Open House
I had my first open house last Thursday. It was nerve racking but exciting. The people who attended were fantastic and supportive. It was great to see people love the things that I do. Anyway, I won't go on too much but here's a photo to show how happy I was along with some of Mel's Little Luxuries.
What's Out There for Vegans? Aluminé!!
I met some lovely people over the weekend and they were asking about vegan beauty products. They cared very much about what went onto their skins as well as into their bodies. Out of curiosity I have been researching what vegan products are out there. Some stores have products which you really have to speak with the sales assistants about to establish what they contain as some of them have by-products from animals, which means that they are not vegan. I think I have found th...e answer!! Peter Lamas a renowned beauty guru has created “Aluminé” which contains natural ingredients and they are 100% vegan. Lamas totally recognizes that chemicals have harmful effects on the skin and has created wonderful vegan products free of animal based ingredients and no animal testing has been involved in its production. They are free of parabens with a combination of exotic botanical ingredients and have the primary purpose of protecting the skin and hair. The creator has helped celebrities such as Cindy Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor. If you want to know more about the selection, message me through my Mel's Little Luxuries FB page or this website.
Skin Care Basics
Do you have a bathroom shelf full of skin care products? Do you use them for a short period of time without giving them a chance to work and then change to a new product? Well in reality, you should not use too many skin care items. The skin cell turnover is every 28 days and as you get older, it is slower. You have to give it time for the skin to reap the benefits from the product you are using. If you are constantly changing your skincare items, you are confusing the skin and upsetting it which can lead to irritations.
Be ruthless and go through your make up bag and clear your shelves of all the items you don’t really need. Invest in a good moisturizer for your skin type as well as a good night cream and serum. Additionally I recommend you can get the following:-
1. A gentle face scrub to exfoliate.
2. For mature skins purchase a neck cream and when you apply it, be sure to sweep the cream in an upwards motion.
3. Eye cream – this is particularly good for noticeable fine lines, dark circles and puffy eyes.
4. Skin care protection for exposure to the sun - as well as using sun preps with an SPF between 20-30 remember that aftersun is just as important!
Why should I drink water?
This might seem like a stupid question but so many people just aren’t drinking enough water. It is so important that we do this and here are 6 reasons why:
- It flushes out the impurities in our body.
- It helps in transporting nutrients and oxygen in cells around the body which help the body to function properly.
- Water gives boosts energy levels and diminishes tiredness.
- Helps with weight loss by moving the by-products of fat and reducing hunger by filling you up.
- Improves the appearance of skin. Water hydrates the skin and therefore helps with a healthy complexion and anti-aging.
- Boosts the immune system.
It is recommended that we drink 8 glasses of water a day. So that you don’t forget, why not carry a bottle of water with you. This ensures that you are hydrating through the course of the day. If you don’t really like the taste of water, why not try adding a few slices of lemon or lime to bring some excitement to the flavour.
Are You Getting Your Sleep?
So, why do you need to sleep? This question might seem to have an obvious answer but it is so important that you understand why! Sleep allows the skin to restore its natural balance. Your skin needs to regenerate and if you do not get enough sleep, it results in stress, breakouts and the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes . A lack of sleep has the effect of the excess production of cortisol which breaks down collagen. Unfortunately this means that the skin becomes wrinkled and saggy and you look much older than you actually are! Not getting enough sleep also means that the skin loses it's ability to effectively rehydrate itself. Sleep is therefore crucial for beautiful looking skin.
Here are 4 tips that can help you to get a good night sleep:-
1. Develop a regular bedtime schedule.
2. Don’t drink caffeine before bedtime – it over stimulates you and you may find it difficult to sleep.
3. Do not drink alcohol! It affects your sleep pattern.
4.No heavy meals before sleep! Not only does this disrupt your sleep but it encourages weight gain.
Sleep tight!
10 Tips for Beautiful Healthy Nails
Are you fed up of chipped, dry and constantly breaking nails? Here are 10 useful tips which will hopefully improve the look and condition of your nails:
- Use a nail strengthener which adds shine and protects the nail
- File gently with an emery board or crystal glass file and do this in one direction
- Wear gloves when doing the washing up as it protects both the hand and nails
- Use acetone-free nail polish removers as they are gentle on the nails
- Apply hand and nail cream every time you wash your hands as this hydrates them
- Oils can be great for hydrating nails. Sweet almond oil or Neem oil are great for moisturising the nails. Neem oil is said to contain ancient healing properties
- Vitamin D is linked with improved nail growth and is a contributor to healthy nails, skin, teeth and bones. Try to find vitamin D in milk and cereals which have been fortified with the nutrient. Vitamin D is also said to be found in eggs, beef liver and fatty fish sources. Your diet is so important in looking after your nails. Eat oily fish, nuts and seeds
- Use a magnesium supplement which combines with calcium to give you strong nails. Also use omega 3 fatty acid which is important for most of the body and brain function including healthy nails and skin
- Silica is a mineral which has been said to nourish the nails and carries nutrients to the nail bed. Try to incorporate this into your diet.
- Keep nails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails.
My Top 6 Oils and Butters for Skin Care
We are really blessed to be surrounded by natural products which are fantastic for caring for our skin. My particular favourite ingredients to use are oils and butters which are naturally found in seeds and kernels from plants. Here is my list of top oils and butters:-
- Coconut oil – this fantastic oil eliminates germs. It has antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which sooth the skin and is known to prevent dryness and irritation. Coconut oil is great for eczema and psoriasis.
- Cocoa butter- this is produced from the cacao bean. When it is rubbed into the skin, it acts as a protective barrier ensuring that you do not lose skin moisture. It is an antioxidant which helps to prevent dry skin and improves the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks and scars.
- Jojoba oil – this gorgeous rich oil can be found in body butters, lip balms and many skin products. It is a source of proteins and minerals and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is great for vegetarian and vegans. This oil, which is actually a liquid wax, has been known to help with skin complaints such as psoriasis, eczema and dryness. I love using it in body butters as it leaves the skin feeling silky and moisturised.
- Mango butter – this butter is derived from the kernel of the fruit. Mango butter has healing qualities and has been known to help with wounds, rough skin, scars and eczema.
- Olive oil – you will probably have heard of this particular oil for its use in cooking and it is well known to play an important role in the Mediterranean diet. However this oil can be found in many beauty products. It is abundant with vitamins such as A and E. It has been said that this oil has healing properties and therefore helps with burns, inflammation, arthritis, wounds and dry skin.
- Shea butter – I tend to use this beautiful butter in a number of my products. It is a rich emollient which leaves the skin beautifully moisturised. It improves the appearance of the skin which is why it is used for diminishing the look of scars, burns and stretchmarks. This is my favourite ingredient and you can find this in my Citrus Delight Whipped Body Butter
Take advantage of these natural ingredients when buying your beauty products as they can greatly enhance the appearance of your skin.
