Sarah's Best Glam Party Buy's

Our very own beauty guru's best buys.

Sparkle Gloss Topcoat - by Zoya
Sarah Says: Great to glam up any nail polish colour.
Purely Bronzed Tanning Mousse - by Inika
Sarah Says: Instant tan without the chemicals.
Transparent Lip Gloss - by Lavera
Sarah Says: This will add shimmer to any lipstick.
Zoya Polish - Truth Collection
Sarah Says: Great selection of metallic autumn colours.

European Natural Cosmetics - Sales Increasing

Natural & organic cosmetic sales continue to increase at a healthy rate in Europe, with revenues projected to increase by 13 % to 1.7 billion € this year. Organic Monitor forecasts sales revenues to approach 2 billion € in 2010. Organic Monitor’s 2009 edition of The European Natural Cosmetics Market Report finds that natural & organic cosmetic sales have been affected by the financial crisis. However, healthy growth is continuing because of increasing distribution and high consumer demand for chemically-clean and ethical cosmetics. The UK market has been the most adversely affected by the economic recession. The market growth rate has dropped from 16 % in 2008 to 8 % in 2009 because sales have been hit in organic food shops and health food retailers. However, natural and organic cosmetic sales continue to expand at double-digit rates in other European countries.

The French and German markets are the fastest growing in Europe. High growth rates are occurring as product penetration increases in mainstream retailers. Both countries have observed a large number of retailer private label launches in recent years. Certified natural and organic cosmetics have been introduced under private labels of supermarkets, drugstores, perfumeries, organic food shops and discounters in these countries. Private labels are so successful in Germany that they comprise over 10 % of total sales. Alverde has become the leading retailer private label of natural cosmetics in the world, having over 100 certified products across categories. Natural and organic products now comprise 3 % of total cosmetic sales in Europe. The market share is above 4 % in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. High growth in the German market is projected to raise the market share of natural and organic cosmetics to 10 % in the coming years. Apart from private labels, a major retailing trend is the growing number of concept stores for natural and organic beauty products. Dedicated stores are being opened by leading natural cosmetic brands, large retail groups as well as private investors. Most developments are in Paris where highly established brands such as Dr. Hauschka as well as large retailers like Monoprix are opening concept stores.

The European Natural Cosmetics Market Report, produced by continuously tracking the European natural and organic cosmetics market since 2003, finds the competitive landscape has changed significantly. High growth rates have been responsible for mergers, acquisitions and an influx of new entrants. Rising competition is leading natural and organic cosmetic brands to expand distribution outside traditional sales channels. This strategy has enabled the Swiss company Weleda to consolidate its position as market leader. With competition for retail shelf-space stepping up, Organic Monitor expects market winners to be companies who can successfully differentiate their products from competitors. New entrants and existing participants are advised to consider strategies based on product differentiation and market segmentation; companies should target specific consumer groups or sales channels. In the report, Organic Monitor gives revenue forecasts and growth projections for the natural cosmetics market in ten European countries. The adoption rate of natural and organic cosmetic standards is expected to rise considerably in 2010. Germany and France currently have the largest number of certified products; the eventual introduction of Cosmos and growing popularity of NaTrue are expected to make standards more widespread in Europe.

Source: Organic Monitor

Zoya Mini-Cure Gift Set - Now in Stock!

Mini-Cure Gift Set - by Zoya

Make your holiday colour last up to 7 days with the Zoya Holiday Mini-cure kit

Kit includes:
Anchor Basecoat - 0.25oz
Nail Polish - Shiloh - 0.25oz
Armor Topcoat - 0.25oz
Hurry Up Speed Dry - 0.25oz
Remove +. Nail Polish Remover - 1oz

Formaldehyde, Toulene & DBP Free

Weleda - Natural Bodycare

At Weleda they see the universe as one integrated whole. This view is not new, it was shared by Rudolf Steiner, the founder, more than 80 years ago. They passionately believe that health is much more than a lack of disease but instead an integrated state of physical, mental and social wellbeing.

This holistic worldview is the basis of everything they do at Weleda, They create products that respect the environment, local communities and global customers alike.

There aim is to help everyone, old and young. This is not a marketing ploy but a way of life and is deeply rooted in all aspects of their business. These beliefs affect every decision made at Weleda.

Right from their first day in 1921, Weleda has been committed to restoring health and maintaining wellbeing for all people naturally, safely and ethically. With these values in mind they farm most of our natural ingredients biodynamically.

15 acres in Derbyshire are lovingly tended to exacting Demeter standards by Weleda gardeners, contributing to the 135 acres of biodynamic gardens the Weleda Group cultivates worldwide.

Fresh ingredients are assured for plant tinctures. As soon as plants are at the optimal time for use, the gardeners harvest them, so ensuring the best possible quality ingredients.

It’s that which makes Weleda’s specialist anthroposophic and homeopathic medicines first choice for many hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacists, herbalists, homeopaths, naturopaths and other complementary health practitioners. Weleda also produces 200 over-the-counter natural medicines, available in independent health stores and pharmacies.

For other essential plant ingredients, including some wild plants, ethical sourcing is assured. Weleda has established over 100 global fair trading partnerships, 50% of Weleda’s fair trading partners currently employ biodynamic methods, and the company is working towards a target of 100%. All fair trading farmers must produce ingredients of pharmaceutical quality.

Value for money comes second only to quality. Ensuring products don’t cost the earth – in every way – is important.

Weleda bodycare products are made without animal testing, petrochemicals or GM ingredients, and their minimal packaging is wholly recyclable, too. In this way their business works to improve the quality of life of their customers and their co-workers while respecting and enhancing their shared environment.

Caring for staff helps them in turn care for customers, so a full-time cook is employed for the Derbyshire staff’s organic kitchen, housed in the newly opened Garden Room. Along with comfortable areas to eat and chat, this new building offers space for yoga, massage and eurythmy (group movement sessions) for the team. With self sufficiency in mind, the gardeners have established a new biodynamic kitchen garden outside, so many of the cook’s ingredients come straight from our vegetable plot to the table.

To buy these great products and read more check out our new Weleda Section

Lavera Trend Sensitiv Lipsticks Receive Highest Ranking

Lavera Trend Sensitiv Lipsticks Receive Highest Ranking by ÖEKO-TEST--Europe's Consumer Reports--in August 2009

After testing 306 shades from all 21 lipstick brands, Oeko-Test Magazine released a study in August 2009 that gave many lipstick manufacturers the "red card" (not good) for containing ingredients that could have long-term health effects.

All 13 Lavera Lipstick shades were awarded the highest ranking possible for not containing harmful ingredients found in other lipstick brands.

German-based Lavera Naturkosmetik, a leader in "truly natural" beauty and skincare products recently received a "Very Good" ranking from ÖEKO-TEST--the Consumer Reports of Europe--for its safe ingredients.

ÖEKO-TEST released a study of 21 different brands of lipsticks sold in department and drug stores to analyze their ingredients and to identify problematic or possibly hazardous ingredients. As part of the study, ÖEKO-TEST purchased a total of 306 shades from all brands and gave many lipstick manufacturers the "red card" (not good) for containing ingredients that could have long-term health effects.

As part of this study, ÖEKO-TEST found that the winners of this test were all certified natural cosmetic brands. Among them were 13 shades from Lavera Trend Sensitiv line of lipsticks, all of which all received "very good", the top award possible, for not containing any of the ingredients listed below:-

anilin- halogen-organic color pigments - tartrazin- aromatic substances, which might cause allergies - other aromatic substances - polycyclic musk compounds- possibly hazardous UV filters- PE/PEG derivatives- paraffins, petroleum products, silicones

Öeko-Test Magazine was started by a few journalists in 1985. It evaluates and ranks various consumer products for its effect on health & environment, helping stores and manufacturers to improve their products. It is similar to Consumer Reports in the US, but with a much stronger emphasis on consumer safety and health.

Lavera products have been awarded top marks over 520 times since June, 1992. Since then, more than 320 Lavera products have received "Very Good" reviews.

In February 2008, Lavera's Self-Tanner was the only natural cosmetic product to receive a "Very Good" rating from the magazine. Öeko-Test Magazine rated Lavera as the #1 as the Greenest Beauty Brand ahead of 32 other companies (ahead of Dr. Hauschka, Weleda, Estee Lauder and L'Oreal), after testing over 1800 products!

Vitamin C - Vital role in repairing DNA damage

Vitamin C could have a vital role to play in repairing DNA damage, scientists have discovered.

Researchers from the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal have found that the vitamin can improve wound healing and even work deeper in the skin to repair the damage done by free radicals to the cell’s DNA.

The team, comprising Tiago Duarte, Marcus S Cooke and G. Don Jones, tested a vitamin C derivative – ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P) – to analyse the effectiveness of sustained exposure on human dermal fibroblasts. They then investigated which genes are activated by the vitamin C in the cells, which were found to be those responsible for skin regeneration.

“The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration to the wounded area,” explains Tiago Duarte, who was previously at the University of Leicester and is now at the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal. “Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibrolasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions.”

Dr Marcus S Cooke, who is a senior lecturer in the department of cancer studies and department of genetics at the University of Leicester, believes these findings could have important implications for skincare companies, but advises against companies using these findings to make claims about their products.“It is perhaps worth noting that the medium we culture cells in can be thought of as analogous to plasma. The cells are bathed in a vitamin-containing liquid. The cells ‘decide’ how much vitamin C they need and can take it up to achieve a concentration in the cell greater than outside the cell. I think it is conceivable that these results could be achieved outside the lab but it would take a scientific study to prove this.”

by Laura McCreddie

Organic Beauty - by Jo Wood Organics

Indulge in Jo Wood's sophisticated organic fragrance and oils collection. The range contains 90% and above organic ingredients. This is the ultimate gift range with two decadent and sophisticated organic fragrances, Amka & Usiku. The Eau de Toilettes are certified organic by ECOCERT.

Jo’s Everyday range is designed to be used and enjoyed ‘Everyday’. The range includes your everyday essentials, Cleansing Body Mousse, Exfoliating Salt Scrub and Nourishing Body Cream in two new fragrances, Tula and Langa. Each product has been designed to richly nourish, soften and soothe the skin whilst protecting against damage from free radicals and other environmental hazards. The Everyday range is certified organic by ECOCERT.

For more info and to buy these fab products visit our Jo Wood Organics page.