We all know a good night's sleep aids beauty, but now iVillage has discovered a product promising to remove wrinkles while you sleep.  Under its web-page "Stuff We Love" it highlights US company Cupron, manufacturer of towels, sheets, pillowcases and socks.  It has just created a 'super pillow' said to rejuvenate skin within the first four weeks of use.

The idea is that natural copper heals, and this pillowcase harnessed with that power, will prevent wrinkles and improve your skin's overall appearance while you sleep.  Talk about a beauty nap! 

DRINK ANYONE?

The Yunessan Spa near Tokyo takes the traditional practice of Japanese communal bathing a step further with bathers submerging their bodies in a choice of red wine, green tea, Japanese rice wine (sake), coffee and chocolate.  And while you can't drink the 'waters', the a-la-carte of bathing is said fabulous for health, the body and wellbeing -- so bottoms up!

FACIAL FEAST

Health and Beauty Salon has teamed up with Phytomer to offer one lucky reader a fabulous facial feast worth more than £100.

Putting the ocean in its lotions, Phytomer's facial collection leaves skin deeply cleansed, instantly smoothed and gives lasting hydration -- for a beautiful complexion.

PRIZE TIME

For your chance to win the following:      

• Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk
• Rosee Visage Toning  Cleansing Lotion
• Vegetal Exfoliant
• HydraContinue Instant Moisture Cream
• Seaweed Soap

QUESTION

What is the basis of the Phytomer Products?

a) botanical extracts

b) seaweed

c) aromatherapy

Email your answer in the SUBJECT LINE and include your contact details in the main body of the text HERE

The competition closes 30 November 2008.     

                                                                  GOOD LUCK!

Session nail technician Andrea Fulerton discovers that movie star Mischa Barton is a true professional

The model was 16 years old and had taken a day off school. I gave her her first manicure and painted her nails in a colour I mixed myself (using a drop of an old Leighton Denny black varnish combined with OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark) to make an extremely dark, dried ox blood-like shade. OPI's new France-inspired collection has a similar shade I'm Fondue of  You, while Yes I Can-Can is gorgeous for this winter too. Don't ya just dig those names?

BRIGHTON

BELLE

Brighton was the setting for the second SEBTA competition. Annette Hanford reports

The second SEBTA (Student Electrotherapy Beauty Therapist Award) competition was held at the prestigious Grand Hotel in Brighton, Sussex. The competition is open to all Level 3-and-above students, whatever their age, or college, and focuses on delivering the very best in facial electrotherapy treatments.

After the six student finalists had been under close scrutiny all morning, Carlton Professional MD Angela Barbagelata-Fabes said it was her turn to be nervous as she welcomed competitors, lecturers, judges and the press to the competition.

"It is wonderful to be here with you all to celebrate the best in electrotherapy," she said. "You are the best in the country and we want to thank you for entering. We want the best and there's no point in making something that's worth winning easy, so I congratulate you all, as you have excelled above many others and are already winners."

After thanking everyone who had worked so hard behind the scenes, including the judges (right) and the models for the day, Angela called her husband Charlie-Claude Barbagelata to the stage and awarded the prizes.

First place went to part-time City and Islington College student Olubukola 'Booki' Coker, who was presented with a hand-made trophy, £500 and a Carlton Ultraderm machine. Her winning lecturers, Michelle Zini and Saloua El-Khadiri, will share £250, while the college receives £1,000.

"I am truly elated and didn't think I could get any better than being a finalist," said Booki.  "I have been getting lots of practice until it became second nature, and now feel ready to go into the industry."

Second prize went to Kelly Marie Taylor from Warwickshire College, who was awarded £250 and a high-frequency galvanic machine, £150 for her lecturer, and £500 for the college to spend on Carlton equipment.

Third prize went to Emma Hobbs from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College who took away £150, a Carlton high-frequency machine, £100 for her lecturer and three wax starter kits for the college.

* Next year's competition will take place on 18 June. Call The Carlton Group on 01903 761 1000 or visit SEBTA for more information.

MAMA SAYS: "SEND YOUR BOOBS AND BUMS TO BOOTCAMP"

Following on from its sweet-smelling product line and indulgent salon treatments, Mama Mio has decided to get tough. The ladies behind the brand - Sian, Tanya and Kathy - are waging war on our boobs and butts and have enlisted fitness-guru-to-the-stars Efua Baker for their two-pronged approach to bodycare.

The Bootcamp in a Box series is dubbed a complete skincare and exercise system and is aimed at time-starved women who want targeted results - but without the hassle of the gym.

The three-minute daily exercise programmes - which don't require any equipment and only minimal space - are designed to get the underlying muscle tissue to stand up and pull its weight, whether you are working to prevent your chest or derrière from going south.

With two sets of exercises working towards a fit body, the hard-hitting products aim to deliver what the founders describe as fit skin in 30 days. Fit skin? This is skin that fits you like a glove, they say. It holds you in place and holds you up. It is touchable and strong enough to defy gravity, according to the company's own super mamas.

BOOTCAMP FOR BOOBS

Promising to perk up your profile, the boob-job in a box targets the pectoral muscles with slow, controlled movements, so not only will boobs be lifted, but appear fuller.

A combination of the 'fly' and the 'push me up' exercises works to tone and define upper arms, so they should help banish those bingo wings as well. Results are further enhanced with the facial-quality bodycare, including the stimulating Tummy Toner exfoliant, which also has a tightening and plumping effect, and the strengthening Boob Tube. 

 As well as being packed with antioxidant C0Q10 to  help cell regeneration and prevent the degradation of  collagen, it also protects against ageing sun damage.

BOOTCAMP FOR BUTTS

 Similarly, this 30-day bottom-and-thigh kit incorporates two targeted exercises - 'the butt raise' and 'the doggy' if you please - but features three products. 
Containing a blend of sweet almond oil, chamomile and vitamin E with micro-ground pumice, Body Buff softens and removes dead skin, as well as stimulating circulation and improving subsequent product efficacy. 

Tightening Tummy Toner is also featured as is Shrink-to-Fit - a stimulating cocktail designed to help fat cells shrink, as well as prohibit their formation.

RRP: £65 (bust kit) and £99 (bottom kit)

JEALOUS

GUY

Already making headway across the pond, Billy Jealousy has just hit the UK shores via City People.  Launched in 2004 in Texas, the line comprises a range of men's hair, face and shaving cosmeceutical products. Annette Hanford reports

Specifically aimed at hip young men, the products are formulated for male skin, which is around 20% thicker than that of women's.  The products are suitable for all skin types and rather than masking a skin concern, sare said to tackle it at source.  With quirky names and active ingredients, such as retinol and salicylic acid, the face range features: About Face Anti-Ageing Serum; Wipe Out Eye Cream; Bar None Face Wash; Sucker Punch Face Scrub; Combination Code Face Moisturiser; White Knight Facial Cleanser; Liquid Sand Exfoliating Cleanser; and Combat Lines Face Moisturiser SPF30.

Long-gone are the days when it was acceptable for guys to settle for soap for shaving.  The shave range helps banish stubble trouble with Lightning Bolt Electric Pre-Shave Solution, Hot Towel Pre-Shave Treatment, Hydroplane Shave Cream and Shaved Ice After-Shave Balm -- all created to calm heal and moisturise the skin.

There are also a body wash and five haircare products to complete the grooming regime, including a strengthening shampoo designed to help combat hair loss.

"More and more men are buying their own grooming products and this is not a retail opportunity that can be ignored," says Farha Musa of City People.

"Billy Jealousy has a wide appeal among men of all ages and looks great displayed on the shelf for impulse buys, as well as being easily explained by salon staff."

RRP: £18 shave cream, £19 shampoo, £32 travel kit.

Tel: 020 8579 9091

SELLING A MINORITY SHARE TO A DUBAI-BASED COMPANY HAS OPENED UP NEW MARKETS FOR ESPA.  ANNETTE HANFORD REPORTS

Following the recent sale of a 40% stake in Espa to Dubai-based Istithmar World Capital, you'd be forgiven for thinking Susan Harmsworth would be relinquishing some of her responsibilities as chief executive, and taking a step back from the spa product, treatment and design company she founded.

However, this could not be further from the truth, as she's now working harder than ever. The company's globalisation might mean there are more people employed, but Susan (left) - who is still very involved in spa design and product development - says they still continue to need leadership and teaching.

Until now, Susan regularly declined offers from companies wanting to buy or invest in her business. "Running at double-digit growth, we felt we could have run another couple of years without taking investment. However, we felt if we were to take outside investment, it would be because we wanted to get bigger and expand globally."

There is a huge boom in the spa sector, with many more players coming into the market, but many, she says, don't have the experience to succeed. "There is a lot of damage being done to the industry, huge mistakes with capital spend and white elephants being built.

SEE FAB PICS AND CONTINUE READING... 

The Beauty Center -- Carole Franck's new treatment for face and body -- combines non-invasive acupuncture and electrolipolysis to reduce cellulite, firm skin and provide anti-ageing results.

Adapted from the late French neurologist Dr Nogier's method of auricular acupuncture, the system stimulates different reflex zones throughout the body using seven different waveforms to detect, stimulate and rejuvenate, focusing on up to 20 acupuncture points at any given time.

Each treatment is tailored to the client, with the individual acupuncture points is located using a 'detector pen'.  For example, if you are prone to snacking throughout, stimulating certain acupuncture points is said to stop hunger pangs.

The treatment is also said to help the body drain toxins and disperse the build-up of waste, while firming and toning.

The electrolipolysis action 'digs up' fat cells by targeting specific problem areas, encouraging the body to drain toxins and increase circulation.  The result is said to help the body function effectively and aid loss.

Electrolipolysis is usually focused on the stomach and thighs, although it works on any area with stubborn fat.  Treatment -- for face and body -- incorporates the brand's well-established aromatherapy-based skincare and is painless with only a tingling feeling.

The client can control the frequency levels to suit their programme and comfort level.

PRICE: The Beauty Center costs £11,750 +VAT including training and a start-up kit of skincare and bodycare

RRP: treatments are from £60 for a body treatment (45-60 minutes), and from £75 for facial (80 minutes)

WEB LINK

FREE BRIEFINGS FOR DIPLOMA CONSORTIA: 6 NOVEMBER 2008

Habia is holding two free half day briefings in Doncaster for prospective consortia hoping to deliver the new Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies qualifications.

The briefings, taking place on 6 November 2008, at Habia Doncaster offices (10-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm) will provide information and guidance on the delivery of the Diploma for prospective consortia completing self-assessment through the 'gateway' process - the method through which consortia are selected - for application for teaching from September 2010. 

Prospective consortia looking to book a place on the briefings, or employers looking to get involved in the Diploma, should contact diploma@habia.org for more information.

READ ON FOR MORE INFO

THE LIE OF THE LAND

If you rent your salon it's likely your rent will be up for review at some point. But what options are open to tenants and what rights do you have? Philippa Aldrich reports

Your two biggest - and fixed - costs are staff and premises. To an extent, you can control staffing costs, but there may well be times when your landlord appears to act against you. Most commercial leases these days contain a mechanism for the rent to be reviewed at regular intervals, usually three or five years. But what should you do if hit with a request by a landlord for a significant rent increase?

WHAT TYPE OF RENT REVIEW HAVE I GOT? 

First, tenants should have a look at the lease to identify the type of rent review being invoked. Some leases include clauses that provide for set increases in rent. The lease might, for example, provide that the annual rent will increase after three years. It is unlikely in this case that the tenant will be able to oppose an increase in year three as he has effectively agreed to it in advance.
Alternatively, the lease may contain an 'escalation' type of rent review where an index, such as the retail price index, is used as a basis for calculating the rent rise. Again, provided the right index has been used and the maths is correct, there will be little opportunity for the tenant to object.

Other rents are linked to turn-over, whereby the landlord will take a set percentage of the income. It is worth checking the landlord's calculations.

READ ON FOR MORE ADVICE...