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!

Like thermal undies for your lips!

Okay, it's officialy cold! No matter how wrapped up we are in hats, gloves, scarves and winter woolies we can't avoid the harsh effects of the cold air on our faces.

Glowing cheeks is one thing, but sore cracked lips is unacceptable!

I have been using Dermalogica's amazing Renewal Lip Complex for a while now as my daily lip treatment to restore delicate tissue, minimize contour lines and help prevent the signs of aging (which it actually does) but now with this winter freeze I don't leave home without it!

With no artificial fragrances or colours it's magic in a tube.

What an angel!

Surya Brasil's Amazonia Preciosa skin and haircare, Sapien Men, Hand Sanitizer and Surya Henna ranges are now on shelf at Ethnic Angel, a wonderful new supermarket in the heart of Paris.
Not just a supermarket, but a voyage of discovery, Ethnic Angel offers its patrons the chance to savour treats from around the globe. The ground floor reminds me of La Grande Epicerie with it's diverse selection of exotic yet elegant groceries, then up to the first floor for an array of beauty products from Japan to tahiti, Israel to the Ivory Coast, Brasil to Morocco need I say more!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Okay, so this picture has nothing to do with the cosmetics industry, but hey! it's my blog and I like it!
However this could be a good ad for that great brand Yes to Carrots!

Face lift for Sapien Men!

New look Sapien Men by Surya Brasil is hitting the shelves. This excellent organic hair, face and body range for men have received accolades world wide, but now have a visual presence to match the high standard of the products!

Bravo to Surya Brasil!

Surya Brasil's Sapien Men's aftershave cream and facial scrub have been awarded a recommendation by L'Observatoire des Cosmetiques the prestigious cosmetics guide. And to add to that honour, a further six Surya Brasil products will receive the same accolade in next years « Guide to the best cosmetics 2011-2012 »

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!