Balm Balm Face Balm

I love the name Balm Balm. It makes me think of Bam Bam from the Flintstones. And then makes me want to hit someone over the head with a club whilst shouting 'BAM BAM!' Which then makes me think of Timmy Mallet and the Mallet Mallet game. And then I forget what I'm talking about... Oh yes, why I really like the name is because it is a strident and happy declaration of exactly what it is, a range of beautiful balms. Simple.

The Balm Balm Face Balm is one of my favourite kind of products, one you can use everywhere for anything! Why stop at your face? Use it on any dry skin, anywhere; elbows, hands, knees, feet. Use it on dry ends of hair, on lips, rub into cuticles. The list goes on... I love a good multi-purpose product and if something doesn't say it is multi-purpose, I'll often end up using it in all sorts of ways anyway!

Once such bright idea came after getting a little too much sunshine recently, I used it on my shoulders and chest for a major boost of nourishing skin-loving oils that my dehydrated and rather cross skin was screaming out for. And it was very nice indeed, putting a sock in the mouth of my complaining skin! Take that, sunburn! BAM! (add your own sound effects)

The little tube (30ml) is great for travelling around although it isn't a measely size. The balm is fragranced with rose geranium which is gorgeous and there is also a tea tree one and an unfragranced version too. The balm is quite thick but happily squishes out of the little tube and when in contact with the skin, turns all melty and oily. It is quite a lingering oiliness so if I was to put it on my face I'd only use it on say, my cheeks at night, because I inevitably don't have time to wait for it to absorb properly before putting on make up. But I'd merrily use it on hands and feet etc... I squashed some into my hands when I started this post and although it hasn't fully absorbed yet I'm not leaving too many sticky finger prints all over the keyboard! It is also worth noting that this balm is 100% natural and 100% organic so that's a double whammy right there. BAM BAM!

What I like about Balm Balm most is the super-simplicity of their products. The range is very non-fussy, with few ingredients, of which all are certified organic by the Soil Association. The design of every product is clean and simple and although the packaging is appealingly candy-coloured, the products inside are as wholesome as could be. A great little family-run, British, ethical company. Go get 'em!

Balm Balm Face Balm in Rose Geranium is £6.99 for 30ml
Available in good health food shops and online from Balm Balm

The Konjac Sponge Company and the wonderful Konjac Sponge

There is something round and squishy sweeping the beauty industry and it's called the konjac sponge. At the Natural Products trade show I had the pleasure of meeting the lady behind the Konjac Sponge Company who has introduced the konjac sponge to the UK market. Lovely to meet you Michele! And I'm trialling the French clay konjac sponge for normal to oily skin.

I have a list as long as my arm of posts I have to write but I have allowed this one to jump the queue because I'm all excited about it and I want to share it with you whilst the buzz is still buzzing!

The konjac sponge has already impressed in Japan, China, Korea and the USA and it's set to do the same here. If you are into your cloth+cleanser routine, where you remove your cleanser and make up etc with a lovely warm muslin cloth then listen up. Incidentally, if you're not of that school of cleansing and you like a classic face wash, then this is equally for you too! In fact, everyone, gather round, this is good...

Here's the happy little fella.

See, the konjac sponge is essentially a sponge that cleanses and lightly exfoliates your skin, also leaving it feeling moisturised. All by itself! It's a very simple, very peculiar object, enticing, squishy, friendly and so easy to use. It's also extremely gentle. And this is really what sets it apart from other cleansing apparatus (!) ...I can't stress this enough. If you have easily upset skin, if using flannels or muslin cloths leaves any redness behind or exfoliation dries out your skin, good god you're going to love this.

Originally intended for babies, the texture of this sponge is like no other, it absorbs a ridiculous amount of water and really holds onto it, but when you prod it, it leaves no actual wetness behind, it's like magic. It leaves skin feeling refreshed, very, very smooth and comfortable. Again, if normal washing of your face makes skin feel tight, give this a go.

The konjac sponge is made from 100% natural konjac plant fibres. Amorphophallus Konjac or the konjac potato grows wildly across Asia and is eaten in Japan, where it is called Konnyaku. Interestingly it is also used in making vegan gelatin.

How it benefits the skin comes down to its pH balancing effect (which also helps cleanse away oil and dirt) as well as its actual texture. Massaging the skin increases blood flow and improves circulation and the soft texture prevents damage to the protective barrier layer, keeping your skin happy.

My favourite way to use it is in the morning, when I don't feel like I need a full cleanse (no make up to remove) but still want to freshen and awaken my skin. I don't know why I find it so fun to use, but I do! It's just so squishy (the word to describe it) and soft in a jelly kind of way! And it occurs to me this is also perfect for those reluctant males, as it's a very quick and fuss-free way of cleansing without the need for extra products, (you can use it in place of or as well as your usual cleanser.) I still need to chase the very reluctant Mr. BEskincareful around the house with a palm full of moisturiser, but it's definitely a good start! 

The Konjac Sponge Company have also included in the range charcoal and mineral rich french clays, which all act differently to further support different skin types. The charcoal blend is especially helpful in balancing oily or blemish prone skin, as is the green clay sponge for more normal to oily skin. There is also red and pink clay blends which help soothe and nourish dry, sensitive or mature skins. So there really is something for everyone here.

And just to reiterate, this is 100% natural, with no colourings, no additives, it's sustainable, bio-degradable (they need replacing every three months or so) and made from natural konjac grown at high altitude free from pollutants. Can you sense my excitement?!

The Original Konjac sponge is £5.25, Charcoal £5.75, French Clays £5.75 

Available from the Konjac Sponge Company 

(I have seen them retail at over twice this price so beware!)

P.S. I'd love to hear from you if you've given it a go too! Feel free to comment

Neal's Yard Remedies - Holistic Facial Treatment

Having been so openly devoted to Neal's Yard Remedies, I was invited to try a facial treatment in their Marylebone High Street store. Oh boy! Now, I admit this is a little bit of a new experience for me but let me tell you straight up it's definitely something I will continue to do.

 (This is actually the lovely Covent Garden flagship store. 

Even though each store is lovely, this one just looks prettiest)

Let me set the scene. I woke up the day before my appointment feeling fine and spritely, to be blighted an hour later with the coldest of colds. Suddenly, as I was going about my day, my head filled up, my eyes filled up, my nose rather rapidly unfilled. I was compelled to spend the rest of the day moping back and forth to the kitchen with a constant need for hot cups of tea and bed. I was pretty worried that this might impede my enjoyment of my facial the next day but Good God! I wasn't going to miss this! And so the following afternoon, feeling even more cloudy-headed and bunged up, I plodded my way to Marylebone High Street.

Stepping into a branch of Neal's Yard is already one of my favourite pass times and on this occasion, like every other, the welcome was instant and the atmosphere relaxed. As usual at NYR, I was offered green tea (LOVE that) and as usual I accepted - a little cup of their detox tea (recommended) made a good start to the experience!

My facial treatment was with Chiara Simonelli who is absolutely lovely. The treatment is holistic and so takes into account lifestyle and the health of the rest of the body. This helps to tailor the treatment to meet your own specific needs. So the products used, the techniques employed and the recommendations made afterwards will all help to get you looking and feeling your best.

After discussing my own skin and general health, Chiara selected a range of products best suited to me to begin the facial. These were Lavender Cleanser, a gentle, suits all formula to remove make up. Lavender Water, to tone and freshen. Orange Flower Facial Polish, which is actually for drier skin but is again very gentle and still suitable for other skin types. My skin is OK, 'normal' I guess but still a little oily on T-zone, a little dry on cheeks, with some pesky fine lines beginning around the eyes. This was definitely the most luxurious cleanse I've ever had! And I will add that thankfully my eye make up was still intact - relief was felt at the prospect of not having to walk back to Oxford Street entirely make up free!!

Chiara massaged in the cleanser, including my shoulders and neck, then removed it carefully with a warm cloth. The toner was then applied with cotton pads and the cooling, freshening sensation of this was so relaxing yet energising. By the time it came to the facial polish I gave up trying to pay attention and gave in to the dreamy sensations occurring about my face! I was careful to note the other products after the treatment so I can still tell you what happened next!

So then, the Wild Rose Beauty Balm, massaged all over face, neck and shoulders. This is a bit of a cult product with impressive versatility and something I have come across before (in discussion of the Trilogy Everything Balm which seems to get mentioned in every post some how!!??) This balm smells simply gorgeous, is incredibly nourishing and extremely restorative in its properties with rosehip, hemp, geranium and rosemary seed oils. Incidentally, the rosemary was very good in helping ease my laboured and snuffly breathing so I was already beginning to feel better for this reason alone!

Next up, White Tea Enriching Facial Mask, which is another very nourishing product, suitable for dry and sensitive skin but with powerful antioxidant effects helping to improve fine lines. Whilst this mask was setting to work, Chiara gave my arms and hands a massage which was wonderful and, although not something I expected to have great relevance in a facial treatment, I could feel it really making a difference in releasing tension, improving the posture of my shoulders and easing me into an even deeper sense of relaxation, which surely shows on the face!

The main facial massage was using the Rose Facial Oil. In my sorry state of Coldness I could really feel this working to further ease my congestion and as Chiara expertly pummelled and smoothed and tapped my face, neck and shoulders (a lot on the neck - felt incredible) I not only completely forgot I was ill but felt good and alive and awakened!

What followed after this was the White Tea Eye Gel for those pesky fine lines, Mahonia Clear Skin Gel for a mountainous spot I failed to mention and finishing with my favourite, the Frankincense Hydrating Cream.

Sitting up, sipping water, I was a amazed that an expertly-given facial could also be the most indulgent cure for a cold! I felt great! My sinuses felt clear! And my face was glowing, the tone visibly improved! And I tell you what, I have never really properly appreciated the meaning of those words before because I have never really seen much improvement to the tone of my skin. Sure, lots of people have said my skin looks clear, looks good etc. but as everyone has their hang-ups mine is often a lack of tone. And I have certainly used products that have given a healthier look to my skin. But this is different. If my face could have a six-pack, then here it was. It just looked in better shape, the muscles underneath just more toned. After all, the face is a group of muscles that need supporting and strengthening. Massage can give you that.

And I guess that this is the difference between sitting at home and having a go yourself or having someone taking time and care to do it for you. You get a much better result because you get a much better, deeper massage. And you can't beat that, which is why I will definitely be booking myself in for more!

Neals Yard Remedies have a range of therapies and treatments, at various stores across the country. See the website for details of your nearest.
I had the holistic facial treatment with Chiara Simonelli at Marylebone High Street store.