Seven Steps to Spring Clean His Skin: Beauty Tips For Men

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Frostie

With Spring having sprung, ladies up and down the land are scrambling to shave their winter legs and pedicure those forgotten-about feet. But what about the Gents? Skincare Expert and Facial Therapist Amanda Elias has the solution, with Seven Steps to Spring Clean his Skin:

Soften that winter skin with a gentle moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume, particualrly after shaving. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin; shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.
Don’t have a cleansing routine in place? Spring’s the time! Use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin. Cleanse daily; once in the morning and twice in the evening.
Shave off that winter face fuzz but never dry shave; this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.
Consider new products. When it comes to your spring skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.
Get rid of those dry lips by applying a lip balm regularly throughout the day. A stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots. Why not leave one on your desk at work as a reminder to apply?
Dispel of dry hands with an exfoliator to remove the dry, dead skin and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, why not treat yourself to a Man-icure?
Don’t leave sweaty skin after your new year workouts. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

The Five Key Supplements Every Woman Needs This Season

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Frostie

The Capsule Collection: The five key supplements everyone woman needs this season.

We enlist the help of Nutritionist Cassandra Barns from www.nutricentre.com to give us the latest on what’s hot in health.

Blue shirt, maxi dress, oversized floppy hat; our classic spring/summer wardrobe never lets us down. But what about our skin, hair, nails and waistlines? What supplement staples do we need to have in our kitchen cabinets this summer? Cassandra has developed the ultimate S/S Capsule Collection to keep us looking and feeling great….

Nowadays there are hundreds of different types of supplements available in health food stores and online, and the choice can be very bewildering. Although some may be designed for specific purposes or health goals, there are a few key supplements that most people could benefit from and that can be helpful to have at home.

1. The Omega-3

EPA and DHA are two omega-3 fatty acids with specific health benefits that are also great for glossy hair, strong nails and supple skin. In foods, they are found mainly in oily fish and fish livers, with small amounts of DHA found in seaweeds such as nori. However the typical western diet often contains too much omega 6 in relation to omega 3, and we need a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 for optimal health.

Omega 3 fats can also help burn body fat. How? Omega 3 helps your body respond better to a hormone called Leptin. Leptin tells your brain to suppress your appetite as well as increases your metabolism. Leptin also causes your body to burn fat for energy, however if your body isn’t responding to Leptin correctly then the reverse happens, you’ll be hungrier and you’ll store more fat.

Find standard fish oil supplements too fishy? Check out the new VeryWise range of 6 fruit based Omega 3 shots providing a nutritious and tasty alternative. As well as the general fish oil supplement OmegaWise, there are 5 targeted oils JointWise, CardioWise, MetaboWise, EnergyWise and BrainWise, each of which contains added fruit sterols, vitamins and minerals relevant to that particular health goal.

VeryWise’s new range of Omega 3 oils start from £5.95, available at www.verywisenutrition.co.uk

Other health benefits include:

• Brain health, memory, learning and concentration.

• Eye health. DHA is also concentrated in the retina of the eye and has an essential role in its function.
• Heart health. Fish oils are well-known for their heart health benefits, and numerous studies back this up.

• Pregnancy and the developing child. Because of its role in brain health and development, DHA accumulates in the brain of the foetus in the later stages of pregnancy, and in the new-born baby. Studies link levels of DHA in the mother during pregnancy – and the use of DHA supplements – to benefits for the brain and nervous system in the child after birth11.

• Controlling inflammation and pain. EPA and DHA are thought to have several anti-inflammatory actions, including working against a specific omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid) that can encourage inflammation.

Vegetarian or vegan, or just prefer to avoid fish and fish oils? There is now an excellent Omega 3 supplement derived from marine algae, Vegamega-3, £14.95 from www.nutricentre.com This is the first supplement on the UK market to provide decent amounts of both DHA and EPA from a non-fish source: two capsules contain 310mg and 155mg respectively, an amount comparable to that in many standard fish oil supplements.

2. The Multivitamin and Mineral supplement

A multivitamin supplement is an obvious first choice. This is principally because these products contain multiple nutrients, which can help to fill in the gaps in our diet and may benefit our health in many ways. A high proportion of the UK population is falling short of the government’s RDA of vitamins & minerals. And remember that the RDA levels are just minimum requirements, not optimal amounts. So it’s worth taking a good quality multivitamin to fill those gaps and act as a good ‘insurance policy’.

Want more energy for that Rave workout? A multivitamin can be a good choice for anyone to support energy levels and the immune system, areas where most of us need help from time to time. For normal energy production, we need to take in sufficient levels of several B vitamins, vitamin C, and the minerals iron, iodine, magnesium, calcium, copper and manganese. And for the immune system, we need to get enough of vitamins A, C and D, B6, B12 and folic acid, as well as copper, zinc, iron and selenium.

For a comprehensive, high-strength multivitamin and mineral supplement for adults, try Nature’s Plus ‘Source of Life Gold Gummies’. This food based supplement also contains plentiful antioxidants, as well as enzymes, amino acids and whole food extracts, and is a particularly popular choice for energy support. Source of Life GoldGummies available from all good health stores like Holland & Barrett

3. Co Enzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 or Co Q10 is your anti-ageing secret weapon, both inside and out. The antioxidants within Co Q10 can withstand and help reverse skin damage, preserving the collagen and elastin within your skin cells to make you appear younger. Co Q10 is a vitamin-like substance, present in every cell in our body, which is vital for energy production.But although the body makes its own Co Q10, levels have been found to decrease from the age of 20 onwards!

More and more products on the market, particularly skin-care creams, are adding Co Q10 as an ingredient because of these properties. Co Qu10 also supports brain health and helps protect against age-related memory decline as well as quenching free radicals that damage cells and age the skin; a very powerful antioxidant, decreasing the ageing process in our cells, arteries, hearts, gums and brains.

Quest Vitamin’s Ubiquinol Qu10 contains 100mg of CoenzymeQ10 in an innovative new formulation to guarantee efficacy. £18.55 for a month supply from all good health stores and www.questexcellence.com

4. The Probiotic

Probiotics are supplements of ‘friendly bacteria’ such as lactobacillus acidophilus that aim to support the populations of healthy microorganisms in our digestive tract. Probiotics are best known for encouraging good digestion, keeping you regular and helping with problems such as bloating.

Prone to summer sniffles and hayfever? You could benefit from upping your friendly bacteria. One of the most important roles of the good bacteria is its involvement with our immune system. It is thought that as much as 70 to 80% of the body’s immune cells are found in the walls of the digestive tract, and the trillions of bacteria in our gut come into very close contact with these immune cells. They are also thought be necessary for reducing or controlling the response where there is no real threat, as occurs with allergies and autoimmune conditions (where the immune system over-reacts to the wrong things).

Other – perhaps surprising – areas of our health that may benefit from probiotic support include:

• Joint health – through their link to the immune system, the good bacteria may help prevent the autoimmune reactions that can inflame our joints, as well as generally controlling inflammation in the body.
• Oral health – by helping to control the populations of ‘bad’ bacteria that can cause dental caries (tooth decay).
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is filtered out of the blood by the liver and enters the digestive tract in the bile. Although some of the cholesterol is reabsorbed, some of it is excreted, and it is thought that the healthy gut bacteria have a role in ensuring this happens. A successful clinical trial has been carried out using the probiotic strain lactobacillus plantarumfor helping to lower cholesterol.

• Low mood and anxiety. Many nerve cells (neurons) line the walls of the digestive tract; so many in fact that the gut is sometimes referred to as our ‘second brain’.These nerve cells are directly linked to the brain itself via a nerve called the vagus nerve. This strong connection means how we feel can directly affect our digestion, but the reverse may also be true – the state of our gut could affect how we feel. Clinical trials have found that probiotics may be supportive for low mood, anxietyand ‘psychological distress.

For good quality probiotic supplements, try the new ‘ProVen probiotics’ range. All ProVen supplements are made with the ‘Lab4’ probiotic strains (of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) that have been extensively tested in UK studies. The range includes different probiotic supplements for adults, children, babies and toddlers, for women during pregnancy, a specific product for travelling abroad (to protect against bacteria and the unbalancing effects of unfamiliar foods), and even versions that combine these probiotics with multivitamins.

Try ProVen’s new Adult Probiotic Plus Total Immune & Energy Support, £8.95 from www.provenprobiotics.co.uk

5. Magnesium

Mineral Magnesium is one of the nutrients whose intake commonly falls low in the UK population, with 40% of females and 36% of males getting less than the EAR (Estimated Average Requirement).

Magnesium has many roles in the body – in fact, it is known to be necessary for over 300 enzyme reactions, including those that generate energy from the food that we eat, and those that produce DNA and RNA for normal cell growth and reproduction. It is also necessary for allowing our muscles to relax, as it blocks the flow of calcium into the muscle cells (a process that causes muscle to contract). About half the magnesium in our body is stored in our bones, and it plays a role in bone strength. It may also play a role in blood sugar regulation.21 Magnesium is also necessary for normal function of the nervous system, and normal psychological function. Because of all these different roles, deficiency in magnesium has been linked to many symptoms and conditions. These include cramping or twitching of the muscles, fatigue, insomnia, lack of appetite, confusion and poor memory.Low levels of magnesium are also associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes, migraines, PMS and even depression.

Try Quest’s Synergistic Magnesium, £4.99 from www.questexcellence.com with vitamin B6, which enhances the absorption of the magnesium.

UK Under-5s At Risk Of Becoming Generation D-

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Frostie

Recent findings reveal six in ten (60%) UK parents are unconcerned about the risk of insufficient vitamin D levels in their child. The new findings have raised concerns among health experts, who fear the UK’s under-5s may be missing out on the essential vitamin, due to a lack of awareness of its benefits and the potential health risks associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Parents in the dark about vitamin D

The Generation D- report, commissioned by new public health awareness campaign Vitamin D Mission, reveals that despite its importance for childhood development, parents are not fully informed when it comes to their child’s need for this important vitamin.

A cause for concern is that despite its crucial role in ensuring the healthy growth and development of children’s bones and teeth, more than three quarters of parents (77%) are unaware of their child’s daily dietary requirement of vitamin D, with more than a third (35%) stating they have never received information about their child’s specific needs.

All children living in the UK are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D, with research revealing the average toddler is only getting 27% of the daily dietary vitamin D they need[1]. However, a lack of education about the risks associated with vitamin D deficiency means a fifth of parents (20%) remain unaware that under-5s rank among the most at risk of low levels of vitamin D (See appendix 1).

Parents in the UK are largely oblivious of the major health issues associated with low levels of vitamin D, with many unaware of the potential link to multiple sclerosis (95% unaware), osteoporosis (91% unaware), diabetes (95% unaware) and rickets (62% unaware). Furthermore, studies have also shown deficiency can cause poor growth in children and heart muscle disease and hypocalcaemic seizures in infants[2], as well as muscle weakness at any age.

The survey found that, despite a recent rise in cases of rickets in the UK, parents ranked low levels of vitamin D among the least worrying issues when it came to their child’s health. Meningitis topped the poll when touching on matters of most concern, with common child illnesses and conditions, such as flu and asthma, ranking higher than insufficient levels of vitamin D (see appendix 2).

Clinical consultant for the Vitamin D Mission and paediatrician, Dr Benjamin Jacobs, comments: “As a paediatrician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, I see first-hand the health impacts of low levels of vitamin D in children living in the UK. From poor growth, soft bones and seizures, to heart disease and rickets, not getting enough vitamin D can result in a range of serious health issues in children and adults.

“Many parents are still not getting the message about this vitamin and its importance for child health so children are missing out on the vitamin D they need for healthy growth and development.”

Fortification and supplementation

The Generation D- report found that despite government recommendations, only one in seven (16%) parents provides their child with a daily vitamin D supplement, with three in five (60%) admitting they never give their child vitamin supplements at all.

Younger parents, aged eighteen to twenty-four, were found to be most likely to give their child cod liver oil or a vitamin supplement (47%) compared to just over a third of parents (35%) aged thirty-five plus.

Family GP, Dr Ellie Cannon, comments: “Labels like Generation Z and Alpha have been thrown around, but as this report reveals, the next generation is, in fact, set to be Generation D-.

“With parents lacking awareness of the vitamin’s role and therefore the need for supplementation, the UK’s under-5s are at risk of being vitamin D deficient. The Vitamin D Mission aims to raise awareness of this issue and end deficiency in our nation’s children, once and for all, to help ensure our kids grow up healthy and strong.”

Diet without the D

Worryingly, all children in the UK are at risk of not getting the vitamin D they need to support their growth and development, with findings from the report revealing over a third of parents (35%) are not aware their child needs a daily dietary source of vitamin D.

This is reflected in mealtime offerings, with the most popular kid’s meals containing next to no dietary vitamin D. Of the top seven meals, which includes firm favourites such as spaghetti bolognese (46%) and fish fingers (43%), only one was found to add to a child’s diet with vitamin D; scrambled eggs (41%) (See appendix 3).

One in five parents (22%) believe they meet their child’s specific vitamin D requirements through a healthy balanced diet. However, while the intention is good, the report reveals mums and dads are not always informed which foods contain vitamin D. A fifth of parents incorrectly think oranges (20%) and carrots (18%) contain the essential vitamin, with more than one in ten (11%) mistakenly saying cows’ milk is a source of vitamin D.

Furthermore, the survey also reveals that a quarter of under-5s (26%) are fed oily fish once a month or less, with one in seven (15%) never being fed this rich source of vitamin D. Half of parents (50%) have never fed their child liver, another good source of the vitamin.

The Generation D- report has been released to support the launch of the Vitamin D Mission, a campaign that aims to eradicate vitamin D deficiency in UK under-5s. As part of the campaign, the Mission has launched an online test which allows parents to estimate how much vitamin D their child is getting as well as offering helpful tips and hints on how they can include more sources of vitamin D in their child’s diet. For more information visit VitaminDMission.co.uk

Reasons Under-5s are at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency

1) The Sun

In the UK, our skin isn’t able to make vitamin D from winter sunlight (November to March) as the sunlight hasn’t got enough UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation.

In the summertime, children are outside less and when they are playing outdoors many parents are concerned about sun safety, therefore putting lots of sunscreen on them, which makes it even harder to synthesise vitamin D. Just ten to fifteen minutes without sunscreen during the summer months (April to October) can help provide a child with the vitamin D they need.

2) Food

Not all children receive a varied diet and foods rich in vitamin D, such as oily fish.

3) Supplementation

Low uptake of vitamin D supplementation is also a factor. In fact, a report from the Vitamin D Mission reveals less than one in five (16%) parents provide their child with a daily vitamin D supplement.

Appendix 2: Health Issues of Most Concern to Parents

Rank(1=most important)	Health concern
1	Meningitis
2	Obesity
3	Childhood diabetes
4	Childhood cancer e.g. skin cancer
5	Whooping cough
6	Flu
7	Asthma
8	Low or insufficient levels of vitamin D
9	Getting their five-a-day
10	Allergies

Appendix 3: Top seven meals served to UK children

Rank	Meal	%
1	Spaghetti bolognese	46
2	Fish fingers	43
3	Scrambled eggs	41
4	Pasta with sauce	36
5	Roast Dinners	32
6	Baked beans on toast	32
7	Chicken nuggets and chips	29

MyLash by Sarah Bacchus

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Hello everyone I’m one of the new writers for frost magazine and I wanted to share with all of you the most amazing product ever. Its literally changed my life and it could change yours. It will boost your confidence and make you feel truly beautiful.

Now I had the shortest lashes on the planet and trying to find a mascara that actually works in aiding my pain has been a life long ambition, Every singe new mascara or lash fibre product that comes out I rush out and purchase in the hope that this one will give me lashes I have always wanted. Sadly all this has done has made my wallet lighter and a little more disappointed every time. Until now… MyLash is a prescription only product that is a miracle in a little bottle. I called the company and they kindly sent me a bottle to review! So this is kind of a sponsored post that’s turned into the love of my life product I can’t live without!

I am going to share with you my lash journey from day one right though to the 12 week period that they suggest you use daily at night time for the best results and after that use every 2 days to have lasting effects. This product is not cheap and I was kindly sent a sample to try. I can tell you Im so impressed already and I think this has to be one of the best beauty products ever developed. So ladies here are the pictures of my lashes from week 1 to week 12.

The active Ingredients of this product is bimatoprost which is a prostamide agonist. This means that it activates receptors of hair growth cycle. Using this product you increase the positive signals to the hair cycle and in turn increasing the rate of growth.

Here you see my original lashes…totally dreadful. you can see they are short and stumpy. I have never had long luscious lashes like I longed for. I never thought I would until a little product came into my life called MyLash

This was week 4 above and Im seeing great results

Week 7

Can you imagine my excitement and happiness at week 7!! They are amazing…. Outstanding visible results. Pictured here with just one coat of mascara.

MyLash week 12 with one coat of mascara

AMAZING!!!!!! I am so happy. This product works. Hands down. Proof is in my pictures. No other product has ever helped me.

Here is how to apply your MyLash

Choose a time of day to apply your treatment. Most people apply Mylash at night before they go to bed. This allows them to integrate Mylash into their daily routine. Try to apply Mylash at the same time every day. Remove all of your makeup by cleaning the area. If you use any makeup remover then wait until this has dried before proceeding.
Take an applicator and apply the smallest amount of fluid possible to the tip. The product is very potent and a small amount is all that is needed. Applying a large amount each time or applying it more than once a day will not give you better results – it will just make you run out quicker!
The best way to transfer a small amount from the bottle to the applicator is to hold the bottle upside down or at a downwards angle. This will cause a droplet to appear at the nozzle without having to squeeze the bottle. Take an applicator and touch the tip onto the droplet. This will cause a small amount of fluid to transfer to the applicator. This will be enough to do one complete lash line.
Apply the liquid to the skin at the base of the eyelashes, moving from one end of the lash line to the other.
Most people apply the treatment to the top and bottom lash line, giving a total of 4 transfers of fluid from the bottle to the applicator.
Many people find that the bottom lash line doesn’t need as much fluid to cover the complete line and use the excess on any points on their eyebrow that they wish to thicken

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pD9I3oJYDM?feature=oembed]

Don’t apply the product more often than once a day. You will not achieve better results and the growth will not be faster.

Have patience – the growth cycle for an eyelash hair is between 12 to 16 weeks so the best results can take months. The first results will be visible within 4 to 6 weeks but persistence is the key to the best results.

Most people find that one bottle will last 3 to 4 months. After 4 months, when the eyelash hair cycle is complete, you can drop down to applying the product every second day. This will maintain your eyelashes at their peak length and make all subsequent bottles last longer.

Take a picture of your eyelashes before you start and after your third month – you will be delighted with the results.

* If you ever run low on applicators then they will send you more free of charge.

Here is the link to the consultation page

Totally worth the money at around £100, its not the cheapest way to get amazing lashes but its by far the best! Im hooked. One bottle should last the 3/4 months initial growth period and then you would only need to purchase 2 bottles a year thereafter. I bet I have spent much more on silly expensive branded mascaras that don’t do a thing!

For more articles form myself you can visit my website SLB Style.com and you can follow me here on Twitter @sarahbacchus

P20 Sun Protection Review: Once A Day Sun Protection

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I am completely obsessed with sun protection and I think it has paid off. People are usually surprised when I tell them I am in my late-twenties. But it is not just wrinkles that it stops, it also protects you against burning and skin cancer.

Despite my love of sun protection, it sure is a pain. You have to reapply a lot and it usually explodes in your bag. Pretty annoying.

P20 Sun Protection is different. On the box it says it is water resistant, quick drying and lasts for 10 hours. I am pretty impressed and decide to review it.

It is a clear spray, always good to stop you looking like the joker from Batman. It does dry quickly. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It doesn’t leave any white marks and doesn’t have any fragrance, colourants or preservatives. This is the perfect sun protection for me as I am always so busy and you can just apply and go. You can also buy it in a spray.

I can recommend P20 Sun Protection. It works and it is fuss-free. Perfect for even my sensitive skin. Good stuff.

What they say:

“After over three decades of success, the new range of P20 which launched in 2013 comprises 3 new products. SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ join the iconic SPF20 – providing long-lasting protection for all skin types.

Active 15 minutes after application, P20 contains both UVA and UVB filters, providing broad spectrum sun protection for up to 10 hours and uses a unique, alcohol-based formula that sets it apart from traditional cream-type sun products. The very water resistant formula is clear, non-greasy, fragrance and paraben free, to provide the ultimate coverage.

The long-lasting formula is clear, fragrance and paraben free and is available in SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ as well as the iconic SPF20. The new range is available in both 200ml and a travel friendly 100ml size from all major grocery and pharmacy retailers. The RRP (recommended retail price) of P20 is 100ml £13.29 and 200ml £24.49. Available from Superdrug and Ocado”

Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover Review

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I absolutely love natural products. When it comes to nail polish remover I wasn’t expecting anyone to come up with a natural solution, but I am very happy they did. Nail polish remover in particular smells pretty awful. I always cannot help wondering what the hell is in it and whether it is damaging me.

So does this natural nail polish from Fresh Therapies actually work? Thankfully yes, as I was really rooting for it. Even better is that you can buy sachet wipes that do all 10 nails. They really work and are perfect for traveling. Frankly the idea is so genius I have no idea why no one has thought of it before. I will be stocking up.

This is the UK’s first natural nail polish remover and it has a milder natural formula and the smell has a slight hint of lime. I think this will be my nail polish remover of choice from now on. It works, smells great and is much better for my nails and the environment. The travel wipes are one of my favourite beauty buys of 2014. Great stuff.

A great way to remove your nail polish naturally. It has no harsh chemicals or toxins and is so much safer for the health of your nails as well as the environment

Great for people like me who have sensitive skin or allergies. It does not strip some of the natural oils away from your nails or cuticles as some conventional removers do, which in turn can lead to your nails becoming dry, dehydrated, weak and brittle.

It is not tested on animals and is also suitable for vegans, winning Best Beauty Vegan Product 2013. Beating the likes of Lush Cosmetics to the prize!

The 50ml Glass bottle can be purchased for £8.99 and the Box of 10 individual sachet wipes retail

£7.99. Both can be purchased from www.freshtherapies.com

A mini sample can be obtained from the website too. UK residents only

Feel Good: How To Change Your Mood And Cope With Whatever Comes Your Way

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Frostie

By Dr Shane Pascoe & Dr Graham Law

Published by Capstone, February 2014

Paperback, £10.99

If you are feeling down, overwhelmed, stressed or depressed then this book takes two of the ‘it’ therapies of the moment- Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- and combines them to get you back on your feet and keep you there.

It is easy to read and apply thanks to its invaluable post-it technique and lay out. It also has an entire chapter on relaxing and the stuff on confirmation bias is very interesting. The book is like you are being talked to and supported by a friendly, intelligent and concise friend.

The book is actually fun and enjoyable to read, surprising considering its subject matter. It has a unique combination of science and psychology which really works. It also has exercises and is practical and accessible.

A very good and helpful book.

Feel Good: How to Change Your Mood and Cope with Whatever Comes Your Way

Mood can affect every aspect of life, from performance at work to personal relationships. Being able to take control of moods, rather than have moods control them, is something all the most successful people have in common.

In their new book, authors Dr Shane Pascoe and Dr Graham Law combine techniques from two powerful, complementary therapeutic approaches – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness – to help readers keep their spirits and confidence high and instil a more upbeat, positive, can-do attitude, come what may.

Packed with practical information on how to start feeling happier and more positive about life, and optimise how you deal with people and situations in life and at work, this expert guide to beating stress and anxiety is designed for quick reference, letting readers access practical information relevant to how they are feeling at that moment.

Individual chapters cover areas including anger, self-efficacy, distress, unhappiness, well-being and happiness, self-esteem, leading a balanced lifestyle and relaxation techniques. The book finishes by discussing “Where to go from here?”.

For those that are feeling overwhelmed, overstressed, or just plain down about life, Feel Good is a practical, inspirational guide to help manage moods, improve outlook and beat stress and anxiety.

Feel Good: How to Change Your Mood and Cope with Whatever Comes Your Way

Don’t Touch My Locs Clothing Line

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Junior Smart

Last week I reported on my visit to Camden and why it has deserved its reputation as ‘quaint fashion capital of London’. Even better, I wrote about Fashion Meets Music (FMM) a social enterprise determined to make the fashion business more accessible for new designers. Hopefully you took my advice and headed over there and got yourself a bargain.

This week I am writing about DTML, a unique brand with a distinct and special statement, and I get talking to the one very exceptional lady behind it to find out why her brand is not only distinctly urban but carries an underlying message which people can relate to.

Ms Kinky Locs is founder and creator of ‘Don’t Touch My Locs’ a brand that has been over a year in the making. The big question I had to ask of her was knowing what challenges exist in the fashion industry what made her decide to start up her own unique brand and go at it alone? Looking at her she pauses for almost a serene moment before pointing to her hair where lustrous natural locks flow without a hint of extensions. “I got fed up of strangers so intrigued by my locs touching them without permission, I felt they were coming into my ‘private space’ as I wouldn’t go up to a stranger and say ‘Oh, I love your bottom and touch it!’” We both laugh; she has a point.

Looking at the logo, you can see that the ‘O’ in Locs is changed; to some people it almost looks like the letter ‘E’ to the point where you could be forgiven for thinking the logo reads ‘Don’t Touch My Legs’. It is only when you look closely you realise that it is in fact the ‘Gye Nyame’ character which is from the Akan symbol, meaning for ‘except God’ this is entwined with African heritage / UK roots. “I wanted something that represents me and feel the logo is a strong statement. I hope it’s something that everyone can connect with in one way or another…to some the ‘Gye Nyame is a pretty or clever image used in place of the letter ‘O’ to some it is a deeper meaning that they should not feel awkward in telling others ‘Don’t touch My Locs!’”

“I have not seen anybody utilising the Akan symbol(s) in the same way i.e. on the high street incorporated into Urban wear.” She explains. I have met people with Locs that said they wish they had a t-shirt that said what they really wanted about warding people away from touching their locs! I love the fact that this is an abundantly clear statement. A young boy came into the pop-up store in Camden & was of Ghanaian heritage, he saw one of the snapbacks (baseball caps) and wanted one. His Father went on to tell me his Son was keen to have the cap because he’d never seen a baseball cap with something he could relate to that wasn’t ‘Americanised’ for example with New York labelled on it! This young boy pointed out the brand is unique!

So who is the brand ultimately targeted at? “It’s for every body and anybody that simply likes it! Fashion is what the individual perceives or makes it for their own pleasure. The brand is very much unique and I hope it gives people that ‘extra’ pep in their step, clothing that provides that ‘feel good’ factor. My aim is to provide you the customer with quality clothing and I purposefully want to make it accessible to all.

So what does the clothing range consist of? Well looking at the stock I saw a range of Heavy duty quality Cotton T-shirts for Men, Women, Unisex Varsity Jackets, Baseball caps, long sleeved tops and Strong Canvas bags. However, pointed out the aim is not limit the range to Urban wear only…

What is next for you I ask her, I was told that this brand exists solely online and is in effect ‘made to order’. Kinky Locs explains “I aim to hit Natural Hair exhibition at The Westminster College on the 6^th April 10am till 5 pm.”

So there you have it, if you are tantalised by the style, if you want to wear clothing that is not only fashionable but carries a message – drop Kinky Locs a line at:

dtml96@yahoo.co.uk

For more info on the clothing email:
dtml96@yahoo.co.uk

Photography by Active 8 Images
www.active8images.com

and Julie Vaccalluzzo

Models:

Anastasia May

Luke Yohn

INFECTA – Alika

Max Bennett

Want to see more – check out the showreel below

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Category Archives: Beauty & Grooming