Hero Product - Eve Taylor's 100% Hyaluronic Acid

I'd like to introduce you to Eve Taylor's Hyaluronic Acid part of Eve's Advanced Therapy Cosmeceuticals* range, this serum is my bestest friend!

Contains 100% pure Hyaluronic Acid and nothing else!

Image source

*For anyone who isn't clear, 'Cosmeceuticals' are a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals resulting in Advanced skin therapy.

So What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Skin care's favourite ingredient - Hyaluronic Acid naturally occurs in the human body, it's a humectant (retains moisture) and attracts from 600-1000 times its own weight in water - WOW! Its job is to hydrate, lubricate and cushion the connective tissues - bit like your mummy!

Hyaluronic Acid molecule - image source

This gorgeous textured serum is super nourishing, hydrating and moisturising. And bonus it carries other ingredients into the skin!

Because of it's amazing ability to retain moisture it gives your skin a generous dose of pure hydration while helping protect against bacterial infections and environmental threats; ninja kicking those free radicals into touch.

Who Is It Suited To?

• A God send for dehydrated and extremely dehydrated  skin
• Perfect for sun damaged skin
• Great for outdoor types exposed to the harsh elements - hot and cold
• Anti ageing buddy - due to its plumping and smoothing action it slows down the ageing process, making your skin look more youthful - now tell me, who doesn't want that?!
• Ideal to use on car journeys, rail travel, buses and flights to stop the much needed but incredibly dehydrating heating and air conditioning from irritating and sucking moisture from your skin.
• Great for anyone working indoors to protect against the heating or air conditioning
• I have many clients who work in hospitals and schools who find this product a must - as the environment in these places are unbelievably dehydrating.

Who wants dehydrated skin? - Image source

I use this serum all year round and have been using it religiously twice daily under my moisturiser since the autumn and throughout the winter as my skin reacts badly to central heating and extreme change in temperatures between the indoors and outdoors. It not only hydrates my skin perfectly but also calms down the prickly irritation I experience.

I also pop it under my weekly face mask to give my skin an action packed hydrating treatment.

I highly recommend giving it a try, as with all of Eve Taylor's products a little goes a long way - literally one pump covers your entire face, neck and décolleté.

How I Build a Serum into My Skin Care Routine

• Cleanse - dry face if rinsed with water
• Apply Facial Oil**
• Spritz Toner over (to lock in the facial oil - remember oil and water don't mix)
• Apply Serum - let it dry (takes seconds!)
• Apply Moisturiser - easy as that!

**For more details on Facial Oils and why they are my MUST have product click here...

Available from Rituals Beauty for £29.99 for a 30ml pump. 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.

My Must Have Product - Eve Taylor's Facial Oils

Do you use a facial oil?

Image via http://thadailybailey.com

Now before some of you shy away, I promise you THEY ARE NOT OILY- facial oils are a specific treatment containing a specific blend of essential oils* and a tiny bit of cold pressed carrier oil to allow you to slide it over your face as you can't put an essential oils directly onto your skin.

Image via http://www.eve-taylor.com

*Essential oils are not actually an oil; they are a concentrated liquid/essence which comes from plants, flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds and barks. 

Eve Taylor Pre Blended Facial Oils are truly amazing! They are my MUST HAVE product - I would never go without my facial oil and here is the reason why:

These magnificent facial oils give the skin an intensive boost whilst increasing the productivity of your moisturiser by up to 30%! Caught your attention? Then read on...

All of the Eve Taylor facial oils include Vitamin A (maintains and repairs the skin), Vitamin D (cell growth and repair) and Vitamin E (antioxidant) rich Soya**. It also contains nourishing and protective Hazelnut oil**, softening Avocado and Vitamin E rich Wheatgerm which is also a natural preservative - very clever! And a big plus for me and my clients, the Eve Taylor range does not contain Lanolin, Mineral Oil, Artificial fragrance, or SD alcohol.

Image via Stefan Rusek

Soya is my best friend as it increases the thickness and elasticity of the skin. Imagine if you will a piece of dried pasta, then imagine what it looks like when it's cooked - nice and plump - well Soya has the same effect on your skin - WOW!

Essential oils are loaded with oxygen and detoxinate, hydrate and oxygenate the skin. Oxygen kills bacteria regulating sebum (oil) production and in turn switching off the immune system response and healing the skin. Pretty clever stuff and all from nature!

So which one do I use?

No 1 Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin - Sooth and Hydrate
This gorgeous smelling oil is specifically designed for a sensitive or itchy or touch sensitive skin. Includes balancing Lavender, cleansing Geranium, cooling, antiseptic and antibacterial Eucalyptus, oxygenating Cypress and hydrating Sandalwood. Divine!

Image via My Skin Care Critic

This oil is fantastic for allergy sufferers, smokers, long haul travellers, asthmatics and those who work in poor air quality (i.e. hospitals big offices) as it not only soothes but hydrates the skin. Also it's what we call a safety blend so it's safe for pregnant women, those who are trying to get pregnant or those on medication.

Even though I have combination skin, I changed over to this oil after being diagnosed with Asthma last year as it helps ease my asthmatic symptoms as it is vaso-dilating; so it helps to keep my airways open - again another WOW! It still balances my oily and dry areas and helps prevent breakouts.

Meet the Rest of the Eve Taylor Facial Oil Family:

No 2 for Delicate, Thin Skin - Calm and Firm
This very clever treatment blend is specifically designed for couperose conditions (redness) and is super effective on delicate thin skin. Includes balancing Lavender, antiseptic Eucalyptus, stimulating Basil, Niaouli to increase the circulation and hydrating Sandalwood.

Image via Dr Hilton

It's perfectly suited to skins with broken capillaries, visible red veins, Acne Rosacea, skins that are very red and with poor circulation as it strengthens the capillary walls. It also acts as a buffer against environmental stresses including free radicals, pollution, humidity, central heating and air conditioning. Great for thread veins on puffy knees too! One more thing it's great to reduce redness after hair removal - I use it in my facial waxing treatments.


No 3 Problem Skin - Clear and Tone
This blend is designed specifically for skins that produce excess sebum (oil) and suffer from breakouts and eruptions with a non-stimulating effect on skin. Includes anti-seborrehoeic Ylang-Ylang (in other words prevents excess oil), antiseptic Cedarwood, cleansing Lemongrass, balancing Lavender and softening Sandalwood.

Perfect for inflammation due to unusually high oil levels, open pores, excess oil or blackheads and spots and acne sufferers. It's great on the back too! It hydrates preventing the skin from being stripped which means even oily but sensitive skins can use this blend.


No 4 Normal Skin - Maintain and Balance 
This blend is designed specifically for normal skins to keep them stable and free from blemishes or breakouts. It has an antioxidant action to increase the skin’s resistance to environmental change and/or free radicals. Includes Basil to increase the skins resistance, cell stimulating Rosewood, balancing Lavender and antiseptic Geranium.

Normal skin - the ideal skin type. Image via AGQ Grapho

No 4 oil is also great for temporary instability of the skin i.e. minor irritations, texture change and loss of elasticity or age spots.


No 5 Mature Skin - Revive and Firm 
This amazing oil is perfect for dry, dehydrated or mature skins unable to absorb nourishing creams or heavier products. It's a great anti ageing oil for prematurely ageing and naturally ageing skin.

Skin ageing is caused by environmental damage including the sun, poor lifestyle and diet, natural ageing or where the underlying muscle has been subject to stress or tension. The skin becomes thinner, starts to sag and the skin is less supple and firm.

Wearing it well, the lovely Helen Mirren. Image via Collider

No 5 oil is also great for any scarring including acne and stretch marks - the oil
should be used around the scar on healthy tissue ONLY, not actually on the scar. It helps to minimise scarring, help it to heal and keep the area subtle.

Please remember ONLY No 1 oil can be used on those who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or on medication. 


It's So Easy To Use These Gorgeous Oils

• Your simply use one small pump twice a day over your face, neck and décolleté. Warm gently in your hand first.
• You apply this after cleansing and under your toner (spritz toner over to lock in the facial oil - remember oil and water don't mix)
• Then apply your moisturiser - easy peasy!

All Eve Taylor Facial Oils can be used anywhere on the body to treat conditions. They are £11.49 for 30ml bringing fantastic results without breaking the bank.

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.

** Please note allergy sufferers these products contains Hazelnut oil and Soya.

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.

Tips on Using Essential Oils & Diffuser Blends

In my Amazing Essential Oils - Not Just a Pretty Smell article I gave you interesting history and facts about essential oils, so you will know why I absolutely adore these precious beauties. So I thought it was about time I told you about the many easy ways you can use these gorgeous oils.

Image via Energy Healing Info

This is information I have gathered and sent to various friends, family and clients since studying Aromatherapy.

 Many Uses of Essential Oils

Collage Images via:
Aromatherapy, Health Benefits, Health Medical Articles, Squidoo, Find Home, Remedy, Salvoweb, Deolivia on Pinterest, Debeloh on Pinterest, Decor Pad.

Diffuser/Nebulizer
Put 1-6 drops in oil diffuser/burner or nebulizer (liquid vaporiser).
For children 1-3 drops.  Babies 1 drop.

Steam Inhalation 
Put 2-3 drops into a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply.
Not suitable for babies and children due to the risk of burns, we recommend using in a warm bath or diffuser method.

Bathing/Footbath
Mix 2-4 drops to 10ml of oil or milk and to bath once run.
Children 1-2 drops/10ml. Babies 1 drop/10ml.
A mix of Lavender and Roman Chamomile is great for calming stressed out little monsters!

Massage 
Add 2-4 drops to 10ml of massage oil.
Children 1-2 drops/10ml. Babies 1 drop/10ml.
 
Radiators
Put 1-4 drops on a cotton-wool ball or tissue and lodge behind the pipe or somewhere in contact with the heat.
Children's rooms 1-2 drops. Babies room 1 drop.

Wardrobe and Linen Cupboards
Put 1-4 drops on a cotton wool and put in drawer or base of wardrobe or in your linen cupboard/airing cupboard to keep clothes, bedding and towels fresh.
I like to use Lavender as moths and flies hate it!

Bathroom Freshener 
Put 2-4 drops on the cardboard ring inside the toilet paper roll.
Lemon works really well.

Utility Room
Put 3-5 drops into the softener compartment of your washing machine.
I like to use Lavender and Roman Chamomile for our sensitive skins.

For use on pregnant women (or trying), babies & children, or any medical conditions, please refer to a qualified Aromatherapist first for safe oils.

Which Oils To Choose?
If you have had Aromatherapy treatments, have you ever wondered why one time you may love a smell and hate it another? Well if your body needs an oil you will like the smell, if it doesn't you won't - so  - makes sense! So get sniffing and listen to your body!

My idea of heaven.

Prometheus Springs Aromatherapy Apothecary

Some of My Favourite Oil Blends - the list could be endless so I've whittled it down to just 3!


Eve Taylor's Winter Blend 10ml £6.37
This goes with me everywhere, this amazingly effective blend of Tunisian Rosemary & minty Eucalyptus clears & cools the sinuses, chest & head. Ravansara clears the chest & is anti-viral. French alpine Lavender soothes & comforts. Madagascan Palmarosa clears the mind & stimulates the senses.

Safe for all the family. Anti-bacterial & anti-viral - for colds, coughs, seasonal allergies & sinus congestion. Use around the house, at work, on planes, public transport or stuffy atmospheres to help keep a clear head  & fight off bugs in the atmosphere.


Eve Taylor's Relax Blend 10ml £6.30
And Relax! Unwind your mind  & body. This oil blend is fantastic for de-stressing and great for using in a massage blend as well as a diffuser. I use this a lot around the house and in treatments as it is so effective and everyone loves it - who doesn't need to relax hey?!

I quote: It has warm earthy aromas of Egyptian Geranium, sweetened by the richness of Indonesian Patchouli, gently unwind the senses. The hint of ripened Italian Mandarin, permeates through the subtle smoothness of Bulgarian Lavender. Sounds like a fine wine!!


Aromatherapy Associates Revive 10ml £20
I love this blend of Bergamot, Pink Grapefruit and Frankincense - it's 'Wake Up and Shake Up' in a bottle! Detoxifying and uplifting - just what we need!

Great for any time of the day, fantastic to use at work or for studying to get the concentration levels and enthusiasm going hee hee! Ideal for using after work to revive the senses for an evening out. Makes you happy and generally perked up!


Diffusers
Eve Taylor do a fantastic range of environmentally friendly diffusers and nebulizers which are flame free - so super safe for the entire family.

Eve Taylor Mio Petite Personal Diffuser £14.60
I never travel without this pocket sized and battery operated diffuser. It comes with 5 re-usable cotton pads to put your favourite oil blends on.

Eve Taylor Diffusers, Oil Blendss and Essential Oils are available from Rituals Beauty!

Always do the patch test before applying any products to detect the reaction of your skin.

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 will be doing more posts using Essential Oils in Home Made Beauty, Home Making, Cleaning and Health Rituals in future posts, so keep your eyes peeled!

Hero Product – Eve Taylor’s Ultra Soothing Cleanser - Much More Than Just a Cleanser

Suffer from very dehydrated, extremely sensitive skin, Eczema, Psoriasis or Rosacea? Then this wonder product is perfect for you. And if you don't suffer from any of these, read on as it has lots of 1st aid uses too. Image via http://gtbnatural.co.uk

Now I know I use Eve Taylor for my face and body treatments and sell home care products in my salon, I don't want you to think I will be constantly harping on about them... BUT I've had so many people recently asking me for advice for their ultra sensitive skin that the timing was just too good.

Eve Taylor's Ultra Soothing Cleanser really is amazing, a real de-stresser for the skin. I can’t rave about it enough! It’s a big hit in my salon and with my family and friends.

This gorgeous creamy gel formula contains anti inflammatory and soothing Organic Colloidal Oatmeal and ultra hydrating and healing Camellia. It gently cleans away debris and impurities and doesn't dry, strip or irritate the skin. As it is ultra hydrating it's also perfect for mature skins to cleanse and nourish.

Image via http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com

It can be used daily to cleanse the skin and also as a 'flash masque' first aider for any skin irritations anywhere on the body including the scalp! A little goes a long way.

I use in facials on for ultra sensitive clients or if anyone’s skin has an unwanted reaction to a product. I had a lady in for gel nails whose eczema was irritating her finger – needless to say she ordered a bottle after literally experiencing this product first hand!

Times when Ultra Soothing Cleanser has come to the rescue:

• I had very sore, red and chaffed skin after using hair removal cream - ouch! It was soothed and the pain and redness cleared after applying as 5 minute flash masque.  I put it on few more times over the next few days and my skin was healed, no scarring and smooth as a baby’s bot!
• I used it on my little boys mysterious itchy legs and hey presto – a full night’s sleep!
• Colds – soothes and heals sore noses from the constant blowing!
• I often reach for this to put on my face and hands when I’ve mistakenly used an anti bacterial hand wash in a shop or restaurant – my skin hates these products and breaks out in dermatitis. As many of my clients do too.
• Calms and soothes redness after shaving.
• Soothes and heals sore cracked lips.
• Soothes minor burns.

The list is endless. Even if you don't have sensitive skin it's definitely worth keeping a bottle in your First Aid Kit. Why not try some and see for yourself? At only £18.49 for a large 200ml bottle, it won't break the bank either.

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 will be delving deeper into Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Colloidal Oatmeal in future blogs.

Are you using the right Lip Balm?

Want gorgeous, kissable lips like these? Then read on...

Unlike the rest of our skin and face our lips do not produce sebum (keeps our skin and hair moisturised). That is why they get chapped and dehydrated, especially in the dry and cold seasons.

Mineral oil or Paraffin (cheap by-products of petroleum) based lip balms draw moisture away from the lips making you lick them, drying them out further. You should try to look for a lip balm that contains shea butter or beeswax which attracts moisture from the air to the lips and conditions them. You might be surprised to hear that famous brands like Carmex, Dior and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream all contain petroleum based ingredients.

Now you may be thinking "but I can’t live without my Vaseline" – just take a minute to think why you are lip balm addict?

Is it because as soon as it's worn off, your lips are dry again and desperate for more? Or...

Is because it’s your wonder product and it keeps you lips soft all day long and you hardly ever have to reapply?

If you are using the right lip balm you shouldn't have to constantly reapply. So next time you go to buy a lip balm – have a close look at the ingredient list. Don’t we all long for smooth kissable lips?!

Here are some natural balms I love.

Aveda Lip Saver SPF 15 soothing and moisturising botanical balm. With antioxidant rich beeswax, refreshing cinnamon leaf, clove and anise oil. Has sunscreen and antioxidants to protect the lips from UV and other harmful environmental factors. £11.50

Neal’s Yard Organic Shea Nut and Rosehip Lip Formula keeps lips soft and smooth with moisture replenishing organic shea nut butter and hydrating rosehip oil. Rich in moisturising vitamins A and E. £7.05

Eve Taylor Seal & Protect Lip Balm SPF 10 vitamin E rich balm with nourishing shea butter and beeswax and hydrating jojoba seed oil. Soothing and healing calendula and a hint of cooling mint and sweet orange. The natural sunscreen protects against the elements all year round great for sun or wind damaged lips. Great on any sore or chapped skin including nose and hands. Available from Rituals Beauty for £4.79

Could there be something other than the weather making your lips dry?
During my consultations I use Eve Taylor’s System of Analysis* to help detect where the skin problem originated, holistically looking at the physical as well as the emotions to help us understand the cause and effect. It really is fascinating stuff!  (By the way beauty therapists don’t diagnose medical conditions - this is a doctor’s role).

* Each part of the body influences the other and if you can find the origin of the cause of a problem you can help restore balance - Eve Taylor OBE

Using this system we know that dry cracked lips can relate to problems with the intestine, so we then look into whether you suffer from things like IBS, constipation or other digestive problems. Little things like changes to your diet and lifestyle can really help.

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.