Science teacher (leaning over a bunsen burner with a roll-up cigarette dangling from betwixt his lips): “Hey! You at the back! Take that red-hot spatula off the back of his neck and pay attention!”

or

“Today we’re going to talk about reproduction….” to a class full of sniggering schoolboys who are tossing a plastic cross-section of the female reproductive system around the lab.

And that was at a grammar school.

If that rings true for you, you might not have learnt a whole lot in science class. I know I didn’t. I was an A-grade student the rest of the time, but science? Meh. I just wasn’t feeling it.

However, now I’m a forty-something skincare salesperson extraordinaire and self-confessed beauty product junkie, I wish I’d sat up straight and paid attention during the periodic table recitals and mind-blowing molecular structure sessions; skincare has got so…scientific.

So when I was recently contacted by Pharma Hermetic and invited to trial Ethernium Day Cream I was like: “Sure – why not?” I love a new product. Then I looked at the accompanying literature.

Woah.

They kinda lost me at ‘telomerase activity’…and by ‘cellular senescence’ I was away with the fairies. I tossed the brochure to one side, slapped on the cream and went about my day. After all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, right?

But then, over the course of the next two weeks, my skin started to look…different. More even-toned – and smoother. The hormonal rash on my chin disappeared. I switched my usual foundation for a much lighter BB cream – something I’ve never done before.

I went back to that gobbledegook brochure and had another go at deciphering the blurb. Nope. It’s still Japanese to me, so here’s my review of the product…broken down into layman’s terms, with full links and explanations. Apologies if you sat at the front bench during double science and paid full attention, but for the benefit of those that are more “H2….oh?!” than “Ah yes, H2O….” here goes:

Who is Pharma Hermetic?

Pharma Hermetic is a Spanish company with over 30 years of experience in issues related to herbal medicine and beauty, using medical innovation to create cutting-edge cosmetics.

Their claim? Science that beautifies. The Ethernium SP-55 collection is a patented range of anti-ageing products based on the peptide SP-55. What is a peptide, I hear you cry? (Or is that just me?) And do we even care? (Also me.) Well, a peptide is a short chain of amino acids. Peptide SP-55® consists of 55 amino acids which help the stem cells in the skin to increase telomerase activity naturally and improve cell telomeres, thereby delaying the ageing process which affects the skin and allowing it to recover. 

The strapline ‘Eternity is closer than ever’ sounds a bit strong, but I’m willing to give anything a try to slow down the effects of the ravages of time on my face. The scientists over at IT Pharma are using this peptide thingy in their products to help repair damage to the DNA.

What’s in the cream?

So as well as this peptide SP-55 fella, what else is in the cream? Well, other key ingredients include TGFbeta, which helps cell repair and generation of collagen, Vinis Vinifera (grape) Seed oil (grape-derived products, such as, erm, wine, are always fine by me – bring them on!), sodium hyaluronate (that essential ingredient for any serious anti-ageing product) and plenty of antioxidant vitamins C and E.

What does it do?

“Ethernium Cosmetics, The first anti-ageing cosmetic treatment able to work telomerase activity with a topical application. Ethernium cosmetics naturally reverse the process of cellular senescence (using peptide SP-55), increasing the telomerase activity of the stem cells in the skin, decreasing accumulated DNA damage, abating aberrant glycosylation and enhancing cellular resistance to oxidative stress. Ethernium helps the stem cells in the skin, increase telomerase activity and, thereby, slows down the molecular clock. There is currently no other molecule patented for cosmetic use available on the market capable of producing these effects.”

Wow, bold claims! So let’s rewind and decipher the lingo…

Get it? I think I do. Sort of.

First impressions

The product certainly has kerb-appeal, with sleek silver and black packaging, plus an innovative pump which hygienically dispenses just the right amount of product.

Personally, I don’t like bacteria-laden fingertips dipping in and out of tubs of expensive lotions and potions (or should I say curious partner’s bacteria-laden fingertips); preferring my products to be in tubes or pump dispensers. This dispensing method is both hygienic and aesthetically-pleasing – the only downside is that you can’t see how much of the product you have left.

How does it feel?

The texture is smooth and easily absorbed, provided you don’t apply too much product; the amount dispensed in one full pump is easily enough for the face, neck and decolleté. (Use too much and it emulsifies; the more you massage the less quickly it absorbs.) The fragrance is minimal, and you can apply makeup straight away. Both of these features score Brownie points with me.

Results?

For the first few days I find the product pleasant to use, but I don’t see any real difference. Hardly surprising – skincare really needs at least 30 days of continual use to see a marked difference, since this is the life cycle of an average skin cell. However, after 10 days of continual twice-daily application my skin looks smoother; more refined and definitely more even-toned. After two weeks I even go out with no base on my face at all. Think that’s minor? Well seeing as I’ve barely had a bare-faced day since I was a teenager, this is actually a big deal for self-conscious old moi. I don’t even pop for a pint of milk without a full face of maquillage.

The recommendation is three months of continuous use to really see the full effects. I have only been trialling the day cream, but the recommendation is to use the cream in the morning and the serum overnight.

In the clinical trials 99% of patients achieved a satisfactory reduction in wrinkle depth and width, with a reduction of 85% in almost all cases after 18 months’ continual use of the day cream and serum. Impressive stuff!

My verdict?

Listen, we all know that short of a magic wand, nothing is going to reverse the ageing process. ‘Miracle creams’ are just that – about as believable as that Bible story about turning water into wine. Frankly, I ain’t buying it. (I mean the story – if you could buy water that turned into wine, I would definitely be queueing up in Tesco’s for that shiz!). I’m still none the wiser as to how this stuff works its magic…but I don’t care. As long as it makes my face look slightly less likely to scare small children in the street, then I’m slap-happy – on it goes.

So I’ll be leaving the science to the geeks who paid attention in chemistry class, applying my creams and potions and focusing my attention on the more important things in life…like a nice long bath with a glass of something cold and a boxset binge. Bliss!

To find out more go to www.etherniumworld.com.

I am not affiliated with IT Pharma or Pharmahermetic in any way. I was simply gifted the product in exchange for an honest review. 

Sam x

Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (lifeabirdseyeview)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post Ethernium Day Cream: Seriously Scientific Skincare appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.

I recently returned from Spain to a welcome pile of goodies, and whilst rummaging amongst them I noticed a common theme: rose. The most popular flower there is, roses are a recognised symbol of love the world over. I doubt there’s a woman alive who wouldn’t be pleased to receive them. (Well, maybe a few with allergies, but let’s not split hairs.) However, when it comes to beauty, the fragrance of rose can be a bit Marmite, with some people of the opinion that it’s a tad ‘old lady.’ But love or hate this classic aroma, the benefits of rose as a therapeutic ingredient for our health and skin are undisputed: it works wonders.

For me, the scent of roses takes me right back to my childhood, when I would play in the garden, and (unbeknownst to De Mama) pull the heads off the roses and soak the petals in an empty ice cream tub half filled with water to make my own perfume. I can clearly remember sitting at our little red plastic table and chairs in the conservatory on a summer’s day, watching in wonder as the water slowly turned a pinkish colour over the course of a day or two; swishing it around before anointing my pulse points with the floral water, as I’d seen Mum do with her perfume sprays. Of course, it was all fun and games until she saw the state of her precious rosebushes…and the water quickly turned rancid; the petals brown and soggy. Fortunately, I’m no longer an amateur perfumier; I leave the formulating to the professionals and stick to buying, reviewing and selling beauty products instead.

Anyway, back to the health and beauty benefits of rose, of which there are many. Taken internally – as a tea or a tincture – rose is a mood-lifting, soothing antidepressant, useful during times of stress or hormonal fluctuations. Applied topically on the skin, rose is anti-inflammatory and calming; great for dry, sensitive or mature skins, or for those suffering from rosacea or acne.

There are two main types of rose used in skincare: rosa damascena or Bulgarian rose, which has a deep, potent aroma, and rosa centifolia, also known as Morrocan or cabbage rose, which has a light, sweet, clean scent. Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive there is, due to the fact that tens of thousands of rose blossoms, picked at dawn as they are unfolding, are required to yield just one ounce of the essential oil. The good news is that you only need a couple of drops to reap the rewards.

Rose oil is not to be confused with rosehip seed oil, which comes from the fruit of the rose plant and is rich in antioxidant vitamin C. Regular Bird’s Eye Viewers will know from this post that I’m currently trialling GOPO Joint Health, which is a rosehip supplement for healthy joints and reducing inflammation. I’ve been taking GOPO for a few weeks now, and as well as feeling better physically, my skin is looking much more radiant and imperfections improved. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Rosehip seed oil is great for scarring, pigmentation and skin imperfections as well as joints.

Convinced yet? Let’s cut to the chase! Here’s a round-up of…

My Current Top Five Rose-based Health and Beauty Buys

1. Armina Organic Rose Water, £10.90 for 100ml or £13.90 for 250ml, Ivy Bloom.

This 100% organic steam-distilled Bulgarian rose water available from Ivy Bloom is food grade; so pure it can be also used in cooking. I’m told it tastes good when added to a glass of bubbly too – but I’ll be saving it purely for cosmetic use. Either spray onto cotton wool and sweep over the face like a toner or spritz directly onto the face for a hydrating pick-me-up. Perfect for holidays or when flying, or just to rehydrate dry skin after a long winter in a centrally-heated atmosphere. The fragrance is divine, the quality evident. I’ve been using this twice a day after cleansing – a new staple in my daily beauty routine. 5/5 – love it!

2. Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil, Dr Botanicals, £49.90 30ml.

Following a generous spritz of the rosewater from Ivy Bloom, I like to apply a couple of drops of this facial oil by Dr Botanicals. Some oils can feel too heavy and greasy for daytime use, but this is surprisingly light in both texture and scent. Use before moisturiser or added to your day/night cream to protect, brighten and nourish skin. Rich in antioxidant vitamins A and C in an almond oil base, this oil is suitable for all skin types. (Contrary to popular belief, oils are also recommended for greasy skin as they balance sebum production). 4/5 – I love a more ‘rosy’ fragrance, but this lighter aroma will appeal to many. 

3. Whole Rose Buds by The Teamakers of London, via The Teatourist subscription box, £11 per month for a selection of 6 teas.

I’ve been receiving these boxes monthly from Teatourist for some time now, and it’s surprising just how many varieties of tea there actually are. These rosebuds from The Teamakers of London are both aesthetically pleasing and make a deliciously soothing yet uplifting tea. Simply put as many buds as you like into a mug, pour on boiling water and enjoy your Insta-worthy cuppa. Simples! 4/5 – love the flavour and simplicity, should probably have removed the flowers before drinking as I got a mouthful of petals. Extra point for prettiness.

4. Scentered Love Therapy Balm, £14.50.

100% natural. Apply this Scentered lip balm-style product to pulse points whenever you feel overwhelmed and in need of a hug. The Love aromatherapy balm combines top notes of clove and orange with rose, patchouli and cedarwood to create an elegant fragrance which smells amazing whilst restoring a sense of inner peace and balance. It’s been a crazy year for me so far – give me one for every handbag and pocket, pronto! 3/5 – love the convenient size, natural aroma and therapeutic benefits. Fragrance could have lasted slightly longer. Great for travel. 

5. Whittard’s English Rose tea bags, £5 for 25.

Whilst the loose rosebuds are an Instagrammer’s delight, you can sometimes find yourself with the odd bit of petal in your mouth as you sip on your brew. These Whittard’s English Rose teabags give a similar flavour but with the familiar convenience of a teabag. Best drunk with a scone, clotted cream and a generous spoonful of jam. 4/5 – similar flavour to the rosebuds. Not as pretty but more convenient in bag format. 

So there you have it! If your skin is in need of a radiance boost and your mood is equally as dull, it’s time to reach for the rose!

Sam x

Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (lifeabirdseyeview)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post Everything’s Coming Up Roses appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.

When I was first invited to test CrocodOil my initial reaction was “Is this a crock…?”…closely followed by: “Surely people don’t rub oil from a crocodile into their skin? Their prehistoric-looking hide doesn’t look too supple to me; if it’s so full of goodness why do they look as though they’re in need of slathering on a decent moisturiser themselves, huh?” When you picture a crocodile you’re hardly conjuring up images of baby-smooth skin. “And anyway, aren’t they an endangered species?”

At the mention of Crocs I usually get a mental image of those ugly rubber shoes with the holes – you know, to let your dignity seep out? I shudder at the thought. I’ve been working in the beauty industry for over twenty years, yet I’d never heard of crocodile oil, so I was intrigued…

Actually, crocodile oil has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skin conditions, from eczema to psoriasis, burns to bites, as well as in anti-ageing preparations – although it’s relatively new to the UK market. I find several respected publications running glowing features about it, such as Marie Claire, InStyle and The Telegraph.

Peering into the mirror at my rough forty-something skin and sunken little eyes I’m all too aware that a harsh British winter has left me looking, well, a tad reptilian myself, so, curiosity piqued, I decide to get back in touch with Barbara Bantleman, CEO of Crocodoil, for more information.

I fire my questions at Babs, and she’s quick to reassure me that the crocodiles used in her skin preparations are farmed primarily for their meat, and that the skins are used as a by-product by the fashion and beauty industries in much the same way as cattle. However, the farms CrocodOil work with go one step further and release up to 30% of the baby crocs they rear back into the wild, contributing to the South African Nile crocs they use coming off the endangered list. The crocodiles must be carefully cared for: any damage to skins would render them worthless, so it’s in the interests of the farmers to ensure their wellbeing. Hmm..so far, so fair.

She goes on to explain that the crocodiles are farmed in a natural environment over a large area; there’s no use of hormones or pesticides; no animal testing – and the products themselves are created in a UK laboratory, independently tested and are EU cosmetic licensed.

Free range crocs on the farm in South Africa

Having ticked the animal welfare and ethics boxes, I’m eager to test the product for myself. Crocodile oil contains naturally-occurring terpines which are known antiseptics, oleic acid for cell regeneration and sapogens to soften the skin. It’s rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9: essential fatty acids (EFAs) needed for the body’s functions, with strong anti-inflammatory properties which can’t be produced by the body itself. It also contains linoleic acid, which eases muscle aches and joint pain, as well as antioxidant vitamin A to fight free radicals and helps repair skin.

CrocodOil is 100% pure, with only healing vitamin E and neroli (orange blossom) essential oil added to it, which gives a delicate floral fragrance, as well as being antiseptic and radiance-boosting. The product contains just these three ingredients; no chemicals, no preservatives.

15ml CrocodOil

The product I’m testing is the 15ml pump dispenser which retails from £35. My initial reservations about the morality around using an animal-derived product on my skin are appeased when I do my research. Animal fats are present in so many household items, from face creams to toothpaste, carrier bags, candles, soap, and anything requiring glue. Even the new five pound notes contain animal fat. If you’re using the meat from the animal, there’s no further harm in using the fat, which would otherwise be thrown away. No crocodiles are killed solely for the oil.

The Nile crocodile is a common species, farmed extensively as food in South Africa.  If I eat meat and own leather bags and shoes, then really what’s the difference? I appreciate it may not be for everyone, and I respect your opinion on this one; I’ll leave it you to decide. I slather on a generous layer and take to my social media accounts to share my discovery…

Some friends react in the same way that I initially did: voicing their concerns. Others get in touch to share their successful experiences with similar oils, such as Emu Oil, used by Hollywood stars such as Cate Blanchett, who swears by their rejuvenating and healing properties.

Like most women of my age, I’m keen to look as young on the outside as I still feel on the inside, yet am unwilling to succumb to the stunned-bunny look that often comes with Botox. And besides, I want my pocket money for more important things – like wine…and cake.

The following morning: to my surprise I wake up with the smoothest, softest skin I’ve had in years. I’m gobsmacked. Andy tries it too and is similarly impressed. My dad has always suffered with very dry skin and also found it beneficial. Over the following days my skin certainly appears more radiant and make-up glides on smoothly. The oil is also recommended for hands and nails, ragged cuticles, a scrawny neck, stretchmarks, cracked heels – none of which I have, of course <coughs>.

Needless to say though, if these benefits continue, I’ll certainly be getting some more. If the expression “Dry January” applies more to the state of your skin than your abstinence from alcohol this month, you might want to snap some up too…

NB: I have not been paid for this article and am not affiliated to CrocodOil in any way. I was supplied with the product and asked to write an impartial review. Should you buy it via the Amazon link below I will receive a small commission which goes towards the running costs of my blog. 

Sam x


Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (Life:ABird’sEyeView)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post Crocodoil: Snap It Up! appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.

…let’s make lots of money.

Remember that old Pet Shop Boys song? Okay, so I may have replaced “brawn” with Braun, but this is a post about the merits of electrical goods, not catchy old Eighties tunes, so hear me out.

If you don’t remember much from the Eighties, chances are you’re too young to need natty facial fuzz removal devices anyway, so feel free to scroll on by if I’m boring you. If, however, you find yourself absent-mindedly twirling and twizzling your beard like a thoughtful wizard, read on. You need this.

My regular readers will testify that I don’t usually use my blog as a platform for selling or recommending stuff. I leave that to the stunning bambi-eyed babes: bronzed, bikini’d-up and pouting into the camera as they gush about the latest fake tan/juicer/whatever. I’m not knocking them, it’s where the money is, however I generally prefer to use my little corner of the interweb solely for reminiscing, observations, rants and musings. I blog for the love of writing, not to sell shit.

So, as I say, I wouldn’t ordinarily share personal grooming tips on here, but the footy’s on so hopefully all the men are goggle-eyed on the box. If you’re a fella please look away now, there’s no need to trouble your pretty little head with such business. Go on, off ya go….unless the women in your life make Chewbacca look clean-shaven, in which case, send them the link to this post, pronto.

Pssst, girls! Listen up! In the name of the sisterhood I have to share this with you : buy a facial epilator. Get one. Just do it. O.M.G! Oh…em…to the capital gee.

They are totally like sha-mazingggg!!

I won’t go into deets, but let’s just say I was starting to cultivate facial hair that any Shoreditch hipster dude worth his skinny jeans woulda been proud of – ya get me? It was either a Braun epilator….or beard oil. I was in serious danger of turning into a werewolf every time I could sense a full moon was approaching. I was getting the twinges.

You know you’ve got a problem when your fella is worried about you giving him a rash from kissing. One of his nicknames for me is The Bearded Dragon. Say no more.

Hence, I bit the bullet and bought this gadget. It’s called Braun Face 810. Wow! My face hasn’t been this smooth and soft since about five minutes after I was born. Why did it take me forty long years to discover this thing? How could those deceptively smooth-skinned girls smile slyly as they eyed my Poirot ‘tache whilst keeping this a secret? It’s a downy-right cheek! (geddit?). Hence I’m shouting it from the rooftops. My bearded buddies will thanks me, especially the one who’s developed a nervous tic whereby her tongue flicks out snake-style at regular intervals to moisten her bristly moustache (triggering snorty lols from me).

So what is this magical invention I hear you cry? It’s actually nothing new: basically a hand-held battery-powered wand that you run over your face and it just…pulls all the hairs out. Every one. Simples. Sounds painful? Merely a mild tingle. The top lip is slightly eye-watering, granted, but it’s more than worth it for the results. It also comes with a facial cleansing brush head attachment, which I used first:

 

This badboy pulled out enough tufty little hairs to stuff a cushion. If you’re particularly bewhiskered you could probably reupholster your sofa whilst you’re at it. I’m not kidding. I recommend weighing yourself before and after: I reckon I lost a good few pounds of fuzz in the process. My boyfriend even joked that I’ll need to get a new passport now, or risk being whisked aside at the airport. This is not exactly the before and after, but it’s close….

 

 

 

And all for the non-bank-breaking sum of 35 measly squid. I know, right? A no-brainer. I read the reviews and was like “Take my money. Take it.”

 So to all those hirsute honeys, this post is for you. Well all know that hormones play havoc with the old hair sitch, so don’t beat yourself up about bumfluff, get one of these. You can thank me later.

It’s one baaaad mother plucker.

Products from Amazon.co.uk ‹ ›

Sam x


Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (Life:ABird’sEyeView)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post You’ve got the brains, I’ve got the Braun… appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.