by Dee | Jul 19, 2016 | Featured, GloBeauty
My story begins in post WW1 London in 1925 – a young aspiring dress designer Beatrice Thomas is dating a notorious Boxer named Tiger Thomas. In those days boxing matches were a bit like rock concerts, and the performers similar to rock stars – bad boys with a reputation but fiercely attractive to the opposite sex. But the cultured Beatrice Aberdeen was a cut above the ‘groupies’ with her stylish outfits and flawless skin.
Beatrice had already discovered a great skincare revelation, Crème Simon, which was her beauty ally for the rest of her life. Beatrice was in fact my grandmother and mother to Sylvia Anderson who went on to be one of the most successful and revered Film Producers of her time, also inheriting her mother’s love of beauty and fashion.
The story of Crème Simon begins in 1860 in France. Joseph Simon, a gifted young apothecary (and widely regarded father of modern cosmetology today) loved to take long walks along the River Rhone. The sight of laundresses working by the great river inspired him to seek a natural remedy to relieve their dry, chapped hands.
See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/discover/#sthash.tkfTICcm.dpuf
At the turn of the century in 1900, Crème Simon was awarded Number 1 Skincare prize, and went on to be used by movie stars and supermodels throughout the Century. Icons like Brigitte Bardot in her heyday and Dominique Wilms endorsed the magic of the brand. 
As word spread of this miracle cream, they delighted in the discovery of extraordinary results on their complexion. Joseph Simon’s humble remedy soon became Crème Simon, the era’s most coveted beauty treatment – sold out in Paris, New York and the Far East Orient.
See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/discover/#sthash.Ob6yonuW.dpuf
Meanwhile as a child, I was being given an early induction into the benefits of using Crème Simon on my frequent visits to my grandmother’s home and her beauty cabinet, which she allowed me to explore under her watchful eye.
I clearly remember the crème being applied all over her face and neck and then onto her hands, there was just two types of crème in those days, and she always insisted that it had to be the one which was simply labeled ‘Matt finish’.
I recently revisited Crème Simon and am now as passionate as she was, and swear by many of its products. It has recently been relaunched and developed into a climate customized skincare, being alcohol free and recently being featured in Elle magazine and appearing on their IT list.
The ranges have been expanded and some of my favorites are the Crème Universalle at $68, the Restorative Sleeping Mask at $68, the Lymphatic Contouring and Lifting gel at $98 and if you want to try out the best of the range, you can invest in the Starters Essential gift set at $158.
They say talent and truth remain, and will win in the end. Crème Simon is testament to this belief and has stood the test of time, which is why it is still a top skincare product 150 years after it was first invented.
by Jackie Brooks | Jul 13, 2016 | Featured, General, GloWellness
Our lives are one big ‘stress ball’ – sounds like a song doesn’t it! Well we are advised endlessly on how to avoid the negative effects of stress itself. But a recent survey has revealed that stress can indeed be a healthy stimulant for the brain and can in fact prolong life and in some cases enhance mental activity.
As someone who has studied psychology and indeed been in therapy myself, albeit as part of my degree education, my very wise counsellor would always say to me if I was feeling the pressure of any situation ‘go with the stress and don’t try to push it away, because if you do it will come back tenfold’. He would also insist, well before his time that a little bit of stress won’t kill you, but indeed would give you the awareness and energy needed to act in certain situations.
A bit like an actress friend who always has first night nerves, which are always viewed as a positive in the theatre, as they give the performers an edge when they appear on stage.
A recent study has revealed that short time stress has a positive impact on the immune system – which is great for fighting infection or healing wounds. In one study, individuals who experienced moderate levels of stress before surgery were able to recover faster than individuals who had low or high levels.
Stress can help us meet our everyday goals at work and at home. The family and financial responsibilities can come with some pressure and stress, but without these elements their endgame would hardly ever be achieved, and as long as the stress does not get out of hand, can help finalize any undertaking, either commercial or domestic. It can even assist with boosting memory.
Technically speaking, when the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, the senses suddenly have a laser-like focus so you can avoid physically stressful situations — like crossing the road and avoid being run over by a bus!
The key to stress is to keep it under control and not live in a constant state of anxiety. When this happens it can have a negative effect, and there are many self-help books and homeopathic remedies on the market to alleviate this kind of constant pressure without running to your GP and getting hooked on tranquillizers.
We would advise that you pick up Stanford professor Kelly McGonigal’s new book, The Upside of Stress, a fascinating and quick read on some concepts that might just give you an insight into the benefits of stress.
For instance, she states that while we tend to view stress as the enemy, there are actually other beneficial and physiologically positive types of stress; and that making stress to work for you is as simple as changing your mindset and the way you view stress itself. A fascinating and informative read and one that may also change your life.
by Dee | Jul 8, 2016 | Featured
It is true Bling is making a comeback and like it or not it seems to be dominating some of the designer and high street fashion items this season.
If you are like me – the simple classic has always been a safe bet, but I am holding my hands up now and letting you all know that glitz and glamour is very close to my heart.
It may be the influence of my late mother Sylvia Anderson whose most famous creation was the Queen of Glam, Lady Penelope and whose influences were indeed Hollywood, and so despite my era and other influences, bling was always on my mind, even though I couldn’t show it. After all sequins and sparkles do not go down well in the office or the boardroom.
So however you receive the news, and it is like Marmite or indeed Brexit, glamour is definitely part of our wardrobe this Autumn.
I am not saying that we have to rush out and buy some tacky sparkly outfits, you can achieve the look by dressing any outfit in some super sparkly jewellery. Swarovski are doing some amazing chokers and necklaces which are always an investment whatever the fashion trend.
You could also go for a less expensive and more transient option, and Primark and Claire’s Accessories are doing a great selection of bangles and earrings which will match the season, and bling up any ensemble.
If you are taking it seriously you could go for a complete ‘bling up’ makeover and sew some sequins onto tops and trousers and brave the looks of disapproval from those less seasoned in the World of Bling.
Many of us associate sparkly with Chavs, and it may surprise you to know the origin of this rather demeaning title of a certain type of female. It all springs from Chaffinches, the birds who are attracted to shiny sparkly objects. Well in that case I am a self confessed Chav.
For instance, I am the proud owner of a very shiny pair of silver trainers of the Designer kind – and I was amazed when my Bank Manager approached me with some trepidation recently and exclaimed ‘oh my goodness, how lovely to see you, I recognised you by your silver shoes – ha ha’. I pretended to be amused, but was just pacifying the poor soul who has been so overprotected from the world of Bling and hasn’t a hope of understanding any of its paybacks.
So if you are a secret Blingite then I implore you to ‘come out’ this season, and get out there to adorn the stage of glamour. Then you can enjoy your initiation in the true ‘glitz’ of the word – then relish the stares and indulge in the glares, which is the ultimate accolade in the World of Bling.
