1) What inspired you to set up Pure Halal Beauty, PHB?

I’m a vegetarian and had become increasingly concerned by some of the ingredients in many well know High Street beauty products and cosmetics. Animal fats, crushed beetles and pig placenta are common ingredients as well as harsh alcohols. These ingredients are used predominantly because they’re cheap and they’re used as fillers but are clearly not ethical or good for the skin. I started to research halal products as I found their stringent criteria matched my own beliefs. I then found that actually there was a demand for these products not only from the Muslim community but also from vegetarians and vegans.

2) Who designed the look of the products and how did you go about choosing the ointments?

I designed the look of the products myself and also all the labeling. I decided early on that I wanted to use eco-friendly packaging which has a luxurious look but is 1005 recyclable. After doing a lot of research I found that I wanted to do skin ranges for 5 skin types; sensitive skin, dry skin, anti-aging, normal/combination and oily/troubled skin. I then came up with the idea to colour code the ranges so that they would be easily identifiable and easy to pick out. Choosing the ingredients for the products was a slow process, but I researched all the different plants and their properties to find out which were the most beneficial for certain skin conditions.

3) The products are halal – what does that mean in terms of ingredients and who do you hope will buy them?

In Islam as I’m sure you’re aware ‘halal’ means permissable or what is allowed in the Muslim faith. Where beauty products are concerned animal ingredients, animal testing and haram alcohol is forbidden. Halal certification is a strict process whereby the products are tested and certified halal meaning they comply to Islamic law. The majority of our products are also vegan society registered which obviously strengthens the products status with regards to not containing animal ingredients. We obviously have many Muslim customers but also, vegetarians, vegans and all conscious consumers who like to use more natural products that are better for their skin.

4) What are the nasties we should look out for in our daily skincare products and why should we avoid them?

Ingredients like talc, fillers, petro-chemicals and parabens are to be avoided as are harsh alcohols and animal ingredients. All of these ingredients can have a negative effect on skin and can be extremely irritating especially to sensitive skin.

5) Tell us a little bit more about your shop – with retail struggling, has your innovative take on beauty taken off?

It’s true that generally retail is suffering at the moment but over the 12 months we’ve been open we have built up a strong customer base both locally and around the country through www.purehalalbeauty.com and our customers are always spreading the word to their friends and family about how much they love the products so that has been really great.

6) What’s your muse?

I’m inspired by people in business who are entrepreneurs and who embark upon new and sometimes risky ventures. Without these type of people we wouldn’t have some of the amazing inventions and advancements we have today in the world of medicine, science and technology. Outside of business, I am inspired by determined and persistent people.

7) At 20, you’re so young – what do you hope to achieve?

I would very much like to start opening stores across the UK and indeed I have had many enquiries regarding franchising. Internationally, I have had a lot of interest and we have an exciting prospect for the Middle East. 2012 looks to be a very busy and exciting year for PHB.

8) What should a bride do to ensure her skin is flawless for her big day?

Make sure you prepare skin well in advance of the big day. Your diet is crucial as is a good beauty regime. If you don’t already, begin to cleanse tone and moisturise every day at least 3 months before the day of your wedding. Also, pay special attention to your makeup. On your special day you want to enhance your natural beauty, not mask it. Our PHB Mineral Miracles foundation will provide you with a flawless complexion whilst appearing and feeling like your wearing nothing at all. Our foundations, blushers and eye shadows come in a fantastic colour range with something to suit all skin tones, so you can be sure to create an incredible look with PHB Mineral Miracles for your big day. Our Mineral Miracles are long lasting and they also absorb excess oils which will stop your face from becoming shiny during the day, crucial for those wedding photos!

9) With brides in mind, what are the key three products from the range that will help them achieve this?

We have a fabulous skin brightening range called Awaken & Revive. It is specially formulated using high doses of Vitamins and antioxidants, and the finest oils including rosehip, neroli, and ginger to boost brightness and circulation whilst evening out skin tone and pigmentation. You should cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and evening, apply the serum and eye-gel in the morning and use the face mask twice a week. Following this regime in the run up to your big day will help to brighten skin and even out skin tone leaving it fresh and glowing for your big day.

For the body I would recommend our incredible 3Seas Salt Scrubs. They exfoliate skin using 3 different types of salt including Dead Sea Salt to provide essential vitamins and minerals whilst also moisturizing with hydrating and repairing oils to revitalize skin. Finish off with one of our incredible nourishing body butters which will help to firm and enhance skin.

10) And finally what are your top three beauty tips for brides to be?

• Plenty of sleep and a healthy diet (plenty of water and fresh fruit & veg)
• A good beauty regime
• Exercise when you can, it is good for not only keeping in shape but also relieves stress and removes toxins from the body.

Our verdict: The PHB range offers a no nonsense approach to your beauty regime. Of the Awaken and Revive products I tested I found them to smell lovely and left the skin with a soft and hydrated feel. The cleanser was divine and left my skin feeling cleansed but not stripped of its natural moisture. The serum was especially good at getting results and brightening the skin. Overall I found the range good value for money and nice to use, I’m not sure I could part with my existing regime but I would certainly use these products when I wanted to give my skin a breather.

I haven’t often found my self defeated by the London transport system, but on this rare occasion I found myself absolutely shattered and rather late when I arrived at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. I had checked the route twice before leaving, but alas, my optimism (and ignorance) didn’t fare well on this occasion. So I arrived bereft at my lateness (I have a problem with punctuality) and feeling that this city had let me down, I had let myself down and quite frankly I had let the Spa down, who had stated in their confirmation email you must arrive at least 15 minutes before your treatment.

I was somewhat abruptly but gladly escorted to the lifts by the hotel’s staff and found myself repeatedly cursing and being grateful for having arrived around thirty minutes late. I was greeted by the reception with a warm but not overtly friendly welcome, as is sometimes the case with spas, and was invited to take a seat, have a cup of tea and treat myself to snack.

By the time I had arrived at Mandara Spa I was in a safe haven, away from the hustle and bustle and bitter cold (it was late November), the music was enchanting and I felt a cloud of calm encompassing my soul. I was just where I needed to be after a most treacherous day of tackling tubes and trains. I admired the teas on offer – and settled for a water and something which resembled a walnut cake. It was delicious and certainly something which wouldn’t be out of place in an organic bakery. I was asked to fill out a form and wait for my therapist. I did as I was told, the form is a standard spa procedure and allows therapists to be informed of any concerns before the treatment begins.

I was here for a treatment, but couldn’t help but look at the amazing size of the swimming pool as I entered, and once again cursed myself for not giving myself enough time to get here. The spa houses a gym and steam rooms, all of which are available to guests of the spa.

Toni introduced herself and showed me the way to the treatment room. It was of ample size and had soft led lighting which spoke to the soul and was the start of one of the most peaceful and calming experiences I have ever been grateful to enjoy.

The warm bamboo massage treatment I had lasted for around 90 minutes from start to finish, and involved a deep massage with an oil of my choice. I chose sensual, which had sweet floral undertones and an aroma of true beauty. The massage itself involves a mix of hand movements and the use of warm bamboo rolled in long soothing movements. Pressure is applied to ensure lymphatic drainage, this at times is a little uncomfortable than other massages I have had in the past, but it works to improve circulation and relieve tension – and believe me when I say after the five hours of travelling nightmare my body required this. And the massage does seem to go on forever and ever, forcing you to forget your worries (I was due at a literary awards ceremony the same night) and relax. Whilst forced into this state I realised and regretted not doing this sooner, for putting relax and calm at the bottom of my priorities. The treatment is brought to and end with an invigorating bamboo head massage – which I have failed to find elsewhere. When Toni had finished I was ready for a deep sleep, but alas, I was to join the overworked and seasonly well travelled amongst the city once again – that’s not before I tucked into another bite of cake and tea – of course!

The warm bamboo treatment is available at Mandara Spa for £95 and lasts 75 minutes once you’re in the treatment room. Do allow for those fifteen minutes though!

http://www.mandaraspa.com/main/SpaView.aspx?SpaID=96

The first place I would look is in the beauty stores and I’m going to make this really simple. I’m not going to bombard you with loads of ideas. Whilst true beauty might be within – your skin deserves to be looked after and you can’t go wrong with spa brand, Elemis. It might seem indulgent and expensive normally, but the Xmas collections offer good value for money and the receiver of this gift will love you for it.

My top three from Elemis this Xmas are:

Something for the girlies -which includes a complete detox treatment with your Skin Bliss capsules, and 30ml of Pro-collagen marine cream, and a personal favourite, a full size Papaya Enzyme Peel. For the body – there’s a gorgeous bath milk and frangipani duo.  Its the Superstars collection and costs just £45.  What more could a girl want?

For the boys there’s this top collection which includes everything a groom needs to scrub up and look the part. Its a divine collection which will take them right through winter. With a facial wash, scrub, shave gel your basics are covered, and with the added Time delay and Eye reviver – they’ll be looking good for their big day. The Essential Grooming collection is a steal at £35.

If you’d rather get the bride and groom something they can enjoy together a spa treatment or a spa day might be in order. There are lots to choose from but Wildmoor Spa in Stratford Upon Avon gets my vote. At under £100 (per person) A Spa Taster includes a £30 Complimentary gift set. Now that really is a bargain.

All of the above beauty goodies are available at timetospa. Now didn’t I tell you, you wouldn’t have to leave the house!

Just imagine planning the most important day in someone else’s life – as a full time job! Not only do you have to deal with a bride and groom who want their wedding day to be perfect (of course!) but you have to juggle the constant ear bashing of their family members. We caught up with two industry professionals who’ve mastered the art of wedding planning. Whether you’re planning your own wedding, or hiring a professional this is a must read…

Could you please tell us how Amore came to be?

Hemali and I co-founded Amore just over three years ago. We met whilst working at another wedding planning company. Unfortunately the owner of that company closed down due to ill health.  Despite leaving that company, we were still getting approached by past clients to help plan their family member or friend’s wedding. As we started to get back in touch with our suppliers, they all said that we were the face of the company and that we should set up our own. We had always had a fantastic relationship with our suppliers and worked well together, and so we did. The rest, as they say, is history…
So if I was a blushing bride, what services could your company offer?

As wedding planners, we have built up a huge database of suppliers covering all aspects of planning a wedding.  However we have vetted a preferred few in each category that we recommend foremost to our clients as our ‘Approved list of suppliers’.  These are companies, who we know from experiences, are professional, fair in their pricing, reputable and we know won’t let our clients down.  (the market has become so saturated and competitive that it’s difficult to tell the difference between the good and the bad).  And having built up a relationship with Amore, they are always willing to offer some form of discount to our clients or go that extra mile.

We offer a range of different services from a complete wedding planning and coordination package, to a more bespoke service where clients can opt to buy in services from our preferred suppliers. Whichever service our clients opt for, we offer advice on all elements of the wedding and tend to get phone calls filled with questions and advice from the parents, siblings, uncles, aunts etc.  Since we are planning probably the most expensive and memorable day in not only the lives of our couple’s but their families also, it is important to us that we get to know the families on a personal level. We have to say, our favourite part of any wedding / wedding related event is on the day itself when the family members come up to us with smiles and hugs, looking relaxed, stress free and thank us for all our hard work.  It’s great seeing months of hard work come together on the actual day and appreciation is like the icing on the cake.

Now I know that you Urvashi married recently, what was it like planning your own wedding and what were the major highs and lows?

My husband is also in the wedding industry; he runs a highly sought after videography company, Shaadi Videography.  We therefore had a lot of pressure on us as expectations were extremely high of our big day. However we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of working with our trusted suppliers and friends within the industry to create three truly amazing wedding events; a civil wedding day, mehndi night and the big Indian wedding.  Having both been involved in so many weddings, we know what works and what doesn’t. We therefore created a wedding day that was elegant yet informal, with great attention to detail.  Stemming from our Indian Summer theme and colour scheme throughout our wedding stationery, mandap and flowers, to ensuring there was ample food served throughout the day with our favourite signature dishes created especially for us and selecting entertainment that was both interactive and unique. It was important to us that our wedding reflected our personalities and would stand out in our guests minds.  I can’t say there were any major lows, as thanks to my wonderful Amore team, everything went to plan! However with so much else to do such as juggling full time work with countless shopping trips, arranging overseas guest accommodation, preparing for pre-wedding events etc there were times when I thought had I not been a wedding planner I would have definitely hired one!

What advice would you give to a bride and groom planning their wedding in less than six months?

You must be organised and set yourself weekly targets as well as a deadline to have everything done at least two weeks before the celebrations begin. It can be both emotionally and physically draining and the last thing you want is to not have been organised from the offset and find yourself running around frantically during your wedding week.  Be realistic as to how far your budget will stretch and about the limitations to what will be on offer at short notice.  Couples planning short lead weddings must be willing to be more flexible with their requirements.  Also don’t try and do everything yourself; delegate but only to the people around you who you know are organised and responsible.  Finally contact us at Amore! Remember we have all the reputable suppliers you will need and we know what is and isn’t possible in any particular timeframe.  From having 18 months to 1 month to plan a wedding, we’ve done it all!

Finally what have you learnt most about brides after spending so much time with them?

There are two types of brides that we come across; the bride who worries and stresses about everything and the bride who knows what she wants and plans her wedding with confidence. From our experience, it is the bride who can learn to let go, that will have the most successful and enjoyable day, and it’s this latter category that most of our bride’s fall into. Our advice to any bride who isn’t looking to hire a wedding planner, is to plan your wedding with utmost precision and delegate so that you can confidently let go and enjoy yourself on the day.  After months of planning, the day itself goes so quickly and it’s a shame to see a bride worrying about things going on around her rather than enjoying the moment.

www.amore-weddings.co.uk

When I first heard about this newly launched body oil I had visions of smelly grease. The words Black Chicken on the label didn’t help – but you’ll be pleased to know, as I was to find, that the oil is neither black or has anything to do with chicken.

Love your body oil has a warm sensuous smell, with tones of lavendar and patchouli, making it perfect to use as a pre wedding massage oil. However it really comes into its own when used as a quick application after a bath or shower.

If like me you suffer from dry skin and are looking for something that will relieve your skin from dryness whilst keeping it hydrated and moisturised you’ll be sure to find joy with this product. Whilst you soak up some sun on your honeymoon you no longer need to worry that your skin is going to flake/look dull/dry out. You’ll have that beach glow all day long thanks to a powerful combo of 12 remedial oils  which provide deep long lasting moisture to nourish dehydrated skin.

Available to buy from Selfridges.com and at www.blackchickenremedies.co.uk retailing at £45.50.

Flowers & Plants Association flowers.org.uk

Flowers have been given new and alternative meanings to ensure their meanings  still have relevance for today’s brides and grooms.

The Flowers & Plants Association felt it was time to give the language a bit of a makeover to bring a new, updated meaning to flowers, that suits both florists’ and customers’ needs better.

The tradition started in the time of Queen Victoria, as a way for her subjects to send secret messages through gifts of flowers when it was deemed unseemly to openly express emotions. The meanings were written down in special dictionaries, and the language of flowers was born. Beech was used to represent ancient knowledge, blossom to express good fortune, and lilac to symbolise first love.

The new and  alternative meanings are based on the flower’s folklore, botanical or common name, visual appearance or the sound of the name, to create a language of flowers for the 21^st century.

Here’s just a taster of the association’s new flowers and plants meanings and what they can say to today’s modern lovers and friends.

Floriography – 21st century style

Alstroemeria – You’re so pretty
Amaranthus – Thank you for mending my broken heart
Ammi – You’re my queen
Aster – You’re a star
Begonia (flowering) – I love your smile
Begonia Rex – Thanks for your patience
Capsicum – You’re hot
Carnation – Your beauty is timeless
Chrysanthemum – You bring me laughter and happiness
Cornflower – You’re so funny
Cosmos – I love you more than chocolate
Craspedia – You light up my world
Dahlia – You’re great
Echeveria – I’m sticking around
Eucharis – I’ll love you forever
Ficus – I want to grow old with you
Gerbera – Cheer up
Gladioli – You’re so glamorous
Gloriosa – You’re my hero
Heliconia – Hello, gorgeous!
Hyacinth – You’re a lady
Jasmine – Fancy a cuppa?
Kalanchoe – You’re the Queen bee
Lathyrus – Sweetie pie
Lily – You’re so sexy
Lisianthus – Thinking of you
Muscari – With love
Nigella – I love your curves
Passionflower – I want to seduce you
Peony – You’re girly and great
Poppy – I can’t get enough of you
Protea – I love your muscles
Ranunculus – I’ll run to you
Red rose – I love you
Solidago/Solidaster – I love your smile
Solomon’s Seal – Sealed with a kiss
Tulip – You’re priceless
Vanda – You’ve got va va voom!
White rose – You’re my soul mate
Zantedeschia – I’m impressed
Zinnia – You’re crazy but cute

Flowers & Plants Association flowers.org.uk

There are hundreds of flowers that hold special meanings … these are some of our favourites…

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) – splendid beauty, pride
Arum lily, calla (Zantedeschia) – magnificent beauty
Bluebell (Scilla) – constancy, forgive and forget
Campanula – white, gratitude
Carnation – red – “alas for my poor heart”; striped – refusal; yellow – disdain; pink – woman’s love
Cockscomb celosia – affectation, individuality
Chrysanthemum – red – “I love you”; yellow – slighted love; white – truth
Daffodil – regard, chivalry
Dahlia – good taste
Forget-me-not (Myosotis) – true love, “the key to my heart”
Freesia – friendship
Garden Pink (Dianthus) – pure love
Gladiolus – strength of character
Hyacinth – blue – constancy; white – unobtrusive loveliness
Iris – yellow – flame of love
Lilac (Syringa) – purple – first emotions of love; white – youthful innocence
Longi Lily (Lilium longiflorum) – pure and modest
Lily of the valley (Convallaria) – return of happiness
Love lies bleeding (Amaranthus) – hopeless, not heartless
Mimosa (Acacia) – sensitivity, secret love
Narcissus – self esteem, female ambition
Orange blossom – bridal festivities, virginity,
Orchid – longevity, elegance
Peony – bashfulness
Rose – symbolises love & good fortune; white – truth; white with pink blush – “only for thee”; large bright pink – “meet me by moonlight”; single stem – simplicity; red & white together – unity; small yellow – “thou art all that is lovely”; rosebuds – pure and lovely; red – eternal love; crown of blooms – reward of virtue
Rudbeckia – justice
Snowdrop – hope
Solidago – encouragement
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) – purity
Stock (Matthiola) – lasting beauty
Sunflower dwarf – adulation
Sweet pea – departure, delicate pleasures
Tuberose – dangerous pleasure
Tulip – red – declaration of love; striped – beautiful eyes
Veronica – fidelity
Violet – faithfulness, modesty

For more ideas on how to use flowers on your big day do visit the Flowers and Plants Association

Cupcakes: so last season sweetie.  The hot new trend from the States making its way to our shores is decorated cookies.  With the launch of  world renowned cake designer Lindy Smith’s latest book, Bake Me I’m yours…Cookie, a craze for decorated cookies is set to burst into our lives.
Fairy cakes and biscuits were taken by our American cousins, given a transatlantic twist, and are now being fed back to us as cupcakes and decorated cookies.  Stateside, decorated cookies are used as gifts and treats where a longer lasting nibble is needed, or where different shapes, sizes and colours are called for.
Not to be beaten at our own game, Lindy has seized the opportunity with the launch of her new book to show how creative us Brits can be.  Wannabe US Martha Stewarts stick to their tradition of using royal icing on cookies and are thus limited in the effects they can create.  Lindy takes the blank canvas of a biscuit and turns it into a work of art through the use of sugarpaste: there is an entire chapter on wedding favours – perfect for the couple who wish to say ‘thank you’ to their guests in style!
She’s even created her own range of cookie cutters priced from £4.25 to £7.60 to help you create your very own masterpieces – on sale at http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk.