I've Done Another Guest Post!

Back in July I was asked to write a guest article for Sage One the online accountancy software company on "How to Juggle a Home Business in the School Holidays When the Kids Are at Home" and well it would be rude not to share it with you! (I use their product by the way!)

Image via http://ldsmilitarywives.blogspot.co.uk

Running a Business From Home During the Holidays

July 17th, 2012 by Sara Phillips

I run my business, Rituals Beauty, from home and I don’t think running a business from home during the holidays with kids around has to be painful – as long as it’s the right kind of job and you have a good work life balance – oh and your kids are relatively tame! Read more...

Children's Classic Where The Wild Things Are via Crazy Famous

Worried About The Recent Press On Safety of Spray Tans?

You may have read in the press recently about the links between Spray Tans and fertility or cancer. Confused? Well read on...

Image via Show Me Money

I'm not a scientist and don't know all the brands ingredients lists on the market, but I did cover this briefly in my article Spray Tans and Self Tans - The Safer Option back in June:

Spray Tans and Self Tans - The Safer Option 
We are all aware of the dangers of sun beds and over exposure to harmful UV rays. Research shows the main cause of premature ageing is UV (ultraviolet) radiation from either sun beds or the sun itself. AND let's NEVER forget the potential risk of skin cancer. When it comes to Vanity vs. Health - health wins hands down every time for me.
So the best way to look like a bronzed goddess, retain a youthful and healthy skin is to go for a Spray Tan or use one of the fantastic Self Tan products out there. There are many products available, but I prefer to go for the Organic ones that are free from nasty and potentially harmful chemicals - I don't see the point in having a UVA free tan if the ingredients aren't safe. Read more...

I know the press are renowned for scaremongering and blowing things out of proportion; but on this occasion I agree there are certain tanning brands out there that do use these harmful chemicals. As always with links with cancer etc. there often isn't any concrete evidence and it takes a long time to prove these things. However I for one don't want to take the risk, especially as there are products available that don't contain these chemicals and give amazing tans.

Image via Spa Week Blog

Those who are conscious of the dangers of sunbeds must be mortified that the Spray Tans and Self Tans they have been using could turn out to be unsafe too. The companies who use these chemicals need to seriously look at safer formulas, there is no excuse, as I said before there are fantastic products out there which don't contain them and have amazing results. 

Please don't think just because your tan is a well known brand or expensive or you go to a nice salon that it won't contain these ingredients - it's always best to check and you can always contact the tanning company direct as they are obliged to tell you. 

I'm very proud to say my salon, Rituals Beauty has always used Nouvatan which was not only chosen for it's amazing natural colour but most importantly it doesn't contain these nasty chemicals. My client's safety and health concerns are paramount to me.

Here is a quote straight Nouvatan themselves, following the recent reports:

OFFICIAL NOTICE! Anyone who has seen the scare mongering in The Sun this morning regarding spray tanning. You will be pleased to know Nouvatan does not contain any of the chemicals mentioned as being a potential danger. And never has done. 

To recap Nouvatan Spray Tan and Self Tans have 100% active organic ingredients, are dermatologically tested, free from harmful parabens, alcohol and oils and aren't tested on animals.

So next time you are thinking of having a Spray Tan or purchasing a Self Tan why not search for a local Nouvatan therapist or email their friendly team to find your nearest stockist or therapist. You can rest assured with Nouvatan you can have a safe NO UVA Tan!

How To Get The Best Out of Spray Tans and Self Tans

As promised here is the addition to my article Spray Tans and Self Tans - The Safer Option. Thanks for bearing with me while I re-wrote this section of the article I mysteriously lost! Hope you enjoy...

Image via Snazzy Biz

This isn't just a Do and Don't list - I think it helps to explain the how’s and whys to emphasise why these tips are so important. This is may end up reading like 'War and Peace' - but believe me - it's so worth it!

A Professional Treatment
You should ALWAYS be asked to complete a 'Consultation Form' the first time you have a Spray Tan in a salon and be given thorough 'After Care Advice'. Sadly not all therapists do - a major bug bear with me; hence why I write articles like this. Read my article Beauty Consultations - a Must!

Image via http://www.hair-by-louise.co.uk

Preparing Your Skin For Spray or Self Tanning

Any Hair Removal MUST be Done at Least 24 hours in Advance of Your Tanning Treatment
This gives the pores time to close and the skin to calm down after any irritation. Nobody wants a spotty tan! If you use hair removal cream - ensure the waxy residue is completely washed away - as this can prevent your tan from developing.

Exfoliate the Night Before Your Tan 
This will remove as many dead skin cells as possible leaving newer fresher ones allowing your tan to fade evenly.

OOO lovely! Why not treat yourself to a pre tan exfoliating treatment.

Image via Gayshott Spa Life

AVOID Dove or Imperial Leather Shower Gels and Moisturisers 
These products are well known in the industry to strip and tan and even stop it taking if used before hand. So avoid using them on the day or your tan and whilst your is tan on.

Images via Dove and Imperial Leather

No Body Lotion, Oil or Deodorant on the Day of Your Tan
Body lotion may act as a barrier and prevent the tan from taking. Deodorant tends to react with tan and can turn your under arms green – no one wants to look like the Hulk! Using a salt deodorant helps. 

Great salt deodorant from Holland And Barrett

Take Loose Dark Clothing and Open Toed Shoes
Tight clothing and close fitting shoes can rub on your new tan and stop it developing as well.

Leave Your Posh Undies At Home
We would hate to be responsible for ruining your gorgeous La Perla thong and matching bra! The tan can stain light elastic – best take your basic comfort knickers - black preferably. I give every client a disposable thong, some regulars even have their own tanning pants!

Take A Brolly
It’s sods law it will rain! Streaks and polka dot tan – not a good look!

Oh dear! Image via Brollies Galore

For Self Tan Use a Tanning Mitt
If you are using a self tan you get the best results using a tan applicator mitt – don’t rub, use upward sweeping motions.

These inexpensive beauties mean don’t get any product on your palms, make your tan super quick and easy to apply, streak free and you can even do your own back! I love them. Just wash them out the next day with a little shower gel and leave to dry.

Great applicator mitt. Image via Boots

Looking After Your Tan

I always say to my clients "Don't panic if you think you are going too dark; remember your tan is underneath the 'guide colour', you will see your true tan when you wash it off the next day."

Avoid Getting Wet on the Day of Your Tan
I recommend my clients use baby wipes on their palms when they have been to the loo. If you get wet, you risk removing the tan before it’s fully developed or streaks if it runs down your arm! The same goes for avoiding anything that may make you perspire. So no to exercise and no cleaning – lovely jubbly!

Leave Your Tan on Overnight
Even though my tanning company Nouvatan says leave for 6-8 hours, I find a tan always develops better when I sleep with it; I don’t know why - maybe the tan fairy visits you!

Wear PJs in Bed That Evening
The Nouvatan tanning products I use hardly leaves a mark on your sheets and what does, washes out so you don’t need to bother. However other companies may not be the same. I’ve heard tan doesn’t come out of satin and silk bedding.

Use a Mild Shower Gel Daily
Anything harsh may strip your tan prematurely. Again AVOID Dove and Imperial Leather shower gels. Something like E45, Aveeno or Simple works well.

Daily Body Lotion – A MUST
Please do not under estimate the effectiveness of this! Body lotion will keep your skin hydrated helping your tan last longer and fade evenly. Body butters are the best as they are very nourishing but whatever you use must be oil free as oily products will strip your tan. If like myself, your skin is dry use it twice a day. Again AVOID Dove and Imperial Leather body lotions.

So what Body Lotion do my Customers and I use?...
Nouvatan's After Tan “Oil Free”Toning Moisturiser
Not only will it help to prolong your spray or self tan but it will also help banish those dimples and restore a more toned appearance with our new wonderful, multi-tasking product - OH MY know how much I love a multi tasking product! With Aloe Vera to soothe, Co-enzyme Q10 and Juniper Berry to tighten and tone, Horse Chestnut to improve sluggish circulation, Grapefruit extract and Butchers Broom to help guard against fluid retention and swelling.
What a tub full of fabulousness Available from Rituals Beauty for £11.95 (200ml tub) - it just flies off the shelves!

Image via Nouvatan 

AVOID Exfoliating 
You WILL rub your tan off. Unless you need to remove a bit that has clung  – if so use a tiny bit of exfoliating cream on the area or even better use some Dove – hee hee!

Not a good look!

Image via Cakes And Shakes

NO Hair Removal 
As your tan lies on the outer layers of the skin, you will remove the tan and leave it looking patchy. This goes for all types of hair removal – waxing, shaving, epilating, creams etc. Waxing is your best option before hand as you get the longest results.

ALWAYS Shower Off After Swimming
The chemicals in the pool and salt water can eat into the tan. Believe me – I always stress this to people; but I got... shall we say a little ‘merry’ towards the end of my hols recently and went for a very late night swim – my still perfect tan was no more – it looked like snake skin!!

Top Up With A Gradual Tan
I like to top my spray tan up with a gradual tan as the bottom of my legs hardly tan at all. I suffer from very dry skin on my lower legs. INTERESTING FACT - our natural oils attract UV rays; this is why I like many people find it hard to tan my dry legs! Another great reason to keep your skin well moisturised.

I love Nouvatan’s Nouvaglow Gradual Tan or Vanity Tan’s Bronzing Custard

Image via Nouvatan

And there you go! I really hope this helps you to achieve a happier, prettier, longer lasting tan. Sorry it's so long but it really is worth it!

To see how spray and self tans work and what I use in the salon, read my article Spray Tans and SelfTans - The Safer Option.

Spray Tans and Self Tans - The Safer Option

We are all aware of the dangers of sun beds and over exposure to harmful UV rays. Research shows the main cause of premature ageing is UV (ultraviolet) radiation from either sun beds or the sun itself. AND let's NEVER forget the potential risk of skin cancer. When it comes to Vanity vs. Health - health wins hands down every time for me.

 WOW - it's really not worth it! Image via Pop Give

So the best way to look like a bronzed goddess, retain a youthful and healthy skin is to go for a Spray Tan or use one of the fantastic Self Tan products out there. There are many products available, but I prefer to go for the Organic ones that are free from nasty and potentially harmful chemicals - I don't see the point in having a UVA free tan if the ingredients aren't safe.

Image via Nouvatan

So What Do I Use In The Salon?
I use the fabulous Nouvatan Organic Spray Tan. Nouvatan is fast becoming one of the nation's most loved tans, with a great selection of spray tans and self tans. Nouvatan is fantastic British family run business, who developed this amazing tan from a wish list for the perfect tan.

100% active organic ingredients, dermatologically tested, free from harmful parabens, alcohol and oils and isn't tested on animals - fabulous! There are no bad smells, no orange or mud splattered look. You can even go shopping in it - you just look like you've been on your hols! Perfect and incredibly natural. Their tans leave the faintest of marks on your bedding and this washes off.

My clients can decide how dark they want to be, as I customise every tan using special booster drops.

I really can't rave enough about this company, their support and their products. My clients absolutely love it; I have many tan phobics converted. I have many clients with Eczema and Psoriasis who get great results time and time again. I have sensitive skin and have no problems.

In fact a well known film company In Hollywood California is now purchasing Nouvatan Spray Tanning 20% (dark solution) for use by their make up Dept... they cant say who because of customer confidentiality. But Nouvatan's reputation as being the best spray tan solution available has now crossed the pond !! I can't tell you how proud to be part of their team!

You can't buy Nouvatan on the high street, ensuring us therapists get a fair share of the pie! However you can buy them from my salon Rituals Beauty or email their friendly team to find your nearest stockist or therapist. The really are the highest quality products at reasonable prices.

Nouvaglow Gradual Tan 200ml £12.95
Self Tan Mousse Large 200ml £16.50
Self Tan Mousse Small 50ml £6.95
Applicator Mitt £3.50


A Brief Biology Lesson on Self Tanning!
The main ingredient in both Spray Tan and Self Tan is a sugar derivative called DHA (DiHydroxyAcetone). This lies on the top layers of your skin called the stratum corneum which is made up of dead skin cells. The tan reacts with the amino acids in these dead layers of your skin. Every day you shed millions of dead skin cells, which is why your sunless tan fades gradually.

 Image via Discovery Fit and Health

When you have Spray Tan you will leave with a "guide colour" on your skin, not your actual tan. The guide colour is so the therapist can see she/he has covered your entire body with the tanning solution. Over a number of hours your tan will develop.

Most spray tanning companies nowadays offer a variety of intensities (% of DHA in the tanning solution), so you can have a number of choices on how dark you want to be. Some even have colour selections.

 Image via Nouvatan Liverpool

I always say to my clients "Don't panic if you think you are going too dark; remember your tan is underneath the 'guide colour', you will see your true tan when you wash it off the next day."

You should ALWAYS be asked to complete a 'Consultation Form' the first time you have a Spray Tan  in a salon and be given thorough 'After Care Advice'. Sadly not all therapists do - a major bug bear with me; hence why I write articles like this. Read my article Beauty Consultations - a Must!


For lots of great tips and advice on Spray Tans and Self Tans read my article on: How To Get The Best Out of Spray Tans and Self Tans 


To order any product from Rituals Beauty, call             0789 4120073      or email hello@ritualsbeauty.co.uk. If you aren't local, I offer a postal service for a little extra cost. Now taking Paypal.

I'm Back!

Well we have thoroughly enjoyed our break in the sunshine with the family. Great company, lots of sun and relaxation, an abundance of amazing food and wine and many many happy memories to cherish.

We have had...

lots of quality family time,

wonderful Mr and Mrs time,

visited some stunning places,

steeped ourselves in history at Santa Barbara Castle - Alicante,

oohed and aahed over old town Spain,

tasted the most delicious ice cream - twice!

gorged on amazing Pescado Frito at the beach,

giggled like school children over this sign,

and seen stunning sunsets with our gorgeous family.

Oh and we have had some very memorable moments to say the least - hee hee those who were there know what I mean! ;o) sshhh! Look forward to doing all again next year! xxx

I feel thoroughly refreshed and well relaxed. Mind I can't believe there was a little heat wave in the UK while we were away. We have returned to having to wear jumpers and popping the heating on again! Some June this is hey!?

Image via All Spun Out 365

I hope you enjoyed my fantastic guest bloggers as much as I did. I've got plenty new books on my wish list thanks, have a yearning to visit my sister and family in Paris and am very touched by my mum's lovely post all about MOI! - hee hee it's fab to be called sexy at 40 even if it is by your mummy!

For those who are celebrating, I hope you enjoy the Jubilee long weekend! Off for some Pimms and scones, tata!

Jo Malone special-edition crown via Fashion Magazine

Sara xx

Guest Post - Charlotte Roll

Today I would like to welcome my next guest post - written by my little sister Charlotte writer of The Paupers Kitchen blog; who is lucky enough to live in Paris! She has a major passion for food and boy can she cook! Her blog has the most delicious recipes and fascinating musings. You may even be lucky enough to try some of our gorgeous family dishes.

What with me, our mum and my sis it seems blogging is well and truly in the genes! I'm sure she will make you as jealous as I am reading this post! Hope you enjoy.

A Rosbif in Frogland

It has been a long and turbulent love story between us Brits and the French. Most of the English find the French arrogant and too proud. I've been living in France for the last eight years, so they must be doing something right for a Brit born and raised to stay their side of the Channel.

The French themselves are indeed arrogant and too proud, but once you dig a bit further they can be a warm people. They have a right to be proud too. Their health and social care is amazing, they have 5 weeks holiday a year, 10 days of which you have to take by law during the summer months! But the best thing the French have to be proud of is their food.

They have such a respect for anything and everything edible it can be quite breath taking. I'm not talking about the Cordon Bleu part of French cuisine, but the everyday stuff. I can spend hours in a French supermarket.

The array of fresh fruits and vegetables, all loose and so you can choose the best.

The cheese counters are to die for.

The fish counters are always beautifully presented.

The bread aisle smells heavenly.

Lest we forget the wine section. Take a look at those prices, no wonder the French gulp the stuff down as if it were water!

The supermarkets even hold mini festivals called Foires, in the entrance of the supermarket where they pay particular attention to a certain product. The most appreciated is of course the Foire aux Vins (the Wine Festival). The French come in their thousands to pick up a good deal on the crème de la crème of French wine (and of course have a little taste).

However, even though these huge hypermarkets are everywhere and offer extremely competitive prices, all French towns, however small, have

a bakers

a butchers

a grocery store

and a bar tabac.

The French love nothing more than coming out on an evening, usually around 6.30pm, picking up a freshly cooked baguette, popping in for their meat for that evening's dinner, swinging by the grocery store for a bottle of wine to go with it all and last stop at the bar for a packet of Gauloises and an aperitif before heading home to some good wholesome home cooking.

Another thing I take my hat off to French for is their food legislation regarding regional specialities. Cognac can only come from Cognac, as Champagne can only come from Champagne. Coulommiers cheese is from.....you guessed it Coulommiers. This protects the regions' own creations and means that there can be no inferior quality products trying to pass themselves off as the original. So look out for the AOC logo.

Last, but by no means least, the markets. Now these are the real gems of French cuisine. Nearly all French towns have a weekly farmers market. The best thing about the French markets is the stall holders will always let you taste before you buy. They are confident with their produce that they are sure once you have that slice of cheese or cured ham you just can't resist.

So there you have it. The reason I've stayed so long. Bon Apetit and Cheers everyone!

All images via Carrefour and Leclerc