BODY BEAUTIFUL

Fancy bagging yourself a beautiful body package worth more than £100?  We've teamed up with Dermalogica to give one lucky reader a host of Body Therapy products, simply by answering a simple question.

 Skin health is important for your entire body - which is why Dermalogica Body Therapy products are designed with the same philosophy that looking good is a product of skin health from head to toe.

The Dermalogica Body Therapy system helps you create aromatherapeutic, completely customized and healthy spa experiences at home in between salon visits.

PRIZE TIME

For you chance to win the following:

Conditioning Body Wash * Body Hydrating Cream * Exfoliating Body Scrub * Stress Relief Treatment Oil * and an Ultimate Buffing Cloth to smooth rough skin in even the most hard-to-reach areas

QUESTION  What is Dermalogica's skin analysis technique which divides the face into 14 zone?

 A: Face Scrapping

B: Face Mapping

C: Face Zapping

Email your us your answer in the SUBJECT line -- and include your contact details in the main body of the text HERE.  Competition closes 31 October 2008.

GOOD LUCK!

WONDERFUL,

WACKY AND

WEIRD BEAUTY

DEVICES

A medieval torture instrument perhaps? The prototype for Hellraiser's Pinhead even?

No, in fact it's Max Factor's micrometer -- a device for make-up artists which 'discloses which facial features should be reduced or enhanced in the make-up process'.

Straight out of Hollywood, it was to eliminate the 'glaring distortions' of flaws 'almost invisible to the ordinary eye', when magnified on the silver screen.

See more wonderful, wacky and down-right weird beauty offerings HERE.

I really don't know what's she's got to smile  about -- maybe it's doing something to her brain! 

Maybe we should launch a caption competition?

WINNING CELEBRATION

For the first time in, well, I can't remember, I wasn't able to attend The British Beauty & Spa Awards.  

The highlight of my -- and many of your -- beauty calendars, I was otherwise engaged (not literally, I hasten to add) sampling the delights of a beautiful spa resort in Malaysia.

I couldn't wait to find out how the evening went and who the winners were, along with checking out the photographs taken on the night when I got back to the office.

Congratulations to everyone that was shortlisted, and an extra 'well done' to those that went home with trophies. 

Were you there or want to know who was?  Click on this link to see everyone in their glory.

Share your best wishes to all those that took part in the awards or let everyone know what you thought of the evening (-- or just of the photographs!!!) by leaving your comments below.  I'd love to hear from you all.

Be sure to check-out the full stories -- the British Beauty & Spa award winners and CHI The Spa at the Rasa Sayang -- in the November issue of Health and Beauty Salon.

Heading up a team of three therapists, Cardiff-based ReBalance spa manager Jo Pucknell has been nurturing the business since its soft launch in May this year. The treatment list features a cache of signature treatments from Ren and Spa Find indulgences, as well as hydrotherapy treatments

By establishing ourselves from the outset as a real sanctuary and a 'friend' to the people of Cardiff, we have been able to care for the business in a way that will hopefully ensure longitudinal fruition.

We have strongly affiliated ReBalance with the same principles we were founded upon - integrity, heart, and tenacity - and therefore hope we can offer our clients the devoted care they expect - and then some more! 

We wanted to offer innovative, directional treatments that were 'firsts' for Wales, but by combining these with a gentler approach and using prestigious brand treatments and our own niche treats, we strive for a unique offering.

With a soft launch, we have been able to hone and refine our roots and blossom outwards - even eschewing pure advertising or gimmicky offers as we felt it was more important to let Cardiff get to know us through what we do and via editorial coverage.

Marketing and promotions have been kept fairly discreet to allow a local awareness to develop first and foremost, although we did produce some strikingly designed pamphlets that really captured people's attention. They are also being taken up by local businesses as a way of keeping everyone in the loop, which is fantastic for mutual development.

Although the interior design - along with some of the seemingly revolutionary treatments at ReBalance - are unique and distinctive to the area, some of our clients were perhaps a little taken aback. In particular, the hydro-dermabrasion facial we recently launched elicited some surprise. But we have been able to persuade clients to try it by encouraging them to see it as part of a 'total concept' for the spa.

We want them to know we are not only skilled in the conventional treatment areas, but offer that 'something special' that ultimately distinguishes us.
With this philosophy, a near artisanal approach to treatments and therapies, we have 'balanced' our spa metaphorically.

Fundamentally, it is about special treatments, for special people - and our clients will always be special to us. We promise.

Ratan Daryani, CEO of Flint Edge, a natural-based head-to-toe grooming range for men, is a well-known figure in the cosmetics industry with a background as a senior executive at the Body Shop and co-founder of Virgin Cosmetics

How did you get into the beauty industry?

Like most things in life, by chance. It all started with the Body Shop in 1989 where I spent seven years in a senior executive role.

What is your greatest business achievement?

Some colleagues and I presented a business plan to Sir Richard Branson in 1996. We pitched our idea of  Virgin Cosmetics to him and he went for it! It was the Virgin Group's first foray into the health and beauty market and Virgin Vie - as it is now known - has resulted in the Virgin Group becoming a leading player in the market.

What has been the most satisfying/rewarding moment in your career?

I would have to say there have been two incredibly rewarding moments in my life. One was the first sale of the Flint Edge products, and the second was the repeat sale from that customer - which it is what it's all about!

What is the best business/career advice you have ever been given?

My very first boss told me even when things aren't looking good to always keep going and never give up. It's simple advice but I really do live by it.

Three things you couldn't do your job without?

I would have to say great people like my marketing and design team, a sense of humour, and, of course, my Blackberry!

Best/worst bits of your job?

The best bits are without doubt when people write in and tell me how much they like the products. I suppose the worst is I have so many ideas about new products swimming around in my head but just don't have the time or the finance to get there quick enough.

Future business ambitions?

My ambition for Flint Edge is for it to be available in all UK salons and for it to become the number one men's salon brand.

Imagine you are at the start of your career - what would you change?

I would definitely get a few more hours' sleep. And I would try to clone myself - maybe that way I could get more done!

Would you do it all again?

Without doubt. I have no regrets and I'm enjoying every step of this journey.