Twixmas is the Time for Self-Care

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Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil, bath, coconut, cream, evening primrose, exotic, eye, face, festive, geranium, kit, lotion, Lycon Lyco'Pedi Kit, macadamia, mask, Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask, massage, New Year, pamper, pampering, pedicure, Relax, REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, retinol, scent, season, self-care, skin oil, Twixmas, UpCircle The Pamper Kit, vanilla, Vitamin C, ylang ylang

Photo by Taryn Elliott

Once the stress of Christmas Day is over, Twixmas, the relaxed period between Christmas and New Year, comes along to help recharge our batteries before we welcome in another year. Marked from the 27th until 30th December, Twixmas is the perfect time to give yourself a serious pampering so that the wear and tear of Christmas can be wiped away and you begin the New Year as your most radiant self. Here are five hero products for making Twixmas the most wonderful time of the year for your skin:

REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil

When we think of self care and pampering, most of us automatically picture ourselves in the bath, and this oil from REN Clean Skincare is the perfect partner for that scene. REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil is a bath oil for all skin types designed to calm the mind and soothe the skin. A few drops of this rich oil in your bath is enough to de-stress, leave the day behind and even soothes dry skin.

Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask

If you’re still reeling from the strains of Christmas, there’s a good chance you’re lacking sleep and that almost always shows around the eyes, making it the perfect time to use this mask. The retinol formula will brighten dark circles, improve the appearance of pigmentation and smooth the skin’s texture. The serum infused hydrogel mask transforms the eye area in just 20 minutes. It’s rich in anti-ageing ingredients, the mask visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating and energising the area to maintain a youthful glow.

UpCircle The Pamper Kit

If you want to indulge in some pampering but also want the peace of mind of knowing that your products don’t have a negative impact on the planet then this Pamper Kit from UpCircle is the one for you. It contains seven samples of UpCircle’s best selling products; Cleansing Face Balm, Clarifying Face Mask, Face Toner, Eye Cream, Face Moisturiser, Organic Face Serum and Body Cream. They all contain ingredients which are vegan and cruelty free, and come from sustainable sources. 

Lycon Lyco’Pedi Kit

A pedicure is the perfect pampering treat, especially when you’ve been spending busy days on your feet, cooking, cleaning and doing all the other festive prep. This Lyco’Pedi Kit from Lycon gives you everything you need for the ultimate mini pampering experience in a convenient mini carry bag. It contains their Refreshing Soak, Massage Lotion, Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Mask and Smoothing Cream, allowing you to whip your feet into shape in no time at all. 

Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil

Self-massage is a great way to make yourself feel more relaxed and relieve the stresses of the season, and this Nourishing Body Oil is the perfect conditioning and deeply penetrating dry skin oil for the job. Combining macadamia, coconut and evening primrose with the exotic scent of geranium, ylang ylang and vanilla, the blend both conditions the skin and uplifts the senses with aromatherapy. 

The Best Christmas Beauty Gifts for Every Budget

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Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath and Shower Oil, bath, budget, Christmas, festive, Frankincense, GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener-Champagne Gold, gift, gifts, giving, hair, Hayo'u Mineral Shower Wash, Hayo'u Signature Body Gua Sha Collection, heat, lavender, lotus flower, muscles, pamper, presents, Relax, shower, skin, stocking, stocking filler, styler, sunburn, tension, treat, Voesh 4 Step Deluxe Pedi in a Box Peppermint Swirl, ylang ylang

Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash

It’s officially December, which means that the Christmas shopping period is well and truly upon us! Whether you’re almost done and just need a couple of bits for a distant relative or you’ve still got almost everything to buy, we’ve got a selection of products from across our ranges to suit every budget. Here are our suggestions to help make your festive purchasing pain-free:

£10 or Under – Voesh 4 Step Deluxe Pedi in a Box Peppermint Swirl

Giving someone everything they need for a home pedicure is a great gift, but one that’s peppermint candy cane themed? Perfect! This is a complete hygienic spa pedicure solution, enriched with key ingredients to give your feet the nutrition they need. Each product is individually packed with the right amount for a single pedicure and your loved one will have feet which are ready for the parties between Christmas and New Year!

£30 or Under – Hayo’u Mineral Shower Wash

While you may not usually spend £30 on a shower gel, treating someone you love to this stress-busting product will show them exactly how much you care. It contains iconic Chinese ingredients such as lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, all of which have been used for thousands of years to improve circulation and reduce stress, and the formulation is naturally paraben, SLS and SLES free, and does not contain mineral oil or petrolatum. 

£50 or Under – Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender and Peppermint Bath and Shower Oil

If you want to treat someone you love to the ultimate in luxury bathing, then this bath and shower oil should be at the top of your list. The therapeutic oil blend, with soothing peppermint and high-altitude grown lavender ease sunburn, dissolve tension headaches and counter moments of over-indulgence as you soak or shower. It can also help to aid digestion and support the immune system, making it the perfect thing to help with the excesses of the festive season. 

£100 or Under – Hayo’u Signature Body Gua Sha Collection

If there’s someone in your life who loves wellness and deserves a treat, then this Gua Sha collection from Hayo’u could be a great choice. It contains everything you need to get your body looking and feeling good, including a Jade Body Comb, a Body Restorer and Body Oil which has been formulated specifically to be used with body gua sha. Regular usage can help to alleviate tight, tired muscles, support circulation and lymphatic drainage and provide instant muscle relief for peak performance.    

£100+ – GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener-Champagne Gold

If you’re looking for a gift which will really spoil your loved-one rotten then you can’t go wrong with a GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener in Champagne Gold! This  limited edition gift set is adorned in a dazzling champagne gold coat and accompanied by a dramatic red velvet vanity case. The straighteners are GHD’s ultimate SMART styler, equipped with ultra-zone predictive technology for superior styling in just one stroke. Infinity sensors fitted within the high gloss plates monitor heat distribution 250 times per second to maintain even heat distribution, for a personalised styling experience that adapts to your hair.

Be hangover free this festive season

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bottle, drink, festive, glass, hangover, hydrate, hydration, Natural Hydration Council, water

Halloween is over, the fireworks have fizzled out and with the adverts now playing during every commercial break, Christmas is well and truly on the way.

As well as presents and cards, stockings and turkeys, it’s also a time for parties to start and those dreaded hangovers to kick in.

What is a hangover?
Although the symptoms of hangovers such as headaches, nausea and tiredness are well known, the causes are not. In the past, dehydration was thought to be the main cause of alcohol hangover symptoms. Scientists now also believe that alcohol withdrawal and chemicals formed in the body when our liver breaks down alcohol contribute to those unpleasant symptoms.

Can a hangover be prevented?
As the saying goes prevention is better than the cure so here are a few simple changes you could make to try and reduce the hangover pain. Of course, it is important to bear in mind that there is no better way to avoid a hangover than not drinking alcohol…!

Professor Tom Sanders, Professor emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London and advisor to the Natural Hydration Council:

“Excess alcohol intake causes dehydration, which can result in headaches the next day. Headaches are also caused by acute increases of blood pressure following the withdrawal of alcohol. Drinking plenty of water is the best remedy and it is sensible to have a glass of water by your bed when you go to sleep after drinking. Paracetamol can also help if you wake up with a headache.

“A glass of orange juice in the morning can pick up blood sugar levels, which are often low after excess alcohol. Despite what people think, you should avoid eating greasy foods such as fry ups in the morning as these can make you feel worse. Instead, opt for carbohydrate rich foods such as breakfast cereals or toast and marmalade and continue to drink water throughout the day.

“The darker the alcohol, the more likely it is to cause a hangover. This is because of the phenolic antioxidant compounds found in darker alcoholic liquids, which are thought to cause dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Swapping red wine for white and brandy for vodka can help reduce hangover symptoms.”

Top hydration tips from the Natural Hydration Council for the festive season:

• Don’t drink alcohol when you feel thirsty! Quench your thirst with a refreshing glass of water.
• If you’re hosting a party provide plenty of healthy and interesting soft drink options for guests including bottles of sparkling mineral or spring water and jugs of still water.
• To encourage your guests to drink water include ice cubes with festive berries frozen inside.
• Avoid drinking from large wine glasses, as this may lead you to underestimate how much alcohol you have consumed.
• Our hydration status is constantly fluctuating. Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, so you should try to alternate any alcoholic drinks with a glass of water.
• Following a night of indulgence, keep a bottle or glass of water by your bedside to drink whenever you feel thirsty.

So, we aren’t saying don’t have fun when you party this Christmas, but if do drink try to stay safe and healthy and avoid that dreaded hangover the next day.