Honey delight

Living Nature’s certified natural Nourishing Day Cream, which is nutrient-rich and extra nourishing. It’s suitable for normal and dry skin, but as it’s fairly heavy in texture, so it really feels good if you need that extra boost. Its hero ingredient is anti-bacterial active Manuka Honey, which is healing and protective, and it also contains Totara extract – rich in anti-oxidants. The cream has an earthy scent to it and is quickly absorbed into the skin, giving you a natural brightness after application. To use, you apply it once a day generously on your face and neck, after your cleansing and toning routine and enjoy the benefits! It’s a beautiful product, and – as with the rest of the Living Nature range – it contains only certified natural preservatives, fragrances and ingredients. The brand is also listed as one of the safest skin care range on Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which is quite a good indication of its gentle yet effective performance.

For more information go to Botanicalbrands.com Living Nature’s certified natural Nourishing Day Cream  retails at £31 for 50ml. l)

About the brand…”Living Nature is New Zealand’s original, certified natural skincare company, founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall, who was inspired by the healing properties of New Zealand native plants to remedy her own skin conditions”.

Honey Heaven Facial

If you’re heading to Portobello Road Market for the day, check out the Comvita store, which not only sells their own beauty products and health food supplements it also has a fabulous treatment menu. I tried their signature Manuka Honey Facial, which left my skin feeling soft and radiant. The products are made freshly for each appointment to match your individual skin needs. The facial begins with a cleansing ritual and is followed by a deep cleanse, using Comvita’s Olive White bright cleansing lotion. Your face is then exfoliated and steamed to open up the pores and allow the mask that follows to penetrate deeply. The mask is made with Manuka Honey, Rosewater and Carrot Seed essential oil – amongst other wonderfully nourishing ingredients. Using a brush it’s ‘painted on’ and left on the face for a few minutes. Once the mask is removed you are massaged with a a mix of Carrot Seed, Camomile, Rosehip and Evening Primrose. The massage extends to your neck and shoulders making you completely relax into the experience. To finish your skin is moisturised and aye serum is applied, once again using the Olive White products.

The quality of the products used in this facial is second to none and Lisa, the therapist, is fantastic and very intuitive in the way she works. Entering the Comvita store felt like finding an oasis of calm in a particularly vibrant London neighbourhood. A wonderful experience and a great addition to the area.

For more information go to http://www.comvita.co.uk
Prices start at£45.00 for a 45 minute treatment.

Comvita Portobello
212 Portobello Road
London, W11 1LA
020 7985 0056

Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee…

When it comes to face masks it’s important to get it right. I’ve tried a lot of products over the years,  and once in a while I come across something that I’m compelled  to write about. And this is one of those products: the Bee Venom Manuka Doctor face mask. It  has been reported to be a favourite of Kate Middleton and Victoria Beckham and now it’s available on the high street. Manuka Doctor’s ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask (£49.99 50ml) is a deep penetrating skin renewal treatment. Infused with potent therapeutic Bee Venom – its main acting ingredient – it is renowned for its anti-bacterial,  anti-wrinkle and regenerating benefits  that help defy ageing and produce a visible lift.

Also known as ‘nature’s alternative to botox’, Purified Bee Venom is a potent combination of minerals, peptides and amino acids that help  encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration and boost  collagen formation.  The creamy mask also contains Manuka Honey, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter,  and Vitamin E to deeply nourish the skin and help to reduce the appearance of scars while renewing damaged skin cells.

It feels soft on the skin and you can leave it on for between 15 and 30 minutes for best results. It couldn’t be easier!

“Finally my 12 years of research and science into natural Bee Venom is being transferred into a product range. The proven cell regenerating, anti- ageing and anti-bacterial properties of Purified Bee Venom will now be able to help many people.”
Dr Han

For more information go to www.manukadr.co.uk. The Manuka Dr Range is available at selected Lloyd’s pharmacies, Superdrug.com, Holland & Barret and Tesco beauty concept stores. Price £49.99

Oh honey, honey

We all know the benefits of Manuka Honey as a food supplement, but did you know it’s also fabulous for your skin? The Nuage range of honey-based products is absolutely delicious (you’ll be tempted to eat it!) and works wonders for your skin. I tried the Manuka Honey Body Lotion, which is formulated with Manuka Honey UMF 10+, vitamin E and Shea butter. I was surprised at how light in texture it was and how sweet it smelt (I kept smelling my hand afterwards!) and it was very quickly absorbed into the skin. The range contains active ingredients that provide long-lasting hydration of up to 48 hours, so a little goes a long way. It’s a lovely cream to use as it’s rich and light – and it’s particularly nice during the winter months as it’s comforting and nourishing, protecting our skin form the harsh cold weather outside.

Valued for its healing properties by generations of New Zealand’s indigenous tribespeople, Manuka Honey’s antibacterial effects are rated by the ‘Unique Manuka Factor’ or UMF, with a content of 10 or more considered suitable for therapeutic skincare. The Nuage range contains Manuka Honey UMF10+ and a range of active ingredients to provide intensive 48 hour moisturisation.

Nuage Manuka Honey Body Lotion (150ml) and Nuage Manuka Hand & Nail Cream (100ml) cost £5.99 RRP and Nuage Manuka Honey Face Cream costs just £9.99 RRP. Available from a range of pharmacies including Home Bargains, for further information, visit www.fmcgltd.com.

Honey Bliss

I came across Dr Organic’s Manuka Honey Rescue Cream  when reading about the fact that it has won quite a few awards and has just been nominated again in the Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product Mass Category in the CEW awards, so I thought I would check it out for myself. It’s a thick, rich cream that – as you’ve probably guessed by the name – has Manuka Honey as its main ingredient. Other ingredients it contains (all of which are organically certified) are Aloe Vera, Rose Oil, Cocoa Butter and Sweet Almond Oil. I love the fact that it’s a bit of a multi-tasker as you can use it on your hands, body and face so it’s perfect if you’re travelling. It’s an intensive product that nourishes the driest of skins, providing soothing relief and that lovely nourished and protected feeling. It also smells delicious!

 Thanks to its great emollient, restorative and soothing action the formula is safe to use on dry damaged skin, sun exposed skin, sensitive and irritated skin, leaving it intensely moisturized, instantly restored and visibly healthier all day long.

Priced at £8.69, 50ml. Available at www.hollandandbarrett.co.uk