Cosmetics & Beauty News March 2010

Wipe off that full-of-doubt look, slap on a happy grin...
Even easier this May, National Smile Month, with Lumineers, an appealing new type of tooth veneer. Non-invasive and pain-free, the porcelain veneers take only two dental visits to fit, and are as thin as contact lenses. Sounds good to me - especially as a long-term fluorosis sufferer. More information is available at www.lumineers.com, www.lumineersdentist.co.uk, and http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/lumineers.html .

Make your own soap
Sandy Simmons, of www.supersoapmakingsecrets.com, has just published her first ebook for interested soap makers, and while I find it a little difficult to trust a book that only references one external source (and that's Wikipedia), it certainly speaks candidly and honestly, covering all aspects of making soap whether you're a beginner or a pro. The methods, and the pros and cons of each, are clearly explained, and every possible topic is covered, from health and safety to different essential oils and increasingly complex soap designs. It really does contain everything that a person wanting to make enchanting and unique gifts for family and friends, or wanting to have fun with their kids, could possibly want or need to know. Available for purchase at the link above.

Become a Purity Organic Skincare ambassador
If you want to star in the Purity brand's first advertising campaign in Dare magazine, and win a £250 goody bag to boot, this star search is for you. To enter, buy a Purity skincare product of your choice from Superdrug, scan in your receipt, and send the image to purity[at]riverltd[dot]co[dot]uk, along with two photographs clearly showing your face (one should be natural and makeup free) and a paragraph explaining why you've got the beauty and brains to be an ambassador. The closing date is May 12 2010 and entrants must be 18 or over.

Arbonne makes the UK Beauty Awards shortlist - twice
Arbonne is still a relatively new and emerging brand, but it's already making a big splash, with two of its products having been nominated for UK Beauty Awards this year. The FC5 Moisturising Night Crème, £41, shortlisted for best new mass market skincare product, uses fresh cell technology from five different fruits and vegetables to nurture, soften and hydrate skin overnight. And on the bodycare side, the brand's SeaSource Detox Spa 5-in-1 Essential Massage Oil is an affordable treat at £29.50. Nominated for the best new mass market bodycare product, it contains such exotic elements as bladderwrack, sea kelp and sea fennel. Vote now for your favourite products at www.handbag.com or www.diarydirectory.com until April 12.

Melvita comes to the help of young skin
While Melvita is already famed in France for its anti-ageing products (and these have been the products flogged recently in the UK too), young skin can now breathe a sigh of relief with the release of the brand's range for oily skin. Its Sebum Balancing Fluid, £16 for 50ml, promises to mattify skin and regulate oil production using zinc, yoghurt, rice powder and ginger, and its on-the-spot treatment, their £10 Anti-Blemish Roll-On, contains sage, lavender and propolis to send spots packing. The new range also features a cleansing foaming gel, a skin tonic, a face scrub, a clay mask, and a perfecting cream, with prices starting off at a reasonable £10. As long as these creams absorb better than Melvita's anti-ageing counterparts, there's no reason why they shouldn't be a hit. Available from www.melvita.co.uk .

Going au naturel with Bodyform
The Bodyform website is coming to the end of its campaign to promote natural beauty, where at www.bodyform.co.uk/natural, readers are invited to submit natural beauty tips to win Stella McCartney underwear. Some of the best current tips include bathing in camomile tea, using egg whites as a face mask, and washing your hair in vodka once a month. If you think you can do better (and would like to win some spanking new undies), get yourself to that website prontissimo.

Raise the roof and raise some cash with John Frieda's HAIRraising
John Frieda invites the hairdressing community to join together to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and while it isn't always easy to give to charity, this should make it as simple as can be. Salons will be running fundraising events, and until September, customers will be asked if they would like to add an extra £1 charity donation to their salon bill. Even non-salon visitors can help by texting in donations (text the word HAIR to 81400, and £1.50, minus text costs, will go to the appeal). A range of fabulous prizes will also be on offer at John Frieda, Andrew Collinge, Mascolo, Daniel Galvin, Daniel Hersheson, Errol Douglas, James Brown, Lee Stafford, Louise Galvin and Vidal Sassoon salons.

Change is in the air at Shu Uemura
Even though Shu Uemura is phasing out its stores and concessions, you will still be able to purchase online at www.shuuemura.com, and new products will continue to be introduced there. Shu Uemura Art of Hair is unaffected by any changes, too, so never fear!

Joyeuses Pâques!
Happy Easter!