October’s Health & Beauty Picks

Here is our October Health & Beauty Round Up. Our Top Picks This Month.

healthandbeautypicks

Kale Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser (£16.50) is the latest skin saviour from Nourish. This truly multi-tasking treatment is a cleanser, mask and facial – all in one. Brilliant for busy women. 81% Organic and it really works. It even has the two ingredients of the moment in Kale and Argan Oil.

Created by Dr Pauline Hili, the pioneer in results-driven bioactive formulations, this latest addition to the Kale & Argan Treatment Collection renews and mattifies the skin, leaving it looking rejuvenated and healthy.81% organic and Soil Association certified. A ‘turbo natural’ 3 in 1 treatment: cleanser, mask, enzymatic facial

 

Kale Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser launched exclusively in Debenhams nationwide, also available from nourishskinrange.com, liv.co.uk, feelunique.com, Planet Organic, and other premium health stores, e-railers and pharmacies nationwide. Truly brilliant stuff. 

herpatchcoldsores

Herpatch Serum is brilliant for cold sores. Many of us get these annoying and painful things when we are run down. Herpatch has an instant effect and treats every stage of the cold sore. It also protects and conceals. It is brand new and unique. It helps along the healing process in as little as two days. It also forms an invisible film to stop the virus spreading. It costs £7.99 from Boots and boots.com

 

We were very impressed with ColdZyme, which is the first clinically proven product to be developed with the unique Trypsin enzyme (found in deep sea cod) which works to counteract infection and trap the cold virus in the mouth and throat before it has chance to take hold.

While most other cold remedy products only help reduce the symptoms of a cold (at best – since only very few of those have any documented effect), the ColdZyme Mouth Spray is acting on the cause of the disease itself. The spray is suitable for adults and children from 4 years+. One bottle of ColdZyme® 20ml is enough to treat three common cold episodes and ColdZyme® One Cold 7ml is enough to treat one cold.

ColdZyme® 20ml £15.99 and ColdZyme® One Cold 7ml £9.99 will be available from Boots stores nationwide and www.boots.com from beginning September 2014

HOW THE ColdZyme® SPRAY WORKS

The scientific breakthrough has led to the global patent protection of trypsin from artic deep sea cod and its use as an active ingredient and ColdZyme® is the first over-the-counter, preventative cold treatment to use the enzyme. The easy to use oral spray targets the mouth and throat where the cold virus takes hold and multiplies. It works by coating mucous membranes, creating a protective enzyme barrier that acts on the cold virus, trapping them and disabling their ability to bind to human cells where they would normally start to cause typical cold symptoms. The spray will also help to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms when used during the early stages of an existing cold.

 

BRYT Remove is water-based and fragrance free. We were very impressed with this makeup remover. It removed everything and is great for sensitive skin. This hard-working cleansing solution whisks away all traces of make-up, including the most stubborn eye make-up, while respecting the delicate eye zone, thanks to the inclusion of nourishing Olive and Almond oils.

In keeping with the range, BRYT Remove also features the innovative Advanced Phytoscience System (APS), which includes pure Aloe Vera, healing Allantoin and rich ‘super-antioxidants’ extracted from organic Australian wild-harvested plums Kakadu, Burdekin and Illawarra – these super-fruits contain up to five times more antioxidant power than blueberries. Aloe in its purest form soothes and calms the, while nature-mimicking Allantoin will heal and treat the BRYT Remove Eyes & Make-up, £10.50 for 100ml

BRYT Skincare is available at Sparks Yard, Arundel; Food for Thought, Guildford and online at www.brytskincare.co.uk, www.myfabulouscollection.com. Selected products will also be available from 110 Waitrose branches nationwide

teatreerescuesalve

Purepotions has a wonderful tea tree rescue salve. This is brilliant for spots, bites, fungal conditions and cold sores. It is cooling and natural. Keep one in your bag at all times. £4.65 for 15ml from www.purepotions.com

 

We are always sick of waiting for our nails to dry. It takes ages and they inevitably smudge. Which is why we jumped to try The Ultimate Fix. It high-speed nail polish fixer that creates amazing The Ultimate Fix is “ecstasy for nails”. Does it work? We think so.

“I couldn’t live without The Ultimate Fix as it halves drying time, helps polish last and smells great. It’s a ‘mani must have’” – Stephanie Staunton, Celebrity Manicurist and Brand Ambassador. Stephanie’s clients include Helena Bonham Carter, Scarlett Johansson, Leona Lewis and Mila Kunis.

Beauty Narcotix’s The Ultimate Fix was also endorsed by UK Top Beauty Blogger Fiona Klonarides’ 2014 The Beauty Shortlist Awards, who made the fix a Finalist in the ‘Best Nail Product’ Category.

The Ultimate Fix is available at Selfridges London (Beauty Workshop Ground Floor)Urban Outfitters (Oxford Street), www.BeautyNarcotix.com and www.sallyexpress.co.uk.

The Ultimate Fix (50ml) will treat approximately 12 manicures or pedicures, and retails at £9.50. It is also available in 200ml size, treating approximately 50 manicures and pedicures, and retails at £17.

 

Everyone could do with a bit of help sometimes and vegans and vegetarians may find it harder than meat eaters to achieve a balanced diet. We reviewed Sublingual Vitamin B12 and Korean Ginseng from Veganicity. Veganicity.com has a range of supplements is 100% Vegan Society registered, which means that not only do they meet very strict criteria regarding the complete absence of animal products or derivatives, but are also 100% ethically produced. They have a lot of different vitamins on their website.

Korean Ginseng gives you energy from nature. Vegan Korean Ginseng, naturally containing ginsenosides, to normalise the body, maintain a healthy immune system and keep stamina levels.

Vegan Vitamin B12 in a Blackcurrant methylcobalamin sublingual form, to help body development, boost physical and mental alertness, maintain a healthy nervous system and keep many other essential processes going. Both help give natural energy over the Christmas period. 

 

Got a tattoo? One of the first all-natural, water-based creams has just launched in the UK. It is great stuff and really works if you have a tattoo that needs some TLC.

Formulated to help reduce irritation, heal soft tissue damage and hydrate recently tattooed skin, the lightweight creamy gel, from makers – Pig Fat Pomades – sinks into the skin instantly and leaves a non-oily finish for all new ink owners.

The natural blend of antioxidants includes Borage Seed Oil, an anti-inflammatory; Arnica Montana Flower Extract, which has long been used to treat bruising, soft tissue damage and the shock of impact (like a tattoo) and Jojoba Oil which gives thecream its soothing and moisturising properties. As a water-based product, which hasn’t been tested on animals, it won’t stick to clothes, won’t trap heat and won’t drain colour.

Paul Johnson, Pig Fat Pomades founder, said: “When a friend of mine had a gorgeous tattoo done, he spent a lot of money on a cream which was full of chemicals, yet was little more than a moisturiser with some grape seed oil. I knew it would be possible to make something more effective, more natural and more affordable – so we got to work.”

Tattoo Cream is currently available at www.thegroomingclinic.com and www.menareuseless.com and at selected tattoo studios. The RRP is £10.95 (58g)

 

What do you think?

 

 

Half Pint Glass | Great Christmas Ideas

At Frost we have been reviewing hundreds of things. We are more snowed under than a December day but, never fear, it is all worth it to bring you the best Christmas Gift Ideas. We are doing all of the work so you don’t have to. First up is this awesome Halfpint Glass. It is an actual half pint glass. It looks cool and is a genius idea. Even better if you are not a big drinker and want to look like you are drinking a full pint, you can only tell it is a half pint from the side.

coolhalfpintglass halfpintglass half pint glass

Product Details:

  • Size (Width, Height, Depth):
    W9.5, H15, D5 cms (W3.75, H6, D2 inches) approx.
  • Volume:
    Half a pint (285ml)
  • Extra Information:
    One half pint glass included in the box.
    Quirky novelty glass, a definite talking point at your next party.
    A perfect little gift or stocking filler.

The Half Pint Glass costs £9.99 from thepresentfinder.co.uk

 

Ruby Red Body Moisturiser Review

We loved this new Soothe and Nourish Hydrating Body Moisturiser from Ruby Red. It absorbed easily and was gentle on those with sensitive skin. We love natural products and this fits the bill. It has six nourishing plant oils including hydrating Babussu oil to lock in moisture all day. It left us silky smooth and moisturised. Good stuff.

rubyredmoisturiser

The moisturiser has:

Olive Oil to moisturise and aid skin regeneration
Sweet Almond Oil an emollient to soften the skin
Grapeseed Oil a moisturiser with active antioxidant
Babassu Oil to soften the skin
Shea Butter to aid skin hydration
Jojoba Oil to condition the skin

With added actives of Aloe Vera and Glycerine to soothe and ease absorption and Vitamin B% to reinforce the hydrolipidic barrier for improved skin hydration and to even out skin tone.
Naturally fragranced with soothing oils of Jasmine, Cardamom and Ylang Ylang.

Suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

Available from Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, Planet Organic, John Bell & Croyden and selected independent beauty boutiques and online at www.ethicalsuperstore.com and the Ruby Red shop – www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk.

 

 

Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider Review

Making your own alcohol may sound like something they did during prohibition, or that one of your mates does but doesn’t do a very good job of. Not anymore. Making your own cider is coming to the masses. As featured on Dragon’s Den:  Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider is a brilliant invention. It is easy, convenient and really gets a party started. We tested it and we loved it. Just add water and the yeast, then days later: you have cider! The cider is cloudy and mixed berry. Other flavours are available. It tastes great to be honest and we can highly recommend it. Christmas is coming and this would make a good present and is also a great way to entertain your guests. We like.

victorsdrinksmakeyourownciderreview

History 
Alex Dixon (28) and Ralph Broadbent (27) met at University and hosted many parties during their years studying. Their parties grew and so did the requirement for alcohol. Alex experimented with home brewing, to the delight of his friends who always loved it, although for Alex there was a lot of time, effort and money required to get there. In the following three years Ralph and Alex spent time coming up with a way of changing the way people viewed home brewing and in October 2013 launched the first batch of apple cider drinks kits which is an extremely simple way to make your own alcohol while also having a fantastic taste. Alongside Victor’s Drinks Ralph and Alex put on a number of music festivals across the UK including the award winning 15,000 strong Y-Not Festival in Derbyshire.

Why Victor’s Drinks?

The name Victor’s Drinks is derived from the word “Victory”, and is based around the personal accomplishment gained from creatingyour own drink. The box is designed like a trophy and #TasteVictory is used across their social media channels.

How Does It Work?
The product is based on bag in box technology, and comes ready filled with a specially formulated syrup which gives the drink its flavour. In order to create the drink the customer just removes the cap (which also acts as a valve), removes the plastic seal (which keeps the syrup fresh), adds the supplied sachet of yeast and fills with 18 pints of warm water before leaving at room temperature for 10 days, following which, the drink can be poured directly into a glass. Inside the box the sugar in the syrup and the yeast combine to create the alcohol. Once the drink is ready it can be drunk within 3 weeks.

The Product
The box should ideally be kept somewhere at room temperature and not moved for 10 days. You can keep the cider for up to 3 weeks and the longer you leave it the dryer the taste becomes. The ales are also ready after 10 days. The box features a push tap for easy pouring.

Locations
Victor’s Drinks is based in London Fields, close to Alex and Ralph’s current London home in Angel.
Alex was born in Poole and lived with his family in Wareham until moving to Manchester University at the age of 18. 
Ralph is from Biggin near Ashbourne and like Alex moved to Manchester after his A-levels.

Dragon’s Den 
Victor’s Drinks received an offer of investment as seen on August 3rd episode. After initial worries all but one of the Dragon’s opted “out” and they rejected a sole “offer” from Duncan Bannatyne however Alex and Ralph returned with a counter-offer and a deal was agreed for £40,000 for 25% share, which if after 3 years all profit targets are hit, will reduce to 15%. Following the programme (filmed in April) Ralph and Alex have been working hard on the brand are are excited about re-launching in the coming months.  
Watch the episode here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d4nbc

Stockists
Victor’s Drinks is available on their own website as well as at Cuckooland.com, Victor’s Drinks Apple Cider 20 Pint Kit is available here, Menkind, Fenwicks, QD Stores, Victor’s Drinks Homebrew Cider Making Kit – 10 Pints Elderflower is available here, Hawkins Bazaar and a variety of independent gift shops and garden centres with a rep of £24.99

 

Maternity Burden On Small Business ‘Overstated’

1024px-Mother_Kissing_BabyWe found this very interesting at Frost: Small business owners over-estimate the burden of providing maternity protection to their staff a new review, conducted by a team of experts from Middlesex University for the International Labour Organization, has revealed in a new report, out now.

The review, led by Middlesex University Professor of Organizational Psychology Suzan Lewis, suggests that effective maternity protection has a positive rather than negative on SMEs and can have a range of positive productivity related outcomes for firms, as well as wider social benefits.

 

 

The team found:

SME owner-managers are often adverse to maternity protection regulations, fearing the time and costs involved can lead to a competitive disadvantage.

There is a link between maternity protection and improvements in performance and productivity, linked to enhanced employee satisfaction and commitment.

There are wider societal benefits of effective maternity protection including poverty reduction, reproductive health, gender equality, fertility rates, and economic development.

Commenting on the review’s findings, Professor Lewis said: “Anything that is going to impact the financial stability of a business is naturally of concern to its owner, and that is why it is so important to understand that many maternity protection practices can have little or no costs and considerable benefits.

Middlesex University Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) Research Associate Dr Bianca Stumbitz added: “It is clear that a supportive workplace is crucial – one that is sensitive to gender-specific issues and that recognises the joint roles that both men and women play in family life.”

The report shows that women who know their employer will support them as they start a family and avoid stereotyping their role in the workplace are happier, more loyal and therefore more productive. For these positive effects to arise and maternity, paternity and family responsibilities to become a normal fact of business life, maternity protection and other work-family balance measures need to ‘fit’ into practices and interests of SMEs.

The review also found there was space for government to help ease any financial strain on small businesses complying with maternity provisions.

Professor Lewis said: “The economic reality means that if we want small business to implement strong maternity protections, some financial compensation by way of tax breaks or public subsidies may be necessary – and that is something policy-makers ought to consider seriously.

“Additionally, education campaigns designed to raise awareness and provide practical advice to employers struggling with maternity entitlement issues is also vital – especially information which highlights the potential productivity benefits.”

The report also highlighted the urgent need to address economic and cultural challenges facing working mothers in developing countries, which has largely been ignored by research.

Compiled for the International Labour Organization, the review was authored by Professor Suzan Lewis, Dr Bianca Stumbitz, Dr Lilian Miles and Dr Julia Rouse.

 

 

Calling Lifestyle bloggers: Enter The UK’s Most Prestigious Digital Awards

Entries for the National UK Blog Awards will close in 10 days on Friday 31 October 2014 and provide a unique opportunity for bloggers from the lifestyle industry to be recognised nationwide.

blogawards
The first ever National UK Blog Awards took place in April and achieved huge success with over 900 bloggers entering the awards and 16,000 members of the public voting to determine which blogs deserved a finalist spot.


Alongside the category for the lifestyle industry, bloggers will have the chance to enter into 13 other categories including fashion and retail, education, health and travel, whilst members of the public can also nominate their favourite individual or company blogger.
Gemma Pears, director of the National UK Blog Awards, said: “The UK Blog Awards provide a unique opportunity to be acknowledged and recognised as a true knowledge provider within your industry.


“Blogging is growing increasingly important in the UK; it’s a great way to position yourself as an expert in your field to build your credibility, as well as being able to showcase your knowledge whether you’re blogging as an industry professional or simply because you love to write.


“Awards are a hugely powerful marketing tool. They give you and your business immediate credibility and set you apart from the industry norm.


“Whether your blog is your business, a hobby or it’s part of your daily working tasks, a good blog can really help develop your client’s trust and helps close the gap between the ‘you’ and ‘ them’.”


You can enter your own blog or nominate a blog at www.blogawardsuk.co.uk with entries closing on Friday 31 October.

 

 

Steepletone 1960’s Vinyl Record Player | Cool Things

Technology may be amazing these days but that doesn’t stop people loving a bit of retro: vinyl sales are set to top one million this year.

We thought this Steepletone 1960’s Vinyl Record Player was a great nod to the retro. It looks great, has detachable speakers, in-built technology and can play various sized records.

Steepletone 1960’s Vinyl Record Player Steepletone 1960’s Vinyl Record Player pic

 

All for the awesome price of £79.95 from www.prezzybox.com