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Virginie Claire explains how parabens effect your skin

As I have been facialist and skincare specialist for over 20 years I get asked quite a lot by
my clients ‘Virginie, Why should I choose a natural skincare or makeup?’

Virginie Claire (Right)

My answer is simply ‘Why not choose a natural quality product if you have the choice?’ It is up to us to take control of our skin through:

Consistency and Commitment
Ingredients
Knowledge & Education

There can be a lot of confusion and concern regarding ingredients in our cosmetics, one of
the most talked about is parabens. Here I hope to inform not alarm you on what they are and why they are used in cosmetics. So you can choose your products based on an informed choice. Virginie, V Claire Natural Cosmetics.

What are parabens?

Parabens have been in use since the 1950, and are frequently added to cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria. The majority of cosmetics use a combination of them because they are cheap and effective.

What are parabens made of?

Parabens are man made, they are a chemical compound of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. They regroup into methylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben.

What are the effect of parabens on our wellbeing?

Parabens are xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic oestrogens in the body and unsetle the body natural hormones. Also, they can be stored in the body, resulting in a cumulative effect that can damage health overtime.

This overload of oestrogens has been linked to health issues such as breast cancer and reproductive disfunction, including early onset of puberty and reduced sperm count.

What is the natural alternative to parabens?

Many ingredients can be used to preserve cosmetics such as:

Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic acid, glycerin, sorbic acid, essential oils such as thyme, oregano, rosemary, clove cinnamon, tea tree and many more.

Using a few parabens is harmless, but using a multple amount of cosmetcs including parabens may afect your wellbeing.

Take control of your skin and wellbeing by KNOWING THE INGREDIENTS your cosmetic is made of. Be curious and ask questions, then you can make the right choice.

December 5, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, Be Happy, Beauty, Healthy body

COSMETICS: MAKING THE TRANSITION TO NATURAL & NON-SYNTHETIC

Where do we start! The benefits of changing your makeup cosmetics to natural and non-synthetic are endless from Mascara, lipsticks and liners. You name it.

It’s important to consider changing, especially when you think that we put these items on our most delicate skin tissues every day! The eye and lip area, we essentially consume lip colours, can absorb these products’ ingredients into the system. Where synthetics are difficult for our system to breakdown, they can build up or can become irritants and allergens to us. Again we ask ourselves, if there is a pure, clean and beneficial equivalent, why would we not change our habits?!

My preference for the first thing to change would be your foundation. From self-experience and through guiding clients, the change to the skins condition can be positively huge! With using natural and organic skincare in professional treatments and advising homecare for the past ten years, I have seen the benefits to better hydrated, balanced, soothed and all round happier skins. Then, we undo it all with a foundation full of ingredients that go against our skin goals: dehydration, congestion of blackheads and breakouts, sensitivities / redness can creep back in and the battle to balance it with a facial begins again.

So what are the ingredients in natural foundations that we can achieve optimal skin health I hear you say:

Vegetable oils: Apricot Kernel, Avocado oil, Argan kernel oil, Shea Butter, the list goes on. They provide the skin with antioxidants through abundant vitamins, essential fatty acids to give the skin nourishment, flexibility and softness. A plumped skin with vegetable oils is a smooth skin.

A synthetic version: Polymethyl Methacrylate – plastic filler for lubricating and smooth finish. Big problems in cosmetics are plastics, especially these micro plastics which are detrimental to our environment and the food chain. These are washed down the sink and cannot be processed. These plastics are found in fish. We eat fish.

Silica: A mineral derived from plants such as Horsetail. Enhances health of our connective tissue, mattifies / aborbs sebum and sweat, softening.

A synthetic version: Dimethicone – silicon derivative for an occlusive or masking effect; filler effect; barrier; mattifies. The issue is that it locks in moisture, sebum, bacteria, pollutants to the skin and therefore breakouts and congestion are more common, especially those prone to imbalances, e.g. teenagers at puberty.

Plant alcohols: These components create essential oils and preserve products. They are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and give a natural scent to the product. You will see this written at the end of the ingredients list, for example: geraniol, linalool, limonene, etc.

A synthetic version: Phenoxyethanol – a synthetic alcohol to preserve, stabilize and scent. It can irritate / sensitise the skin leaving it feeling and looking tight. Capillaries can weaken and redness may persist on the skin if it is constantly irritating the skin everyday.

Vegetal Hyaluronic Acid: A carbohydrate and humectant (attracts water) that behaves like a sponge attracting water to itself and expanding to hundreds of times its original weight. This has beneficial effects for supporting connective tissue and visibly plumping and hydrating the skin.

A synthetic version: Glycerine – if a synthetic form of glycerine is used, its humectant properties will give a soft feel to the epidermis but it is so strong that it actually leaves the tissues below quite dehydrated and tight (lacking water). If glycerine is in the ingredients list, it’s always good to ask if it is of chemical or vegetal / plant origin. The natural glycerine is very gentle.

My top picks for natural and organic foundations are from Couleur Caramel:

Hydra Jeunesse – Inca Inchi oil, a peruvian oil high in essential fatty acids to soften and nourish the skin. Hyaluronic acid to smooth, plump and hydrate. Gives beautiful radiance and glow.

Compact Foundation – An all in one full coverage product with an apricot powder base to give a lessened dewy look compared to Hydra Jeunesse. It uses Shea Butter, Apricot Wax, and Jojoba giving fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants to the skin while providing long lasting and professional wear. Popular for brides!

September 3, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, Beauty

6 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO GET RID OF OILY SKIN

Oily skin isn’t always a bad thing. It can give you occasional breakouts, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t do anything good for your skin.

Having oily skin can slow down the rate of skin aging. One good reason is the protection the oils provide for your skin.

They form a barrier to combat pollutants, UV rays and other environmental stressors. Apart from that, having oils on your skin can also mean constant moisture.

You’ll look glowing, too.

These benefits, however, are only possible if your skin is well taken cared of. Oily skin can cause mayhem without the right products or proper skin care routine.

When there’s too much oil, your pores can easily get clogged, especially if it gets mixed with dirt, makeup residue and dead skin cells.

So, to make sure that doesn’t happen, you need to cleanse it, preferably twice a day. This is to make sure that there’s no dirt or makeup residues that can clog your pores.

Toning and moisturizing are important as well. These two steps can bring back the moisture your skin loses each time you cleanse.

Although your skin is capable of restoring moisture by itself, it can actually take quite awhile. By toning, you’ll be bringing back that lost moisture quickly.

Sun protection is important, too. A good sunscreen can help you combat excessive oil production while making sure your skin stays protected against the sun’s harmful rays.

And if your skin is already suffering from the consequences of not doing any of these skin care steps, such as acne, acne spots and dull skin, you may need to use something more potent to bring back your skin’s healthy complexion.

This includes investing in the top vitamin c serum for face. Vitamin C serums have the ability to brighten the skin, including any dark spots you may have.

They can also tighten up pores and even out your skin tone. In addition to that, they also have anti-aging benefits by boosting your skin’s collagen production.

The more collagen there is in your skin, the more supple, elastic and younger-looking it will become.

Now, if these steps overwhelmed you- don’t fret. Here’s an infographic to guide you in getting rid of oily skin.

August 19, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, News & Events, Treatments

THE CASMARA OCEAN MIRACLE TREATMENT AT EDEN BEAUTY GROUP

Sponsored by

Last week I headed out to see Susan Fox in Eden Beauty group for an ocean miracle treatment using Casmara skincare.

When Susan and I decided to collaborate she sent me out some of the Casmara products to try. I started using them at the same time as I gave up coffee and sugar. This meant that I was detoxing so the products would really be put to the test.

I found the Casmara products gentle and lightweight which was perfect for the hot weather we have been experiencing. I used the 3 n 1 marine cleanser (€20), the hydra lifting serum (€40) and the hydra lifting firming moisturising cream.(€36)

Casmara was developed in Valencia in Spain and they develop and manufacturer all of their products in house which is very rare these day’s. They invented the worlds first peel off algae masks in the 70’s and are very innovative bringing out new products regularly.

FREE FROM…

The Ocean Miracle range is silicone, paraban and alcohol free. It has no animal or egg derivatives and has an Eco Cert, which means it’s ingredients are organic, natural and not tested on animals. The products and facial contain Sea plasma where the salt is removed from seawater and you are left with a plasma that is incredibly rich in nutrients. Sea plasma contains 72 of the 91 elements on the table. It also contain Wakame kelp which is the main ingredient in miso soup and scientist who studied the longevity and ageing of the Japanese people believe the reason the live to such advanced age and have such beautiful skin is their high intake of wakame.

THE SALON

When I arrived at the salon the entrance was just off The Main Street in Wicklow but as soon as you walked sown the entrance lane you felt a sense of peace. The salon has eight treatment rooms offering everything from facials to LED Light Therapy Mask. At Eden beauty group they will always tailor their treatments to the needs of the client.

THE TREATMENT

I have been suffering breakouts recently as my body and mind has been going through changes. I had quite a few blocked pores and I was delighted when Susan suggested extraction. There are only a few exceptional beauticians that can do extractions well and Susan is one of them.

Before starting the Casmara Ocean Miracle treatment Susan did a deep cleanse and then straight into the extraction! There was minimal pain and I felt quite excited at the prospect of my blocked pores being freed!! After the pain was sheer pleasure and their was a foaming mask, wakame kelp and green tea to ensure a sensory delight.

STEPS OF CASMARA OCEAN MIRACLE TREATMENT

Cleansed with Green Tea Cleanser. This is a fabulous product as it contains green tea and silk proteins so it hydrates while cleansing. It is 3 products in 1. A cleanser when used on wet skin and then an exfoliator when used on dry skin with a cloth or brush. It also is an eye make up remover and you do not need a toner!

Extraction. (Needs no description lol)

Applied Oxygenating foaming mask. This felt amazing as it foamed on y skin. It is a fabulous treatment for stimulating cell activity and infuses the cells with pure oxygen with stimulates cell activity and makes them more responsive and better able to absorb the products applied after it.

Susan applied an enzymatic peel; this is a peel that does not scrub or overwork the skin but rather gently melts off dead skin cells. It contains fucogel which is extremely hydrating, it contains olive oil and stops you getting that tight dry feeling you sometimes get after a peel or scrub.

After stripping and peeling the skin you need to feed it so Susan massaged in an ampoule with Sea plasma and Threalose, which is a seaweed that holds it’s moisture for hours when the tide goes out and it is exposed on the rocks. It keeps moisture locked into your skin.

A serum was applied that has Juvenessence in it. This slows down the cells in your body changing laminine (which is a protein) to Progerin, which is what causes cells to age. This means that this facial actually works at cell level to slow down the ageing process.

A cream with more Wakame was applied. Wakame has been proven in clinical studies to activate 14 genes stimulating collagen, Elastin and HA (firming) in the skin.

Last but not least was the mask. It is made up of pure Wakame Kelp it lowers your body temperature by 6-8 degrees and dries from the outside in pushing products deeper into the skin. It also helps reduces any inflammation and sooth the skin. I loved this part and as you can see it also covered my eyes and I felt a deep feeling of rest at this stage of the treatment.

At the end a moisturizer was applied, which had a combination of all the key ingredients in the facial. My skin felt fresh and not a sign of the extraction anywhere.

THE AFTERMATH

Over the next few days I felt my skin brighten. I had a few breakouts, which I expected as my chin in particular had been very badly clogged and needed a deep cleanse. I headed to a movie premiere with James on Sunday and as you can see from the photo below my skin looked fresh and everyone was asking had I had Botox??? The answer is no I have never had any treatment like that.

This facial is super effective, clean, environmentally friendly and uses the latest advances in science to deliver totally natural ingredients deeply into the skin. It is also safe for even the most sensitive skin.

To avail of a 10% discount on online orders. Go to the online store here and then use the code Ali10.

For more information contact Susan at Eden Beauty Group Reception + 353 (0)404 61295

June 26, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Beauty, Essential Oils

10 AMAZING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR BEAUTIFUL AND FLAWLESS SKIN

Essential oils are growing more and more popular these days. And if you’re a beauty enthusiast, you’d know how in-demand they have become, especially to those who have acne prone and sensitive skin.

However, since essential oils come in a wide range of varieties, you have to know first how to find the best essential oil that can address your needs.

One of the things you have to consider is the essential oil’s purity. Since there is no strict guideline as to what makes an essential oil pure, your best bet is to buy from retailers that specialize in selling oil. They are more likely to be involved in the processing of the oil.

When buying, you should also be more thorough in checking and reading labels. Look for the manufacture and expiry dates as well as the origin of the oil. Read the list of ingredients so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting.

Take note of what tests the oils have undergone as well as their grades. A product that has a therapeutic grade or clinical grade is considered superior to other brands.

In addition to assessing the quality of oil, you need to know what type of oil you should invest in when it comes to your skin.

The list below can help you get started.

The oils listed help with everything rom acne to firmer skin and oils like camomile have been shown to help reduce scars too. Theres an oils for every skin ailment so find what suits you.

Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin , a beauty blog dedicated to provide honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out her latest article about Best Products for Rosacea . You can find her on Twitter , Pinterest and Facebook

June 14, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Beauty, Healthy body

WHY CHOOSE A NATURAL COSMETIC?

So why should you choose a natural cosmetic. In this article Dearbhla looks at what is actually in our products to help you make more informed choices.

If you had the choice of drinking a glass of tap water, recycled and filtered with added minerals such as chlorine and fluoride or drinking a glass of alpine water, rich in essential minerals from the earth, which would you choose?

It is not always possible to have the purest alternative at our fingertips because we live in a world of mass industrial industries where ingredients can become the least important part of a product and marketing along with gross takings become the top priority. But what happens when you do have the choice: when certified products created as naturally as possible are offered alongside the marketing monsters? You then hold the power, an effortless gesture of turning around these products and reading the ingredients lists to compare:

OPTION 1

Aqua / Water, PEG-8, Glycerin, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Poloxamer 124, Citric Acid, Chlorohexidine Digluconate, Parfum / Fragrance

OPTION 2

Citrus aurantium amara (Bitter Orange) leaf/twig extract*, Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Chloride (sea salt), Potassium sulfate, Citrus aurantium amara (Bitter Orange) leaf/twig oil*, Lippia citriodora (Verbena) flower/leaf/stem extract*, Malva sylvestris (Mallow) flower extract*, Lotus corniculatus (Birdsfoot-trefoil) flower extract*, Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) leaf extract*, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) extract*, Viscum album (Mistletoe) extract*, citral°, geraniol°, limonene°, linalool°

*Organically farmed ingredients, °naturally preservatives occurring in essential oils

The above are two toners, option 1 being a generic cosmetic brand (pharmacies), option 2 an organic, 100% natural and certified brand called PHYT’S which is considered a natural cosmetic (beauty salons, health stores).

The price difference of only a few euro higher for the natural cosmetic option presented in a clouded glass bottle. This is so UV light will not affect the plant extracts versus a clear plastic bottle for the first option. The main reason that interests us in option 2 is the results the skin will receive from these ingredients: improved circulation, hydrated skin through pH balance, reinforced connective tissue. Every ingredient has a beneficial effect.

WHEN DID THE IDEA FOR PLANT BASED COSMETICS START?

The idea of using a plant based natural cosmetic is not new, as for thousands of years skincare and makeup have been used by men and women alike through the power of herbs, vegetable oils, and pigments from both plants and the earth. Unfortunately with industrial revolution and petro-chemical developments, we lost touch with our roots through the 1900s: products became more about a promise through synthetically created components which mimicked the natural of times before. Thankfully, at home and internationally, there has been a revival of tradition: plant extracts from sustainable, organic and fair trade farming; certifications of purity and quality obtained by companies to guarantee their ingredients; strict criteria that disallows synthetic fertilizers in farming, or strong chemicals used to clean equipment in labs; and absolutely no testing on animals.

At V.Claire Natural Cosmetics we work with PHYT’S organic skincare, Couleur Caramel natural makeup and Acorelle natural perfumes and professional waxing. We are beauty and skin therapists; we are passionate to bring out the best in every skin; loyal to the purist and most professional ranges we can find; and obsessed with every cosmetic and ingredient we work with and provide to you.

Maybe the simple question is: why choose synthetic, when you can choose a natural cosmetic? We would love to hear from you so comment below with any questions or comments you have!!

Dearbhla Lyons

Training & Development

V.Claire Natural Cosmetics

June 9, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, Beauty, Healthy body

HOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS IMPACT YOUR PHYSICAL WELLBEING

Every thought we have impacts our emotions, every emotion impacts the physical (you only have to think of a traumatic experience and what happens? There is a sudden and obvious rise in your heart rate a bubbling sickness in the pit of your stomach) and every physical response impacts our behaviour.

One of the tell tale signs of someone in this state of fear is the automatic switch on of the fight or flight response. Emotions kick in – panic, fear and the physical response will be sweaty palms, feet etc.

The core of my treatments are based on Noetic Science, how energy effects matter.

Noetics has been around for centuries with the likes of Aristotle, Socrates and Einstein all being very familiar with its philosophy (E=Mc2 )

For me this philosophy has encompassed all of my learning over the last thirty years which was why I coined the term Noetic Therapy for the treatments I created that read implicit tissue memory – (The Fifth Concept, The Spinal Code & Bowensense)

Every thing has a vibration – Vibrations resonate at different speeds and as human beings we pick up vibrations. They affect how we feel, what we think and how we act. A good example of this is when we listen to music. Soft gentle music can soothe us into a state of relaxation and vibrant upbeat music can make us feel happy and energised. Loud screeching head banging music on the other hand can give some people a headache and immediately make you feel tense.

Have you ever had the experience of someone being in a room and literally lighting it up with their presence? They are the life and soul of the party! These are the people who are on our wave length and can motivate us with their positivity but there may be other times when some one has walked in to a room and you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. They emit negative energy and drain you, these types of people I call ‘Emotional Vampires’

I have been called The Skin Psychic before, a term that I am not really comfortable with but I understand that with the tools I have. I teach to observe what is happening with an individual emotionally, mentally and physically, it may seem that way. I can categorically say, I do not work with spirits at all, I work intuitively with energies and reading the body in a way that has been fine tuned over thirty years, I have studied genetics, counselling, homeopathy, nutrition and fascia as well as skin behaviour through specific thought patterns and experience. I read and study the physics of micro organisms to study heat and energy communications in the body. I have also taken pictures of feet, ears and faces over the thirty years of people from all walks of life and environments worldwide and this is where my interest lies.

Intuition is something we all are gifted with. It is not some hippie fad or new age crap that the sceptics like to throw out. In fact, my favourite clients are the ones who are defensive or what I call ‘blockers’. You see, there are some that live in fear, you often find the people who shout the loudest, hurl negatives and try to devalue what you do are the most fearful, they go on the front foot and try to ‘derail’ which to the most part they succeed, however I can see through that and there are reason’s for it. I would often say these individuals are ‘not ready’….yet!

The intuitive mind is something we all have, yet ignore and not trust. The process of tapping in to a sense or feeling is a gift. Within my Spinal Code treatment and The Fifth Concept my fingers ‘see’ and ‘feel’ what the body tissues, muscles, tendons and fascia are telling them. I communicate with my clients body, I do not just go on what my clients tell me in consultation but what I see in body language, what I hear in voice tone and speed of speech and what I sense in the fingers, how the communication of body tissues act within treatment, and believe me they do communicate. I have been able to tell from my Spinal Code treatment if clients have emotional issues linking with a particular parent, if they have had a blood transfusion or if they have emotional traumas, just by feeling implicit tissue memory (this is the memory of an experience laid down in the body tissues)

Chain reactions within the body happen as soon as negativity hits. This can be in the form of stress from environmental factors, emotional factors or physical factors.

So remember your thoughts reflect in your beliefs, your beliefs reflect in your feelings and your feelings reflect in your behaviour – make them good ones!

#FeelGoodFriday

Find out more about Marie here

June 2, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Beauty

SUSAN JANE WHITES GREEN BEAUTY SOLUTIONS – MIDNIGHT FACE SERUM

For my new weekly #FabulousFriday blog I’m going to ask the kickass ladies I love about their views on beauty and in particular natural beauty as one of my main aims is to help people reduce their toxic load!

I’m delighted to introduce a new contributor to BeComplete Susan Jane White who will be sharing some of her green beauty tips alongside some of her tasty recipes in the coming months.

Here’s what Susan Jane has to say on Green Beauty

Obnoxiously priced, commercial face creams are designed to separate you from your money and your brain cells. We all know the brands I’m referring too #sexyswipe.

You want to stay young? The answer is not giving hundreds of your hard-earned dollars to some marketing head-f**ck who abuses our vulnerabilities. Nor is it wearing lamé drainpipes and a sleeve of tattoos, like something Electric Picnic heaved up.

The secret to ageing gracefully my friends, is owning it. Wear those wrinkles like you made them! They are there to tell twenty-year-old twits not to mess with us. So go rock them.

I’ve taken to making my own beauty products from natural, cold-pressed oils. Yup. Green beauty is trending, not because it’s non-toxic and kinder to the environment. Green beauty is trending because it works.

[bctt tweet=”Green beauty is trending, not because it’s non-toxic and kinder to the environment. Green beauty is trending because it works. ” username=”alicanavan”]

Check out this deep, penetrating night serum. My skin drinks it up with gratitude. No amount of crème de la whatsies can achieve the same glow I get from one week on argan oil. Yes, argan can sometimes smell like a wet barnyard animal. But you will expertly highjump this nasal challenge by adding grapefruit essential oil and the spectacularly-perfumed tamanu oil.

Grapefruit essential oil is a brilliant astringent to help seduce large pores and zits. Tamanu delivers a consignment of protective antioxidants, and is traditionally associated with improving scar tissue. We like the sound of that. Both tamanu and argan have vertiginous amounts of vitamin E, and 0% synthetic gunk. Vitamin E is important to our ageing skin because it helps protect against the chaos that free radicals unleash. We can’t stop ageing, but we can slow it down.

I share the task of DIY cosmetics with friends to reduce the cost. It makes sense to do a large batch of face serum, and dole them out to a group of friends. Maybe your pals will do the cacao body butter, or other similar treat in return? Score! Another tip is to store the oils in the freezer when they are not in use, which will substantially extend their shelf life.

Midnight Face Serum

6 months supply

20ml cold pressed argan oil

5 drops grapefruit essential oil

2 teaspoons cold pressed tamanu oil

Mix the oils into a 30ml bottle dropper (available online and at pharmacies). Shake. Store in a cool place, or refrigerator alongside rosewater or other toners to assist with its application.

May 12, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Beauty, Healthy body

A NATURAL FOUNDATION THAT PLUMPS, HYDRATES AND IS ANTI- AGING TOO!

THE NEW HYDRA JEUNESSE NATURAL FOUNDATION BY COULEUR CARAMEL

As we move into spring it’s the perfect time to lighten the load in every way. Spring is the perfect time to spring clean our mind, home, wardrobe and even beauty routine.

During the winter months I tend to use a slightly heavier foundation so at Springtime I like to make a switch and lighten my make up. As everyone knows I’m a huge fan of topical health and wellbeing and by that I mean the products we put on our skin.

Our skin is our largest organ so a lot of the toxins go straight into our blood stream from the products we use. Recent research by Bionsen, a natural deodorant company, found that the average woman’s daily grooming and make-up routine means she ‘hosts’ a staggering 515 different synthetic chemicals on her body every single day.

Becoming more mindful of this will help your overall toxic load. Even if you switch just some of your skincare to more natural alternatives you will be doing something great for your overall health and wellbeing.

I have teamed up with Couleur Caramel – a 100% natural and organic make up range to tell you about their new foundation. Couleur Caramel helped launch my book last year (buy here) along with Phyts natural skincare as there’s a chapter on natural beauty in it (BUY HERE) and I have been using their products and working with them ever since.

This foundation is light and fresh but it also has sufficient coverage. In this picture I was tired, had a cold sore and some spots as I have been travelling a lot and my body was screaming at me to rest. As you can see it gives a really nice healthy glow. There is absolutely no filter used here either and its before I powdered.

It has been formulated with natural hyaluronic acid, Juvenessence (brown algae) and organic inca inchi oil. The main thing I need with my own skin as I age is plumping and hydration and this does both because the hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates the skin and the Juvenessence and inca inchi oil nourishes and protects against the signs of aging (sign me up!!). The result is velvety smooth skin and a glowing, revitalized complexion.

You can set this with their silk powder, which is so incredibly fine, natural and effective. It literally disappears and does a great job at setting your foundation. I struggle finding a good powder that doesn’t sink into the fine lines and wrinkles especially around the eye are but this a goody!

This natural foundation comes in 6 shades; No.21 Porcelain, No.22 Rosy Beige, No.23 Skin Beige, No. 24 Sand, No. 25 Ash Blonde, No. 25 Amber Blonde €34.00

Check out Couleur Caramel for stockists nationwide or buy online and Couleur Caramel is also available in Nourish Stores nationwide

#ad #collaboration

March 14, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, Beauty, Newsletter

MY TOP 5 NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR NOVEMBER

As we head into the party season here are my top 5 natural beauty products I’m a big believer in reducing the amount of chemicals we use topically each day. It’s an issue of load, as let’s face it, as women we use a large variety of product every day! So think about switching some of your products for a more natural alternative.

Top of my list is this body scrub from Urban Veda This range is naturally formulated to Ayurvedic principles to really embrace the therapeutic properties of plants. It’s a sensory sensation in the shower. It’s a gentle body scrub made from crushed walnut and organic pumice. The glow it leaves is because of the citrusy vitamin rich addition of orange and lemon. It contains vitamin E, geranium and palmarosa to help hydrate making it a one stop shop and an essential winter beauty item. Scrubbing helps with our circulation and helps to get rid of dead skin cells too. This fab set is €43.99 BUY HERE

Next up is this moisturizing night balm from Irish company Anu This ANU Night Balm is deeply nourishing which can be exactly what our skin needs coming into the winter months. With the tug of war between central heating and braving the elements outdoors some extra TLC and a change in skincare can be necessary. This balm not only contains moisturizing oils and butters but, carrageen Irish moss seaweed, lavender and beeswax too. After cleansing, apply to face, neck and décolletage before a great night’s sleep. It can also be used as a general multi balm on eyebrows, lips and other areas of dry skin (some people also use it as a cleanser) and it has been known to clear up spots, blemishes and even mild eczema. €20 BUY HERE

This lippy from Couleur Caramel is perfect for the upcoming festive season. A naturally nourishing lipstick rich in plant based active ingredients. They come in many different shades. Check them out HERE €19.00

Soak in a luxurious bath after a long hard day with this beautiful wild oats bath soak. Karen Cottier from Wild Oats Soap has made this wild oats bath soak with lavender and milk and not only is it great for soothing stress but it’s also great for kids or adults with eczema or chicken pox too. €11.95 BUY HERE

It just wouldn’t be right to move into winter without mentioning my must have beauty item. The Weleda skin food is a lifesaver for dry, rough skin and a great travel partner too. It’s made with organic extracts of chamomile, calendula and wild pansy to soothe dry or rough skin and revitalizing rosemary extract to perk up tired skin. It also smells delicious because of the refreshing essential oils of sweet orange and lavender. This ladies is a must have for the handbag!! BUY HERE €11.95

November 11, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison