Mental Health Awareness Week; Mindfulness

This year's theme is Mindfulness, which is perfect timing as I have just started exploring this after reading Ruby Wax's book on the subject called Sane New World. Mindfulness just you to focus on the here and now using breathing techniques and meditation. Stop pulling that face, it's not a "new age" thing.

Mindfulness is not about clearing the mind, it helps people observe the way they think and feel about their experiences, whether good or bad. This can really change the way you manage and react to stressful situations, giving you a valuable tool to stay mentally healthy, and an ever-expanding body of evidence shows that it really works.

For me who suffers with anxiety and worry, it makes me acknowledge that I can experience these things and its normal for me. Once I labelled the emotion and the physical attributes it made it feel smaller.There are different versions, but the most common and most useful I've found is RAIN:

Recognize what is going on;
Allow the experience to be there, just as it is;
Investigate with kindness;
Natural awareness, which comes from not identifying
with the experience.

Mental Health Foundation is promoting a four week course with Be Mindful and most importantly it's free.They want to be able to introduce this as part of the range of therapies offered currently as it has been proved to be successful and will hopefully help people awaiting treatment.

For me, it has already helped more than CBT as I'm not going over past events which can make me feel more anxious. I find it's more soothing and I come out of it refreshed. I do as little or as much as I want, I also use Buddify app from Google Play (£1.99) which provides guided medications for different situations. It has been a revelation to my mental health.

Boots Permanent Hair Dye

I, unfortunantly, started going grey well before my time at a very young 21, now I didn't give in to the dye bottle until I had a friend who was taller than me who used to pull them out. With that I went to my hairdresser and changed my life - It was a deep chocolate (I'm very dark black/brown natural colour) and lifted my spirits completely I was back to being a confident 20 year old.

However, it had a price tag that I couldn't keep up forever - about 90 quid at a time every other month. Of course I got married; and my husband found out how much it cost me, I then (after my wedding of course - a gorgeous deep brown mahogany) had to admit defeat and try a home dye kit, my first being Nice'n'Easy in Deepest Brown which came out black on me. A few boxes later I've learned that I need to go a little lighter in colour (they recommend that you only go one shade lighter than your natural colour).

I have recently had to go on a beauty budget cut, this just means I had to be a little smarter rather than cut my money (However much I love poundland, I do draw a line somewhere!). I have had really good experiences with Boots own products (does help that for 6 years I did work for and in Boots stores, and have seen where they have been made).

With any hair dyes I do need to reiterate that a 48 hour skin test needs to be done, especially with the darker shades of hair colourant. The cases of dye allergies have increases recently and they photos are very scary and i do not wish anyone to go through this. Be sensible, read through the instructions or there is an information site www.becoloursafe.com . With this dye there is no recommended dye time, as part of the skin test you also test a sample of your own hair and time how long it takes to get the colour you require (however further down it does say for grayer hair that you need at least 20 mins).

Now I did mine for the 20 minutes as indicated by the strand test, and now just unwrapping it and looking at the colour I like it already. It's come out browner than previous times. With other colours it comes out very dark at first and then gets lighter later on, this has come out with a deep brown sheen already. Another thing I am impressed with is the smell, yes it does have the dye smell to it but it has added fragrance which does mask the smell. On the other hand I do have one niggle, the conditioner they supple is very water and it says it lasts 3 treatments, while I used most of it in this one time.

I was overall very impressed and it definally is one I use again, the colours might not be to everyone's taste (most of them are 'normal' colours and nothing vibrant), the cost 3.36 with them being on offer 2 for 5.00 at the moment is just what you could need to replace what can be a costly maintenance.

When Threading Goes Wrong

As part of my pre-Christmas party preparation, I went to get my eyebrows threaded again. I am very lazy when it comes to body maintenance and will leave it to the last possible moment to get hair cut etc. I also wanted to save all of it so I can have a pampering day before getting ready for the event.

I had been previously to this place once before (Sorry no naming and shaming here) and last time I was really happy with the result so decided to go back. This is an actually salon in my town centre that has a walk in brow bar, they also have different stores around the local area. I got beckoned asked to sit down and I explained what it is I wanted (I always say just a tidy and shape as I prefer the more 'bushy' eyebrow).

I let her set to work and was chattering away, with my arms pulling at the skin so it didn't hurt. I was shown the mirror and to me it didn't look that bad, just very swollen as it had just been done. I went home and waiting for the evening to come before I did my make up.

Do you know that feeling where you know something is not quite right? Well I had this when putting on my make up for the night, I brushed it off that the swelling might not be 100% gone and carried on enjoying my evening. It was until the next night where I was cleaning my face that I asked my husband to look at them, and even he said that looked uneven and took a photo (Warning: No Makeup!)

It seemed that my left hand (which is the right in the photo) is more bushy than the right, also the gap in the middle looks one sided. I emailed the company the next day with the attached photo and they replied quickly saying that not only will they get their senior therapist to correct it but give me a £10 voucher as an apology.

I did go back the Friday after Christmas to correct it and even though they do look better, the Senior Therapist did what she could with them. It turns out that the lady I had hadn't been there long and it made her panic a little that I have a scar in left eyebrow (I walked into a coffee table when I was two and had stiches), I fed back that maybe if she didn't feel that confident that some extra time with herself would be better.

This is what I am taking away from this experience: Always get the name of the therapist before you leave if you like how they did the treatment and make sure you get that person again.

Hypnobirthing/Self Hypnosis

I have previously spoken about my own history of anixety (Hope You're OK and Guest posting on Amy's Blog ) Anything unknown does friengten me so this as well as the unknown of being pregnant is an interesting combination.

I started to look into Hypnotherapy after reading an article in Mother & Baby. Hypnobirthing uses a mixture of positive thinking, visualization, breathing techniques and physical preparation. It embraces that our body knows what it is doing naturally and that we should trust our bodies to do what comes to them.

It does not promise a pain free birth but offers more coping strategies if you wish to go along the route of natural birth. It supports the notion that the more relaxed you are in birth the easier and quicker that your labour will be. This does not exclude anyone who wants intervention as it provides the basis of calm so you can stay relaxed and focused. This means that you can make the correct decision for you and baby.

The pleasant thing about Hypnobirthing is that you can tailor to what works best with yourself. I use visual techniques through mediation led through an MP3. I downloaded mine here There is an a in depth book as well by Marie Morgan which is worth a read. I got mine from eBay for around £8, and picked up the CD's for around £7. This gives me 25 minutes of me time to lie down, relax and bonding time with Minilemming. I also use the birthing techniques for when I am feeling anxious and have been using them during the Braxton Hick contractions that I am currently getting.

The biggest revelation for me is that I do feel less anxious about birth, yes I am nervous, any first time mother would be. I feel much more in control of my body, I trust it to do what is right at the time. I also found that I worry less with any twinges. I sleep a lot more better after a session with the MP3, my dreams are less vivid but I still have to get up for bathroom breaks.

The biggest test will be when, hopefully, Bubba decides to arrive that I can put these skills into practice.

Sk:n Clinic Laser Hair Removal Treatment

The joy of being a beauty blogger is that I do have complete random conversations that lead to blog posts. This came about by having a conversation with one of my colleagues at my work place who as I was having a bit of a moan to about the combination of hairy legs and baby bump. Her comment to me was, 'You really should of had laser hair removal before.' thus pulling out her hair less (and tanned) legs for closer inspection, I couldn't help but be jealous.

Source

This had been rolling around in my mind for a while, so when Sk:n Clinic contacted me about the services they provide I was eager and interested to take a peek. They have around 40 clinics throughout the UK and in their 20 years of business have served half a million clients. They only employ experienced doctors and staff to ensure the best care is provided. They also governed by Customer Quality Commission (which is the same governing body that assess doctors, care homes and dentists), as well as Independent Health Advisory Service ‘Treatment You Can Trust’ register and regularly work with the British Skin Foundation. Their clinics have also work alongside Channel 4 on my guilty pleasure shows, Embarrassing Bodies.

Consultations can be booked through their website where you would have an initial consultation, this is give a treatment plan, explain and reassure any questions you have on treatment. It is recommended to have a minimum of 6 treatments for body and 4 for the facial, and at the end of treatment you will be pampered to a deep exfoliating glycolic peel to feel fully refreshed.

Aftercare is provided and at the heart do want to provide the best and leading treatments in athestics treatments. Not only am I looking at the Laser Hair Removal, but the Microdermabrasion and skin peels. Something to look forward to after those sleepless nights next year.

To read more about Laser Hair Removal, process of treatment and pricings please go to the Sk:n Clinic Laser Hair Removal Page

*This is a sponsored post, however all my opinions and writing are my own, as well as my desire for a body overhaul once baby is here.

Macadamia Natural Oil's Deep Repair Masque

One of the things you do get told about being pregnant is that your body will change, and then they will go on about the 'glow' you will get after your 3 months are over. This can be lie for some people, I didn't really get a glow until about 18 weeks, before then my skin looked dull and my hair looked life had left it.

I had tried this previously from another event I went to (got this one in my goodie bag from London Meet Up), so I knew it would already re-kick the recovery of my poor hair. The hair mask uses a combination of macadamia and argan oil infused with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts. You put onto clean, damp hair for 5-10 minutes and then wash off with warm water, dry and style as normal.

It is a thick pale coloured cream and found that because I know has shorter hair (down to my jaw line), I could split the sachet into two uses in one week to give it a full recovery programme. After the first use it felt significantly softer, that kind of soft where you cannot stop touching your hair. It looked glossy and moisturised. After the second weekly use, it had looked like I had been at a salon and had treatment done, it looked more improved than the beginning.

For 100ml tube it starts from £12.50, which if I have worked this out correctly, for my length hair will give you about 7 uses at £1.79 each (my hairdresser tries to sell me their treatment at £4.79 each time). There is 250ml (£26.95) and 500ml (£36.75) available.

Read more about Macadamia hair range here

Apivita Anti Wrinkle Grape Face Mask

Apivita is a Marks & Spencer exclusive beauty brand, and what brilliant brand for them to have. Apivita started as a pharmacy in Athens in 1979 by husband and wife, Nikos and Niki Koutsianas, following the philosophy of of Hippocrates (a Greek who started the modern medicine movement and believed in treating the body and the mind).

For me the representive that I met at London Meet Up sold the brand for me, sun drenched fields and vineyards, I was already mentally booking my tickets there. However, I will have to settle with my grape in the face mask for now.

The mask has grape and the combination of A and E vitamins which is reported to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines while offering skin unique softness and revitalisation. Olive and sunflower natural plant oils have moisturising properties and enhance skin's elasticity and firmness.
You apply to clean skin for 10 minutes and rinse off (as I do with my a majority of my face masks I use a face cloth to wash off).

 

I will warn you know, it is a fluid mask so it can come out quicker than expected. It also has little particles of red in them so I would assume this is parts of the grape as I cannot find any information anywhere on what they are. I did like the softer touch to my skin afterwards, it felt much plumper and look liked I have had a night's rest.

 

Doing my research on the Marks & Spencer's website, they also have 20% off Beauty and Fragrance until 26th August (That's Bank Holiday Monday). The set of two sachets of masks would cost £2.40 instead of £3.00, not the biggest reduction, however if this is a sample of the rest of the range it's well worth a treat (or two).

Anew PRO Line Corrector Treatment with A-F33

I was one of the 10,000 people who applied to try the new Avon Anew PRO Line Corrector Treatment with A-F33. The pack I got had 28 days of treatment in 6 little baby tubes, and is recommended to use day and night under moisturiser.

Avon says, "Gel lotion formulation with patented+ A-F33 for Avon's ultimate in fighting fine and deep wrinkles. 30ml.Our fastest wrinkle fighter EVER+U.S. patent. All cosmetic product results are achieved with continued use"

At the moment I noticed that my skin is now showing little signs of age, it's not as bright as it was nor as forgiving. As yet I have had no wrinkles show, the closest I have is lines on my forehead and that only comes because I know I can be expressive with my face.

When I started using this what I want from it is to even the tone of my skin, and make it look a little 'fresher'. During the day I used it with an moisturer with a SPF in and night with a little richer moisturise (which I did before this).

After a week my skin looked a lot more smoother, the lines I had on my forehead were lessened. Week two the lines were even lesson, but for me it was all about week three. I work in a dentist reception and one afternoon I got to talking about age to one person, he asked how old I was and I replied 30. He was shocked, he had me down at about 23 years old.

That to me is the ultimate validation that it was doing some good.

In the end I liked the result I had, I wanted it to smooth and freshen my skin, it did just that and I was overjoyed. I think it is a great product that can be added to an anti-ageing regime. I know that some people will stick their noses up that it is Avon, please do not let you put this off. For a product that can produce this kind of result for £30 (Currently on offer at £20), which with some premium lines will be £70 upwards, is phemoenmal.

Olympia Beauty 2012 (Picture Heavy)

I have finally recovered from the onslaught of 259 stands of beauty heaven. On Sunday I travelled across a (partly closed down - grr) London to Olympia for their yearly trade showcase.I got in just after doors opened and got in very quickly even though I had to pick up my ticket. I'd already had checked out the floor layout so I headed straight to the media centre for a quick coffee hit before embarking on the madness.

I did really like the layout, the stalls were downstairs while on the galley on the top is the media centre, competition areas and lecture areas. It meant that you could look down and watch the masses.

After the coffee hit (or 3!), I had some time with the fantastic people at Filthy Gorgeous. These are based in London and offer the pamper service with girlie gossip. They were so fab they're getting their own entry with compulsory pictures of the stunning nails they did for me.

I couldn't put it off enough and did a walk of the floor, it was busy (this was about lunchtime) but enough were I could get round without too much trouble. The only really busy bit was Sweet Squared you are the UK distributors for Shellac, the Que for the stand not only around the stand but across the walkway and half way down the door! The first picture above on the left has part of the Que in.

OPI's German Collection

SPARitual - Resisted remixing nail varnishes

China Glaze - I really wanted the one closest!

I also walked around the Make Up Competition, which for some reason I didn't get any pictures. However, I did get some of the Nailympics which you have never seen nail art like this before!

It was a very very tiring again, I really wished I had time to go Monday and watch the results of Nailympics. My arms and back were/still aching from the amount of bags I had, and the amount of reading I have for the next week. Many thanks to the wonderful team at Olympia who went out their way to make sure that everyone not only media but tradespeople were looked after. Only next time please get more toilets, there was not enough for the 50,000 visitors!

Goodbye Summer *Sniff*

With the increase of wind, grey clouds and the nights drawing in, it now signals the end of the summer (of what we had of summer). It also means it was the end of my Montange Jeunesse 4 week mask routine.

My collection - Oh the choices!

Week One involved Blemish Mud for a real deep clean to kick start everything off. Contains Aloe Vera to soothe inflamed skin, and willow blemish mud to draw out any skin problems. I liked this because afterwards it felt cleaned through and refreshed.

Week Two was a refreshing cucumber peel off mask. I did have trouble with this one, I think I never get the application just right because I can never peel it off in one go, just in bits. It is fun because it looks like you're in a horror movie peeling skin away (but it is not skin!). With previous one you wash away impurities with this one it peels it off.

Week Three was time to scrub it up with the Ice Crystal Exfoliating Mask, now this felt like someone has smacked me round the face to wake me up! It's has spearmint menthol that gives that refreshing effect, with dead sea salts that gentle scrub and soften. This is the one you need if you need an alarm clock in the morning!

Week Four had my favourite Very Berry, an antioxidant combination of cranberry, blueberry, aloe vera, peach and grape - It is honestly a smoothie for the face. It is great for all skin types, as it can help soothe dry skins and clear up blemished skin.

Love Montagne Jeunesse not only for fantastic products, but are friendly to bunnies, natural ingredients, paraben free and vegetarian friendly. They are easy to get hold of as they are available nationwide in retailers such as ASDA, Superdrug, Tesco, New Look and Morrisons. The full range also being on their webste www.montagnejeunesse.co.uk (including a whole range of hair, feet and, get this, lip balms - more on that soon!)

My thanks to Montagne Jeunesse for feeding my mask obsession!

You Can Do More With Clay Than Build Pots

I, as probably the entire female population at some point, has worn a face mask, and I would beat some money that most of them are from Montagne Jennesse. I am a big fan of them, they're mud face masks are not only a skin savour but I find for the amount of product you get in a sachet they're also very good value for money.

Founded in 1987 after founder Greg Butcher was mixing products in his kitchen, Montange Jenesse has grown into one of the front runners in the beauty markets.They are sold in over 80 countries around the world and now have 50 products in their range including hair masks, feet treatment and even cellulite treatments. All are one use products and can be mixed and matched to what you require at the time. All within an easy price that any pocket can suit and can be nicked by your male boyfriend/husband.

Their latest range of products combines two of their most popular ranges, the clay masks and tonic cloth masks. I adore the clay masks, leaves my skin feeler amazingly fresher and that cleaned feel that I want when using a mask.

There are two with the range, The Dead Sea Mud Spa and the Glacier Clay Spa. Both are infused into a bamboo fibre mask that you sit onto the skin rather than the traditional method of massage it onto the skin. The mask already has all the holes cut in, and you will get a little over your hands putting it on but no where near as much as if you were applying it directly with your hands. A word of warning this mask is made for you to lie down and relax in, not move around and it will fall off.

It's hard to smile in face mask :)

After 15 minutes you then remove the mask, I actually put it into a ball and massage the slight textured material as a light exfoliate. Rinse off the left over mask with warm water and use your normal skin care. My skin looked a lot more refreshed and even toned, the next morning (I use mine before bed) it was still very smooth to touch. I was given these to try, but I still would of brought them as they still appealed to me and my skins needs.

You can get your hands on it's website www.MontagneJeunesse.com (It might be worth checking out their Facebook Page first for a discount offers...shh). It will then be in Boots mid-August and ASDA's in September at the cost £1.49. They are all vegetarian, PETA and BUVA (leaping bunny) approved, made from natural ingredients and paraben-free, as well as environmental friendly where-ever they can be.  

Masterclass - Other Massage Techniques

I originally planned for this to focus on Swedish massage technique, however it only ended up being a few lines long and I was only repeating what I had written before. After a rethink I thought I would give a round up on the other techniques that are out there and a symmetrisation of each one

Amna Massage is the Japanese version of massage, using more deeper techniques and kneading.

Ayurvedic massage is the mixture of yoga, medication and herbal remedies; this uses one or two therapist and heated oil  The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Bare foot deep muscle uses the therapists feet that combines western and eastern techniques on the patients body. It is said that it can the same effect on the patient without causing strain of the therapists hand or back. Can also be done clothed or unclothed.

Bowen technique involves a rolling movement over muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.The technique is less stress on the patients joints and is more recommended for very young or elderly patients.

Lympathic Massage technique used to gently work and stimulate the lymphatic system, to assist in reduction of localised swelling. Recommended for people who have slight;y sedate lifestyle, this works on a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes.

Stone massage uses different temperature stones to soothe or stimulate the muscles, and can also take some strain for the therapist.

Swedish Technique uses five different long flowing strokes, it is only in English, Québécois and Dutch speakers that call it this, other countries refer it as a classic massage.

I do also recognise that there are many more variations out there with their own techniques and benefits.  

Next week - The start of the make up masterclass's

Masterclass - What Is Champissage?

In my whites from last weekend, ready for action!

For the regular readers who tuned into last weeks Aromatherapy Masterclass, will already know the answer to this weeks question. The belief in Champissage is that energy channels are unblocked by the head, face and shoulders massaged. Champissage is also known as Indian Head Massage, and originates as the name suggests from India. The therapy was brought over to the west by Narendra Mehta.

The key benefit of Champissage is that as it's a focused massage therapy it can be used in smaller amounts of time like 15-30 minutes. It can also be done fully clothed for people who feel uncomfortable undressing to be massaged, a massage oil/cream it not also necessary to perform this treatment as well (however it does make it easier). It can also benefit people in offices as it can fitted into lunch breaks and helps tense muscles that can come from slouching over a keyboard.

The treatment usual takes place with the client on a chair, the therapist will start from the upper arms and shoulders. Then would work the neck, scalp and lastly the face. For the face the client is asked to lean their neck back (if possible) and a support is put there while the therapist works.

I learnt about this therapy just as I was completing my aromatherapy training, I did mine in a week long course. I think out of all the massage therapies this is one of the best to start with as it the course prices are reasonable (mine was about £100 in 2002, compared to about £500 for a body course) and is the most simplest to pick up.

Next Week: Reflexology

My BTEC in Make Up Artistry Course

Currently being a Beauty Swot!

As you can tell this week that blog enteries are a little thin on the ground, for those who don't know I am currently studying for my BTEC Level 2 Intermediate Certificate Make Up Artist. After many years of doing it in a sales environment, I decided to put what I've learnt into a bit of paper to confirm that I can do it.

I enrolled with ICS Distance Learning, the great advantage of this is that I can fit in around the times I'm working as well as finish quicker than the year you are given to complete. It does however require a lot of will power to do sometimes, the literature says that you should allocate 3 hours a week to complete. I have been lazy and haven't done some for a few months, however my life is now settled down enough that I can do my first practical piece this weekend (now I have the funds to buy the last pieces of equipment but also having a functioning hand after hurting myself a few weeks back).

The course is split into four assessments:

1. Personal and Career Development as well as legal requirements
2. Preparing skin for Make Up treatment
3. Demonstrating a range of make up designs
4. Demonstrating a range of make up designs for catwalk, special effects and occasions.

You do get supplied with some items for use like a textbook, skin care pack, disposable items, etc. Make up you need to purchase yourself, I have been building a kit over the years and it's not even close to being finished yet! Each practical assessment needs to be provided with photographic evidence of every stage, so you will need to be prepared for a model as well as photographer will you work.

It is a great course, as I have said that it suits my work times and when I want to do more it has that flexibility. I think I have found it easier with my background in already working as a artist for Estee Lauder, as a beginner I would of found it much harder to do as a lot of it is from textbooks (your tutor is at the end of a email). The course fee itself is £557 at the moment, and I pay mine monthly at around £60 for 9 months, there is also a £58.50 fee to pay to the assessment board on starting. If you want to read more then try the ICS Distance website

If all goes well I can post some of the pictures of evidence so you can see what I am doing next week.

This post was not sponsored, I just wanted to write about my course in case someone was thinking about it.

Masterclass - Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the understanding of using essentials oils from plants can affect the physical and psychological of the client. The first record of use was ancient Egypt that used these extracts in embalming their dead (and also making them smell a little more pleasant). The Greeks also used an early kind of aromatherapy to treat aliments, including Hipprociates, the starter of medicine.

The term 'aromatherapy' was first coined by french alchemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1910. Gattefosse burnt his hand after an experiment went wrong; he then plunged his hand in the nearest liquid - a vat of lavender oil and realise that this oil had increased the healing time. His first work, "Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles Hormones Végétales" (1937) is what modern aromatherapy is based on today.

Essential oils is a term that is form the liquid that is extracted from plants, which can be the flowers, leaves, stem, and/or wood. These are distilled from then using different methods like steaming and pressing, until the oil comes out. They are highly scented and should not be put direct onto the skin, they should be diluted into a base oil or water before use.

The most popular essentials oils are tea tree (Latin: Melaleuca alternifolia), a fresh, zingy oil that is anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-viral; and Lavender (Latin: Lavandula angustifolia), a woody floral that is anti-stress, soothes and calms frayed nerves. There are thousands of different oils, I have spent many an afternoon smelling scents and mixing my own blends. All true essentials oils should have their Latin name of the plant they came from on the label so you know its origin, unfortunately in this instance the manufactures ones are not up to standard.

Base oils (can be known as carrier oils as they 'carry' the essential oils) are slightly thicker than essentials oils, these contain nutrients for the skin. These are mostly pressed from nuts, seeds and fruit. The most popular in these are Almond oil, Grapeseed and Evening Primrose oil. Each have their own different nutrient value and are just as fun to mix up as essentials oil to produce the perfect treatment.

The way a treatment should be is that you will have a conversation with your therapist, and this can include how you are feeling as well as general medical issues. The therapist should then select a blend to you to smell, this is your blend (as they mixed together) as well as discuss how you are continuing your treatment. I found the best way to have a massage, the movements are flowing soothing and you come away floating away. As a therapist I also like giving a massage not only for the effect on the client but also on myself as I receive the benefits!

I got into aromatherapy just over 10 years ago now and love it. You do not know how much it touches your everyday life. I love scents and smells, this lead onto my job for Boots as a Fragrance Consultant for 3 and half years. It is a fascinating subject that infuses chemistry, biology and phsyicology, that not only takes in the body but the whole well being of the client.

Next week: My next qualification - Indian Head Massage

My First Order with Latestinbeauty.com

latestinbeauty.com is another company that offers sample sizes before purchase, this one is slightly different that you can choose the three sample sachets that go into your box for the cost of £1.50 that is added to you mobile phone bill.

After adding my details into my profile they picked a selection and from that I picked: TRESemme Split Remedy Set (Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Treatment), Dr. Organic Rose Otto Lotion and SUPER by Dr Nicholas Perricone Bright Eyed. They arrived 3 days after I ordered, I got two sachets each of the TRESemme and SUPER but only one of the Dr. Organic. The box was also much thicker than the products and could of easily fit into an envelope, cutting down on postage costs as I feel that £1.50 is a little high for what I actually received.

The TRESemme turned out to be a great 3 set, the scent wasn't unoffensive and smelt like any other hair care product out there, however I really liked the leave in treatment. I normally wash my hair, leave it damp over night as I don't have time in the morning to go through the whole routine. I also have really dry hair because I dye it, I woke with really soft and volumised hair even after a nights sleep on it. More impressive that trying it this way meant that I was allergic to it, as with other TRESemme products in the past.

The two skincare products that I received were nothing really to rave about. The Dr. Organic Rose Otto cream is a slightly thicker lotion than the normal, however you do need to really like the smell of rose it is heavily scented (and not best for people who have sensitive skin), I got about four good uses out of one 5ml sachet. The SUPER eye cream is a light eye cream designed for the more maturer skin, couldn't smell any scent and sunk is quickly. It stopped the area feeling dry, but other than that it didn't rock my world.

The main reason I tripped over the sight was that Never To Broke For Beauty gave a heads up to the Luxury sample side of the website that currently have a 30ml Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for £3 for a limited time. Never trying it before (and there was a free p&p code), I grabbed myself one, then spotted the hero Nails Inc. shade Porchester Road for £6 instead of £11 and whoops that went in as well (reviews to come).

I find latestinbeauty.com a mixed bag, it's sample service is OK but the choice of luxury sampling is far better. I have just ordered their themed box by YOU magazine and The Beauty Bible, costing £11.90 (including P&P), it has their top picked of beauty products valued around £40. Interest? Buy it here

Masterclass - Introduction to Massage

The basis of massage consists of manipulation of superficial tissue and underlying muscle; this can be done by using different ways using hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The word massage comes from different languages but the general translation's to knead, touch, feel or handle.

Th practise of massage can be recorded to years back, Hippocrates (the founder of medicine) in the fifth century wrote that, "the physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing". He was an advocate of being "rubbed" to aid illness, fatigue and injury before any understanding of the circulation system was noted. It now be found widely used throughout the world with each country having its own technique and practise.

The benefits of massage are now clear in the modern world:

• Pain relief - When used correctly in injury can relieve slight swelling by moving liquid away from the area.
• Relieves anxiety
• Temporary lowers blood pressure and heart rate as it is a destresser.
• Can be used to treat people with depression alongside medication.

At most massage it a complimentary therapy which means that it can be used alongside or instead of modern medication (however if you are on medication it is best to get the go ahead from your doctor). 

One of most destressing part of massage is having a human contact that it involves as well as having that "time out" for yourself, and in the most part that's the most healing part of the treatment. There is also many ranges of massage so there is one for everyone, and not all of them involve taking your clothes of which is most common question about massage!

Next week we'll look at the basic techniques used in massage, so you know what movements construct a massage routine and what it should feel like.

Masterclass - Eyelash Perming

First and foremost, I need to empathise an important point - There are some things that can be done at home and we have spoken about some of them; this however should be done by a therapist that has qualified in this. I hope after you read about this you will understand why I say this.

Curling the plashes can open up the eyes and while eye lashes curl tools can do this, they can over time weaken the lashes and lead to breakage. Lash perming is perfect for when your going on holiday and occasions as it is waterproof and it can last up to 6 weeks. They are also more suitable for people with shorter lashes that can have problems curling them. It is not recommended for people with already naturally curly lashes, very very short lashes (that are also sparse), and lashes that are already very fragile. The Therapist should take a consultation with you to make sure that this is the best treatment for you and not waste your money.

The perming itself is very similar to perming the hair on your head. The area is cleansed and the correct size roller is applied to the edge of the eyelid, then the lashes are gently curled on the roller using a cotton bud and stuck down. The perm lotion is then applied to the lashes, left to set then wiped off. Then another a solution (the fixing lotion) is added and covered for 10-15 minutes. This is then removed and then the rollers are gently (and it should be gently!) removed towards the chin. These lotions break down the protein chains in the hair follicles so the reaction softens them so they can "fixed" into the new curled shape. After the fixing solution is applied and removed, the lashes have a moisturising lotion added so it can condition the hair after treatment.

I had this done a few years ago as a model for the local college course for the students to watch, the tutor I had been practising for a few years and put me at great ease. The resulting lashes were beautifully curled and lasted well to 6 weeks were they grew out. There are two things I feel I need to mention about the treatment from my own experience: I found the sensation of the rollers on my lashes took a long time to get used to, it is a really odd sensation but the results are worth (as well as the head massage I got while it developed). The other is the perming lotion smell, there is nothing that can be done about that, a good therapist should make sure that the room is well ventilated.

Masterclass - Eye Brow/Lash tints

We are now gearing up to the time that most people are going through pre-holiday checklists, that includes the de-fuzzing, tanning (so it looks like you've been there a few days), and the famous "No carbs before marbs". Then there's the clothes and of course make up, trying to find the right mascara that would streak in the pool but also won't melt in the heat. This is where tinting steps in.

With tinting its very similar to hair dying, it is a long lasting treatment that adds colour to highlight the brows and lashes without looking over done. Because of the delicate nature of the area around the eye (it's very sensitive and thinner than other skin), it uses a different dye that is used on head hair.

Every reputable salon should always do a skin test of their dye brand as well as a consultation to make sure that there is nothing to stop you having treatment. This is important as we are dealing with dyes there is a risk of allergy. This should be done 24 hours before any treatment is done, so preplanning is needed if you are gong to an event. Contact lense wearers will need to take them out before the appointment or wear glasses.

After a negative allergy test you will be taken into the salon and told to lay down on a couch, for an eyebrow tint you will have a petroleum jelly put around the outline of the eyebrows so the tint doesn't go onto the skin. If you are having the lashes done this will put around the lash line with a cotton or tint pad undernethe the lower lashes. The dye will be mixed into a dish then brushed onto the area and left for 10 minutes. Any stinging or discomfort should be said immediately so the tint can be removed and area washed out. Then it would be thoroughly wiped off with damp cotton wool.

To top it up you will need to plan in appointments for eye lashes every 6 weeks while eyebrows are every 4 weeks (for some reason the hair on the eyebrows don't seem to last as long). Prices are around £6 for eye brows, £10 for lashes with discounts for doing both at the same time (check your area - I'm South-East near London).

A quick note on home kits: Please follow instructions, they are safe to use and all last around the 4 week mark. I do feel to get the best results a little help may be required (espically as those who can get things in eyes easily like me).

Next week - Eye lash perming