A glamorous approach to fighting germs!

Silkmed is the result of years of research into creating a unique gel that eliminates 99% of germs without drying out your hands. Even with regular use the chamomile, hazel flowers and rose essence leave your hands cleansed and nourished. 

Made in Switzerland, Silkmed can not only boast of "Swiss made" precision but also elegant packaging and subtle fragrances never before seen in this type of utilitarian product. 

I always carry one in my handbag so wherever I am I can protect myself from everyday germs and enjoy the process!

FNUG. A little Danish gem!

This fabulous range of nail varnish was created by the equally fabulous Charlotte Fnug Munksgard, a well-respected authority in the European Beauty Industry. Fnug varnish is chip resistant and long lasting. In addition to nourishing protein, strengthening silica, vitamins A, D, E and B the varnish contains delicate caviar, which is high in nutritious essential amino acids and minerals.

To make things even better, these « must have » fashion accessories do not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP). So there you have it! A healthier option for a high fashion finish!

Even the best of us can use a face lift!

Whilst in Florence I visited the amazing Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. As I entered, looking for the beautiful 17th century frescos, I was surprised to see 21st century scaffolding and plastic sheeting. Luckily for me they were still open for business and as I passed through the various rooms (not all swathed in dust sheets), the melange of fragrances and extensive choice of ancient remedies and delicious indulgences carried me back to a time long forgotten! Bellissimo!

Cosmoprof 2012

Can't wait to see what's new at Cosmoprof 2012!

Not only do I get to see the latest innovations in cosmetics, but I get to eat great italian food too!

Lulu does it again!

I love Lulu's Time Bomb range, and the new day and night serums are just fantastic!

Great funky packaging with a sense of humour, but most importantly, great effective age defying product inside!

Thanks Lulu!

Great family photo!

With fantastic results and great looking, soft touch packaging, Athena Cosmetics products are flying off the shelf!

A great start to 2012!

Garancia my hero!

Having reached the ripe old age of 47, my skin suddenly took on the guise of a 14 year old boy! It is true that I had been praying for a more youthful appearance, but this was not what I had in mind!
I tried every wash, lotion and gel on the market but nothing seemed to work. I had even made the painful decision to stop eating chocolate, when my pharmacist recommended that I try the new offering from Garancia.
OMG! What an amazing product! It claims to show visible improvements after the first application, and it does! My skin is healthy, blemish free and looking good again!
We've all heard of "hero products", well I have to say that the new Sulfureuse Pâte du Marabout by Garancia is my Super-Hero!

Great organic skincare with a sense of humour!

When I first got my hands on the Consonant range of natural & organic skin care products from Canada, I was impressed by their simple, clean, and judging from the amount of text, informative packaging.
Then I looked closer and realised that if the products themselves were as good as the witty blurb on the labels, then I was in for a treat.
Having tested a number of the products, I can honestly say that their claims of luxurious, effective and healthy skin care are all true.
My particular favourites are the Foaming Face Wash and the Ultra Firming Eye Cream, but the entire range is terrific for a head to toe healthy option!

Revitalash Mascara good enough for a Princess!

I just love the Mascara by RevitaLash, but the latest news from Warner Brothers Extra TV is that Kate Middleton agrees with me! Need I say more?!

Intelligent pain relief!

Intelligent textiles have been around for a while, but Dolitex is the first to use its intelligence to ease pain!
These “Aromatherapy Textile” bandages contain 1 million micro-capsules of Mint, Grapefruit, Lemon, Marjoram Sylvester and Cypress essential oils per square centimeter.
Like a second skin over a sensitive joint (wrist, ankle, knee and elbow) the intelligent textile diffuses it’s soothing oils continuously whilst worn, reducing inflammation, improving blood circulation and easing pain.
The effectiveness of each bandage last up to 30 washes, and will soon be available in back, neck and shoulder support.
It’s not just intelligent it’s pure genius!

Pet Peeve!

Whilst leafing through one of the world's leading women's magazines I came across an article comparing the best anti-wrinkle treatments on the market.
The article itself was very informative but I couldn't get past the fact that the model used to illustrate it was about 15 years old!!!!
What's up with that?!

Cosmoprof rocks!

Luckily I wore comfortable shoes, because the two days I spent hoofing around Cosmoprof Bologna took its toll on my poor feet!
The vast collection of halls were bursting at the seams with brands from all corners of the globe. The sights, sounds and most of all smells, stayed with me long after I collapsed exhausted into my airplane seat.
I learned pretty quickly that young Italian women are crazy about all things "nail" and "hair" and sought refuge in the more sedate areas where I could actually talk to and learn about some very interesting new companies and what they had to offer.
The classics were present as always, but I was looking for "what's new" and definately found some winners!
Thank you Cosmpoprof 2011 for an event worth visiting and by the way...the pizza was delicious!

Polish Perfection

With a world in recession, the demand for inexpensive, yet high quality cosmetics is ever growing.

Many of the women I have spoken to want to pay less but are reluctant to buy products "made in China". The solution is simple "Made in Poland"! The quality is high, with strict European regulations being respected, and transportation and logistics help to make the products extremely accessible to European stockists.

I recently visited Bell Cosmetic's factory just outside Warsaw in Poland and was very impressed with the high level of technology, craftsmanship and quality of the finished product.

Bell make their own Bell Brand as well as an extensive range of private label products for clients such as Avon, Guerlain and Artdeco.

With a growing demand for high quality cosmetics at affordable prices, Bell is one to watch!

Mingling with the stars!

I just spent a fabulous 2 days in the Cesars gifting suite talking about (and giving away) RevitaLash to an array of the finest French cinematic talent. The stars I talked to were so excited about the prospect of trying this great product. All they had to do was take one look at my spectacularly long, thick and full eyelashes then compare them with my cleverly displayed “before” picture for proof and voila they were convinced ! Check me out in the video report from the lovely Rebecca Leffer of Premier.fr. (I'm at 3minutes 17seconds) My only wish is that I’d had a team of make up artists and hair stylists standing by for my close up, but I am after all just a mere mortal.

(Photographs of Frederique Bel, Josiane Balasko, Marilou Berry and George Berry by Kerstin Alm)

A volcanic spring in your bath tub!

The Japanese know a thing or two about well-being, and Yunohana bathing salts bring that knowledge right into your bathroom.

Harvested from the steam of volcanic springs, the salts are rich in trace elements and minerals including iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium and gold. And the benefits are remarkable, from dermatology to rheumatology!

Detoxifying, revitalising and relaxing!

Just 20 minutes, two or three times a week for six weeks is recommended to reap the benefits and experience the long term effects, but even just the once made me feel like a new woman!

Yunohana is available in selected organic stores in France and on the website www.lemondeestbio.com

Le Bon Marché have it all!

Le Bon Marché in Paris now stocks all the amazing Athena Cosmetics products!

The new improved formula of RevitaLash® is better than ever! Packed full of botanicals and peptides the results are spectacular and fast - I have clients telling me they see the results in just 3 weeks!

And arriving on shelf this week is Mascara by Revitalash®! This high performance, clump-free formula and custom designed brush will separate and define your lashes for an eye-popping finish!

Take your hair to the Spa!

I recently discovered these fabulous organic products by L'Instant 2Moss in Paris.

At their elegant institute, which is more "spa" than hair salon you can have personalised hair treatments and massages to ensure the well-being and beauty of your hair, and even get a cut and blow dry.

L'Instant 2Moss use only natural and organic ingredients. Their hydrating and purifying shampoos, conditioners, oil and day cream leave your hair silky, shiny, healthy and smelling wonderful too!

The products can be ordered from the website, bought at the institute or at Le Bon Marchè Paris.


L'Instant 2MOSS - 5 square de L'Opéra Louis Jouvet - 75009 Paris - tél. + 33(0)1.44.56.03.66

Looking forward to what's new in 2011!

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.
Watch this space for what's the world of cosmetics will bring us this year!

Made in Japan

Whilst browsing at my favourite Beauty Monop store in Paris, it was recommended that I try Japanese company DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil. I was sceptical because I am not a great oil lover, unless it's on a salad, and taking off my make up with anything oily has always been unpleasant, mucky and leaves my eyes all puffy. Not a good look for me! But I trust the advice I get at Beauty Monop and gave it a go. To my surprise it was a pretty painless experience and I woke up this morning with smooth clean skin and not a puff in sight! The Deep Cleansing Oil is DHC's top seller worldwide, but some of the other products in their range now look tempting. Their packaging style is more scattergun than harmonious, but if the products within are as good as the oil, then they are worth a try!