Travelling smart!

In my quest to hang on to my personal effects whilst flying round the world, I've stumbled onto this little gem.
Travalo is a pocket sized 8cm refillable perfume atomizer spray bottle that can be filled in seconds. With its unique pump action there's no need for a funnel, so no spills which means you don't have to suffer an accidental perfume overload. Packing an incredible 50 sprays plus a small window to see when you're running low, this aircraft grade aluminium bottle is safe and tough enough to carry your favourite fragrance wherever you go... and it's even allowed in your hand luggage!

Tasty fragrances!

There's a fine line between the beauty industry and the food industry, and I'm often enlisted to consult on those cross over projects.

So whilst scouring this years SIAL Paris for interesting and unusual innovations I discovered this attractive and just plain tasty range of organic food flavourings that tickled my sensorial taste buds like expensive perfume.

Brum' is a new concept of airless aluminium spray cans containing organic essential oils and natural flavours to enhance or even replace fresh herbs, flowers and citrus fruits. From black pepper and fennel to grapefruit and geranium, it's like Chanel for food lovers!

Love my face!

Thanks to my myface cosmetics, I have made the transition from summer glow to autumn glam without missing a beat!
myface cosmetics make it easy for non-professionals to get the make-up artist finish. Divided into the three skin tone categories, fair, medium and dark, each range allows the consumer to get the right blend of colours to suit their complexion. Lipstick tones match blushers which in turn compliment the foundations. So no more unnecessary purchases, it's a one stop shop to looking good.

Nailed it!

Well the French beauty consumer has spoken! Or at least let us in the business know that even in a recession looking good matters right down to our finger tips.
Statistics show that in the past year colour cosmetics sales in France's mass retail have risen by 2.6% with Nails leading the pack at whopping 10% rise. Eyes are next with a 2.7% rise followed by Face at 2.6% and Lips at 1.2%.
There's nothing like a little colour to lift the spirits!

From ice lollies to fat loss!

The Zeltiq technology was developed after scientists in the US noted that children who sucked a lot of ice lollies had unusually hollow cheeks.
The reason for this they discovered is that fat cells freeze and die at a much less extreme temperature than skin and muscle cells.
According to testimonials from people who have had the treatment it is "uncomfortable" but not painful and recovery time is short. I've checked around and the price is quite high (approximately 1000€ per session), but still a better solution than liposuction! I'm going to wait for the day we can all buy a Zeltiq at the corner store (remember the Walkman?!)

A change is in the air!

How many times have you had to reluctantly give up your favourite lip gloss, hand cream, even mascara because you forgot it was in your bag when going through airport security! Even having carefully measured out my toiletries into flight friendly containers, there’s always something that gets forgotten. Well there was good news at the meeting of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) last week in Montreal for those of us who can’t live without our lotions and potions. Within the next two years the current restrictions will be lifted thanks to new explosive detecting technology.
My question today is what actually happens to all the good stuff that gets confiscated?!

2000 years of looking good!

How does an olive tree span 2000 years? That was the question that prompted the founders of Millea, in collaboration with “Nicolas Alziari” the world-renowned makers of fine ‘grand crus” olive oil since 1868, to create this range of high performance organic skincare. Ecologically responsible, certified organic by Ecocert and dedicated to sustainable development, Millea offer their clients the opportunity to participate with the kit “an olive tree for life”. Each kit contains three olive tree seeds to be planted as a small gesture in maintaining the balance of nature!

Peel, Seal and Reveal

They say never judge a book by its cover, but with MD Corrective Care that’s what first caught my eye. The bright, colourful and inviting packaging made me want to take a closer look, and when I did, I found that the within those fun covers were medical grade power packed formulas that simplify professional skincare. MD Corrective Care's second skin technology addresses aging skin, oily and acne prone skin, sensitive skin and photo damaged - hyper pigmented skin. I especially like their “Instant spot lightener” for those “old lady” freckles.

My latest "Coup de Coeur"

This fun, scrumptious brand of organic skincare Pulpe de Vie won the "Coup de Coeur" at this
year's Beyond beauty, and it's not hard to see why!
Their values are simple: Innovation, Quality, Efficiency and Sustainable Development. They source locally produced organic ingredients, reducing their carbon footprint to a minimum and helping small fruit producers diversify their organic production!
The products also look great, smell wonderful and the web site is terrific. Definitely a brand to watch!

Beauty and beyond!

Well, it's that time again.
Beyond Beauty opens at the Porte de Versailles on Sunday September 12th for 4 days.
I am expecting the usual mix of innovation, the latest technology and a look at the new trends about to hit the market.
It is not the biggest beauty show, but it is certainly one of the best!
See you there......

A must read beauty blog!

For my French speaking friends, check out this fabulous new beauty blog MakeMyBeauty

Created by make-up artists Nelly Chatagnon and Alexandra Bonelli, this elegant blog is a "bookmark" essential.

Hair at last!

Following the success of Revitalash and Revitabrow at Paris's beautiful department store Le Bon Marchè, Athena's fabulous Hair by Revitalash is now on shelf.

Men and women who struggle with fine, thinning hair will now have a new tool in their arsenal to achieve more attractive hair.

Hair by Revitalash is a unique conditioner that fortifies and strengthens the hair making it appear thicker and fuller in as little as two weeks.

Available exclusively at Le Bon Marchè for €132.50

Where to shop à Paris

I'm constantly asked where to shop for cosmetics in Paris. This could be because I am the consumate consumer, or that I'm "in the business" or just that I wear a lot of make-up, but my answer is more often than not Beauty Monop.

The 4 Paris based Beauty Monop stores are a combination of everyday necessities and innovative niche "must haves". The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and I always manage to find what I'm looking for....even if I didn't know I was looking!

Beauty Monop addresses:
28 rue des Abbesses Paris 75018
64 rue Oberkampf Paris 75011
118 rue St Charles Paris 75015
Les 4 Temps shopping mall at La Défense

Goat soap?

My passion for cosmetics is only outdone by my love of food, which makes France the perfect place to live!

French cheese is is hard to top, and the Rocamadour goat's cheese is one of my favourites. So imagine my delight when I discovered that not only can I eat it, but now I can wash with it!

Well not exactly, but close enough.

A company based in the beautiful city of Rocamadour called Exquises Caprines are making a soap from goat's milk in the form of this famous cheese. Goat's milk soap is known for its antibacterial properties, and the tiny fat molecules absorb easily into the skin leaving it moisturised, smooth and supple.

Come and get it!

I've just launched Revitalash 2.4ml at the Pharmacie Anglaise
on the famous Champs Elysees Paris.

Sapien Men gets the recognition it deserves!

Sapien Men, the wonderful organic men's toiletries range by Surya Brasil, has been cited among the best products available for men in the new edition of "Les Meilleurs Cosmétiques pour les hommes".

2 out of the 6 Sapien Men products came in 2nd and 5th from an evaluation of 717 products and 112 brands.

Go Sapien Men!

Revitalash launches the 2.4ml!

Revitalash 4.1ml has been flying off the shelf, and even though it lasts for 6 months, there are many potential customers who don't have the 110€ to pay in one go.

In response to the growing demand for this amazing product, Athena Cosmetics have now made a 2.4ml version, which lasts for 3 months, at a retail price of 70€.

Now more people can have fabulous eyelashes without breaking the bank!

Green Nail Polish....and they even have green!

In my eternal quest for "green cosmetics", I have discovered this amazing range of water based "green" nail polishes from the Canadian company Suncoat.

The array of colours means that glamour doesn't have to be bypassed while doing our bit for the planet.

Check out their website for more organic cosmetics......this is the future!

Bave d'Escargot....much nicer in French

Having lived in France for many years I have eaten my fare share of snails, cooked in lashings of garlic butter, but the thought of snail slime had never before whet my appetite. Until now!

I won't however be eating it, but rubbing it all over my body!

A company called Innovatouch Cosmetic have a small line of products made from "bave d'escargot" which literally means snail drool...hmmm!

The healing properties of snail drool are well documented and it is the molecule allantoïne that does the trick. The allantoïne, proteins, vitamins, natural antibiotics and collagens found in this drool combined with Aloe and Silicium make these effective anti-age products a lot more appetising than you’d think.

Revitabrow now available at Le Bon Marchè