A lovely book arrived today - The Holistic Beauty Book.

Books are so difficult to review, especially beauty books, but this one is a hit with us already. What we really like about it is that you can pick it up, flick through and start anywhere - it's easy to dip into, yet just as easy to read from the start.

There's no beating around the bush - author Star Khechara gets straight to the point with everything she has to say and writes clearly and simply. After a couple of quick, easy-to-read chapters on the holistic lifestyle you're practically converted!

But the best part is the recipe section... beauty recipes that is! You can be making your own skincare, body products and hair care in no time... even tinted lip glosses. There are over 100 recipes to indulge in!

The recipes are well written and simple instructions make them easy to follow - there is even a chapter on ingredients and techniques, plus a further section on where to purchase ingredients.

A lovely gift for anyone who loves their skincare and pampering treats, especially those who prefer organic and natural products.

The Holistic Beauty Book is priced £12.95 and is published on 20 November 2008. It will be available from www.greenbooks.co.uk and Amazon.

SteamCream is perfect for face, hands and body - handmade and created using the highest quality fresh, natural, traceable and vegan ingredients, there aren't many of you who'll be able to turn it down!

Hydrating and softening, SteamCream will care for your skin and its handy-sized tin makes it ideal for your handbag or travel. Packaged using recycled and eco-friendly materials, the ever-changing limited edition tins meet every mood.

Ingredients read like an indulgent recipe and include: Oats - for moisturising and soothing properties; Almond Oil - containing high levels of vitamin E to keep skin looking radiant and healthy; Lavender Oil - for its healing and antiseptic properties; Orange Flower Water - especially good for dry and sensitive skin; Cocoa Butter - leaves the skin feeling so soft and protected; natural perfume - created from Orange Blossom, Neroli, Chamomile and Rose Absolutes and Oils.

SteamCream launches at Liberty today (7 October) and we can't wait to try it!

SteamCream website
Liberty website (with online ordering)

Obsessed with having the latest must-have beauty products before your friends but fighting to pay the bills let alone afford the luxury extras? In a survey commissioned by The Body Shop , 70% of those questioned said that they felt affected by the credit crunch. A significant 73% advised that they would consider a second job to top up their income with 49% finding the prospect of being their own boss very appealing.

With The Body Shop At Home you can start your own business as a second job and become your own boss with the support of a world-renowned, values driven brand. By demonstrating The Body Shop products at coordinated parties in people’s homes you can work flexible hours and earn extra income in a fun way with no previous experience required. You will also receive free ongoing training on make-up, skin care and body care, have the opportunity to win great incentive prizes and make tons of new friends!

Vicky Blankenstein, 30, is a trainee solicitor and has a second job with The Body Shop At Home, earning 25% of every product she sells and making approx £100 a week from doing just a couple of parties.

“What I love about my second job is that it’s completely different and a little escapism from my choice of career. Not only do I earn extra money that allows more financial freedom, I get to work in the exciting world of beauty and because it’s so fun and social I never feel like I’m working!

The additional income means I can afford holidays, my new car, nights out with my friends and of course support my ever growing shoe and handbag collection!”

For more information on how to join The Body Shop At Home call 01903 844171 or visit The Body Shop at Home website

Avon have announced a collaboration with James Bond entertainment, to create the new signature Bond Girl 007 women’s fragrance, bringing the confident allure of cinema's sexiest icons to women worldwide. The fragrance is the first to be created in conjunction with Bond and is exclusively available from Avon.

British actress Gemma Arterton, who plays the role of Agent Fields in the upcoming Bond film, will be the face of the new fragrance. She will appear in TV and print advertising when Bond Girl 007 launches globally in October 2008 in conjunction with the worldwide release of “Quantum of Solace”, the 22nd film in the Bond series, which is the largest and longest running movie franchise in history.

“I’m thrilled to be working with two such iconic and established brands,” said Gemma Arterton. “The Bond Girl 007 fragrance embodies everything a Bond Girl represents – intelligence, sexiness and confidence.”

The fragrance, created by Firmenich, evokes the glamour, confidence and sensuality of the famous femmes fatales of the Bond franchise. The scent is a sexy cocktail of velvety florals, cool freshness and warm woods. It features top notes of velvety white peach and orange blossom followed by mid-notes of jasmine, calypso orchid and freesia. The drydown consists of amber, cashmere wood and patchouli. Bond Girl 007 is housed in a sleek, seductive bottle reminiscent of a female figure. The cap is a stealthy homage to a Bond spy gadget.

“As part of our ongoing alliance strategy, we strive to bring unique equities to Avon and James Bond provides an unparalleled partnership opportunity. The iconic Bond girls are one of the most widely known aspects of the films - they’re empowered, feminine and glamorous, so we’re extremely pleased to capture that essence in our newest fragrance,” said Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President and Brand President for Avon.

Tracy Haffner, Vice President, Global Marketing added, "Our strategy in the fragrance category is to build a strong portfolio through unique and exciting partnerships. Aligning with the James Bond franchise gives us such a great platform to develop a beautiful fragrance and connect with women worldwide."

Keith Snelgrove, Sr. Vice President of Global Business Strategy at Danjaq LLC stated, “This was the perfect collaboration for two globally recognisable companies. By partnering with Avon to create a fragrance, we’re able to bring a piece of the Bond Girls represented in our movies into the lives of women all over the world.”

Bond Girl 007 launches in October and will be exclusively available from Avon via your Avon Representative or through their online shop

This summer (whenever it decides to arrive!) give LicketySip ice lollies a try...

They're made by the producers of Sip water (the flavoured water with beauty benefits) - 100% natural and with no preservatives, artificial flavours, sweeteners or colours in them they make a great alternative to other ice creams and lollies available. Flavoured and sweetened only with fruit extracts, LicketySips come in three flavours: Mango, Lemon and Blackcurrant.

In keeping with the sip brand’s holistic beauty ethos, LicketySip iced lollies also contain skin-friendly ingredients soothing rose petal extract – sourced via an organic farm in Herefordshire – and antioxidants vitamin C and selenium.

We've yet to try them, but they're on the shopping list!

Available from Harvey Nichols and EAT from May 2008.

Find out more at www.sipdrink.com

Henry Tianus picked up four awards in the Natural Health Beauty Awards 2008:

Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin - Antioxidant Hydrating Cream
Best Wrinkle Zapper - Antioxidant Youthful Essence
Best Eye Cream - Flower Essence Eye Gel
and Best All Natural Range

Henry Tianus
Natural Health Magazine

Marks & Spencer have some great palettes at very reasonable prices...

We particularly like this large face palette from the Autograph range which contains a versatile blush/bronzer and very wearable eyeshadows. The palette is just £12!

Also in the Autograph range is a fabulous lip palette. From Per Una there are some lovely eyeshadow palettes and palettes offering everything for lips, eyes and face.

Often overlooked for cosmetics, M&S are well worth a browse as they offer good value and choice.

Visit the Marks & Spencer website
 
 
 

Nails Inc have launched their bright yellow 'Carnaby Street' through their online shop.

We're not convinced, but yellow will be a big fashion colour this Spring/Summer, so if you dare....?

Nails Inc Online Shop
 
 
 
 

CONTENT BEAUTY/ WELLBEING believes mothers deserve the best on March the 2nd.

Supplying everything from organic cosmetics and skincare to luxury organic treatment candles and happiness tea, CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING has the perfect gift for the woman that loves you unconditionally.

Mothering Sunday was sometimes known as Rose Sunday. This title refers to the tradition of giving posies of flowers to mothers. If you want to continue this tradition, try the ILA Body Scrub for energising and detoxing. Made from Organic Rose Geranium and Wild Poppy Essence, this scrub is an alternative to a flower bouquet and lasts longer than a week! Or try the Natural Magic, Complete Bliss, organic treatment candle, scented with Moroccan Rose for happiness.

Along with 30 eco-luxe brands CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING also offers gift vouchers and gift sets. Buying thoughtful gifts for those we love has never been easier.

www.beingcontent.com

CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING, the UK’s first luxury "beauty boutique with a conscience" opened at 14 Bulstrode Street, Marylebone, London on 14th February 2008.

CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING, is a unique, specialist, beauty boutique, bringing together the world's best organic and natural brands under one eco-elegant roof.

Founder, Imelda Burke explains, "we have sourced brands from the world's best natural beauty innovators and specialists. Each has been chosen for their commitment to truth, quality and holistic skin health. All the brands we offer, share our passion for natural skincare and organic ingredients."

CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING believes using natural products can help minimise our exposure to unnecessary synthetic chemicals and is committed to supplying a complete range of alternatives to conventional everyday beauty products.

Imelda continues, "…. you can now buy natural and organic alternatives for all your personal care and beauty needs. From certified organic make-up to perfume and men’s grooming products, we've found it all."

"The CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING shop has been created using recycled, certified and 2nd life objects, without compromising the luxury shopping experience. Our desire to engage in more conscientious shoppingexperiences, has inspired us to create an environment which matches the ethos of the brands we stock."

Brands at CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING include Henry Tianus, Tsi-La, Suzanne aux Bains, Stem Organics, Balm Balm, Barefoot Botanicals, Dr Hauschka, Jane Iredale, Laidbare, Sensitive Skincare Company and Postlethwaite's to name a few.

For more info contact CONTENT BEAUTY/WELLBEING on 020 3075 1006, or visit them at 14 Bulstrode St, London W1U
2JG.

www.beingcontent.com