By Paola Bassanese
Each year, Professional Beauty (twitter: @pro_beauty) attracts thousands of visitors from the beauty and therapy community. Professional Beauty 2013 at Excel is an excellent showcase event and this is my account of the conversations with key suppliers.
First of all I went to say hello to Wahanda, as I have been a member since 2009. CEO Lopo Champalimaud was there together with the marketing team.
Wahanda launched their online booking facility in 2012 and at the stand they were registering new users demonstrating how to add their listing in real time.
I had a quick chat with Rebecca and Elly from Wahanda (twitter: @wahanda) and then I went to check out the latest trends for products.
Seaweed-based products are a growing trend with suppliers like Repechage and Voya offering demonstrations at their stands.
Voya (twitter: @voyabeauty) keeps adding to their excellent product range with the introduction of new face and body products, most notably their cleanser Totally Balmy containing seaweed extracts, ylang ylang, bergamot, sweet almond and rose oils.
Beauty balms which double up as cleansers are also a current trend, as pioneered by Liz Earle with Cleanse & Polish (see my video review of Cleanse & Polish).
Niki’s Balms (twitter: @nikisbalms) range from face to body balms and the face balm enriched with argan oil and rose oil can also be used on the scalp and hair as a nourishing treatment.
Niki’s Balms include the original formula with lemon tea tree essential oil, the lavender and chamomile balm, warming balm, rose balm and baby bottom balm.
I did a video review of Niki’s organic face balm with rose last year.
The Aromatherapy Company (twitter: @aromaco) also has a face beauty balm in its catalogue containing carrot oil to aid skin regeneration, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, macadamia which mimics the skin’s own sebum and rosehip for scarring and repairing. The Aromatherapy Company has about 200 certified organic products and is recognised by the IFPA (International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists) as a training provider of clinical aromatherapy Level 4-5: this level covers treatment with essential oils for cancer, pregnancy and prescriptions of tailor-blended oils.
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STOP PRESS: INSPIRING STORY
Aromatherapy Associates (twitter: @aromaassoc) have now their own Soothing Cleansing Balm with cotton thistle, chamomile, cactus and even prebiotics to repair skin and act as a natural barrier against pollution.
It is worth noting that Aromatherapy Associates’ new bath and shower oil Inner Strength has an inspiring story behind it and 10% of all sales are going to charity.
Geraldine Howard, Aromatherapy Associates Co-Founder & President is quoted on the Aromatherapy Associates’ website saying “I created this oil at a time when I needed to find my own inner strength. I hope this will help others too.” Geraldine Howard received treatment for cancer and has developed this oil to provide emotional comfort to others. She was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer in 2011 and because she can’t have chemotherapy her only hope is a cancer vaccine which is being researched by her chosen charity Defence Against Cancer Foundation.
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Absolute Aromas (twitter: @absolutearomas) have introduced a new range of essential oils, body butters plus two gels.
The new essential oils include fragonia for emotional balance, Argan, carrot, primrose, Neem and Tamanu for skin healing. New butters include Shea, Coconut and Beeswax and they act as a barrier cream.
The new fragrant gels are rose and lavender which can be used as an aftersun, moisturiser or a face mask. The gels are not available right now and will be introduced in a few months’ time.
I made a quick pitstop at the Do You Know Your Scent (twitter: @douknowyourscen)stand to talk about fragrances as I am a perfume addict: this company has a few fragrances in their range containing pheromones which are known to make you more attractive. These natural chemical messengers secreted by insects, plants and animals to attract a companion.
I managed to catch a talk and demonstration from celebrity make up artist Gary Cockerill (twitter: @garymakeup) who was accompanied by his partner Phill Turner.
Gary not only launched his own Pro Lashes range from Noveau Lashes but has now become a brand ambassador for NRGFUEL Sports Nutrition associating his name to the Beauty Within multi-nutrient formula.
I was featured in Gary’s blog last year with my Energya® Slimming Massage.
Finally, a quick mention that the London College of Beauty Therapy (twitter: @thelcbt) has a series of short courses from Level 1 to Level 3 in make up, threading, nail technology, permanent lashes, tanning, waxing, massage and so much more.