TRADITIONAL SECRETS

Emerging over 5,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine believes that visible hair issues such as hair loss or greying can in fact be a sign of deficiency in key nutrients within the bloodstream, or indicate problems with the liver or kidneys. So hair could be the oracle to our organs, one of the reasons why Chinese medicine focuses on looking after it. A number of herbals methods are employed, including acupuncture and acupressure, various tinctures of birch leaves (known for its detoxifying effects) Echinacea root, rosemary and lavender. Even eating roasted black sesame seeds is said to do the trick. One particular potent herb, known as “Shou Wu Chih” – or Knotweed – is now a patented hair tonic that improves scalp condition, transforms grey hair back to its darker self and prevents hair loss.

This article first appeared on BigGreenSmile.com, who deliver a wide range of natural beauty products direct to your home. To view the full article on natural hair tips, please click here.

Do you worry that you have to use your fingers to apply makeup in order to be an eco fashionista who likes to keep up appearances? No more.

Fresh from Paris Presents, Eco Tools offers grooming products that allow you to apply your natural, eco-considerate blusher and the sparkly eye look easily, without passing bacteria from your fingers to your face.

Rather than made from the usual not-so-fantastic plastic brushes on offer, the attractive range of Eco Tools are constructed from renewable resources such as bamboo, as well as cruelty-free taklon bristles and recycled or recyclable textiles, with reusable pouches for the packaging.

You can choose from a Powder Brush (£8.49), a Blush Brush (£7.99), Foundation Brush (£5.99), Eye Shading Brush (£3.99), Eyeliner Brush (£3.99), Lash and Brow Groomer (£3.99), 6 Pack of Bamboo Mini Brushes (£4.99), 2 Pack of Bamboo Powder Puffs (£2.49) or an all inclusive 6 Piece Brush Set (£14.99).
They are also available on a high street near you, through Tesco and Superdrug as well as OneStopBeauty.co.uk. What’s more, 1% from every sale is donated to 1% For the Planet.

If you’re also looking for a hair brush to detangle your natural locks, then this month why not go for an  Eco Brush hairbrush – made from fast growing bamboo.  There are five brushes to choose from for different hair types and needs, such as the mini cushion brush that is perfectly sized for your handbag and for a scalp massage on the move, or the heat retainer radial that will help dry your hair faster.

Eco Brush utilise both natural bamboo pins or natural bristle, as well as the not-so-green synthetic nylon fibres. Prices start from an affordable £4, and are available from Tesco.

We also love the eco har brushes available from ethical chic Cebra.

1. Notebook/Address book

Both the leather-effect cover of this notebook and the pages it encloses are handmade from cotton rags by a family firm in rural Delhi. For many years, the family were involved in the agricultural grain industry, but when the market for grain fell away, the head of the unit decided to go to Jaipur and learn the craft of making paper from recycled cotton rags. He returned to teach each of his workers the new skills, and they haven’t looked back since! Available in red or white with a cute contrasting heart motif, this notebook is perfect for jotting down reminders or for use as an address book.

Ecotopia.co.uk
£4.88

You may already by a natural skin care fan, or a natural beauty expert. If so, This Works will be one brand already on your radar. An award-winning aromatherapy bath, body and skincare line, This Works was created by glossy magazine editor Kathy Phillips. Kathy spent seven years at Vogue as health and Beauty Director.

With the hottest summer weeks ahead of us, now is absolutely the perfect time to get those legs smooth and glistening, and the cleavage primed, ready for summer dresses and swimwear.

And it seems that This Works really does work. It has been reviewed and highly rated by all the glossies, including Glamour, Tatler, Marie Claire, Sunday Times Style, Grazia, Vogue, Elle, Red, The Observer, The Times and many more.

Get your FREE thisworks Clean Skin here at BigGreenSmile.com

About This Works Perfect Cleavage, £35
Winner ‘Best neck, décolleté and bust cream’ Natural Health Beauty Awards 2008. Perfect Cleavage reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in that most easily sun-damaged area, the décolletage. It contains Larch extract, which gives the skin an instant radiance and has skin tightening properties. Other key ingredients in Perfect Cleavage are Algae- to stimulate the formation of collagen, Pomegranate oil- which is an excellent antioxidant with moisturising and nourishing properties as well as Rose, Patchouli, Tonka bean, Frankincense, Vanilla and Organic Orange essential oils.

About This Works Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil, £35
Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil uses no less than nine exotic essential oils blended with a deeply nourishing fusion of seven pure cold-pressed plant oils high in vitamins and GLAs.
Among them are anti-ageing Rose oil from Morocco, nourishing Sandalwood from India, regenerative, blemish-defying Patchouli (Indonesia) and costly Tuberose as well as Evening Primrose, Macadamia and Pure Coconut Oil.

About This Works Clean Skin, £20, or FREE when you purchase Perfect Cleavage and Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil
Clean Skin is an easy-to-use cleanser designed to remove daily dirt and makeup while ensuring the acid mantle of the skin remains healthy and restored. Rosehip oil rejuvenates and regenerates, while Olive and Coconut oils lock in moisture without clogging pores. The antibacterial effects of Eucalyptus and Petitgrain help clear blemishes, while Fucose-rich polysaccharides produced from raw plant material via technology fermentation hydrates and soothes the skin.

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