Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment (£39) is made from a nut oil called Ojon. Harvested by a tribal people called the Tawapie in Honduras and used as a remedy for over 500 years, this range promises to tackle any problem. The results? Outstanding!

I melted the oil in my hands and massaged into my scalp and through to the ends of my hair and left the treatment to work its magic over night. The following morning I washed it out using an Ojon hydrating thickening shampoo and conditioner. It was left stunned as my hair was glossy, smooth and perfectly hydrated without a hint of oiliness.

My prescribed ‘ritual’ was to continue using my thickening products and I haven’t looked back since. I suffer from flat, thin hair and the results are remarkable. My hair is fuller and healthier than ever.

There are rituals for most hair concerns from coloured to dry which all contain the Ojon oil including styling aids, my favourites being the Animated Styling Cream and Glossing mist.

Forget you Frederic Fekkai and Philip Kinglsey! Ojon is the way forward and the tribal people of Honduras are well looked after for sharing their secret.

There is only one more thing to say…. Go out and try it!

Available from QVC and selected John Lewis stores. For more information go to www.ojon.com

Redness? Congestion? Dull skin? Excess oil? These go hand in hand with our hectic 24-7 lives. Enter Skyn Iceland facial products, my new bathroom buddies which help to counteract the effects of stress on the skin and, thankfully, all the above.

The Glacial Face Wash is formulated with Icelandic glacial water which help to purify and restore the skins balance. With added Icelandic Kelp to fight inflammation, Oat to gently cleanse, White Willow Bark to banish congestion and Cylindrica seed oil giving a dose of anti-oxidant to repair skin’s lipid barrier and fight free radicals, we have here a powerful tonic against a stressed looking complexion.

My skin was left squeaky clean, comfortable and soothed after the first foamy wash. A few days later my skin felt and looked calmer with the excess oil down my T-zone more regulated. I have safely popped my Eve Lom cleanser in the draw and look forward to trying Skyn’s other array of fabulous products.

From $30 in the US with Amazon.com here and £23 in the UK. For more information and stockists go to www.skyniceland.com

No winter bathroom shelf is complete without Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream. Created in 1930 this balm is still one of the worlds best selling products. Formulated with Petrolatum, Salicylic Acid and Vitamin E skin is instantly soothed, hydrated and protected. Moisture is sealed in and this product is great for any area on the face and body which is what gives this balm cult status. Available in the original skin protectant, which is my favorite, and now for lips, hands, body and daily moisturizer with SPF 15.

As the world has gone everything 80’s for Autumn/Winter pick up your 80’s inspired limited edition Eight Hour Cream at your local Elizabeth Arden counter. Prices from $17 in the US and £20 in the UK. For more information go to www.elizabetharden.com.

I can’t stop raving about this next product! NIA 24 Intensive Recovery Complex is my new best friend and banishes dryness immediately on application and actually lasts for hours. It’s action packed hydrating ingredients include Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide 3 and a Barley and Tomato complex with helps to retain water. Throw in the brighteners, anti-oxidants and the all important Pro-Niacin (anti sun damage) skin is firm, hydrated and radiant. Not a winter complexion to be seen. Use daily or like me, as a wintry instant fix. For more information go to www.nia24.com. Prices from $110 in the US and £88.09 in the UK, available from Space NK.

First on the application list was the Lightening Serum. This light and refreshing serum sank in easily and left my skin smooth and bright. The ingredients are not only brightening but also added a boost of anti-oxidants to help protect.

The second step was to smooth over the r3p cream. Formulated with three Peptides to mend deeper lines, White Tea, Vitamins A and C, Shea Butter and Argireline this is a potent moisturizer to combat environmental damage. My skin was left hydrated and smooth.

I finished off with r3p eye which within a matter of weeks helped to smooth out the fine lines that the sun had left around my eye area. My skin was left ultra moisturized and not only did it smooth the lines but also lightened dark circles and de puffed. I am not just recommending this eye cream if you have over done the sun but as a powerful age fighting hero.

After using the range for two months my skin was luminous, smooth and almost lineless! People commented on how smooth and healthy I looked. I highly recommend the Flaws No More Range for post summer skin and as a system to combat lines and wrinkles, a great regime for all year round!

For more information go to www.drbrandtskincare.com. Prices from $80 to $125 in the US and £65 to £103 in the UK. Available from Space NK and selected branches of John Lewis.

Their new GinZing refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff does exactly that – instantly! Described as a shot of expresso for the eyes, it manages to not only brighten dark circles with a mineral complex but also deeply hydrates, cools and energizes. The SHINE team have been using this eye cream every day and every single one of us said the same thing – I love it!

The ingredients of Caffeine, Panax Ginseng. Magnolia Extract and natural optic brighteners pack a powerful punch against tired looking eyes. Shea Butter hydrates and extracts of orange and mint help smooth the skin and provide anti-oxidant benefits.

There is only one more thing to say – Go out and buy one!

Available from www.origins.com $29.50 in the US or £20 in the UK.

Water. Okay, so this one is not a food but it’s extremely important for the functions of the body and skin. Water makes up about 50 to 60% of your body weight and remarkably your brain is 85% water! Not only does keeping your levels topped up help keep your skin hydrated and young but also improves concentration levels.

It’s all well and good using your moisturizer on a daily basis but all cellular hydration comes from the water we drink. Drinking at least 2 litres a day will help to minimize lines, hydrate your skin, flush out toxins and reduce puffiness.

Avoid flavored water as these contain vast amounts of sugar and opt for room temperature as this aids absorption. Sticking to this daily routine will also aid digestion, boost energy levels and maintain muscle tone. Adding raw fruits and vegetables to your diet is also a good way to hydrate your body.

Salmon. There are quiet a few magic ingredients in salmon. The first is DMAE, an anti-oxidant that helps to tighten muscles under the skin which will help to smooth and keep the complexion firm. It also helps to protect cells from free radical damage and helps to build strong cell membranes.

Omega 3 is an important fatty acid for many function including giving you a mental boost along with moisturizing the skin from within. Research suggests that the western diet is deficient in Omega 3. Dr Perricone, a leading dermatologist, recommends wild alaskan salmon as it contain higher concentrations to farmed salmon.

Salmon also contain copper which helps to boost your skins own protection from the sun and Zinc which stimulates collagen production helping to smooth lines and wrinkles. Zinc is also a great boost for hair by strengthening the roots and promoting natural oil production.

Blueberries. These are a true power food as they contain more anti-oxidants than any other fruit. The dark color of blueberries is called anthocyanins an anti-oxidant which is anti-inflammatory and helps to strengthen blood vessel walls to prevent broken capillaries.

They are full of vitamins E and C, potassium, calcium and folic acid. Also included are high amounts of resveratrol an extremely powerful anti-oxidant which fends of free radicals and great for the heart. Add these to your shopping list!!!

Pomegranates. Drinking pomegranate juice packs more anti-oxidants in than either red wine or green tea. They contain ellagic acid which helps to boost your protection from the sun. Full of Vitamin C to help fight off free radicals and potassium for to help regulate blood pressure, the perfect destresser for hectic lifestyles. Celebrities go mad for this fruit, try sprinkling the seeds in salads or just as a snack. Most supermarkets carry the pure juice and now just the seeds saving you the time and mess of de-seeding them yourself.

Broccoli. We all know that we should be eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables, make sure you add broccoli to the menu. Broccoli contains sulphoraphane, an anti-oxidant which helps to detoxify and eliminate free radicals. The trick is to combine this vegetable with other other foods such as tuna, onions and garlic as these contain selenium which increases the potency of the anti-oxidant by 13 times! A truly powerful age fighter.

Broccoli also contains protein which is essential for keeping cells healthy and fibre which will help to detox the digestive system and liver paving the way for clear, healthy skin.

There is more vitamin C in broccoli than oranges along with beta carotene which is great for clear and spot free skin.

Try eating the leaves as well as the florets as these have high levels of carotenoids which help to protect from aging illnesses by boosting the immune system. Steaming is the best way to cook broccoli as it helps to keep the nutrients.

References taken from 10 Years Younger Nutrition Bible by Nicky Hambleton-Jones. Available from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.

With technology today skin care companies have come up with at home treatments that deliver these benefits in the sanctuary of your own bathroom and at a fraction of the cost with no side effects. SHINE has tried and tested the best microdermabrasion products to guide you through the array of products on the market, here are our top three.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion. The SHINE Magazine winner. An amazing exfoliating face cream formulated with pharmaceutical-grade crystals, lactic acid and soothing botanicals. After one application skin was left feeling smooth and radiant. Having used this for three weeks pores and fine lines were diminished for a clearer more youthful appearance. No redness, no dryness and easy to use. A bathroom must have! Available from Sephora $75 and Space NK £66.66. For more information go to www.drbrandtskincare.com.

Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System. The SHINE Magazine best economical buy. Delightfully easy to use with a dial up dispenser which increases the strength of the treatment over a four week period to ensure gentle but effective results. Skin was left smooth, refined and glowing while pigmentation and fine lines were diminished. Available from Avon $28 or £17. For more information go to www.avon.com.

Origins Modern Friction. A more gentle and natural approach to microdermabrasion. Formulated with rice and lemon balm to help refine the skin. This product was a little tricky to use as it needed to be massaged dry first then wet. The idea is that the rice creates a stickiness that removes the dead skin rather than crystals and it took a while to wash it off. The results were however good. Skin was brighter and refined with no redness or dryness. A good product at a good price. From Origins counters $36 or £28. For more information go to www.origins.com.

When a SHINE contributor writes an article they prefer to write from experience, whether that be trying the newest skin cream, viewing the latest exhibition or seeing the collections. We feel that’s the best way to report and the best way to give you the information you want. So far so good?

I really don’t like dropping names, but in a matter of 3 short emails the wretched little PR girl at Manolo Blahnik managed to give me a sour taste in my mouth. All I asked for was to be added to their media relations list so we could report on their new collections. One email consisted of five simple words that had such tone that I decided to never think of that company again, regardless of how fabulous their shoes are. Manners cost nothing. Jimmy Choo on the other hand, fabulous shoes and fabulous people – please rush out and buy!

So the fashion world is hard to crack, but I am not designing clothes, I am writing articles on how chic and gorgeous these brands are. Why the lack of responses and rude rebuffs? I guess SHINE is a little unknown online magazine that doesn’t deserve the time of day, but to our readers we are the new form of media that is killing the glossy magazines. Online media is one of the fastest growing forms of communication. National newspapers and magazines are all investing heavily in the online form of media and just last week Rupert Murdoch’s media company was considering charging for the news on their websites in order to stave off the downturn in readership and revenue.

I do like to report that the cosmetics industry have been marvelous in helping us to bring you the best skin care articles. The response even took me off guard as these companies helped with what I asked for and more. The names of these companies can be found in the articles in the where to buy, but I want to say a special thank you to Space NK for being so helpful and pleasant to work with. Is it just me or do most people like good customer service when they go shopping? I think the same goes for the offices of those companies.

SHINE Magazine is still evolving, after all, it is still in its infancy. The response has been amazing from readers and we are getting more and more popular. We hope you like what you see taking shape. The team will continue to strive to bring you the best of the best, regardless of the obstacles that we face in this challenging environment.

People were fascinating by this ugliness and celebrated it by parading it public and buying more. The company once to explore this massive phenomenon run an advertisement in Vanity Fair with a tagline: “Ugly can be beautiful.” Unfortunately – ugly can’t be beautiful and profitable. Last year Crocs has reported loss of $185.1 million and shredded 2,000 jobs. So what made the company a victim of its own success?

Firstly, Crocs seems to have forgotten about building their products with planned obsolescence. The thing is that the new Canadian technology that they were using to make lightweight, bacteria resistant foam made the footwear virtually indestructible. So there was almost never a time when you would need to replace your crocs. Unless you wanted a different color, but you could paint them anyway!

Combine that with the worldwide recession, falling demand and Crocs going out of fashion and you get a commercial disaster. But is it the end for the famous ugliness?

We certainly think it’s not. The new CEO, John Duerden seems to have a plan in place. Back to the basics and its core market of chefs, nurses and those who bought the shoes in the early days are high in the agenda. We are sure to be seeing these around for years to come, just not at the same wide scale as before. The Croc(s) needs to go on a diet and slim down.

VIVA GLAM Fergie!

Here at SHINE we always keep our eye out for people and companies that go the extra mile in helping the communities in which they operate. We have seen H&M contribute to the fight against AIDS (take a look on our article here) and now we take a look at M.A.C Cosmetics and their VIVA GLAM range.

The M.A.C AIDS Fund was established in 1994 by M.A.C Cosmetics. The fund is designed to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The fund is fronted by their VIVA GLAM range of lipsticks and lipglass. Launched in the same year the first lipstick was an outspoken deep red. M.A.C Cosmetics decided that every cent from the VIVA GLAM range goes to the Fund. There are now 6 shades to date and 2 lipglass shades sold worldwide.

This truly remarkable range has contributed over $100 million dollars (US) to the fund. The M.A.C AIDS Fund is the heart and soul of the company and employees.

The spokespeople of the M.A.C AIDS Fund include Fergie, Dita Von Teese and Hip Hop icon Eve.

The M.A.C AIDS Fund and its glamorous spokesperson Fergie have recently dedicated more than £300,000 to fight the stigma and shame associated with HIV and AIDS in the United Kingdom, where the diagnoses of the disease have nearly tripled over the past 10 years.

Whether for a gift or for yourself go VIVA GLAM at M.A.C counters nationwide.

Learn more at http://www.macaidsfund.org.