Hero Product - Eve Taylor Active Rub Muscle & Joint Gel

I can't rave enough about this incredibly effective aromatherapy Muscle & Joint Gel from Eve Taylor. I often pop some Active Rub on my clients at the end of massage treatments and get great feedback. In fact many of my clients have a tube tucked away in their bag when they need some soothing.

Image via Eve Taylor

It contains a combination of Aloe Vera and a wonderful blend of time honoured warming and pain killing essential oils such as Marjoram, Rosemary, Ginger, Clove Thyme and Black Pepper. It smells fab too!!

Active Rub is so effective and has so many uses, I thought it deserved a blog post all of its own!

The new alternative to conventional muscle and joint gels. Easily applied, Active Rub is immediately effective, (kicks in, in about 2 minutes) without the nasty lingering smell.
Active Rub does not rely on any heat process and with no uncomfortable burning sensation can be effectively used for all ages.
Unlike current brands available active rub’s combination of Essential oils in an Aloe Vera based gel provide a triple active effect.
Active Rub is formulated to soothe sensitivity, draining toxins and stimulate the circulation.

Active Rub is like Wonder Woman in a tube!

Image via From Heroes To Icons

Times when Active Rub has come to the rescue:

• On my foot when tripped over a huge concrete block on holiday! Ouch!
• On my hands when they have become tired from massage - before I learnt my hands free tricks!
• On my son's twisted ankle
• On my shoulders from a hard day's work in the salon and at the computer
• On my sore tummy muscles from Pilates class!

Other uses:

• Any activity or job that creates extra stress and strain on the muscles i.e. computer/desk work, nurses, teachers, gardeners 
• Aches from lugging around young children - I like to call it 'mummy shoulders'! 
• Tired aching feet - after a night out in heels or shopping!  
• Pre and after sports - I always carry one in my gym bag.
• Great for joggers
• Golfers
• Marathon runners
• For those whose mobility may be impaired due to muscle or joint sensitivity.
• Sprains
• Repetitive strain
• Helps ease discomfort for Rheumatics and Arthritis
• Children's growing pains - on children be sure to use a very small amount
• Eve Taylor herself uses it every morning on her shoulders, hips and knees. She is an unbelievably sprightly lady at 80 years, but she tells me her stiff joints do need a kick start when she gets out of bed.

The list is endless....

The lovely Eve receiving her OBE. Image via Spa Business

Available from Rituals Beauty at only £6.99 for a 75ml tube. Remember a little goes a long way!

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've Been Published!!

I'm really proud to announce I've had a letter published in the leading beauty association BABTAC's members magazine Vitality.

Image via LA Girl Diaries

I wrote in response to an article on whether the stereotype 'bubbly but not too bright beauty therapist' often portrayed by the media and television still stands today and whether it's a harmless bit of fun or damaging.

Here is my response!

I must add the article was fantastic and many well respected therapists and business owners set the record straight on what we are really like and how hard we have to study to gain our qualifications and continually develop our skills and knowledge in an ever changing industry.

Thank you BABTAC for giving me the opportunity to air my views.

Beauty Treatment Consultations - A Must!

Image via http://www.balanceholistics.co.uk 

Facials are very relaxing and a lovely treat but they are actually meant to TREAT your skin not just your soul - not just a deep clean and a nice massage. It is lovely compliment when someone falls asleep on the bed as they are so relaxed, but that’s a tiny part of my job – the main part it’s about getting results for my customers. To get maximum results a consultation is a MUST!

Image via Crystal Clear Skincare

It drives me mad when I go into a salon and they don’t take the time to do a proper consultation. This applies to any beauty treatment from a simple eyebrow wax, spray tan, pedicure and right through to full body aromatherapy massage or facial.

Consultations are an important ongoing record and are there for a very good reason. Every single therapist should ask you to complete one tailored to the individual treatment. They should include any medical problems, recent medical treatment, allergies and give a picture of your lifestyle. Also any changes to these should be highlighted at future appointments.

There are certain conditions which may mean your treatment needs to be adapted or could actually prevent treatment (contraindicate) or you may need a doctor's note to give your therapist the go ahead. So it’s really important that your therapist is aware of these conditions.

Image via Tiffany Rose

For instance if you were booked in for a massage and you were trying to conceive, could be or were pregnant; I would avoid using products that contain essential oils which can stimulate the womb or regulate periods including Clary Sage and Peppermint. I would choose products which contain what we call the ‘safe oils’. I would also avoid certain trigger points that stimulate the uterus.

Image via The Peanut Institute

If you have a nut allergy – we would need to avoid products that contain nuts. If you are a diabetic, firstly I would need a note from your doctor and as your skin could be thinner than normal, I would ensure I used a lighter pressure in any massage, including manicure and pedicures.

I always ask my clients when they book, if they have any medical conditions or are on any medication – it saves disappointment and allows me to research conditions I am not familiar with in advance.

If you are on certain medications such as Acutane (for acne), you would need to be off the medication for at least a year before any waxing could be done, as your skin could be more prone to sensitivity and lifting.

Image via http://www.babybellies.ca

Your lifestyle gives me a picture on your fluid intake, diet, exercise and job. This helps me in treatments such as facials – if you only drink a couple of glasses of water a day and your skin is flaky and tight, then you need to increase your water intake as your skin is suffering from dehydration.

This is a brief picture of what Beauty Therapists can pick up from a thorough consultation – it doesn’t have to be formal, but provides us with an ongoing picture of you and helps us treat you much more effectively, professionally and gives our clients confidence that they have chosen a therapist who is professional, thorough and cares about the well being of her/his client.

Image via http://www.spas.ie

So next time you visit a salon – remember no matter how small your treatment, you should be ALWAYS asked to complete a consultation form. x