According to the press, so it MUST be true, we all overspend at Christmas. 

Credit cards are 'maxed' and bank accounts emptied in the pursuit of ... something or other. Not quite sure what, but presumably it varies according to person.

Irrelevant anyway, because, once it's empty, it takes some filling up. This usually means that many people spend more frugally in January, because they are stony broke. 

'Irrelevances' and 'non-essentials' come into this category, so hairdressers and beauticians both tend to be quieter at this time of year, after the Christmas and New year débâcle and bedlam.

Personally, I don't think a hair-do or facial is irrelevant and would prefer to live on homemade lentil soup for a couple of weeks rather than forgo my skin or hair being looked after, but you may not feel the same, so...

Recipe courtesy of Diabetes UK

Here are the instructions on how to do a DIY Facial yourself

Why am I telling you my trade secrets, you might ask, in a moment of inquisitiveness?

Well, I'm not telling you exactly what I do, because it's impossible to do that on oneself anyway, but in the interest of Good Skin and female solidarity Sister, I'm handing out advice like - not lollipops, because I'm not too keen on those, sugar is so inflammatory darling - but vitamin shots! 

Compressing the face aids healthy lymph movement

Here's what you need

• Hot water in a bowl or sink
• A Muslin 
• Three rounds of Cotton wool
• Moor Lavender Bath oil
• Cleansing Milk
• Cleansing Cream
• Toner or RNC
• Clay
• Cream mask
• about 30 minutes

Here's what you do -

• Fill the receptacle with hot water
• Add some bath oil and swirl to mix
• Use the cotton wool to remove any eye makeup and lipstick
• Wring out your muslin and compress your face 
• Compress again
• (You could do a couple of Facial exercises at this point, if you've learned some)
• Cleanse your face gently with Cleansing Milk
• Remove with the muslin

Now for the second cleanse -

• Add more hot water and bath oil
• Compress again, really taking the time to inhale the fragrance and calm your breathing
• Now cleanse with the Cleansing Cream- press and roll!
• Remove very gently, then use a cool compress to close those pores.

And the 50 shades of Clay. . .

Clay cleanses deeply and gently for clear pores and toned skin

• Mix up the clay mask
• Apply another warm compress - Spruce is gorgeous because it helps you to breathe more deeply
• Now brush on the Clay. A brush is better than fingers as it is more precise and you tend to get less clay under your fingernails
• Leave this on for 5-8 minutes
• It's worth re-dampening the clay with a sponge, if your skin feels too tight
• Remove with a sponge and then a compress

Now for the Treatment Mask

Which mask is best for your skin? Ask your local Esthetician for advice

• Apply some toner or RNC
• Smooth your chosen mask over your damp* skin
• Leave on for 15-320 minutes
• (You can use your roller at this point for optimum absorption)
• Remove with a cool compress
• Apply day care or night care depending on time of day
• Send me a text telling me how wonderful your skin feels!

* Skin needs a drink too, you know! And remember to keep a glass of water to hand - and mouth - while you are doing this.

If you were lucky enough to receive a Gift Voucher for Christmas, you can, of course, book the real thing, and I'll do all that - and more - for you!

   
     Have a radiant day!

      Love, Jane x
     PS If you want or need anything mentioned above, text the pamper line: 07961224560 or reply to this email

Season of mists and mellow fruitlessness

I do hope your preparations are proceeding according to precedent, as it's so well put in the Elephant's Child. Mine probably are, as I started out well, then fell behind, and am now thoroughly confused. Plus I've lost my lists(s) So, all going swimmingly then.

The one thing that keeps me sane in a sea of wrapping paper, lists, roasting chestnuts and banned curling ribbon (because it's plastic innit? and I have lots left from last year and the previous decade, so what to do?) is my skin care routine.

Because it's so ingrained - like cleaning one's teeth - I find it is a little oasis of calm and reason amongst the utter bedlam of dire Christmas pop songs, John Rutter Earworms and lost lists.

The scent of Spruce, or Lemon & Lemongrass in the morning, makes me glad to be awake,

Scents of the pine forest calm & soothe

and able to look for my list; the Lavender compress in the evening means that I forget about the damn thing and sleep the sleep

of the (fairly) innocent.

Though why the innocent sleep any more soundly than the guilty, I've no idea.

So, I do hope you are finding a little solace during this season of bonkersness, and that your list is rather more ticked than mine, but if you have any Hauschka on it, please ensure that you do not dilly-dally on the way, but order PDQ, because, unlike me, Dr Hauschka UK shut up shop on the 14th December.

That is this Friday. Just saying...  

Place your order by texting the Pamper-line ASAP 07961224560