Brain Tumour Awareness

I was asked if I could post about this on my blog.  I think it's a very worthy subject and one that doesn't get much attention.  I thought it was worthwhile posting on my blog.  I hope you do too:)

Brain Tumour Survivor Bares All to Raise Awareness of Research Shortfall


Brave statement to raise awareness of Brain Tumour Research’s Wear a Hat Day (25th of March)







Brain tumour survivor, Nicole Witts, is baring all to raise awareness of the need for increased investment in research and launch ‘Wear a Hat Day’ on the 25th March. By posing nude in nothing but a pink hat, she hopes to raise awareness of the deadly disease, which claims the lives of more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer1.

Nicole, who lives in Leighton Buzzard with her husband and two daughters, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008. Following her recovery and in response to the lack of investment Nicole felt compelled to make a brave statement that would draw the attention of the country towards this issue.

She comments: “Brain tumours are sometimes described as the 'orphan disease' because so little is known about them and consequently so little funding is allocated to them. With more awareness, I hope more funding will come for research and education. I am thankful I'm alive to be a mum, but I want to ensure what happened to me doesn't happen to anyone else."

It is estimated that 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year- that’s 43 people a day, but very little is known about their cause2. With 20% of all cancers spreading to the brain, Nicole hopes her nude photo will highlight the need for further vital research3.

Kevin O’Neill, Consultant Neuro-surgeon, Charing Cross Hospital comments:

“Brain tumours cause the greatest reduction of expected life years than any other cancer and are on the increase particularly in the younger age groups. Without the necessary funding this vital research will not translate into treatments, which will have huge clinical implications for all brain tumour patients”.

Wear a Hat Day asks people to donate at least £1 each to wear a hat to school, work or simply out and about to raise money for brain tumour research. For more information about Brain Tumour Research’s Wear a Hat Day go to: http://www.braintumourresearch.org/

The campaign is also being supported by famous milliner Philip Treacy, who is encouraging people to display their commitment to the cause through their headwear.

Philip comments, “Brain Tumour Research’s Wear a Hat Day is an excellent initiative; fashion is a feeling and a mood and therefore how best to express your passion and commitment to a subject such as brain tumour research than by wearing a fantastic hat. It immediately creates a statement and it doesn’t matter what the hat is or how much it costs, everybody who gets involved will feel a million dollars on the day, whilst also raising much needed research funds and awareness.”

Wear a Hat day is the annual focus for Brain Tumour Research’s ‘Centres of Hope’ campaign which aims to raise £7m for seven centres of excellence to get seven times closer to a cure, the first of which is at the University of Portsmouth. The regional centres will be dedicated to laboratory-based brain tumour research that will work towards increasing understanding of brain cancer and the ways it can be treated.

Perfect Pampering For Mother's Day (or any other day)

These little luxuries are an ideal gift for Mother's Day or for birthdays or just for general every day pampering.

This is Kukui Oil Comforting Body Wash.  Kukui Oil has been used by Hawaiians for centuries to keep their skin soft and smooth.  The body wash also contains Aloe Vera to soothe and calm,Vitamin E which is an antioxidant and Papaya which dissolves dead skin cells to encourage smoother skin.

It is made by Connock London which is a new British beauty brand. 

I have dry skin and I am always on the lookout for anything that will help me be less flaky:)  So when I was given the opportunity to review this I jumped at it.  For me the quest for non flaky skin (without too much maintainance) is never ending.

I have been using this in the shower every day for a week now and I'm loving it.  I use it with my faithful body puff which is an excellent way to assist in the removal of dead skin cells and it also makes the product lather more, making you use less and therefore saving you money.  Anyone who showers without a body puff is literally throwing their money down the drain.  The smell is gorgeous, but difficult to describe.  I have been using it in combination with a body lotion afterwards and my legs are much less flaky now.  I had been lazy before receiving this and not been applying my body moisturiser as regularly as I should.  I am now firmly back in the habit and my skin is thanking me for it.

Products from this range are not cheap.  They can be purchased from their website here, at Urban Retreat at Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Picadilly and also from here. 

This shower gel will set you back £22.50 for 300ml.  Using a body puff will help you get the most out of this product. 

It's certainly not cheap but perfect for that little touch of luxury in your life or for that extra special gift for that extra special person.



Aromatherapy Treats

I was also sent these little treats from Aromatherapy Associates. 

These are little bottles of essential oils for the bath.  Each one is different and you need to put the whole bottle in the bath or they can be used in the shower by applying the whole bottle to your torso before getting into the shower.

The 3 bottles are:

Light Relax which contains lavender (the strongest smell to me), ylang ylang, and petitgrain to help soothe a tired body and mind.

De-stress Mind containing wild camomile, petitgrain and frankincense (the strongest smell to me) to help focus the thoughts.

Revive Morning containing sweet orange, pink grapefruit and rosemary (the strongest smell to me) to help awaken the senses.

I have used the Light Relax one in the bath a few nights ago.  It was so gorgeous.  The bathroom smelled beautiful and the smell penetrated most of the house.  I just love beautiful smells and for me this was heaven.  I used it in a hot bath and also applied a face mask for proper pampering.  I do love a nice bath and this certainly was that.  I need to have them more often:)  I used this at bed time and I slept like a log that night.  I could have done with it last night too as I was awake in the middle of the night with the noise of snoring but that's another story lol.

These bottles are tiny.  Each one is 3ml.  The set of 3 will set you back £12 so at £4 a bath I guess this is another expensive item which is perfect for gifts or special occasions.  Totally worth it though in my opinion.  Good quality essential oils are expensive anyway and I think a good way to spot a really bad quality oil is by a cheap price tag.  I wouldn't expect these to be cheap as they seem like great quality to me.  The smells are strong and I can pick out the smells which are supposed to be there.  Certainly a sign of good quality products in my book.  I tend to stay clear of "cheap" aromatherapy products for this reason.

These can be bought at Liberty (3rd floor), SpaceNK, Fortnum and Mason and from the Aromatherapy Associates website or by phoning them on 020 8569 7030 (UK number).

Disclaimer:  I was sent these items for review purposes.  I have not been paid for this post.  This is all my own, honest opinion.  I only review items that I have tried and genuinely like.  If I don't like it I won't post about it.

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream Warning and Review

Free Clinique Products With Glamour Magazine

The April 2011 edition of Glamour Magazine has a free Clinique product with it.  There are 10 to choose from.



They are:

1. Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

2. Superbalm Moisturising Gloss

3. High Impact Lip Lolour

4. 7 Day Scrub Cream

5. Liquid Facial Soap Mild

6. Moisture Surge

7. Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion

8. Long Last Glosswear

9. High Impact Mascara

10. All ABout Eyes

I love all of these products but my favourite and most used is All About Eyes so that is what I got.

Glamour magazine costs £2 which is a complete steal for a monthly magazine.  All of these items are worth £80 and if you really wanted to you could get them all for the cost of 10 magazines (£20).

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone to try a Clinuque product at a fraction of the price.

The items are all sample sized but are generous enough for you to get a good feel of the product.

Enjoy yours!!