We go out of our way to consume essential minerals and vitamins found in natural plants, food and extracts because we know they are the foundation of good health and help to sustain our bodies. We purchase organic food because we don’t want to be exposed to harmful pesticides and chemicals.

Yet, many of us continue to cover our skin with beauty products full of pesticides, chemicals, artificial colours and fragrances.

geoskincare products are made from pure extracts, organic oils and unique minerals found only in New Zealand’s geothermal regions, they are full of organic ingredients derived from natural products such as avocado, cocoa butter, carrot, chamomile, kowhai, cucumber, juniperberry, lime, grapeseed and macadamia.

The unique ingredient in geoskincare products is geothermal silica, sourced exclusively in New Zealand. Silica is the building block of cell growth, used by virtually every cell in the body. Often referred to as ‘the beauty mineral’, it helps keep the skin hydrated and hair and nails looking healthy and strong.

My picks from the range are the Daily Cleansing Milk, RRP $39.90 and the Hydra Gel, RRP $42.00. The Daily Cleansing Milk is a silky cleansing lotion which delicately removes pollutantsand impurities. It contains geothermal silica, organic olive oil and calendula help to leave the skin clean, comfortable and radiant. Recommended for oily, combination or sensitive skin. The Hydra Gel is a triple action hydrating gel, enriched with organic aloe vera, which infuses and restores the skin. Organic oils and extracts provide antioxidants to help reduce the signs of ageing and leaves skin feeling firm.

Best of all, geoskincare products are certified organic through AssureQuality, ensuring you are using only the finest products on your skin and body.

Now available at selected pharmacies nationwide.

Spring is finally here but with the change of season comes the effects on your skin. Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin, and thus they are often the first to present signs of dryness.

Quench dry, chapped lips with Oxygen Skincare’s new range of delicious natural lip balms. These candy-coloured treats gently heal, nurture and hydrate lips with pure essential plant oils, and leave your lips feeling soft and sweet with long-lasting protection.

Since everything you put on your lips eventually goes into your body, Oxygen Lip Balms have been created using only safe and natural ingredients, including Castor Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Natural Beeswax, Deodorised Lanolin, Manuka Honey and Mica Powder and they come in four delicious flavours: Strawberry, Honey, Chocolate and Mandarin.

Most cleansers are TOO harsh, stripping away far too much of the skin’s natural oils; some don’t quite do the job and end up leaving pores clogged creating blackheads and acne. Some might leave the skin feeling soft and creamy but are actually leaving an added layer of moisturising ingredients - eventually skin will look dull.

It’s rare to find a cleanser that serves all needs well and when you do - it’s like finding that perfect pair of jeans, you never look back.

Which is why I’m loving Faceworks new Gentle Cleanser, $28. It contains Sweet Almond Oil, isopropyl myristate and glyceryl stearate. It cleans effectively and leaves skin feeling neither greasy nor parched. It has been formulated with the help of Cosmetic Appearance Doctor, Teresa Cattin and can be bought off her website www.faceworks.co.nz

Tamsin xo

First up is the new scent by the house of Donna Karan. DKNY Women Summer 2010 opens with such notes as magnolia leaves, mandarin, pink guava nectar, mango buds and freesia. A heart blossoms with frangipani, lily of the valley, jasmine and orange blossom. Base notes leave a trail of sandalwood, cedar and blond wood.

Here’s what you thought…

Amber – “It’s young, fun and pretty. I love it.”

Billie –” I really like this, it smells fresh and summery, I would wear it daily”.

Eve – “This is a bit too flowery for me. I don’t think I would  wear it.”

The new colour palette goes hand in hand with the current utilitarian, military trend and would look fab with a pair of skinny cargos.

Now…how to get my hands on them.

Lucy Sparks

The Rebel Sweetheart, Lucy Sparks, demonstrates why the Remington Pearl is fast becoming the hair straightener of choice.

So why did I think it was a good idea to cut my daughter’s fringe?

Perhaps because of the countless tales that all parents tell about cutting their children’s hair; the pudding bowl jokes aside, it seems that most parents DO cut their kids hair. Which is a terrifying thought, really.

Let’s be clear though - she doesn’t have much hair at all. At this early stage of her life it’s rather fine and wispy and pretty much only sprouted after her first birthday. She no longer looks ‘bald’. Or like a boy. But she had this fringe, the remnants of her mohawk, and it dangled in her eyes.

‘You should really cut her fringe,’ my mother said on countless occasions. ‘It’s getting in her eyes, she can’t see… she’ll get bad vision’. My mother has a way with words.

So after weeks of this, I gave in. I grabbed the kitchen scissors and pondered my best time. She was in her high chair eating crackers watching the Wiggles. She was very content, happy even. Kind of still. Almost very still. I grabbed her beautiful fringe, the one that I would try to clip to the side (she’d always wrench them out), and I lifted it up and gave it a good snip. She moved. Right at that moment. The cut was crooked. Very. So I had to lift it again. This time I thought I’d do it up high like I’d seen hairdressers do. I snipped again. It looked dreadful. Worse than dreadful. It was horrific. It is far too short. And blunt. Oh f***, I said. I then tried to ‘thin it out’. It helped. A little.

My daughter has a mullet. A short, blunt fringe. I hope it grows back fast. My only consolation is that she is far too young to hate me for this. As long as we don’t take too many photos right now, she’ll never know.

I will never cut her hair again.

Tamsin xo

The fresh burst you get initially comes from Italian Mandarin, Orange Blossom and Peach Nectar. This settles into the floral scents from Petalia (the main note) White Peony and Iris. Base notes include Fluffy Musk, Jacaranda Wood and Creamy Amber.

It is. . . Pretty. Inspired by the old fashioned fragrance bottles that would be kept as ornaments, this bottle fits in your hand yet is special enough to be on display.

I have a bottle to give away - it’s the 200ml eau de cologne splash/flacon, $180. Simply tell me three things that make you feel pretty and why. . . we’ll choose the best answer.

Write your response as a comment below. Competition closes Saturday September 25th.

To start you off, here are mine.

I feel pretty when I’ve been to the hairdresser - not only do they work wonders with my hair but the time spent sitting still being pampered is a luxury. I also feel pretty when my husband compliments me, it could be the smallest comment about my outfit or makeup, or he might have really noticed the effort I’ve gone to. Most of all, I feel pretty when I’m happy, when the sun is shining, when I’m with good friends having a laugh… there’s nothing prettier than seeing a woman laughing.

Tamsin xo

Paul and Helen’s relationship began in 1997 when he was asked to give her a modern cut in the lead-up to her first term as Prime Minister. He took care of her hair until she moved to New York to take up her post at the UN - yet he gave her strict instructions to advise her new stylist to, ‘keep structure around the edges and go loose around the inside’ - telling her that her hairdresser would understand what this meant.

Helen recounted this story at the unveiling of the new Servilles Academy and Head Office at 131 Queen St, occupying both the fourth and seventh floors with spaces including a full commercial salon space, dedicated e-learning area, training room and theatre where seminars and events will be hosted to local and international guest stylists.

It’s a beautiful space in the heart of the city - students are in the hub of the CBD and retail district, keeping them immersed in Auckland city culture.

The opening coincides with Servilles recent win (Education Organisation of the Year) at the 2010 Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards in Australia in June. Paul also received an inductee to the Hair Expo Australia Hall of Fame.

There are six Servilles salons around Auckland, Servilles Barber shops and the renowned Servilles Academy of Hairdressing and soon to be launched Servilles Salon Consulting (first stop China). For a guy that barely finished school and in his first year of working earned $500 - Paul Serville has certainly carved out a successful business model.

Helen spoke of her admiration for Paul’s work, especially with training young people.

The Servilles Academy was established in 1993 and is a privately owned, government funded training facility boasting a 80% success rate at job placements. They’re up to intake 100-something (and had over 1800 students) but the very first class included famed makeup artist Aaron de Mey, who is currently global makeup director for French company Lancome.

Not only do New Zealand students fare well overseas, but Servilles is also a destination training centre for international students from Australia, Russia, Singapore, United Kingdom, China, Thailand and India.

It’s this two-pronged business approach that has fared Servilles well, even in times of economic hardship. In fact, despite times of hardship - last year the academy reached enrolment capacity. Times have certainly changed since Paul started his career, a time when he says only those who weren’t smart considered dropping out of school to take up hairdressing. I wonder what his classmates think of him now!

Tamsin xo

Smashbox Cosmetics are developed using inspiration from their own creative compound Smashbox Studios in L.A where the world’s top makeup artists, photographers, celebrities, and models meet to shape and develop future trends.

This opportunity is a rare chance to work with the best of the best artists, designers and models, with exposure to some of the biggest industry heavyweights in the country.

Good luck!

*All entrants must be at least 16 years of age and available in Auckland between the 20–26th of September to take part in NZ Fashion Week with the Smashbox team.