LIZ EARLE

 

March 24th, 2011

Caroline

Don’t forget Mothering Sunday: 3rd April

Mothers are very precious and deserve their special day to be full of TLC, pampering, love and indulgence. With one small child and another on the way, I realise more than ever exactly how much mothers do, how much they give up and how often they put themselves last. I also realise just how much they love their children and I think it’s wonderful to have a special, dedicated day to show how much we appreciate their hard work!
Show your mum you care
This year, I’m treating my own wonderful mummy to a Skincare Tutorial at our London treatment rooms. She has been particularly fantastic recently, helping me prepare for the birth of my second daughter. I thought this would be an ideal way to ensure she’s getting the most from the products when she uses them at home. I learnt so much from my own skincare tutorial and I’ve used the range for over 13 years. I think it’s also a lovely way to set aside some special ‘me’ time. I’ll also be treating her to our sparkling fine fragrance Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.1, to show her how much I appreciate everything she does.
Superskin for mums
For my fantastic mother-in-law, who is also a devoted grandmother to my little one and is always full of sound advice, I’m planning on a real Superskin treat. But she loves all the Superskin range, so what to choose? Well, luckily for me, our exclusive Mother’s Day Gift is just perfect, as it contains generous travel sizes of most of the range: Superskin Moisturiser, Superskin Concentrate, Superskin Body Cream and a sample of the Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment. This will be perfect, as she travels with my father-in-law to their home in south west France in the spring, stopping en route overnight.
My Mother’s Day wish list
As my present, hopefully I’ll receive some beautiful hand-painted pictures from my creative three-year-old daughter, which she paints at her playgroup mornings. Plus an Orange Flower Hand Wash and Hand Repair wouldn’t go amiss to add some goodness and reparation to hard working hands. And finally, to be locked away in the bathroom with a bath full of Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash bubbles and a good read for a few hours would be heaven!
Please do share more about your own wonderful mothers, and what you’re treating them to. We’d love to hear some happy tales from your own lives…
Happy Mothering Sunday to all mummies on Sunday 3rd April!

Mothers Day

HARVEY NICHOLS

PLEASE BE GENEROUS

LINKS OF LONDON

500 Days To Go – London 2012

Ok sports fans, on your marks…. today is a milestone in the countdown to the biggest show on earth, a moment in sporting history and an epic event for London!
In 500 days London will host the Games and the city will come alive with Olympic buzz and sporting spectacles that will capture the nation.  The Olympic park covers 500 acres in East London, roughly the size of Alton Towers and will be the epi-centre for bringing together culture and sport.  With art projects across the country and design initiatives such as Anish Kapore’s red Orbit Tower in the Olympic Park there are cultural aspects to engage all, even those of us who think taking the stairs at the office or walking to work deserves a medal!
At Links of London we are really stepping up the pace as the official jewellery licensee of the Games and will be launching new additions to our already popular London 2012 collection.
We have four top athletes as our London 2012 brand ambassadors who will be featuring in our advertising campaigns and can be spotted sporting our key London 2012 pieces.
We met our male ambassadors; Olympic track star; Christian Malcolm and Paralympic Rower; Tom Aggar at our Sloane Street store last week where they picked out their favourite pieces from the London 2012 collection.
Christian went for the Union Jack dog tag and aptly a pair of running track cufflinks -

Tom chose the men’s Friendship bracelet and dumbbell cufflinks -

Our inspiring female ambassadors are both tipped for success in the Games.  Olympic swimmer; Keri-Anne Payne broke the British record for the 1500m freestyle swim last week at the British Long Course National Championships.  Paralympic cyclist; Sarah Storey, won Gold in the World Track Para-Cycling Championships in Italy at the weekend and also looks set to become the first female athlete to compete in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

In the run up to the Games we will be keeping you updated on our ambassadors’ progress and showing you all of their favourite new pieces from our London 2012 range.

NEW TO VQ

Seasons Leeds Opening Invitation

We would like to invite you to the launch weekend of our fabulous new store on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March at 7-11 Cross Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Leeds, LS1 6AZ.
We have been hard at work, creating a new kind of shopping experience with Seasons, whilst holding to our original values and beliefs of striving to seek out the best in new and exciting brands as well as some of the much loved classics. We only stock brands that we believe in, both in terms of design and quality.
To celebrate our launch weekend, we are offering 10% off your first purchase in-store when you join our brand new loyalty scheme. Not only is there 10% off, but there will also be drinks, treats and goody bags, but be quick as there are only a limited number (but they will be great)!
We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Bounce for Cancer Research

This summer, Yorkshire Cancer Research is bringing their world record breaking space hopper bounce event to Leeds !
The charity already holds the record for the largest space hopper race in the world, which was achieved at Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield , in July 2010.
Now they need 2,000 people to sign up for 'Bounce for Leeds' on Saturday, 30th July 2011, so they can smash the current world record for the largest number of people bouncing on space hoppers simultaneously for one minute.
Last year 1,505 people gathered on Mount Street , Dublin and made history by achieving the current record for the most people on space hoppers ever - and now it's Yorkshire 's turn!
Bounce for Leeds will begin at 11am at Roundhay Park . Entry costs £10 per person and  everyone will receive a T-shirt and fundraising pack and you'll even be able to take your space hopper home with you!

Sign up today by visiting www.bounceforleeds.com or visit  them at their stand here in Victoria Quarter on Saturday, March 12th.

Yorkshire Cancer Research helps local people beat cancer by supporting world-class research, diagnosis and treatment throughout the region.

The charity’s goal is help more people in Yorkshire survive cancer and have a better quality of life by developing new scientific knowledge and helping to get that knowledge from the lab to the patient. It also aims to save lives by funding improvements to clinical and surgical practice and by bringing treatments to market.

The charity works to ensure Yorkshire remains a centre of excellence for research and treatment, attracting and retaining outstanding scientists and clinicians, while working in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.

Yorkshire Cancer Research also focuses on being the most efficient cancer charity – spending the highest proportion of donations on charitable activities.

Liz Earle

In the first of a new series of info blogs from the VQ stores we turn to Jo from the Liz Earle Beauty Company to give us some all important tips to rejuvinate your skin after our long winter.

Jo

Spring Clean Your Skin

As the winter can leave skin looking dull and lacklustre, I embrace the build-up to spring with great enthusiasm and positivity. Just the thought of daffodil buds emerging in all their golden glory inspires me to clear out my clutter and spring clean my skin.
Once a week I indulge in ‘Skin Sunday’, when I book a 30 minute session in my bathroom to prepare for the busy week ahead.  My husband knows that when I close the bathroom door and the scent of Orange Flower Body Wash starts to waft throughout our home that I am not to be disturbed!
To start my relaxation, I light a Vital Oils Candle, plug in my iPod and strategically place a stand-up mirror on the edge of the bath. Then I blissfully lower my aching body into a warm bath and I’m ready to say ‘hello’ to some faithful skincare friends.  As I reach for Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Gentle Face Exfoliator and Deep Cleansing Mask (with Spot-On always on standby for any skin emergencies) the time has come to reward my skin with a mini facial.
So I urge you to start your very own Skin Sunday once a week, or any day of the week for that matter, and if you’re home alone, even better.  It’s time to liberate your skin!

Skin Sunday tool kit
To treat yourself, you will need to prepare the following…

A warm bath:
Light your candle (be sure to position it safely) and place a splash of body wash under the running tap. Using this in the bath, as well as washing with it, provides extra comfort and hydration.  If you have a shower instead, follow steps 2 and 3 and then relax with your mask on for 10 minutes.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare:

• Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and pure muslin cloths
• Gentle Face Exfoliator
• Deep Cleansing Mask (or Intensive Nourishing Mask depending on your skin type)
• Spot-On and a mirror

Close the bathroom door (or turn off your phone if you’re home alone):
serenity is key for a clear and calm mind, which has positive effects on your skin.

Music:
play some gentle, calming music, or relax in silence if you prefer.

Step 1: Cleanse
Due to our body systems slowing down in the winter months, excess dead cells can be more visible, causing a dull, grey appearance.  After using Cleanse & Polish, eliminate unwanted cells by gently massaging one pump of Gentle Face Exfoliator over face and neck for one to two minutes (or until the scrub has started to gather together on your skin).  The divine cocoa butter and beeswax soften skin, as the fine jojoba beads (like gentle pearls) exfoliate and brighten.  This also prepares a clean canvas for your treatment masks.
Beauty therapist tip: If your skin is sensitive, you can add one pump of Cleanse & Polish to Gentle Face Exfoliator to make the formulation more creamy and comforting.  To remove, either rinse off or use a damp muslin cloth.

Step 2: Purify
Immediately after exfoliation, apply Deep Cleansing Mask over face and neck and leave for up to 10 minutes (see my guide to skin types below). If you have any excess oil or breakouts, the purifying green clay will reduce impurities, while soothing manuka honey and protective propolis spring clean and balance.
This clever gentle mask soothes as it deeply cleanses so it is suitable for all skin types.
I would recommend the following applications, based on your skin type: 
Oily Skin: Use two to three times a week for 10 minutes
Normal/Combination: Use twice a week for five minutes
Dry/Mature: Use once a week for five minutes if skin is congested
Sensitive: Use once a week and mix with Intensive Nourishing Mask to provide comfort for two to five minutes
Beauty therapist tip: To remove your mask, massage or spritz a generous amount of Instant Boost Skin Tonic over face and neck. This will soften the mask and allow easier removal, while toning your skin – and will instantly calm and give radiance.

Step 3: BalanceTo finally banish any skin nasties apply Spot-On before your moisturiser.  This handy applicator comes as a roller-ball, so you can effortlessly glide over spots without irritating skin. Naturally active ingredients get to work on your skin with antiseptic tea tree, soothing melissa and calming lavender.  Keep this in your handbag, so you can apply it once or twice a day.
Beauty therapist tip: If you have sore or split cuticles, apply Spot-On around your nail bed to prevent infections.
I do hope you enjoy my tips, and please let me know how you get on.  Here’s to wonderful skin with a spring in its step!