Want to know what is happening in the world of beauty globally?

Then check out market analyst Mintel's online Beauty Innovation service, which focuses on analysis of new product launches in the beauty and personal care industry.

It covers niche, prestige, masstige (premium brands without preminum pricing) and mass-market products in more than 50 countries, and gives a complete picture of the global beauty market.

The latest finding show that no less than a mind-boggling 57,000 new products were launched in 2008 - which equates to 156 a day, and considerably more than is used in even the most elaborate beauty regime.

The key trend has been a shift towards a more honest approach to personal care, states the report. There is a real backlash against the insincere celebrity culture, along with a desire to return to something more meaningful and pure. Proof of the pudding is that organic, ethical and all natural products accounted for 15% - or, to put it another way, one in every seven beauty product launches in 2008, up from just one in 10 in 2007.

That said, the trend has gone one step further.

According to Beauty Innovation head consultant, Nica Lewis, "Beauty products increasingly play on ancient, authentic remedies taken from traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. These ingredients are now even being used in areas that were once solely associated with science - such as anti-ageing, whitening and sun protection.

"This, combined with the fact that people are now much more aware of the social, environmental and economic impact of the products they buy, has been a key driver in new product development in 2008," she adds.   

CLICK TO WIN

Move over facialcare: in 2008, bodycare came into its own. 

According to a report by market analyst, Mintel, consumer demand for bodycare products has soared, and are forecast to grow 41% over the next five years to more than £400m, up from £300m in 2006. 

So, to go with the trend and keep your body smooth and moisturised, click here for a chance to win Guinot's superb, four-strong collection of bodycare products - worth more than £100.

   **Guinot Mousse de Coton (a rich, moisturising shower cream) is designed to awaken your senses in the morning, being fragranced with a blend of grapefruit, tangerine, green tea and cherry and freesia. Ingredients include cotton oil (strengthens and protects) and sacred lotus milk (soothes and calms).  

**Guinot Gommage Facile (a smoothing body scrub) is the ultimate smoothie for your body. The two-in-one product contains loofah extracts and is mild enough to be used as a daily cleanser, being formulated with extracts of coconut, corn and sunflower, and fragranced with an invigorating citrus blend of lemon, tangerine, bergamot and orange.

**Guinot Hydrazone Corps is an intensive body lotion that regenerates, repairs and rehydrates dry and dehydrated skin - so is particularly apt for use in winter. It contains argan oil, which is known for its exceptional nourishing and regenerating properties, as well as Hydrocyte, a key complex that provides immediate and long-lasting moisturisation. 

**Guinot Tropic Tonic is an energising shower gel, bursting with tropical fruit and flower extracts. A blend of mango (abundant in vitamins and minerals, it replenishes skin), guava (high in vitamin C, it stimulates and softens), and passion fruit (renews) extracts cleanse and tone skin. Meanwhile, hibiscus flower extract, rich in AHAs, exfoliates and softens skin, while the invigorating fragrance of orange and grapefruit, awaken the senses.

To be in with a chance and make the collection yours, answer a simple QUESTION: 

WHAT IS ARGAN OIL KNOWN FOR?    

Click HERE to enter, stating Guinot on the subject line, and your answer in the main body of the text. 

 Competition closes 31 December 2008

                                                           GOOD LUCK!

SNAKES

ALIVE  

Ophidiophobes look away now!

Snake venom or its synthetic derivative may be hot news when it comes to skincare, but how about snake massage?

According to free London newspaper, Metro, unbelievable as it seems, it's the most in-demand, relaxing therapy at Ada Barak's spa in Talmei Elazar, northern Israel.  

The treatment consists of six non-venomous snakes massging the client's aching muscles and joints.

She uses California and Florida king snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes, with the size of the snakes depending on the type of massage: the larger ones are said to alleviate deeper muscle tensions, with the smaller ones creating a "fluttering effect". 

Cost of the massage? A mere £40.

According to Miss Barak, physical contact with the reptiles can be a relaxing experience. She was inspired by her belief that once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with snakes to be stress relieving, with one client describing the experience as "soothing, like a cold compress". 

Given it takes all sorts, but, somehow, we can't see it catching on here - or will it? 

* To see Time magazine's toe-curling video clip CLICK HERE

** PIC CREDIT: Design Pics Inc/Rex Features

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...

Continue reading "LEGAL: RENT REVIEWS" »

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!

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!

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

Continue reading "HABIA: FREE CONSORTIA BRIEFINGS " »

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

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... 

Continue reading "ESPA: TAKING ON THE WORLD" »