Beauty therapy

May 13 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

IT’S congratulations all round for the Dead Sea Spa Magik brand which recently won a best new product accolade at the Natural & Organic Products Europe trade event.

The range uses certified organic ingredients, is paraben-free and is skin friendly for even the most sensitive. We like the sound of the Algimud Active Seaweed mask, £4.25, a concentration of more than 21 hydrating deep sea minerals and a special seaweed with anti-ageing properties. From Debenhams, John Lewis and Holland & Barrett.

:: THE idea of rice-based skincare sounds nice and natural; in the hands of L’Occitane the idea has developed into a sophisticated range using upmarket red Camargue rice.

Five new products – a foaming cleaner, an exfoliating powder, a purifying toner and an ultra- matte face fluid – restore the skin’s purity and balance and mattifying papers eliminate any trace of shine. In this ultra-matte face fluid, £20, rice extract with zinc helps to rebalance, rice vinegar is an astringent and the rice in powder form mattifies. From John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams.

:: WE’RE often persuaded to have a ritual intensive treatment at the hair salon – a couple of weeks later and you want another one!

If yours is a Kérastase salon bring home a Take Home Weekend Ritual of Forceintense and Forcexterne, £24, next time. It reinforces the internal structure of the hair shaft and externally softens and protects, and is a good in-between appointments treat. Our tester with very fine hair tried the three-days-in-a-row treatment for a super-intense hair strengthening injection, and said: "My hair is less flyaway with no static whatsoever; it feels as if it’s got body."

:: HEARD of Micro-Lattice Technology by Elemis? It’s the scientific equivalent of a mesh body stocking to provide micro- tension over the rather depressing crepe-like backs of our hands and it’s one of the ingredients within this new Pro Collagen Hand and Nail Cream by Elemis £29.

It also targets age spots, redness and soreness, flaky nails and cuticles and overall dryness and has added bearberry for its blanching quality. Available at Elemis spa salons from £30.

:: LIMITED edition Eternity by Calvin Klein Summer fragrances for men and women have just arrived in store at Boots and Debenhams at £29.50.

For women it’s an eau de parfum with fresh top notes of wet bamboo leaf, crushed basil and mandarin, a floral heart with Lily of the Valley, and ginger root and musk at the base. For men it’s an eau de toilette with Blue Rush Accord, kumquat and mimosa at the top, vintage lavender at the heart and cardamom, patchouli and amber resin at the base.