You have to be Beautiful!

Having worked for ten years in the beauty industry as a chemist, Dr Barbara Olioso came to the conclusion that skincare products could be made better. She explains: Many industry-wide skincare products have emulsifiers which can clog pores. This becomes a real problem because your skin changes all the time due to age, stress and hormones. The current approach means that your skin has to adapt to the product rather than vice versa. I believe that nature knows best.To address this problem Dr Barbara developed her own personalised skin care range with anti-aging properties and then set up Organatural Cosmetic Developments in May 2006, to market the product under the brand name of Forest Secrets Skincare.The Wells-based business has been given the confidence to take its premium skincare products to international markets following the endorsement of film stars and with the support of UK Trade and Investment.In 2008, Dr Barbara learnt from professional facialist Nuz Shugaa that she used the Forest Secrets Skincare products on movie stars, including some of the actresses in the Mamma Mia film, who extolled its virtues.After some initial successes in the UK and galvanised by the Hollywood testimonials, Dr Barbara was keen to develop her business international trade potential. She began working with UKTI International Trade Advisor Tony Holt in June 2008 ago following a recommendation by a peer. She said: UKTIs Passport programme provided very good mentoring for someone looking to trade internationally. Having trained as a chemist, I found the courses brilliant as they allowed me to learn about marketing and about using the internet to promote and sell my products. Overall, the programme gave me the right mindset for business and allowed me to understand the range of opportunities out there.Its currently a time of change and challenge for the industry. Women still want to invest in their skin, but they are now more careful with how they spend their money. The most promising markets identified through working with UKTI those with potential customers who still have money to spend on their skincare – are China and the United Arab Emirates.Being a one-woman business, I need to focus on one prospect country at a time, starting with China, and there is already some strong interest there regards our iRejuvenate product. The support that Tony and the team at UKTI have provided has been invaluable and I look forward to working with them as we look to new overseas markets.Tony Holt, UKTI International Trade Advisor said: As well as a distributor in Italy and good contacts in France, Barbara already has several potential opportunities in China. The Forest Secrets Skincare products are generating a lot of interest overseas and I am confident that Barbara will continue to grow the business through international trade, especially when she the product is receiving recommendations from film stars.

Be Genki has been granted accreditation by Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) – an independent, non-profit organisation which actively promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle.CCF acknowledges that none of the Be Genki products and none of the Be Genki product ingredients have ever been tested on animals by it, by anyone on its behalf, by its suppliers or anyone on their behalf.I am so delighted that Be Genki has been recognised and acknowledged by such a highly respected company – Choose Cruelty Free. We are very conscious at Be Genki to ensure that all aspects of the business are carried out in an ethical manner and as time goes by I am constantly looking at ways in which we can reduce our impact on the environment, explains Sam Sample (Be Genki founder).Animal testing is one of those practices that just simply should not be. It is not necessary to ensure consumer safety and there are many other testing procedures that can be carried out that do not harm animals. Why companies still havent employed these cruelty-free methods puzzles me.Hopefully consumers are becoming more aware of how powerful their choices can be. Instead of blindly shopping for products at the supermarket, I strongly urge consumers to be conscious shoppers and read labels to see where their dollar is going and what it is supporting.Only buy products that have not been tested on animals. Look out for the Choose Cruelty Free logo. By purchasing only approved cruelty-free products, you reward those ethical companies which do not make profits by testing upon animals and voice your opposition to the cruel and unnecessary practice of animal testing used by others.Choose Cruelty Free is designed to:~ Encourage manufacturers and service providers to adopt a cruelty-free ethic.~ Survey companies which claim to sell products that have not been tested on animals and do not contain cruelly-derived ingredients and accredits (without charging a fee) companies which satisfy CCF’s criteria. Accreditation criteria is probably the most stringent in the world today. Accreditation and listing in the Preferred Products List (PPL) are free of charge. The PPL is a booklet listing companies and brand names that operate under a cruelty-free ethic, providing consumers with information so they can choose products according to their personal ethical standards.~ Make available (by way of a licensing arrangement) an independent, consumer recognised logo which manufacturers can incorporate in their labelling and advertising material to readily identify their companies as cruelty-free.~ Make people aware of their power, as consumers, to change attitudes about testing products on animals.

Whether in the salon, or out and about, the beauty gurus at Beauty-Boxes.com have come up with a stylish solution to all your storage needs. The latest edition to their collection, The Fioranze is a large two piece trolley in a sleek black crocodile finish.This versatile trolley is ideal for holding larger items. Opening from the top, each of two sections reveals a large space inside. Towels can be neatly stacked and products such as hairdryers, straighteners or even small portable tanning units can be stored and accessed with ease.Standing as one single unit, The Fioranze looks elegant in any salon. However, for those professionals on the go, the trolley provides ultimate flexibility. The top lid can be removed so either of the sections can be used as a separate case, allowing for easy transportation in and out of the car. The trolley also comes with sturdy wheels so whether you are booked for an event or demonstrating at an exhibition, you can take it with you wherever you go. And with both units having solid bases there is no need to worry about knocks or bumps in transit.Dimensions of The Fioranze trolley:Overall Height – 57.00cmHeight of top box 31.00cmHeight of bottom box 26.00cmWidth – 32.00cmDepth – 27.00cmWeight – 8.3kgPriced at just 79.95, The Fioranze is the perfect choice for any salon or professional.

After a hot summer, its not just your skin that needs some TLC. Rescue your hair with S-factor Health Factor Balance Boosters 19.50. An indulgent weekly dose of nutrients for damaged, overworked hair. Its just what the doctor ordered and your locks will be back in shape in no time.After Sun for Unhappy HairSpritz some happiness on lacklustre locks using S-factor Shiny Happy People Spray Shine 13.30. A lightweight mist that gives brilliant shine whilst smoothing the hair for a silky finish guaranteed to make you smile.Seasonal top tipIf youre planning to go dark for the winter, make sure youre using the right products to make the most of your colour! Bed Head Brunette Goddess Shampoo 9.10 & Conditioner 10.20 will nourish, protect, add shine and enhance tone and natural highlights. To really stand out from the crowd fi nish with Brunette Goddess Shine Spray 10.90, to enhance colour and add brilliant shine!Hair problems solvedDamaged and over-styled?Revitalise and repair with S-factor Health Factor Daily Dose Shampoo 13.30 & Conditioner 14.30. Nourish and strengthen your hair whilst repairing damage and smoothing the cuticle. To give hair an extra boost try the S-factor Health Factor Balance Boosters.Limp and lacklustre?If your hair lacks volume and va va voom then Bed Head Superstar Massive Volume Shampoo 8.50 & Conditioner 9.90 is the answer. This duo will add body, lift and lustre to even the limpest hair giving you shiny lustrous locks any A-lister would be proud of.Partied Out?If youve been partying all summer long and your locks are crying out for a wake up call then try Rockaholic Livin the Dream Shampoo 7.95 & Conditioner 8.95 to bring your hair back to life. Containing a blend of revitalising ingredients, this duo is sure to wake up your hair whilst strengthening and enhancing volume and shine.Catwalk TrendsThe Un-done doTextured, just rolled out of bed hair as worn by the likes of Kate Moss and the Olsen twins is a stand out trend this year. Get the look using NEW Rockaholic Groupie Texturising Spray Pomade 8.50. Enhances body, defi nes and texturises whilst adding moisture and shine. Perfect for achieving that on trend ‘dirty, no effort’ look.80s CrimpCasually crimped hair that hints to the 80s is back and was seen at many of the A/W Shows. Protect your hair when heat styling using S-factor Heat Defender Flat Iron Shine Spray 14.30. Finish with S-factor Vivacious Hairspray 13.30 for a high shine and a hold that lasts.Big hairBig hair is big on both the red carpet and the runway. For bouncy, glamorous locks try Bed Head Superstar Blow Dry Lotion 11.10. Heat-activated give massive volume with medium hold. For an extra root boost use with Bed Head SuperstarQueen For A Day Volumising Spray 10.80.If you want an edgier, Pixie Lott style, avoid washing your hair everyday. Instead use Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo 9.95 to freshen up, add instant volume and to givea great mussed up effect.Make-up TrendsMetallics took centre stage on the Autumn catwalks. Golds, coppers and bronzes were featured as key colours for the season. Get the on trend look using TIGI Bed Head Cosmetics.Bed Head Shine Junkie Lipgloss in Bronze 9.05Bed Head Cyberoptics Eyeshadow in Gold and Copper 8.95TIGI products are available nationwide from selected professional hairdressing salons.

Working with Nature has introduced a new virtually oil free all natural rejuvenating plant nutrient fluid with organic sea buckthorn, calendula, collagen and a very secret blend of essential oils.The new plant fluid has taken three years to develop, it is oil light (only 5%) yet nutrient rich. Sea Buckthorn promotes cell rejuvenation and is a known anti-inflammatory, Calendula oil is a prized for its healing properties and is good for sensitive skin, and Collagen imparts greater elasticity for more resilience and a youthful look to skin through its moisture-binding action.This blend of essential oils complements the properties of the active ingredients and help to instil a sense of well being. The carefully chosen ingredients protect and moisturise whilst giving a slight temporary lifting effect – this makes it the perfect under make-up base.It comes in a sweet 50ml corked glass bottle (not plastic) tied with natural jute twine.The retail price is 24

Wouldnt it be great if you could buy just one product to improve your complexion, soften wrinkles and tackle abdominal bloating and weight gain?Natures Best Colladeen is a natural supplement derived from bilberry and grapeseed extracts that helps preserve levels of collagen in the body. By doing so it maintains the skins collagen and hence promotes firm, supple skin and a fresh complexion. At the same time it helps ease fluid retention, which leads to abdominal bloating, puffy ankles and weight gain.Colladeen for skincareCollagen forms 75% of the skin and is responsible for the smooth, plump and flawless appearance of young and healthy skin as its the protein that forms connective fibre in skin, cartilage and capillaries. Sustained damage leads to weaker skin with visible signs of lines and wrinkles as the skin loses its elasticity. Lots of nutrients are needed to keep collagen healthy but increasingly research has focussed on a class of natural plant compounds called anthocyanidins found in dark skinned fruits. Research shows that these compounds can help to reinforce and preserve collagen.Colladeen for fluid retentionMost women above the age of 25 worry about the condition of their skin and dread looking in the mirror to see the first wrinkles starting to appear. Perhaps less acknowledged but equally upsetting is that 17 million women in the UK suffer from non-medical fluid retention and resulting in bloated tummies and swollen ankles. Most symptoms of swelling or puffiness are a result of imperfections in the walls of tiny blood vessels, that allows fluid to leak out into surrounding tissues. The usual approach is the use of diuretics, however, this doesnt tackle the underlying problem which is usually the result of free radical damage to the collagen that makes up the blood vessels walls. The high level of anthocyanidins in the Natures Best Colladeen helps by strengthening the leaky vessels in the way that nature intended.With beauty and health issues tackled with such ease, the multi-tasking nature of Colladeen means you can spend less time in front of the mirror and more time and money on enjoying your new younger look.Natures Best Colladeen costs just 14.95 for 60 tablets.

According to research by FitParks, September is the new January for women wanting to lose weight, get fit and change their lifestyles. Women who kick-start their exercise regimes in autumn are more likely to maintain their slim and healthy routine.FitParks is the latest project by FitFarms, awarded the UKs number one weight-loss camp by the Sunday Times. Research from our fitness camps show that women who try and lose weight in September are twice as likely to achieve their goal than those who start in January, says Julie Brealy, health manager at FitFarms. Although most people start diet and exercise resolutions in January, the cold weather and post-Christmas slump actually makes it harder to keep up these promises.Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to affect around 7.2 million women in the UK each year meaning it can be difficult to stay positive during the winter months.September has traditionally been the back-to-school period, a time to make changes and start afresh. There is no better time to start a regular fitness regime, says Brealy.As a special introductory offer, women are invited to try out a session for free at their local park. FitParks evening sessions take place twice a week at public parks around the UK. All FitParks members receive a log book full of important diet information, advice from the former Daily Telegraph nutrition expert Julia Fitzgerald and exercise diaries to log their progress.

A 28 year old British Entrepreneur is hoping to make a difference in the world of Private Cosmetic, Obesity, Laser Eye and Hair Restoration Surgery by selling an online consultation on her website.Victoria Cooper, from Warwickshire, England, set up allaboutsurgery.co.uk after thinking of idea to improve patient awareness within the Private Medical sector. Having undergone private cosmetic surgery herself and experience complications first hand she soon realised the lack of patient awareness and varied information made available to patients. Victoria said there are hundreds of patients that have surgery that are not clear of all of the risks and potential complications that can occur.She said: I want the site to allow patients to learn about every aspect of the surgery they desire, the hospital and clinics, the registration off these clinics and surgeons within them and the risks and benefits of surgery, but from the privacy of their own home first, before they have to commit to an expensive consultation within a clinic where they are sold to by very experience and sometimes pushy sales people.Victoria claims already to have had hundreds of hits on the site, with several patients opting for an online consultation. Although Victoria admits that one client is a friend Glen, who is loosing his hair.Glen, 40, commented I knew Victoria has been working on this site and I had previously expressed an interest in hair restoration, so once the site was launched I thought what the hell, lets go for it and learn something about this procedure. Its taught me a lot about Male Pattern Baldness and reasons for this and also ways to stop its effects and even restoring the hair using varied surgical techniques so watch this space!I think this site will appeal to anyone contemplating surgery. Its easier to learn online than go for numerous consultations around the UK, taking time of work and possibly your partner also, with high city centre parking costs and then being in a high pressure sales environment with pressure to book on before you have really thought about all the risks and possibilities from surgery. Remember, some consultations can cost in excess of 100. This one is can be viewed in your own time from the comfort of your own homeShe believes that the consultation is exceptional value at 3.50 as the consultation covers all aspects of surgery and lasts around 30 minutes without interruption. Its a long time to talk non stop for 30 minutes Victoria explained.Asked what she will do next, Victoria said Having covered Cosmetic Surgery, Obesity Surgery, Laser Eye Surgery and Hair Restoration Surgery, I have some other private treatments that I would like to add to the site for to improve patient awareness which I think would suite an online consultation initially, before they commit to seeing a surgeon or doctor. After that I have some other ideas I would like to invest in.

Edelweiss is the most treasured flower of the Alps and grows in altitudes up to 2,700 metres (9,000 feet). In order to cope with the harsh environment and intense exposure to sunlight, the plant has developed several protection mechanisms, which the skin can benefit from, such as moisture retention, powerful anti-oxidants and its ability to absorb UV radiation.Natural Organic Experience has announced the launch of a new premium cream to help reduce the signs of ageing: ATHANOR Edelweiss Anti-ageing Cream, an organic formulation which originates from the Swiss Alps.ATHANOR Edelweiss Anti-ageing Cream is a night and day skin care cream, as well as an eye contour cream that is suitable for all skin types and for both men and women. The fine textured cream is rapidly absorbed by the skin, leaving no greasy or shiny residue. The Edelweiss and plant extracts enhance the skins firmness and elasticity and have a revitalizing and regenerating effect, resulting in a silky texture and a healthier appearance.The cream works by stimulating the blood circulation, and the powerful anti-oxidants found in Edelweiss plants help skin renewal and cell elasticity by neutralizing damaging free radicals. Clinical dermatological tests have shown an average wrinkle reduction of 22.5% within four weeks, and up to as high as 90%. The cream also protects against damaging environmental influences such as UV radiation and air pollutantsTo use, simply apply to the cleansed skin of the face and neck and around the eyes in the morning and in the evening, using about 2 ml per application.All the plant extracts used in the ATHANOR Edelweiss cosmetic line originate from the Swiss Alps and some are wild harvested, with a large portion of the ingredients grown under European certified organic cultivation, certified by Ecocert. The products are also hypo-allergenic and do not contain any preservatives, synthetic colorants, synthetic fragrances, or substances derived from petroleum or paraffin.They also contain no animal based raw materials, no ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS) or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), no mineral oil or silicone, no Parabens. no synthetic perfumes or dyes, no artificial colour and no GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), and have not been tested on animals.The cream is part of a complete anti-ageing range, consisting of five products; Cleansing Lotion, Anti-Aging Cream, Anti-Aging Serum, Decollet1 & Breast Care Lotion and Peeling Mask.ATHANOR Edelweiss Anti-Ageing Cream retails at 55 for a 50ml tub.The Edelweiss Anti-Aging Cream was tested for dermatological tolerance and wrinkle reduction by using optical 3D measurements with high-precision area identification.Results: “20 test subjects in all tolerated the above mentioned preparation CRME EDELWEISS ANTI-AGEING without problems according to dermatological clinical criteria in an four-week test (application in the morning and in the evening). There were no instances at all of undesirable changes, and certainly no pathological ones, to the skin in the test area. The extended optical 3D-measurements of the surface of the skin with determination of the roughness of the skin in accordance with DIN 4768 ff showed after 4 weeks of application an average improvement in the roughness of the skin of 22.27%.”"In summary, it can be concluded from a dermatological point of view that Preparation CRME EDELWEISS ANTI-AGEING was tolerated very well by clinical dermatological criteria and led to a significant improvement in the roughness of the skin as defined by DIN Standard 4768 ff. The average improvement in roughness of the skin after 4 weeks of application was 22.27%.”

Hemp is one of the purest, most complete plants on Earth. Its uses are many and varied; of particular value to humans are the nutritional and healing properties of hemp seed and its oil.Hemp grows almost anywhere and requires no pesticides or fertiliser. The plant is good both for the soil and the atmosphere. It is low maintenance and grows just about anywhere, making it the ideal crop for organic sustainable farming just about anywhere in the world.Hemp seed oil is extracted from raw hemp seed and contains a fully balanced spectrum of essential fatty acids (EFAs). When processed and stored correctly, the beneficial properties of the oil can be readily absorbed by the skin. Hemp seed oil has many benefits. It is a superb moisturiser and natural anti-inflammatory. It protects from UV radiation and pollution, assists healing and soothes acne.Hemp oil is rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), also known as Omega 3 and 6, and is absorbed straight into the skin. However, nearly everything else is absorbed too, causing concerns about some of the ingredients found in body care products.Yaoh Organic Hemp Seed Oil Moisturiser combines the protective, moisturising and rejuvenating qualities of organic hemp seed oil, almond oil and grapeseed oil with soothing aloe vera and essence of papaya to produce an effective moisturising lotion that is vegan, free from parabens, harmful substances and unnecessary chemical additives.Parabens are preservatives found in nearly all cosmetics including shampoos. They are added to kill bacteria and inhibit mould. They have also been found to mimic oestrogen, and having been found in breast cancer tumours, there are growing concerns for its safety. They are known as skin and eye irritants, and have been linked to damage to sperm production in males.EFAs benefit the body in many ways but two stand out – the effect on the cells and on the brain. EFAs help repair cell damage as they are part of the cell membrane, and they also help keep the cells fluid – important in maintaining the correct function of the skin, whilst also improving the energy flow between cells, as well as the nutrient absorption and detox function. In short, healthy glowing skin! EFAs are readily absorbed into the skin when applied direct.All Yaoh body care products contain no animal ingredients and are not tested on animals.Yaoh recognises the importance of EFAs, and also the unique features of the hemp seed in relation to this. All their body care products are rich in organic hemp seed or organic hemp seed oil. They use the freshest, ripest seed and the best possible manufacturing and processing techniques available. In short, their EFA delivery is second to none.Yaoh Organic Hemp Seed Oil Moisturisers retail at 5.95 for a 56g tub and are available in 3 varieties; original, papaya and coco bean.