BRRRRRilliant Winter Skin!

The Winter Road by Otto Knirsch, printed by Currier and Ives


We all know that lovely old Christmas carol....

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.”

~ The Christmas Song
Nat King Cole 1946

We love the crisp snowy days, the festive scents and sounds, the heartwarming bonhomie and the smiles that seem to be on everyone’s lips......But what we don’t love are the effects winter can have on our skin.
Cold, whipping winds and dry indoor heat join forces in the winter to deprive your skin of its moisture, leaving you with scales, flakes, more visible wrinkles, itching and discomfort. Severe cases can even cause painful cracking and eruptions of skin rashes like eczema.
Moisture doesn't just make your skin look younger and healthier, it provides a protective barrier. When this barrier is stripped, you're more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections as well as friction that can cause irritation and further drying. Aside from environmental changes, factors like age, genetics, smoking, health conditions and hot showers can contribute to dryness. Areas of the body with the fewest oil glands, like the lower legs, tend to dry out the fastest. Luckily, changing your hygiene habits and the products you use can make a difference in just a few days.


Here are some helpful tips for you to stave off those horrible winter skin blues.

Shower in lukewarm water. It's tempting to luxuriate in long, hot showers and baths when the temperatures drop, but hot water is hard on your skin, stripping it of its natural oils. That doesn't mean you have to start taking cold showers, but it would help to keep the dial closer to body temperature than to boiling.

Choose gentle, natural moisturizers. Many common ingredients in lotions and moisturizers, including petrolatum and silicone, are not ideal for your skin and can actually exacerbate dryness over time. Plant-based oils like borage, cocoa butter and jojoba help maintain a protective barrier over your skin, and many have additional benefits, like assisting in cell turnover.

Moisturize while your skin is still damp. When you emerge from the bath or shower, take a moment to apply your lotion or body cream. The moisturizing ingredients in the lotion will help seal water into your skin, helping it stay hydrated longer.
     
Exfoliate on a regular basis. Help your body shed the dead skin cells that can build up visibly when your skin is dry. Use a gentle exfoliant like a loofah or a body scrub made with sugar, salt or other coarse ingredients to buff your skin to a soft, smooth finish.
     
Drink lots of water. If you're dehydrated, your skin will look dryer and saggier than it really is. Drinking more water can definitely help plump skin up and make it healthier, but it won't make a difference in the outer layers of the skin, so it's not a cure-all.

Consider using a humidifier. Adding moisture back to the parched air in your home will also benefit your skin, hair and mucous membranes.
     
Don't forget the sunscreen. We tend to associate sun protection with warm weather, but it's just as easy to get a sunburn in February as it is in July. Slather it on, and you'll prevent damage and dryness.

I leave you with this lovely Yule blessing and all my warmest wishes for the holiday season!

May you be filled with serenity on this the shortest day and longest night.
May whatever despairs or sadness you carry be burned away by the returning sun,
for every period of darkness there will be one of light.

May you be surrounded by loved ones and laughter,
May your home be filled with joy and warmth,
as you rejoice in this festive season.

May you take some time for yourself,
to reflect on days both past and future,
May you find peace in the beautiful quietude of Winter.


Love,

Brittany

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
– Cicero


This month we will celebrate our best and most important holiday, Thanksgiving. While celebrations of the harvest have existed for as long as civilization (for indeed it was agriculture that necessitated both), this particular holiday is uniquely American. Or at least it was until other former British colonies started having a festival called Thanksgiving too.

Okay, I know some enjoy pointing out the tragic irony of the American Thanksgiving: that it was originally a celebration of the bountiful harvest provided by the native inhabitants of the land, who were subsequently slaughtered by the beneficiaries of that kindness. But the tragedy of one action does not undo the beauty of another.

The beauty of that first Thanksgiving day rests in their acknowledgement of the blessings and good fortune they had received by the very fact that they were still alive. The pilgrims and the Native Americans saw the bounty before them and had the dignity, respect, and intelligence to be grateful.

I think perhaps we should all try to bring those very things to our Thanksgiving table this year and see how it improves our understanding of this holiday. No matter where you hail from, couldn’t we all use a day when we collectively sit around a gathering of our loved ones and BE thankful?

What are you thankful for?
I am thankful for my family more than anything else, for they are my true sources of sustenance and joy. I am thankful for my awareness of the importance and impact of my natural beauty products. I am thankful for crisp autumn mornings and the ever-present British rain (without it I would get NOTHING done!) and my friends. I am thankful that I am still on the right side of the grass.
And bacon. I am very thankful for bacon.

With Love and Thanks,

Brittany

I leave you with this fun recipe that will help use up some of those left-overs.



Photographer: Stephanie Frey

Cranberry juice helps detoxify the skin and is particularly useful for those who are acne-prone or suffer from psoriasis or have oily skin. In addition cranberries help reduce skin inflammation, redness, and itchy, irritated skin.

Cranberry Anti-Aging Face Mask
Ingredients

1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup seedless red grapes
2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

1 raw egg white
Directions:
Mix ingredients until it becomes a paste. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes to let the mixture thicken. Remove from the fridge and let sit for about 10 minutes. Spread the mixture on clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Relax for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
Be sure to test for sensitivity by applying the mask to a less sensitive area of the body, such as the forearm before applying to the face.

The Great Pumpkin!

The Great Pumpkin!

Pumpkin makes us think of harvest, of holidays, of family and friends gathered around the dinner table. But as it turns out, pumpkin should also make you think of healthy, radiant and glowing skin throughout the dry and chilly fall and winter seasons.

Pumpkin is high in antioxidants and jam-packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, beta carotene and zinc, which are all fabulous anti-aging ingredients that can give your skin a rejuvenated, healthy glow. Pumpkin can soothe and protect your skin, nourish tired or dry skin, refresh and soften the skin, unclog the pores, remove impurities and help to control acne.

Pumpkin also works as an accelerator for other ingredients, helping your skin absorb vital nutrients and vitamins quickly. Pumpkin offers so many benefits when applied topically to the skin, and that is why beauty product companies are making a variety of skincare products that contain pumpkin enzymes as a the main ingredient....it is the PERFECT food...skin and body!!

Last month, we had such a great reaction to the natural toothpaste recipe I posted, I thought I’d continue the trend. Here is another natural, homemade goody for you to whip up.

Pumpkin Honey Face Mask

2 tsp canned pumpkin puree or stewed fresh pumpkin

½ tsp honey
½ tsp milk or yogurt
1 tsp oatmeal

Mix all of the above ingredients together into a paste, and massage onto freshly cleansed skin, making sure to avoid the eye area. Sit back and relax for fifteen minutes while your facial mask exfoliates and conditions your skin, and then rinse off with warm water. Ahhh your face will feel like silk!

That Perfect Smile....Naturally!

There was a time when if you wanted whiter teeth, it seemed that the only option was to go to the dentist and have the teeth bleached. Now there are numerous tooth whitening products on the market that you can use at home. But both of these options involve using potentially dangerous chemicals, and they can even make teeth very sensitive, replacing one problem with another more serious one.

Not only are you looking at the expense of these treatments; many of them just don’t work. I personally have a basket FULL of products for teeth whitening that just didn’t live up to all the hype.
You see, I am a coffee drinker and when I say ‘coffee drinker’ I mean that I can pretty much have a cup of coffee in my hand from morning until night. Therefore you can just imagine how much all this evil bean consumption can stain the teeth.

I spent hundreds looking for the best products to whiten my teeth and always ended up tossing the product into the basket under the bathroom sink. As a Cosmetic Chemist by trade I finally did what I should have done all along......look for natural and effective ways to whiten my teeth.

Below you will find a few natural, inexpensive and highly effective ways to achieve that brighter smile!

1.) Some fruits are excellent tooth whiteners. Strawberries, for example, can be rubbed directly on teeth or mashed up and brushed on. The inside of an orange peel is also great for whitening. You can rub it directly on your teeth, or make a paste of dried orange peel and ground bay leaves to brush on. A mixture of lemon juice and salt also works well. *Using fruits should only be an occasional treatment as overuse could causes teeth sensitivity*

2.) Use baking soda. Many of the toothpastes on the market include baking soda in their ingredients because it is so effective. But you don’t have to buy a special toothpaste. You can mix baking soda with a dash of salt and add a little hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to make a homemade tooth whitener.

3.) There's a growing body of evidence indicating that eating a small amount of cheese after a meal can potentially help to prevent tooth decay and promote enamel strength, Glosman says.
Along those same lines: "Milk and yogurt keep teeth sparkling and cavity-free because they contain the minerals calcium and phosphorus, which promote the remineralziation of tooth enamel," says Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D., author of "The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious."

4.) Snack on lots of crunchy vegetables and fruits, like celery, apples, carrots, and such. These foods will help to dislodge plaque and keep food particles from sticking to your teeth and staining them that way. This is more of a preventative measure.

5.) Coconut oil (solid oil or fractionated liquid) is a super way to whiten your teeth very quickly. Make it part of your tooth cleaning regime. Take a mouthful of coconut oil and swish around your mouth like mouthwash. Pull it through your teeth and really take your time. It’s best to do this for a full 2-5 minutes. Once you spit it out then clean your teeth with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide/vinegar. Add a drop or two of peppermint oil to really freshen your breathe and don’t forget to brush your tongue too! Coconut oil can be found in some grocery stores, most health food stores or many places online.

Here is a neat recipe to make your own natural toothpaste.

2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 small packet of stevia powder (opt.)
20-25 drops of peppermint essential oil*

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, using a fork.
*Add about half of the amount of peppermint oil to start, and test the toothpaste to see how much you want/like.

* You can also use essential oils like cinnamon, spearmint, clove and lemon. Always start with a few drops and then taste to see if you prefer more. Don’t make it too strong as you wouldn’t want to irritate your gums and over sensitize your teeth.

** As long as you keep this in a sealed container it should keep very well as there are no ingredients in it that could cause bacteria growth. All of the ingredients are naturally anti-bacterial.

Whitening your teeth does not have to be expensive, and you don’t have to use harsh chemicals. By using preventive measures and natural remedies, you can make your smile brighter without harming your teeth in other ways.

Fall Has Arrived At Posh Brats!

As a practicing witch, I get really excited when fall comes because it marks the arrival of my very favorite holiday- Samhain (or Halloween). As a Cosmetic Chemist I also get excited because it means I get to use the ingredients, essential oils, and fragrances I love the most! Things like spice, pumpkin, honey, autumn leaves and smokey bonfires light my creativity like no other.

What is Samhain you say? Well, it's pretty interesting really. Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

 Virtually all present Halloween traditions can be traced to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween is a holiday of many mysterious customs, but each one has a history, or at least a story behind it. The wearing of costumes, for instance, and roaming from door to door demanding treats can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and around, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these dreadful creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This practice is called mumming, from which the practice of trick-or-treating evolved. To this day, witches, ghosts, and skeleton figures of the dead are among the favorite disguises. Halloween also retains some features that harken back to the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as the customs of bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices cider associated with the day.

In honor of this approaching festive time; I present you with selections from our Samhain Collection. This is our very best selling collection and it sells out VERY quickly, so if you are tempted by anything please make haste in getting yours. These fragrances come in both sugar scrubs and perfumes.

All of these items are currently in stock and ready to ship immediately.

Samhain Collection: Black Velvet Shroud Perfume
The blackest most sublime velvet covering an antique rosewood coffin...in which lay our sexy vampyre. We know he is only resting until the dark night falls and the air becomes heavy with mist and the sounds of night creatures......when that time comes we'll embrace our dark lover again. The scent: dark dark dark black chocolate, heady sweet black currants, tangy blood red currants, Bourbon & Madagascar vanillas, smoked spices, loamy black earth & a touch of church incense.

 

Samhain Collection: Death By Sunrise Sugar Scrub
You've accepted the eternal kiss of your vamp lover and been re-born into a new and brilliant night-time world but you must rest before the first rays of the sun touch the earth or you will be dead by sunrise. The scent: blood orange, tangerine, syrupy sweet pineapple, golden gateau d'or, black cherries, billows of marshmallow creme, vanilla bean souffle, and rich ripe sexy mango. 

Samhain Collection: Evangeline Perfume
A famous Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem about the Acadia Cajun beauty Evangeline Bellefontaine and her lover Gabriel Lajeunesse. Tragic but romantic figures who are separated by bitter circumstances, they spend their lives searching for one another always just missing being reunited. Evangeline becomes a nun ministering to the poor and ill this is where one days, many years later, she finds her beloved Gabriel.....broken and sick by an epidemic, her lover dies in her arms as she weeps for him and their lost love. The scent: Sweet Southern blooms of magnolia, wisteria, Cape Jessamine, and gardenia underneath a blanket of church incense, a forgotten bridal bouquet, Bayou woods of oak, and cypress, crushed grasses and virginal white cotton and lace.

Samhain Collection: Herne of Windsor Sugar Scrub
If you be of Blood Royal you have no greater fear than to be cursed and stalked by the dark deeds of the equestrian ghost that haunts the Royal Woods of Windsor. The scent: Dark mysteries in exotic witchcraft resins, Olde English dragon's blood, orange pomanders spiked with cloves, gingerbread, dark forest woods and midnight air.

 

Samhain Collection: Mourning Shadows Perfume
A lone dark caped figure stands in the shadows of a smoking pyre on which his witch lover was put to her tragic death. Grief washes over him and his tears fall as sparkling diamonds onto his pale cheeks. The scent: Black pomegranate,blood red pomegranate, white funereal blooms, heady violets, 2 types of exotic musk, Cornish honey and a touch of Bourbon vanilla.

 

Samhain: Boo-Berry Mansion Sugar Scrub
A hauntingly wicked blend of ripe forest berries swirled with blueberry mousse and a healthy dollop of vanilla custard topped with mounds of whipped creme and blue raspberry coulis.  

 

Samhain Collection: White Chapel Spectre Perfume
Tragic Victorian 'soiled doves' struck down in their prime by the malevolent Jack the Ripper. The narrow alleyways and spooky mist filled streets of the White Chapel district in Olde London Towne still echo with the sounds of their sighs, whispers and final cries. The scent: crushed velvets, silks and laces, skin musk, bitter lime, floral posies and a slash of citrus.

Please note: credit for these beautiful images goes to www.TheFairyGodfather.com and is used with permission for web use only. These images are not associated with actual product labels and are not intended for sale.

 

Vanilla Crème Shimmy Silk Conditioner

Before I actually begin this review, let me tell you a few things about myself:

1. I have never EVER written a review for bath and body products before. This is because I’m normally extremely busy, and also, more importantly, because no product, ever, has impressed me enough to make me want to spare some time to tell others about it.

2. I have always believed that companies that produce hand made and natural products can probably succeed in making effective products for the body, but never for the hair. This is because I have tried expensive conditioners from popular high street brands that claim to be both handmade and natural yet still effective – and I have always been disappointed.

3. I have very long, and very thick hair, which requires lashings of super concentrated conditioner otherwise it becomes straw-like. I have only seen results from a premium high street brand with a name similar to that designer company that produced unisex fragrances in the 90s and advertised in black and white with gaunt underwear clad models).

4. My usual conditioner upsets me. Because despite being the only thing that has ever been effective, it is synthetic and unnatural, and expensive, and I am becoming, like many people, more aware of what I am using on my body and my children’s.  I would much prefer a natural alternative but was resigned to using it.

Then came my holidays from university, procrastination from housework, and the discovery via google, of Posh Brats. Up until a week ago, I was unaware of its existence, believing that natural products were only available in an expensive fresh and handmade body shop in the city centre or via natural soap makers running very small businesses consisting of varieties of soap and not much else.
I ordered some products and lots of samples and eagerly awaited delivery. Upon opening the package I was rewarded with a variety of fun looking, exotically scented, products, with some free products thrown in (thank you!). Off I went with the vanilla crème shimmy silk conditioner to the shower to see if I could finally stop buying the mass produced synthetic stuff I was resigned to using.
First impressions – scent reminiscent of baked cookies, a beautiful warm, sweet and comforting scent. Personally I prefer vanilla of the sweeter variety, but this scent is perfect for someone who loves cinnamon and the smell of baked cakes. In any case, I wasn’t really that bothered about the scent, I was more concerned with its effectiveness.
I always have to use loads of conditioner, so I used 30ml (I had ordered a sample, so used the lot!), but if my hair were of the average variety (in terms of length and thickness), 15ml would have been more than enough. In other words, if you want to try it out, the sample bottle will be enough for 2 washes, so perfect for a weekend away. It went on easily, my hair felt slick and my fingers ran through it easily (not usually the case with ‘handmade’ conditioners). I pinned up my hair like normal and carried on with my shower, only rinsing at the end (like I normally do). I also used a pretty drying shampoo because I wanted to be ruthless with the conditioner and see what it was capable of.
Rinsing the conditioner away was straightforward, no greasy feel detectable, and when I towel dried my hair I became optimistic that this conditioner might actually compete with market leaders – no mean feat especially with scarecrow hair like mine!
As a busy mum I usually towel dry and then pin up my hair, but today I got the hairdryer out to see if the dried results were on a par with my usual conditioner. I am seriously IMPRESSED. IT IS JUST AS GOOD! This is exceptional, and quite astonishing. Posh Brats will now supply my conditioner – natural, handmade, small business, affordable, unique – what more do I want! If the other conditioners in the range consist of the same ingredients I am trying them all out, to find a scent I love.
I shall review some of the other products that arrived today at a later date, but I can say with certainty that I will be using Posh Brats conditioners from now on, and so will my children! Thank you Brittany!

Signed,

Medical Student

 Today we have a lovely guest review from Wendy Crehore. Thanks so much Wendy!!

Cheshire Cat Sugar Scrub

This wonderful scrub was the first thing that caught my eye. The scent matches its description and it smells like a slightly citrusy version of the KA Black Grape soda. I can detect blueberry, maybe black raspberry, and I love the magnificent blue colour. Comparing it to The Body Shop’s Mango scrub, Cheshire Cat feels a lot less ‘oily’ and it’s smoother and thicker (though just as effective as a scrub). The scent lasts lightly all day and it doesn’t stain skin or the shower. The product has a lovely thick whipped mousse texture in the jar and the packaging looks great (I love the glitter and bright colours of these scrubs *^_^*).

Cheshire Cat was originally part of the limited Wonderland collection, but to my delight I have been informed that it will now be part of the permanent collection thanks to its popularity. I can definitely see why. I will be ordering a six pack of this when I need more scrubs, I’ve found a new favourite.

Death by Sunrise Sugar Scrub Sample 25ml

There was an immediate hit of tropical fruits on first sniff, especially the mango.  The texture was pretty much the same as Cheshire cat, only with a mango, black cherry and blood orange fragrance instead of grape soda and berries. I think this one might be a limited edition but I hope it’s around for a while because I definitely want a full size. I was impressed by the bright orange colour and I thought the black glitter was a nice ‘gothic’ touch, since this was part of the Samhain collection. I think I will be working my way through all of the fruity smelling scrubs in the near future.

Sour Melonberry Soap

I’m very impressed with the quality of this soap. The fresh watermelon scent is nothing less than amazing and it’s good enough to shave with. Not to mention that it looks gorgeous:

It smells a bit like an American sour jelly candy called ‘Sourpatch Kids’ which was one of my favourites. If they had a watermelon flavour, it would smell like this. I really love it J

Cheshire Cat Perfume Sample

Mostly grape soda and berries in the bottle. The citrus notes come out a lot more on skin, it could be lime or bergamot. There’s a variety of small South American oranges called ‘lulo’ which is what I think of smelling this. The berry notes still dominate, but the scent moves from purple to green. I’m pretty sure this is mostly a black raspberry scent. Worn in the hair it smells the same as it does in the bottle, I like the skin scent but I love the sweet grape that I get from wearing it in hair. A full size has been ordered 

I’m very pleased with my first order from Posh Brats and I will definitely have to try more of this stuff.  I think the Anjou Pear and Peach Melba scrubs will have to go in my next order.