careers not just course, we want all our students to be the best they can be and actively promote continued professional development. I have been in the beauty business for over 20 years and still do not claim to know everything, I love surrounding myself with people from other industries that I can learn from and often I implement their advise into my business model.

 

What are the advantages of permanent makeup over regular makeup?

 

The benefits of permanent makeup over conventional makeup are immeasurable, one example is in the summer when the temperature increases and makeup can sweat off or indeed wash off if you are on holiday and fancy a dip in the pool. With subtly applied permanent cosmetics designed to mimic the most natural makeup look, ladies no longer have to worry about pencilling their eyebrows back in or their eyeliner smudging.

 

I also recommend everyone to watch the video testimonials on my website as these are real women sharing their personal experience of why they opted for permanent makeup and defy anyone to not understand the advantages of permanent makeup over conventional makeup for those living with an altered facial appearance as a result of an accident or illness.

http://www.karenbetts.co.uk/

H20X5 Steam Cleaner Review

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H20X5 Steam Cleaner reviewUpon arrival of the H20X5 Steam Cleaner my boyfriend was very confused. “I never thought I would see you get excited about a cleaning machine”, he said. “Oh, that’s only because this is supposed to be so easy to use that even you could do it”, I replied. “Well that makes more sense.” he laughed.

In truth I was excited about the steam cleaner because it also makes things easier for me. And it doesn’t use any nasty chemicals. But all of this excitement had to be backed up after using the cleaner.

The cleaner looks great, very stylish. It has lots of attachments and bits in the box. I decide to steam the curtains just to test the cleaner. It is easy to put together. I do it in minutes.

In fact the steam cleaner is a bit like a Mac computer; you can use it within minutes of taking it out of the box. After putting it together I filled it with water, using the measuring cup to fill it up to the max level and turn it on. It has an LED light which is red while heating up and green when not. It is ready within minutes and I start steaming. It is easy to use and only slightly heavier than I thought it would be.

I use different attachments and clean the flat. I cannot get over how easy it us to use, or how well it cleans. It is an essential product that, very quickly, I could never do without. Brilliant machine.

At £99.99 it may seem expensive, but it requires no other products and is 5 in 1: Floor Steam Cleaner, Carpet Steamer, Handheld steamer, window cleaner and Garment Steamer. It also eliminating 99% of bacteria. This makes the H2O Mop X5 by Thane Direct a home essential. Impressive.

 

Snog South Kensington | Food Review

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I was late to the snog party. They have been around for a while and I always wanted to get one. I shouldn’t have left it so long as they are delicious. They are also organic, made with British ingredients, have no fat, no artificial ingredients and they are low in calories. They taste amazing and the only low points is how long it takes to choose which one you want and the price. They are also low GI as they are sweetened with agave nectar.

You pick a frozen yogurt flavour; strawberry, chocolate or natural. You then choose a topping and there is a lot to choose from; oreo cookies, blueberry and marshmallows are what we had on our chocolate and strawberry yogurts, but you could also have almond, raspberry, (white and milk) chocolate, banana, mango, granola….

They are healthy and delcious, I loved Snog and will be going back.

snog, yogurt, frozer, south kensington, review,
Price: Over £10 for two yogurts? High. To be fair, prices vary, you could get a small one or a large one with only one topping. The above is a medium with two toppings, and a large with one. Prices start at £2.85 and depend on how many toppings you go for and whether you think someone might want to share your Snog.
Address: 32 Thurloe Pl, London, Greater London SW7 2HQ
Phone:020 7584 4926

Raw Skin Food Spa at Ivo Venturi.

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World renowned Beauty Medi Spa Owner Ivo Venturi, with over 30 years experience in the spa industry has welcomed Award Nominated 100% Allergen Free Ethical skincare brand, Raw Skin Food into its chic medi spa, situated in the opulent Knightsbridge opposite Harvey Nichols, on Sloane St.

As someone with a history of  bad skin in the past I am very careful with what I put on my skin. I once read that a women puts over 200 chemicals on her face a day. Do we really need all of these chemicals in our skin products? No, we don’t. And why put alcohol in them, it dehydrates! This is why I am now such a fan of Raw Skin Food. I had an Avocado facial and it looked like I was wearing very good foundation.  They now have a life long fan. I just can’t complement them enough.

Raw Skin Food’s Founder, Ethical Beauty Entrepreneur & Vegan Raw Foodist, Clare Eluka, is proud of the partnership with the spa:
‘This truly is the future of contemporary spa and treatments. Our ethos is sumptuous, healthy and ethically sound. By using living natural ingredients present in our products including Mangoes, Brown Rice and Cocoa in their rawest and freshest form, our clients will experience the truest and purest epitome of ‘Raw Skin Food’. By being a leader of the new school of spa, women and men can look to us for 100% Allergen Free treatments that will only enhance the natural beauty from the outside in by eating, drinking & applying fruit & veg to the skin.’

The beauty products are hand made, not tested on animals and don’t have any chemicals in them. They are so pure that you can actually eat them! So if you want to treat yourself and go to the spa, do, but if not; then definitely try their products. They are reasonably prices and worth every penny.

5 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 9LA