You and your bust

Although many of us are familiar with looking after the skin on our faces, the skin around the bust is often overlooked. As women, pregnancy, breastfeeding, the menopause and sun exposure are just a few of the changes we go through which can affect the delicate skin on the bust and décolletage, making it appear slack or ‘crepey’. So as the days get brighter and summer gets ever closer, now seems the perfect time to turn our attentions to this area with one of my new personal beauty favourites: Superskin Bust Treatment (UK, IE & US).

I first experienced the benefits of this miracle treatment last year, in the run-up to my wedding. After only a month of use, my skin felt more plumped and rejuvenated than ever, and I even noticed a difference where the skin on my décolletage had become wrinkled and sun damaged. And it’s no wonder. This precious, silky serum is bursting with some of nature’s most potent botanicals, renowned for their toning and firming effects: kigelia, mangosteen peel, quince extract, white lupin and green algae. It is also formulated with natural source vitamin E plus rosehip and cranberry seed which are excellent anti-oxidants that can neutralise free radicals. Collagen and elastin, can be broken down by free radicals making skin appear less firm and supple. In short, a truly effective and advanced formula that offers visible results, whatever your age or stage in life.

Although, Superskin Bust Treatment has been specifically targeted for the bust and decolletage, it’s also important not to neglect the neck area as, along with our hands, this is often one of the first areas to show the telltale signs of ageing – particularly during the summer when skin is more exposed.

When it comes to skincare, I’m a firm believer in the power of massage .This is even more relevant when using a bust treatment, as the act of massaging not only improves circulation around the bust and armpits, but also gives you a few precious moments during your day to check your breast health and be aware of any changes.  

I recommend the following routine:

• The perfect time to apply Superskin Bust Treatment is after bathing or showering every evening, when skin is still warm and will be more receptive to the wonderful toning and firming properties.  After towel drying, warm 2-4 pumps between your hands. Stand in front of the mirror so you can see what you are doing and monitor any changes.
• Start underneath your breastbone (see illustration 1 below), and use one hand to massage the serum in circles around your bust towards your armpit (see illustration 2). Repeat for 3 circles on each bust. This encourages drainage of the lymphatic system and reduces excess fluid in the tissues.
• Continue upwards onto your décolletage (see illustration 3)  using sweeping strokes to boost circulation and encourage a smoother complexion. If you are concerned with sun damage, wrinkles or slackened skin, pay particular attention to these areas, especially on the neck as a skin-booster under your moisturiser.

N.B. Remember to always check for lumps and bumps when applying your Superskin Bust Treatment. We have a page dedicated to breast awareness with the ‘5 point breast awareness code’. Don’t be afraid to get a check up with your doctor if you feel or see anything unusual on your breasts.  After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

I would love to hear from anyone who finds these tips useful, or has new ways of using their Superskin Bust Treatment. Here’s to happy, healthy breasts!

Trees for Cities…

You may remember that for the last few years we’ve taken part in Sloane in Bloom - a large scale floral fashion show in the Sloane shopping area, in support of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Last year, our beautiful botanical British woodland – created from the precious botanicals in our skincare range - scooped top prize. So after an exciting week of sharing the display, as Environmental Advisor at Liz Earle, it was my job to find new homes for the plants!

Trees for Cities are a charity dedicated to creating green spaces in urban areas, planting new woodlands, community gardens and even edible playgrounds for the whole community to enjoy. Last Saturday, I travelled with Jennifer to one of their projects in Southwark, London where they were installing an ‘edible garden’ at Sunray Avenue estate. 

Before beginning a project, public consultation events are held in the community so that everyone is involved in having a say in what is done, what is planted and what the finished project will look like. This particular edible garden project involved planting fruit and nut trees, herbs, vegetables and shrubs, so we decided to donate the hazel coppices used in last year’s Sloane in Bloom event to the project, which will eventually grow and produce hazelnuts. 
 
 

One of the great things about Trees for Cities is the enthusiasm they have for connecting residents of urban areas with the land that they live on – it was fantastic to see people of all ages literally getting stuck into the thick London clay soil and having a great time!

And when the day has finished, Trees for Cities leave behind trees and plants for all the community to look after and enjoy, and residents have an area to be proud of.

So now that we’ve planted last year’s trees, we’re busy planning for this year’s Sloane in Bloom.  Each May, it gives us the chance to share with you our passion for botanical ingredients in another context – the garden. And it’s exciting to know from the beginning that many of the plants and trees we’re using this year are destined to find fantastic homes with Trees for Cities. Blooming marvellous!

If you’d like to visit us during Sloane in Bloom this year, make sure you pencil the 22nd to the 30th of May in your diary.

Green-fingered gardening tips

As spring comes around, we gardeners emerge from hibernating amid piles of seed catalogues. After such a cold, long winter, the call of new seedlings and green shoots is irresistible, luring many of us out into our plots and patches. It’s also the season when my passion for plants starts to be reflected by the state of my fingers. The burst of digging over and springtime preparation can wreak havoc on hands soft from a winter of cosseting and care.

I know I should keep my gloves permanently on, but I find it impossible to sow seeds, transplant seedlings, and perform 101 mundane gardening tasks through all that fabric. I’m working to remedy my bad habits by using the right tool for the task. Thin, skin-tight fabric gloves are perfect for planting out and weeding, protecting hands and nails, while thicker gloves of canvas and leather offer the armoured protection necessary for tackling roses, nettles and other thorny foes.

All that contact with the soil can leave palms and fingertips feeling like sandpaper, never mind the ground-in dirt that’s so difficult to get out. I soak my hands in warm water and then use a fifty pence sized dollop of Energising Body Scrub (UK, IE & US) to bring them back into line. And don’t neglect the backs of your hands: a little bit of the scrub is perfect for leaving skin smooth, clean and renewed.

A good, natural bristle nail brush is perfect for removing dirt from underneath your nails and around the cuticle bed (removing all signs of gloveless indiscretions).

With all that extra cleaning, scrubbing and brushing my hands depend on a healthy dose of Hand Repair (UK, IE & US) to keep them soft and smooth. I love my 50ml tube – perfect for the potting shed, handbag and kitchen sink.

And last, but definitely not least, the hero of damaged cuticles and dry hands everywhere, Superbalm (UK, IE & US). After being caught without, I have our 5g pots in every handbag and a 30g pot in the car and bathroom for good measure. I massage it into my cuticles and nails, into the pressure point between thumb and index finger, and finally over the top of my palm where calluses from digging can form.

Superbalm to the rescue!

This beloved rescue remedy is the definition of a multi-tasker. Versatile enough to address a multitude of dry, chapped skin issues, this soothing plant-based balm combines pure essential oils and plant waxes to bring comfort and pleasure to the skin (and senses) from top to toe. Here are some of the fabulous uses that customers have shared with me over the past decade. Enjoy….

Protect sensitive skin from the cold – use on the lips, cuticles and under the nose where the cold really penetrates; also on sore, exposed cheeks. It’s ideal for the little people in your life too: the mini size is perfect for school uniform pockets! And it’s a natural plant balm so ideal for younger, more delicate skins.

Ultimate sore skin conditioner – use on the elbows, knees & heels, on cracked, dry skin to immediately replenish, condition and comfort. Use in combination with our Foot Repair Moisturiser (UK, IE & US) for the ultimate pedicure too – I like to use Superbalm (UK, IE & US) on the toe cuticles as it doesn’t dull nail polish either, followed by a layer of Foot Repair Moisturiser.

Use to groom stray, fly-away hair, unruly eyebrows and sore cuticles – they don’t stand a chance! Apply to the cheeks and eyebrow bones too, to highlight. A quick slick makes the world of difference in hydrating and highlighting.

Enjoy this botanical skin-saviour – truly an SOS must-have to dip into during this cold weather or anytime skin needs a quick rescue!

Spring is here!

The launch of our Spring Newsletter means spring has truly sprung! And just like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, I feel I am late for a very important date, with seeds to sow, suppliers to visit and customers to meet.  Thankfully I’ll have our wonderful new spring offer to help me greet the new season with radiant, sparkling skin.

Whilst every newsletter is special, this one is just an absolute joy for me: from cover to cover.  It stars our Botanical Essence No. 1 (UK, IE) and as a botanist, I couldn’t be prouder. Each of the 14 precious botanical ingredients in our bespoke, fine fragrance has a special story to tell, and it was my job to track down every single one.

My research took me to Grasse, the heart of the French perfume industry, to meet the team at Laboratoire Monique Remy (LMR). As you may have picked up, I’m just a tad passionate about plants, so spending time with people as plant-crazy as I am was my definition of a great time.  In the fragrance industry, LMR are the byword for excellence when it comes to natural ingredients, and visiting them it was easy to see why. From travelling the world to establish close working relationships with growers and collectors, trialling new varieties and growing techniques in their fields in the hills above Grasse, to distilling new fragrance materials in their state of the art laboratories, LMR pursue quality and knowledge believing - as I do - that the two are inextricably intertwined. The result is the best natural ingredients for fine fragrance.

We wanted to bottle the romance of fine fragrance, that intimate and complex relationship between a woman and her scent, that illusive quality where the fragrance becomes her signature, a shorthand for her personality and individuality. With Botanical Essence No. 1, you are a critical component of the fragrance: your skin will change the notes, enhancing the scent as it develops and matures in a way that is all your own.

This winter I have had the chance to meet some of you at events in our flagship store at the Duke of York, at Biskra our island home, and over lunch at Chewton Glen. And all through the cold and gloomy months, the magic of Botanical Essence No. 1 has been a hot topic. I’ve  taken some of you on a journey across the globe, to the high-altitude lavender fields on the slopes of Mount Ventoux, to the sun-drenched Italian orchards of bergamot and mandarin, and to the damp, earthy rainforests of the Amazon where tonka bean trees tower overhead like enormous giants holding up the sky.  And you have shared with me the powerful scent memories Botanical Essence No. 1 brings back, the elation of finding a new signature scent that captures you. I couldn’t be more proud to have played a part in Botanical Essence No. 1.

But this newsletter is not just about fragrance. Another perennial favourite of mine is our original plant-packed Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, which this year celebrates its 15th birthday (watch this space for more news) so be sure to check out the ‘Day in, Day out’ (UK, IE) feature by my fellow QVC expert and Treatments Manager, Jo Givens, filled with lots of handy tips to help you get the most from your daily beauty regime. Last, but not least, the team here has been ultra-busy creating not one but three irresistible new offers to get your skin and spirits in the mood for spring.

I can’t wait for you to receive your copy and let me know what you think - it’s due to land on doormats any day now but if, like me, you are a little impatient, then why not take a sneaky peek at the online version (UK, IE)?

Springtime Beauty

At last, the perils of the winter snow are behind us (well mostly), and spring is just around the corner...

I’ve been out and about hearing your delightful stories, and am overwhelmed with positive feedback on our fail-safe, intensive Superskin Moisturiser (UK, IE & US) – with many of you agreeing that everyone needs a little pot for SOS days, when you need to ‘step up’ from your daily moisturising regime. Superbalm (UK, IE & US) is another favourite for those dry, chapped areas of skin, and it seems you’ve fallen in love with this botanical salve all over again. (I have to admit, it’s been amazing at comforting the dry, split skin around my nails after a morning of gloveless snow-shovelling!)

I’ve also been enjoying using two perennial customer favourites – Gentle Face Exfoliator (UK, IE & US) and Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask (UK, IE & US). Buffing away dead skin cells is one of the quickest, most effective ways to brighten the skin – and our gentle exfoliator comfortably polishes away those stubborn cells, to reveal spring-fresh skin. To rehydrate skin after a winter of central heating, a ten-minute relax with Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask will soothe away your skin sorrows, revealing plumper, healthier-looking skin.

And for now, what better way to lift your spirits than a quick spritz of our Botanical Essence No 1? Don’t just keep this delicious fine fragrance for your morning routine spritz during the day, whenever you need a quick pick-me-up. For me, the warmth of the decadent rose absolute is the epitome of spring, and I’m immediately transported to another place. Perfect for these long days, waiting for the clocks to change and to welcome in the new season!

This week, I’m thrilled to join Liz for my first proper TSV (Today’s Special Value) on QVC. We have an action-packed 24 hours planned, with our team of experts on hand to help with advice and suggestions - I started as a customer myself and still love tuning in to hear Liz’s pearls of wisdom. This time, we’re also joined by my wonderful colleagues Jo and Jennifer, bringing you their own respective therapist and botanical expertise, including some helpful tips for natural, radiant springtime beauty.

Liz, Jo, Jennifer and I really look forward to hearing your stories on air, from midnight on Friday 5th and throughout the day on Saturday – we hope you can join us...

P.S I also wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted in the recent Top Sante Glow Beauty Awards- we’re absolutely over the moon that we won the award for best Natural Beauty Brand, so thank you again!

Brightening tips

Restore radiance to dull, tired complexions with our Brightening Treatment Mask (UK, IE & US). This multi-tasking skin-saver can be used on its own for a quick fix or combined with other products for maximum benefits. Here are just a few of my favourite ways to use it.

• If you’re running short of time in the morning, mix a pump of our Brightening Treatment Mask together with a pump of Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser for a fast way to restore a radiant glow to skin in less than a minute – double the benefits in one single treatment.
• If you suffer with breakouts or oilier areas, try mixing our Deep Cleansing Mask with a pump of Brightening Treatment Mask for an instant glow, while leaving skin balanced and clear.
• Hands are often neglected, so for an instant pick-me-up smooth Brightening Treatment Mask onto the back of your hands and leave for 30 seconds - 2 minutes, before removing with a damp muslin cloth to reveal gorgeous, glowing skin.

Bring back the humble oat

Whatever the weather, the breakfast staple in my bowl is oats which started domestic life as weeds in fields of wheat and barley before farmers got smart and grew them as a crop in their own right. Why look to the far side of the globe for a superfood when there is a fantastic, multi-tasking and delicious one under our noses? Aside from being a low glycaemic index food, oats are packed with protein. Not only that, but they are a great source of β-glucans. This soluble fibre has been shown to help to lower cholesterol, helping to prevent heart disease.

To be completely truthful, oats are a bit of an obsession in my family, to the point of pedantry. My mother is quick to remind me that when it comes to bringing benefits, all oats aren’t equal. Steel-cut (sometimes called Irish or pinhead) oats have a lower glycemic index (GI) than rolled or instant oats. As with sugar, the more refined the oat groat, the higher the GI. Rolled oats are less processed than oatmeal and quick oats, but more than steel-cut.

I am an inveterate early riser, and what keeps me going on these dark, cold winter mornings is porridge. Oats release their energy slowly, fuelling me for long days of research and sourcing whether I am trekking across the countryside or just up and down the stacks at the British Library. But I don’t just eat porridge for the oats alone: I use it as a base and add all sorts of ingredients rich in the antioxidants, vitamins and omegas my body craves.

Don’t limit your creativity to a handful of sultanas and the odd sprinkling of sugar. Go wild. Toasted almonds, hazelnuts, linseed, grated apple, dried apricots, cranberries, dates and goji berries…when it comes to porridge, my husband accuses me of stopping just short of adding the kitchen sink. Have a sweet tooth? Give blackstrap molasses a go: one tablespoon provides you with at least 20% of the RDA of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. If like me, you are allergic to fish and can’t get those precious omegas from the sea, add linseed (aka flax seed), walnuts, or pumpkin seeds.

As the weather starts to warm towards spring, I swap my hot porridge for Bircher muesli. A blend of oats and fruit, muesli was developed at the turn of the last century by a Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner as the ideal hospital breakfast. Little did he know that his scientifically perfected blend of oats and fruit would be transformed into the array that greets us on supermarket shelves.

Sticking closely to the Bircher-Benner original, my recipe means I know exactly what is going into my bowl.

• 200g rolled oats
• 350ml fruit juice - orange, apple, pear, peach…you can tailor the recipe to your tastes
• 1 apple
• 125g natural or low-fat yoghurt (soya and goats’ yoghurt also work well if you don’t eat dairy)
• Fresh fruit – another chance to add your antioxidants in the form of blue, black and red berries and to get a jumpstart on your 5-a-day.
• Dried fruit – I love the combination of apricots, sultanas, cranberries and even blueberries if I can’t get fresh.
• Toasted and flaked almonds
• Seeds and/or nuts to sprinkle over the top
• 1 tablespoon of manuka honey or blackstrap molasses, to drizzle over the top.

1. Put the oats and dried fruit in a bowl and cover with enough juice to moisten them. Cover the bowl and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
2. In the morning, peel the apple and coarsely grate it. Stir the apple chopped fresh fruit and almonds into the oats. Stir in enough yoghurt to create a creamy consistency. You can adapt the texture of the Bircher muesli to your taste by adding additional juice or yoghurt.
3. Place each portion in a bowl and top with a drizzle of honey or molasses, a sprinkle of seeds and nuts, and a few more berries then serve.

I’ve found a great way to use oats at the end of my day, too. As a child, my sensitive skin made conventional bubble baths a no-no. Instead, my mother used oat baths to calm irritated skin, whether from chicken pox or allergies. Oat grains contain avenanthramides; compounds that have a range of activity against itchy and inflamed skin. More than three decades later, Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash (UK, IE & US) with its soothing oat extract came into my life, and now my baths are full of gentle bubbles.

Feed your skin

One of the best ways I've found to help keep my regular New Year's resolutions (eat more healthily, take more exercise…!) is to make really delicious 'on the go' snacks which not only taste good but also provide plenty of skin and energy-boosting nutrients. There is a clear correlation between what we eat and the way we look and feel; food nourishes us in so many ways and one of my first books published back in 1993 by BBC Books was simply called Eat Yourself Beautiful. The following recipes are two of my own favourites. The first is for Beauty Boost Bars and comes from my latest book, Skin Secrets. These are something I often make at weekends and cut into small squares to keep in the fridge ready for healthy snacks during the week. Packed with goodness, these bars are low GI (glycaemic index) so they help stabilise blood sugars and contribute to slow-release energy during the day - just the thing to lift the spirits and keep you going during the freezing weather. Their high seed content also provides a healthy dose of skin-smoothing essential fatty acids, which is why I named them beauty boosters. Another low GI family favourite is a very healthful carrot cake recipe with a twist - I make mine with a little added courgette which I find improves the texture and makes the mixture deliciously moist. Blackstrap molasses is an excellent iron-rich ingredient (also delicious drizzled over porridge on cold and frosty mornings), but you can substitute with black treacle if you prefer. I prefer to eat this cake plain, but the two pieces can also be sandwiched together with a little plain cream cheese or butter icing for a slightly richer result.

Beauty Boost Bars

50g each of dates, dried apricots and sunflower seeds
100g raisins
100g porridge oats
30g wheatgerm
25g medium oatmeal
20g linseeds
Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons cold-pressed flax or rapeseed oil, plus a drizzle to grease the tin

Whizz all of the ingredients in a food processor until they form a firm dough ball.  Lightly oil a 20cm loaf tin or one end of a rectangular baking dish.  Press the dough into the pan to a thickness of around 2cm.  Chill in the fridge and about an hour and then cut into sticks or cubes and enjoy!

Courgette and Carrot Cake

Makes 2 x 18cm (7 inch) cakes:
2 organic eggs
2 tablespoons crude blackstrap molasses
2 tablespoons clear honey
150ml plus 1 tablespoon of walnut, hazelnut or olive oil
175g buckwheat flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
50g natural wheatgerm
50g chopped walnuts
100g carrots, scrubbed and grated
100g courgettes, scrubbed and grated
 4 tablespoons orange juice

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, 350°F (gas mark 4)
Lightly oil 2 x 18cm (7 inch) cake tins with 1 tablespoon of oil.  In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs together before adding the molasses and honey.  Stir vigorously before pouring in 150ml oil.  Fold in the buckwheat flour, bicarbonate of soda and wheatgerm, followed by the remaining ingredients.  Pour into baking tins and bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until a metal skewer come out clean. Allow to cool before turning out and slicing into wedges.  Store in an airtight container in a cool place.

Detox tips

Many of us over-indulge at Christmas, so a New Year detox is the perfect way to revitalise the body, renew energy levels and restore radiant skin. By following these 5 simple tips your body will soon look and feel refreshed and invigorated…

1. Elimination
Sweating is one of the most natural ways to detox the body. We are designed to do this automatically and for hundreds of years many tribal cultures including Native Americans practise this ritual in 'sweat lodges' which are a natural sauna.

My tip: Try to have a sauna at least twice a week. This is a great way to eliminate toxins, it boosts and hydrates your skin and also really cleanses your whole system.

2. Internal cleansing
Apple cider vinegar was used as a detox supplement long before 'detox' pills and drinks were available. Totally natural, this remedy is reputed to help with eczema, fatigue and allergies.

My tip: Source a natural apple cider vinegar from a good health food shop. Put 2-3 tablespoons into a glass of water and drink daily. You can add honey to improve the taste and this will also help digestion. This is a great way to boost your body's defence system.

3. Professional facials
A regular facial by a qualified professional beauty therapist is a great way to enhance your natural beauty and detox your skin. Why not start the New Year by giving your skin a hands-on boost?

My tip: Try to find a facial that incorporates vacuum suction, such as the Liz Earle Signature Facial. Vacuum suction is an established beauty therapy treatment that enhances the effects of facial massage. It helps to boost sluggish circulation, eliminates impurities and plumps skin. Depending on your individual skincare needs, an intensive course of 6 treatments or a maintenance facial once a month will make a real difference to your skin.

4. Skin buffing
Exfoliation is a great and simple tool to eliminate dry skin, boost circulation and bring oxygen to your skin cells.

My tip: Always exfoliate before applying a nourishing mask. Imagine you are creating a canvas for your skincare, by removing the dead skin, which can make skin look dull, especially in the winter months. Massage a gentle exfoliator over your face, neck and décolletage and wipe off with a dampened pure muslin cloth before spreading on a facial mask such as Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask (UK, IE & US) to brighten and revive a congested complexion.
 
5. Brighten & purify
Using a detoxifying mask will help to draw out impurities and balance your complexion.

My tip: Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask (UK, IE & US) is great for absorbing excess oil and eliminating impurities. Either apply daily as a treatment directly on spots for 10 minutes, over the T-zone (nose, chin and forehead), or all over skin if quite oily. Leave for 10 minutes and remove with damp sponges. The green clay will absorb excess oils and give a matte finish to the skin.