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Beauty

10 New Sustainable Skincare Products Perfect For Travel

Who doesn’t love to hear about new sustainable beauty products being launched, we do at #TeamCoco, especially when they’re products that will be a great fit in our suitcases.

There’s an A-Z of words describing how to help our planet to stay naturally balanced. Singularly, we can make a difference and beauty retailers are aiding this. Certain stores have made huge steps to help our nature-inspired minds, their websites brimming with palm oil and plastics free products.

Cruelty to nature is out and recyclable, reusable ingredients are in – products which can feel calmer and healthier on the skin, and inside our bodies too. Travel is a huge business but now, with more movement towards sustainability, we can tuck into our travel bags, knowing that we are being more eco-balanced.

Guest bathrooms are beginning to opt for larger, refillable soaps, and their miniature products are starting to disappear. More now favour recyclable or combustible packaging and natural ingredients with those eco symbols we can trust. Cleverly complementing what your holiday lodgings offer could reduce your case bulk and carbon footprint too. Let’s mooch a few ideas for the anti-bacterial, beautiful and natural you!

Colgate Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush Soft

With a charcoal-infused easy grip handle and soft bristles made from natural beeswax, Colgate’s Bamboo Toothbrush is a nifty little product. It’s 100% biodegradable, compostable (in natural compost facilities) and free from plastic packaging. Something to smile about!

Priced at £3.99. Available from superdrug.com.

The Life Brush

Put a beam on your face with x4 handmade bamboo The Life Brush travel toothbrushes and case. Plastic-free packaging, eco-friendly, biodegradable and naturally antibacterial, Moso bamboo is not eaten by pandas, ensuring their food source is unaffected. Approved by dentists and with medium bristles, these organic, vegan and BPA-free cleaners pack a great price.

Priced at £12.95. Available from amazon.co.uk.

100% Bamboo Face Cloth

For a steamy spa feel, this soft cloth, made with bamboo, absorbs liquid faster than cotton, leaving no skin irritation, yet gently lifts oils from pores. Can cleverly be washed and used again. No plastic packaging, environment friendly and anti-bacterial, it’s easy to pack, ticking many sustainable boxes.

Priced at £3.95. Available from soapynut.com.

Fennel & Propolis Toothpaste

As one of greenpeople’s flavoured toothpastes, the Fennel and Propolis toothpaste is championed for its naturally antibacterial nature. This toothpaste is fluoride/SLS/cruelty free and vegetarian society approved. Contains aloe vera, fennel, clove/myrrh essential oils, and the glycerine contained is from the Karanja tree nut, indigenous to India.

Priced at £4.50 (50ml). Available from greenpeople.co.uk.

Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar

Not just a sweet-smelling bar, the Rosemary Avocado Shampoo Bar packaging is recyclable/compostable, with no plastic, palm oil or SLS. It lathers up to act as both a soap and shampoo and is great for all hair types.

Priced at £10. Available from meowmeowtweet.com.

Toothpaste Tablets

Tiny to pack and great for outdoor holidays, the simple recyclable pack of toothpaste tablets holds 60 white, minty toothpaste tablets. Contains fluoride, but no preservatives, aluminium, nanoparticles or SLS. Pop one in your mouth, chew to a paste and brush. No need for water and enough for a month if brushing twice daily.

Priced at £3.00. Available from plentifulshop.co.uk

The BodyShop Shea Butter 100% Natural

Vegan, with 100% recyclable outer packaging and produced using 192 shea nuts, The Body Shop’s Shea Butter is a neat little product for use on face, lips, hair and body. Kind to sensitive, dry and itchy skin, this is a compact all-round butter to pop in your toiletry bag.

Priced at £15. Available from thebodyshop.com

100% Compostable Vegan Dental Floss

These 2 x 50m bobbins of vegan dental floss are made from corn from a pre-wasted food industry by-product. They are vegan friendly, have no GMOs/palm oil, are cruelty free and use 80 per cent fewer greenhouse gasses. Packaging is plant-based.

Priced at £6.90. Available from ecovibe.co.uk

Eco Vibe Makeup Remover Pads – Set of 16

Once again, bamboo trends here with 12 velvet makeup remover pads, 4 soft scrub terry pads and 1 cotton recyclable mesh bag. Vegan, 100% biodegradable/antibacterial, the pads are reusable, so no temptations for flushing away. Once used, pop pads into the mesh bag and wash at 40-degrees with a gentle detergent and use again!

Priced at £14.99. Available from ecovibe.co.uk.

FranChouliPom Organic Body Oil

Finish off your sustainable products bathroom pamper session with this delicious body oil – 99% organic, certified by Soil Association. 100% natural and vegan, the blend of organic oils entices with Frankincense and patchouli essentials and organic argan oil. Revitalising all skin types, you’re now all eco-tastic go for that well-deserved holiday.

Priced at £19.50 (30/100ml). Available from friendlyturtle.com

Remember to take with you LastSwab’s reusable Q-tip. It’s 100% eco-friendly and you can use it over 1000 times after washing it with soap and water.

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Olivia Buckland Talks Confidence-boosting Tanning With Cocoa Brown

As the face of Cocoa Brown tanning products, Olivia Buckland tells us what tanning means to her and shares her top tips for getting a flawless tan every single time…

Olivia Buckland was catapulted into the limelight after her appearance on Love Island in 2016. Entering the Spanish villa looking for love, Olivia was successful and met, her now husband, Alex Bowen. The pair coupled up early on before making it to the final and finishing in second place.

Olivia, now 26-years-old, is popular on social media with an impressive 2.2 million Instagram followers and uses her platform to engage with fans and talk about her fave fashion items and beauty products – as well as raise awareness for important issues such as her personal experience with an underactive thyroid.

If you take one look at her Instagram you will see she often flaunts a healthy bronzed glow and shortly after leaving Love Island she started working with tanning brand Cocoa Brown.

She tells us: “It was a dream come true when Cocoa Brown approached me to become Brand Ambassador after I left the villa and I’ve been working with them ever since.”

On her Instagram she regularly shares her tanning tips and talks about her favourite products that she uses to achieve her signature glow. But for Olivia, using tanning products isn’t just about looking tanned – it’s about confidence and skin health.

“Oh, it [tanning] means a lot to me! Who doesn’t feel better with a tan?” she says.

She also promotes fake tan as a healthy way to get tanned skin and personally swaps sunbathing for bottled products.

Olivia explains: “I have a history of problems with my skin so I don’t want to make it any worse by tanning in the sun. I use fake tan because natural tanning ages your skin so quickly and has so many health risks associated with it, plus a fake tan doesn’t ever make you go red, and I am prone to burning!”

Many girls find tanning tricky, dealing with streaks, patches and the chance of looking orange. Olivia has nailed her routine – finding what products work for her and using techniques to ensure a flawless finish.

“Before I tan, I always make sure I exfoliate my whole body using an exfoliating mitt to so my skin is fresh. I put Vaseline on my elbows and knees when I tan, just so that it doesn’t go dark on any dry skin.

“I also moisturise every day once I have a tan to make sure that my skin is hydrated and the tan won’t flake off,” she tells us.

As Brand Ambassador for Cocoa Brown Olivia often shares her favourite products and how she uses them.

Olivia said: “My Cocoa Brown Deluxe Velvet Tanning Mitt is my go-to for applying tan to ensure that it goes on smoothly and that it doesn’t go streaky.

“I also use the Cocoa Brown Body Makeup which gives an airbrushed look, especially on my legs, it makes them look flawless.”

And her number one Cocoa Brown product?

“It has to be the 1 Hour Tan in Ultra Dark! It lasts for days and leaves such a gorgeous deep colour. I also love that it doesn’t smell like other tans, no one likes smelling like a biscuit!”

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Boss Babe Shalini Parfum

What makes a Boss Babe? A successful woman who’s vision and ambition allow her to be the creator of her own life. A woman who brings something unique to the world becoming an inspiration as she does so; Shalini, is just that. Bringing modern classics through haute perfumery to men and women across the globe with Boss Babe Shalini Parfum.

‘I believe fragrance is like art and has no gender. Men and women can desire the same parfum and yet experience it differently because of the natural oils interacting with their individual pheromones.’

The Journey of Shalini, Creator of a Global Luxury Fragrance Brand

The brand is currently stocked at luxury retailers such as Harrods and has been; listed by Forbes magazine among the top ten most luxurious fragrances in the world, had a fragrance as a finalist for the Fragrance Foundation Awards in 2019 and has fragrances nominated for the Fragrance Foundation Awards 2020.

So, how does one become the creator of a global haute Parfum brand? Originally studying maths, Shalini went into architecture, which is where her love for colour, texture and beauty led her to the fashion industry, Haute Couture to be specific.

‘I loved creating in the world of Haute Couture; a world of luxurious fabrics and time honoured craftsmanship with a reverence for design.’

Shalini’s Commitment to Luxury in Every Scent and Presentation

Following her Haute Couture roots, Shalini ensures that only the finest and purest of oils and natural essences are used within her fragrances; the fragrances are made in France and each one is hand-poured.

Beautifully presented in Lalique crystal flacons and glass bottles, the fragrances are accompanied with luxurious and hand-crafted packaging. Black boxes with the brand’s signature yellow ribbon and gold seal, with each perfume’s name, handwritten in gold ink.

Boss Babe Shalini Parfum

The Artistry of Shalini and Maurice’s Fragrance Collaboration

‘Our customers come from very diverse worlds – the art world, the editorial world, perfumistas, globe trotters, heads of industry and members of Royal families. They respond to our parfums at a soul level.’

Collaborating with Master Perfumer, Maurice Roucel, Shalini created her signature fragrance; together they created a perfume composed of tuberose, tiare and neroli, musk and sandalwood. The two have a deep understanding of what will be created which is shown in the synergy of the fragrances and the inspiration behind them.

‘I feel that fragrance is what a person wears closest to their skin. It enters the body through the pores and affects the soul most subtly. ‘

Shalini and Maurice’s collaboration will continue until there is a complete collection of 6 fragrances, the fifth of which, is set to launch this year; each one as complex and unique as Shalini’s signature perfume.

When creating a fragrance, Shalini draws inspiration from her own life. Fond childhood memories, her first love, the Mediterranean and Dubai, Shalini uses these memories to create a truly meaningful scent to share these moments with the world. Yet she compares creating fragrances to that of composing a poem, allowing the client to interpret what they will from each parfum. So the wearer can create their own memories with the fragrance, essentially allowing her own experiences to be extended with those who purchase from her collection.

‘We all have moments of life, our experiences, dreams and wishes that we carry within our soul. One day when you are creating, they present themselves. My fragrances are part of what I bring to the world – my gift of creation, a part of my soul that I share, in the hope that it brings joy and pleasure to people.’

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Remington and The PRO-Luxe Collection

We are all about new hairstyles this season, especially as we’re mid-way through Christmas parties and festivities, and #TeamCoco love the fact that renowned hairstyling brand Remington has one of the best collections around, The PRO-Luxe range.

From the office to the gym, then on to dinner and drinks; keeping your locks looking luscious and your style locked in from day to night is always a challenge. Thanks to the new PRO-Luxe collection from Remington, your hair will finally be able to keep up with your busy schedule.

This brand-new collection features OPTI Heat Technology™, which guarantees an even, consistent distribution of heat for locking in your style. Delivering a professional performance and long-lasting results, styling between diary dates can become a thing of the past.

Including heated curlers, a straightener, curling wand, curling tong plus a hairdryer, these expert hair tools promise salon professional results every time, and with a beautiful rose gold exterior they also make the most stylish of dressing table accessories.

Sarah Harding, Senior Marketing Manager said: “The PRO-Luxe Collection from Remington is the perfect styling range for women who need their hairstyles to last and want to keep that ‘just styled’ look. The products use OPTI Heat Technology, which promotes an even distribution of heat across the hair to lock in the style.”

The Remington PRO-Luxe Heated Rollers is priced at £44.99, The Remington PRO-Luxe Straightener is priced at £79.99, The Remington PRO-Luxe AC Dryer is priced at £59.99, The Remington PRO-Luxe 19-28mm Wand is priced at £34.99, and The Remington PRO-Luxe 32mm Tong is priced at £34.99. To get your hands on any of these new styling essentials, visit www.amazon.co.uk, www.argos.com and www.boots.com

Here’s to a fabulous Christmas and New Year with perfectly styled hair by the PRO-Luxe collection by Remington. #TeamCoco hope that all your Christmas wishes come true!

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5 Tips To Unlock Your Hairs Max Potential

Maintaining smooth, beautiful, and healthy hair should be an essential part of your daily routine. Whether you have straight or curly hair, your locks can be a great asset that can transform your life. So better unlock your crowning glory’s full potential by following the tips below.

1. Pre-Mold Your Hair In Style

If you want to create a beautiful shape and attain body and twist for your hair, pre-mold it with style using one of the best hair dryers. Using a hair dryer is effective in reducing frizz, creating a natural shape, and achieving the volume you want for your hair.

Here are some tips when blow-drying hair:

  • While your hair is still damp, blow dry your hair, following the direction of the hair’s growth.
  • Get the best results by ensuring even heat and air distribution when blow-drying your hair.
  • Avoid burning your hair or scalp by keeping your blow dryer in motion.
  • You can use the attachment or nozzle that comes with your hairdryer to direct airflow in the right direction. By doing so, you can target the hair areas you want to blow dry, creating less mess.
  • If you have curly hair, hold the hairdryer farther away instead of using a nozzle to avoid frizz.

2. Straighten Your Hair Properly

If you want to transform your curly or wavy hair into straight, gorgeous looking hair, hair straighteners are your best friend. If you’re in the mood to transform your look, straightening your hair will surely do. Don’t hesitate to try this hair styling tip to unlock your hair’s maximum potential. Using quality hair straighteners, hair products, and straightening techniques, will help you achieve a stunning straight look without damaging your hair.

Here’s how to properly straighten your hair:

  • Wash And Dry: Get the best results by washing your hair first. Straightening works more effectively on freshly washed hair. Dry your hair gently, apply a heat-protectant, and blow-dry to dry the roots first and then the length, helping pre-straighten your hair. Work with tangles using a paddle brush.
  • Spray Heat Protection: Every time you straighten your hair, make sure to apply heat protection evenly. This helps lock in moisture and prevents dry and frizzy hair. Avoid applying heat protection to the roots to avoid a greasy look. Instead, hold the can six inches from your head and spray.
  • Divide Your Hair And Straighten: Divide your hair into three sections. Set the temperature of the hair straightener according to your hair type.

Follow these guidelines for different types of hair:

    • Fine hair should use 200 to 300 °F (93 to 149 °C) temperature.
    • Meanwhile, thick hair can handle up to 350 to 400 °F (177 to 205°C).
    • If you have average thick hair, use 300 to 350 °F (149 to 177 °C).

Start straightening an inch away from the hair roots using smooth movements. Straighten hair strands (1 to 2 inches wide) and not more than 0.50 inch thick. If your hair is starting to sizzle or you see steam, stop and dry your hair completely, then resume straightening your hair.

3. Braid Your Hair

Braids are not just for queens and princesses in fairy tale stories. If you want to look more elegant and feminine, then braiding is a great way to style your hair, bringing out the best in you. Celebrities like Rihanna and Kylie Jenner love to wear braids because of the promising transformation they can achieve with this everyday hair look.

There are many braid styles, such as the crown braid, boho fishtail, the Dutch braid, ponytail braid, and headband braid. Choose the best braid style for the day, depending on your mood and wardrobe.

4. Use the Right Hair Products

More often than not, people tend to change brands of hair products because of seeing the latest trends or seeing their favorite celebrities endorsing a new brand in the market. However, you should not only rely on these factors. Choosing the best products to clean and maintain your hair is important. For this reason, take into account the ingredients and your hair type, among other factors that can affect your health and safety. Moreover, always read the label and compare different hair products to know the difference.

5. Give Your Hair a Treat

When was the last time you had a hair treatment? Does your hair look frizzy and dry? Treat your hair. Pamper your hair with a keratin treatment or any other hair spa treatment you can think of. This is a great way to bring back the beauty and health of your dull and dying hair.

Conclusion

Whether you want straight, curly, or braided hair, or wear any hairstyle, always remember to use the right hair products and techniques to avoid damaging your hair. Invest in a high-quality hairdryer, hair straightener, and shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair glamorous and healthy. Of course, don’t forget to treat your hair once in a while for special pampering you truly deserve.

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The french skin care secret you need to know about

Ever noticed that French women have gorgeous skin? I am yet to meet a French woman who doesn’t glow like they’ve just had a facial. For years I put it down to good diet and genetics until a recent trip to the Mont-Blanc region. While I was there, I visited Les Thermes Spa in Saint-Gervais and here I discovered the secret to great skin.

Since 1807, the thermal baths in Saint-Gervais, Mont-Blanc boast the benefits of spring water, a natural resource that runs from the Mont-Blanc mountain range. The Saint-Gervais thermal spring waters are high in sulphur and have acquired minerals and trace elements during their millennia-long journey through the alpine underground meaning they’re bursting with benefits that support healthy, radiant skin. For nearly 6,000 years, these natural spring waters have run beneath the rocks of Mont-Blanc before springing to the surface at a temperature of exactly 39 degrees.

Located at the foot of the Mont-Blanc, in a magnificent 10-hectare tree lined park Les Thermes Spa uses thermal water famous for its healing properties to treat skin complaints, heal, restore, soothe and balance the skins epidermis. The French are ahead of the curve when it comes to skincare, it’s part of their culture with French girls and boys practicing good skincare habits as early as age 10.

The Spa has a clinic, made up of medical professionals such as dermatologists, ENT specialists, Physiotherapists and General Practitioners that use the thermal water and its numerous healing properties to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring as well as asthma, tonsillitis, and burns.
I got to spend the afternoon at Les Thermes and experience the spa and thermal baths. The spa programme takes you on a wellness journey through relaxation workshops, saunas at different temperatures, steam baths and several indoor and outdoor pools all using thermal water and each delivering a unique sensory experience.

The ground floor at Les Thermes is inspired by the water’s journey through the depths of the earth combining an indoor and outdoor zone where you follow a sequence of hydro experiences taking in plunge pools, hydro pools and a warm jacuzzi. The outdoor setting is spectacular, pools and sauna cabins are flanked by lush gardens and greenery with breath-taking views of the mountains. This relaxing environment awakens all the senses yet has a calm vibe that comes from being in such a beautiful location. Upstairs in the spa, you’ll find light and sound booths, a relaxing herbal tea room and steam rooms. This floor is dedicated to sensations and represents water throughout the seasons using light and sound. The spa also offers a range of massages and treatments with thermal water at the heart of each one.

After a couple of hours experiencing the hydro pools and thermal baths, I emerged feeling recharged and relaxed. I immediately noticed the difference in my skin, normally after swimming or going to the spa I suffer from tight, itchy skin but mine felt soft and after a day my eczema appeared less red. The skin care range at Les Thermes compliments the treatments and because our skin is unique, they have their own dedicated area to diagnose your skin type and help you find the products best suited to your skin and needs. The team of advisors take you through their skin care range which uses 100% thermal water combined with alpine plant extracts. My skin can suffer from breakouts and I’m reluctant to try anything new in case it irritates me, but I loved these products. After just two weeks using the cleanser my skin had fewer blemishes and friends commented on how well I looked. Their 24h Hydrating Serum healed some small patches of eczema and left my skin plump and glowing with that ‘je ne sais quoi’ air that French women effortlessly rock.

House of Coco travelled to Saint Gervais courtesy of Savoie Mont-Blanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
For more information on Les Thermes, Saint Gervais visit www.thermes-saint-gervais.com

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Cool Laser Treatment

We hit our late twenties and we become all-consumed with reversing the signs of ageing; drinking gallons of water, slathering on eye serums by the bucket-load and avoiding the sun like you’d avoid Tinder after midnight.

But no matter how much we spend, we often can’t undo the existing damage from the earlier, less responsible years.

But imagine if there was a magical treatment that could reset your skin to its former baby self? To the face you had before the nineties tanning-bed phase had resulted in pigmentation, before birth-control-induced melasma and before you popped and scratched at spots to give rise to discolouration and scarring.

INTRODUCING COOL LASER FROM NOVUS MEDICAL

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Olivia Culpo and Jenna Dewan Tatum are huge fans of the treatment and often share their trips to see their cosmetic dermatologist on their social media accounts.

Jenna Dewan heralding it as the reason that she can now ‘go mostly makeup free with no filters or retouching.’

And Olivia Culpo saying that it ‘helps to get rid of discolouration and sun damage and makes your skin look more “glowy”.’

But up until mid 2019, if you googled dermatologists and cosmetic doctors who offer Cool Laser in the UK, you’d be severely disappointed as it was only available at a handful of luxury clinics in Beverly Hills. But now, it’s available in the UK.

Dr Vincent Wong is a leading cosmetic doctor at Renova Clinic in Marylebone, London. He’s the first doctor in the UK to be using the Cool Laser and has already seen celebrities enjoying the results – recently welcoming Fleur East in to the clinic to get her skin ready in advance of her wedding. Sinitta, Sam Bailey and Nadia Forde have also visited Dr Wong for the treatment ahead of its launch to the public.

‘With Cool Laser we’re able to create smoother, clearer skin that is resurfaced from the inside out – and we’re able to stimulate the growth of new collagen which is important when we’re trying to turn back the hands of time.’ Dr Wong explains.

The treatment – most commonly used to treat scars, wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage – improves skin tone, smoothes out fine lines, and evens out skin discoloration by treating tiny sections of the skin at a time.

‘It’s a dual-mode, high-definition, fractionated Erbium laser,’ he continues. ‘It’s significantly different to existing lasers in that it cools the skin while simultaneously emitting microscopically thin columns of laser… It’s the middle ground between having a treatment that’s effective enough, while still promising minimal downtime.”

This nifty Cool Laser device that boasts a vast array of treatments works in a different way to many of the other lasers on the market as it only targets the water in the skin. Not wishing to bore you with science, it does this because it’s an Erbium laser. Erbium emits a wavelength of light that only affects the water, leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged.

It’s delivered in a series of very fast pulses, which feel a little like being flicked with a rubber band. This means that it’s not heating the skin itself so it’s far less painful and there’s no need for air-cooling of the skin as there is with some other types of lasers.

So, if you’re interested to find out more then head over to www.harleystreetemporium.com and search for Dr Vincent Wong from the list of Doctors. Or visit www.renovaclinic.co.uk where you will find Dr Vincent Wong straight away.

Prices start at £300 for Cool Laser and rise to £4,500 depending on the required treatment.

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3 Fragrances for Christmas

We absolutely love this time of year at House of Coco Magazine, I mean what’s not to love, there are festivities taking place throughout the whole month of December including parties, drinks with friends, fabulous food, and presents underneath the Christmas tree.

We love nothing more than gifting for Christmas, and with that in mind we have found our top 3 fragrances for Christmas that would make the perfect gift on 25th December for your loved ones or your besties.

Our first fragrance is actually lots of different Eau De Parfum scents under one rather lovely umbrella brand. We are swooning over these new scents released just in time for Christmas, many of which are unisex.

The Yorkshire Soap Co. Available from https://yorkshiresoap.co.uk Each individually priced at £49.95 (100ml).

Electrum – A warm and intoxicating blend of oriental spice, Arabic woods and Amber. Night Night Sweetheart – A rich and decadent blend of Japanese plum, Pomegranate and English pear. Yorkshire Lass – A sophisticated floral blend of Yorkshire Rose, Lily and Peony Flower. Botanici Di Limone – A blend of Sicilian citrus and botanicals, layered with notes of sweet Orange and Sandalwood. Habibi – Tobacco flower and Oud wood, layered with notes of Coriander, Patchouli and spices. R’Oud – A deep blend of Yorkshire Rose and Oud wood, layered with notes of Plum, Peony and Leather Musk.

The Yorkshire Soap Co. has offered House of Coco Magazine readers 20% off all the above fragrances. All you need to do to claim this offer is log on to The Yorkshire Soap Co. website and add the following code at checkout:

Website – https://yorkshiresoap.co.uk Code – COCO20

Our second fragrance is an Eau De Parfum that has been created by Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer.

MIZENSIR Parfums, Solar Blossom, available from Harvey Nichols, priced at £175 (100ml). https://www.harveynichols.com/brand/mizensir-/752885-solar-blossom-eau-de-parfum-100ml/p3499184/

Soft sweet Orange Blossom is the base note for this stunning scent along with Sambac Jasmine and heavenly Vanilla Absolute. Paradisone and neroli oil are the layered top notes alongside Seville oranges, which give heart to the fragrance.

Alberto Morillas, founder and master perfumer of Mizensir commented: “I remember it like it was yesterday. The scent of orange blossom in the courtyard, the intense spring sun and me, a young boy, concentrating intently on my vanilla ice cream. We would often eat it when the temperatures soared. At that time, we didn’t have air conditioning but we had ice cream! We longed for the sea even though it was far away. The slightest breeze would make us dream of a trip to the beach.”

Our final scent for this Christmas is full of body, soul, and tenderness. A perfect fragrance to see you through the colder winter months.

Bvlgari Rose Goldea, Blossom Delight, available from The Fragrance Shop at www.thefragranceshop.co.uk, priced at £48.50 (30ml).

Another scent signed by the eponymous Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer. Rose Goldea Blossom Delight Eau De Parfum offers a youthful energy, with a modern floral signature twist with a perfectly formulated feminine edge.

We asked Adam Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer, The Fragrance Shop: For anyone not sure where to start when purchasing a new fragrance, what is the first thing you’d recommend to help them find a scent? “When searching for a new, or signature scent, I would always encourage shoppers to think about three things. 1. What is your everyday aesthetic? Are you sophisticated, bold, modern, boho, glam for example? 2. What kind of smells are you drawn to in everyday life? Do you love flowers, citrus, sweets, vanilla, musk, wood? Then think about the purpose of the fragrance, is it for every day, for evenings out, for special occasions, for work? Take these three pieces of information to a fragrance expert on your local high street, and they will be able to give recommendations based on this profile.”

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7 Christmas Makeup Essentials

The feeling of getting new makeup is always a good one, even better when it’s for Christmas. Whether you are buying new products prior to all the festive parties you are attending, or whether the items are on your wish list from Father Christmas, there are some makeup products that are essential this season.

The #TeamCoco girls have compiled a list of the 7 most essential items to see you through a Christmas party or a family get-together this December.

Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter, Goddess Oil in Rose Gold
Priced at £10.52, available from www.cloud10beauty.com, www.superdrug.com and Primark

Looking for the perfect illuminator for your complexion, this Goddess Oil by Cocoa Brown can be used under your foundation or mixed in with your foundation to highlight the key points of your face.

W7 The Big Bang, 2019 Gift Set
Priced at £14.95, available from www.w7cosmetics.co.uk

This fabulous little set includes plush black mascara, king kohl pencil liner in black, pretty please12-colour pressed pigment eyeshadow palette, lip twister lip liner, and lippy chic lip colour.

Eyelash Emporium Pro, Studio Strip Extra AF
Priced at £8.95, available from www.superdrug.com

If you are looking for a new hero strip lash style to add to your lash wardrobe, then you are guaranteed to find the perfect faux lash look with Eyelash Emporium Pro.

Lavera Matt‘n Smoky Eyes
Priced at £12.90, available from www.laverauk.co.uk

It’s easy to create a sultry eye in seconds when using this black smoky eyes liner by Lavera. All products by Lavera are cruelty-free, dermatologically tested and certified natural by NATRUE.

The English Mineral Make-up Co’, Vegan Mascara
Priced at £21, available from www.englishmineralmakeup.co.uk

Created for the most sensitive eyes and infused with the best quality natural ingredients this mascara offers depth and volume to lashes gently and is completely vegan.

Benecos Natural, Powder Blush Trio, Fall in Love
Priced at £5.95, available from www.benecos.uk

This 3-in-1 natural blush compact powder makes creating a flawless glowing complexion easy. The three shades can be used separately to highlight, contour, or give a healthy glow.

Revlon Ultra HD, Vinyl Lip Polish
Priced at £8.95, available from www.boots.com and www.superdrug.com

If you are all about the lips, then this Revlon Ultra HD is a game-changing formulation of high-shine, high-definition lip colour without the need for maintenance.

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Beauty

8 Winter Glow Ready Body Scrubs

There are facial scrub products galore greeting you from all corners of the cosmetic counters but here are ten to start you off, with a mix for the ladies and gents, to blend into the daily routine, for that extra pout and a bit of swagger towards the festive season.

Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract, 100ml

Jettison the facial skin junk with this Clarins beauty. Within the overall face cleansing routine, this scrub is perfect for all skin types and can be used morning or evening, once or twice a week. With a cream base melted into this mix, there is also Moringa Seed extract.

This ‘diminishes the effect of pollution’ as it detoxes. Great for city slicker ladies and with any clogged pores, Silica Microbeads and orange extract will soften, luminate and revive to bring back the radiance for the next day. Packed to high quality, Clarins is sold in major stores and this is one to pop into your weekly wash and scrub routine for sure.

Priced at £21, available from clarins.co.uk

Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, 50ml

This product will polish and buff your mugshot for the selfies! Lightly massaged into damp skin, there is a cauldron of hydrate and texture in this product. Rich in Vitamin C, cucumber, jojoba beads and rose absolute, it’s a natural anti-oxidant.

A super exfoliant for dry and irritated skin that this season can bring, the product will calm the skin and radiate your smile. Use once or twice a week for all skin types. This product was an award winner for Elemis in the 2019 prestigious CEW Beauty Awards. Another company big on skin products, L’Occitane acquired Elemis in 2019, so you know your skin is in good care!

Priced at £35, available from elemis.com

Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub, 50ml

Tata Harper is a trusty brand known for its exfoliating prowess, which is why their Smoothing Body Scrub is a winner all round. This all-organic offering promises rejuvenated skin because the scrub contains natural exfoliants such as sugar, apricot seed powder, Hawaiian sea salts and pink Himalayan salts – dreamy. Plus, for that full blown home-spa experience, you’ll be pleased to hear that this scrub creates an amazing creamy lather.

Priced at £50, available from tataharperskincare.com

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator, 50ml

This exfo is not as suitable for sensitive skin but can be used two to three times a week on normal skin. With a five-star rating, the moisturising ingredients are unrivalled. Containing cocoa butter, eucalyptus and jojoba beads, it’s great for dealing with dull or flaky skin.

After a hot cloth cleansing of the skin, apply a couple of drops and lightly massage, avoiding eyes, with a rinse off and pat dry. The aroma of this skin scrub will have you breathing deeply and relaxing for the evening. Check out the interesting mix of contents in Liz Earle’s face buff and all at a super price.

Priced at £12, available from lizearle.com

Suqqu Moisture Massage Scrub, 125g

Pronounced SU-KU, this new kid on the block, with other facial products launched autumn 2019, the product takes its name from the Japanese word meaning ’posture with attitude.’ It incorporates the award-winning Gankin facial massage, so adding the Moisture Massage Scrub with its benefits of massage cream, facial wash and scrub in one, there will be a rush to the shelves for this beauty buffer.

Packed with tender granules to remove dead skin, it combines with a creamy gel that works when massaged in circular motions and swilled gently with cool water. Suqqu also have a Clay Purifying Scrub new this season, containing Moroccan clay and bamboo charcoal, so grab it in Selfridges or for 10% off at Harrods, with rewards.

Priced at £40, available from suqqu.com

For the men

Bulldog Original Face Scrub, 125ml

One for the men, Bulldog say they firmly believe that scrubbing isn’t a chore! Well, containing 8 essential oils, rosehip oil, shea butter, pumice, coconut shell and a packed ingredient list, men will be left feeling smooth to the touch and happy with the facial effort.

When Bulldog founder, Simon Duffy, wanted skin care for himself and noticed a lack of products on the shelf, he began a great daily for all skin types and the aloe vera, camelina oil and green tea is just a treat, with a real man title to boot. Bulldog Skincare is also the first ever brand to keep up there with its cruelty free status whilst on sale in mainland China. It’s what we want to hear more of and radiant skin as a plus.

Priced at £5, available from bulldogskincare.com

Anthony Blue Sea Kelp Body Scrub, 355ml

Gents, If a refreshing body scrub is what you’re after then make it the Anthony Blue Sea Kelp Body Scrub. This scrub is highly recommended for those with sensitive skin as it seriously soothes with protective aloe vera gel and nutmeg extract. As a perfect alternative for those sensitive to scrubs, the Anthony Blue exfoliator repairs and replenishes skin and it smells great too!

Priced at £22.40, available from anthony.com

Mancave Olivestone Face Scrub, 100ml

We all love these products that are not tested on animals and here is another for the men – and it’s super affordable too. With the cruelty-free and vegan certify, naturally derived extracts and its packaging also 100% recyclable, Mancave are going to be big for autumn.

The product states what it doesn’t contain, as much as what it does, but a scrub that contains horse chestnut extract, mixed with fine grains of olive stone powder, the exfoliating experience for any man mask, will give skin a smooth and well moisturised feel. If you have the oilier skin, this product is up there on its control of excess. Strut out in style knowing the visage has had a dunk in anti-microbial zinc PCA so what everyone else sees is just a handsome smile of reinvigoration!

Priced at £7, available from mancaveinc.com

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