Oil and Butterflies…

It has often been said that oil and butterflies don’t mix.  Ok, so I doubt anybody has ever expressed such a notion. However, if they were to do so, they would be lamentably wrong, for I am happy to report my butterflies are thriving with a liberal application of Tropic oil.  Before anyone begins to wonder if there is a Royal Society for the Protection of Insects, and if so whether they should immediately contact them, I am referring to my collection of butterfly tattoos.  I now have three.  Tattoos, like gremlins, come with a set of rules. I’m not sure about feeding them after midnight, but bright light certainly isn’t a good idea, neither is letting them dry out – cue the tropic oil.  I am currently studying for an ITEC massage qualification. Whilst the course is fantastic, I am beginning to suspect the oil used for practice is Mazola, so I have been sneaking in my own personal supplies of Tropic.  Please nobody inform my bank manager, but I have been using the Facial Elixir for all over body massage!  I figured that if I were to use the Luxury Body Oils the uplifting notes of Frangipani or Bergamot would rather give the game away!  My tattoos have never been in such resplendent condition and it is a good opportunity to pass on the Tropic word to other members of my class.  Today, I have taken another leap of faith and signed up as a Tropic Ambassador; I suffer from a chronic lack of confidence at times, but I happened to hear a quote on the radio that helped me make up my mind:

“The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn't live boldly enough, that they didn't invest enough heart, didn't love enough. Nothing else really counts at all.”  - Ted Hughes

It is funny how in life you don’t often find the path, it finds you.  Whilst I had originally intended to leave the tattoo parlour like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; the helpful tattooist informed me that the design and size I had carefully selected would look more like something doodled during a particularly tedious meeting than an impressive mythical creature (think funky sultana with legs).   I might not know much, but disagreeing with the person holding the tattoo gun is never a cunning plan. The butterfly, a symbol of transformation, love and joy, seemed perfect for me:

“When I was a girl I would look out my bedroom window at the caterpillars; I envied them so much. No matter what they were before, no matter what happened to them, they could just hide away and turn into these beautiful creatures that could fly away completely untouched.”
― Patch Adams

I recently hatched out some Painted Lady caterpillars.  Well actually, that sounds like I did something more than gaze on in wonder as the magic unfurled before my eyes.  I was on hand with my camera to capture their full glory though:
I am hoping to combine my love of photography and butterflies by creating a 2014 calendar, hopefully something I can incorporate with my Tropic Ambassador work – oil and butterflies definitely do mix well.

Itadakimasu

Whenever I hear mention of the brand Spudulike (admittedly not that frequently, it seems to have faded into obscurity) a memory of a Victoria Wood sketch stirs in the windmills of mind.  In said sketch she has a sudden pronunciation crisis:

‘Is that how you say it?  Maybe it’s spu-doo-licky!‘

It is for this reason that I often refer to potatoes as spudoolickies.  This year I have grown my own, which I started to harvest this week, and I was overjoyed to find the following joyous specimen amongst the crop:



The type of Spud I Like. James Wong may be able to "grow his own drugs" but I can grow my own potato ducks.  I shall add that to my list of X-Man powers ; )

I have such a grasshopper brain, leaping from one thought to another, I was reminded of another word where I falter over the correct pronunciation " Itadakimasu "  Bless you, did somebody sneeze? Well actually, it a Japanese expression, roughly translating as "I gratefully receive this".

Gratitude is one of the most powerful ingredients in any skin care routine.  So when you reach for your Smoothing Cleanser and heavenly soft bamboo cloth, breathe in the refreshing Eucalyptus scent and take a few moments to appreciate the natural ingredients, the love and care with which the products are made, and to say "thank you, thank you" (I tried to say Itadikimasu but nearly swallowed the bamboo cloth, hopefully one day someone will tell me how to say this properly!).

“ The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.”
―   Audrey Hepburn.

Days like this revisited (@tropicgrump)

Magneto is a particularly stupid name for an X-Man if you ask me (nobody did). It sounds like a type of ice cream, and even those strange amoeba shaped lollies, with an equally bizarre advertising campaign ("Funny Feet") are not that scary.  However, if the Marvel casting director were in town I would be a shoe-in for the role. Ok, not on Hollywood scale. Mudangneto perhaps: the girl with the ability to take out small electrical items: 1 toaster, 2 mobile phones, 2 lawn mowers, 1 vacuum cleaner and 2 juicers (oh yes, the shiny replacement juicer spluttered its death throes of bright green spinach across my kitchen this morning).  It is late, blisteringly hot and I'm considering using my powers to frazzle a Karaoke machine; thus ending a "singing" session currently in full swing in my neighbourhood: Cheer up Sleepy Jean, Hey Jude, Tainted Love, I Will Survive (not if I have anything to do with it you won't.)...will they please start a rendition of The Time Of My Life, which normally signals an end to proceedings!

At this rate I will have to change my name to @tropicgrump.  Urgent action is required, this time in the form of  Body Love Butter Cream. Fear not, as tempting as it seems, I am not going to lob jars into the midnight air with the hope of directing a hit on the Abba wannabe who has just struck up a second verse of Dancing Queen.

Body Love Butter Cream is the very first product developed by Susan Ma.  Just the scent is enough to transport my mind to a much calmer place.  I shall forget thoughts of Funny Feet, letting them become Happy Feet as I massage the cream in relaxing circle motions. Obviously happy as in contented, not hairy and penguin like (the other type of Happy Feet)

Water (aqua), Golden Jojoba Oil (simmondsia chinensis seed oil), Macadamia Nut Oil (macadamia ternifolia seed oil) Shea Butter (butyrospermum parkii), Cocoa Butter (theobroma cacao butter), Coconut Butter (Cocos nucifera butter) Natural Vitamin E (tocopherol) Coconut Emulsifier(cetearyl alcohol), Cassava Emulsifier (cetearyl glucoside),Glycerin (glycerin), Candelilla Wax(euphorbia cerifera), Corn Sugar Gum(xantham gum), Organic Hibiscus Extract(hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract), Sea Kelp (lactobacillus/kelp ferment filtrate),Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil(backhousia citriodora oil), Bergamot Essential Oil(citrus aurantium bergamia oil), Neroli Essential Oil (citrus aurantium oil),Lime Essential Oil (citrus aurantifolia oil), Gentle Preservatives(phenoxyethanol & ethylhexyglycerin)

Describing the scent of a product is incredibly tricky without referencing other scents e.g. it has the gloriously uplifting aroma of fresh limes.   This product makes me think of Sweet Peas. Sweet Peas!?! Perhaps I have been huffing too many paint fumes as I redecorate my bathroom? Sweet Peas are hardly the same as Lemon Mrytle, Neroli and Bergamot; more English Country Garden than Tropical Paradise. No, not the smell itself, but that magic feeling, that intoxicating, just picked vibrant joy of a vase of freshly harvested flowers.  I shall try to convey photographically...pure sunshine to the soul..

Body Love Butter Cream is the perfect gift for your inner grump - who couldn't break into a smile with such silky soft perfection?  It is also a wonderful gift for a loved one.  I absolutely adore the luxury body oils, but the cream is an instant pick me up with no need to desolidify (is that even a word?), just unscrew the jar and you are good to go.   It is currently available in both 200ml (£20.00) and 100ml (£15.00).  Personally, I would like a mini travel pot (25ml) to have in my bag for emergencies - open and pour, I'm Tropic Bunny Once more!

For Days Like This

When Van Morrison sang about "Days Like This" he was recalling those occasions when all the parts of the puzzle "start to look like they fit"; not a day full of rude people, dirty puddles, cold callers and junk mail.  The type of day when you realise you have been walking about with a ginormous blackberry smoothie moustache, your jumper on inside out and a random piece of toast tangled in your hair (useful for an interesting afternoon snack, but not so helpful when you are trying to give the impression of competent professional..."oh please offer me the job, I have other talents, apart from looking like an extra from The Twits, I can touch typo at terrific speed.").

When grey clouds appear in my day, I remind myself that there are always people worse off, which makes recall the following line from Fawlty Towers:

Mr. O'Reilly: Just remember Mr. Fawlty, there's always someone worse off than yourself
Basil: Is there? Well I'd like to meet him. I could do with a laugh.

If seeds of frustration look like they might start to germinate within (frustration seeds if left unchecked result in rather ugly plants, with very bitter fruit), I remember the words of another "cheerful" soul:

"It is so easy to laugh, it is so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind" - Morrissey*

*Note: to self: Listening to Morrissey will not enhance my mood; put the Smiths album down and walk away! Pick up a bottle of love, instead, in the form of Tropic Organic Luxury Oil.  It is perfect for the end of a not so perfect day.
There are two gorgeous scents to choose from
1) Uplifting Lime, Bergamot and Neroli

Organic Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera oil), Organic Rosehip Oil (rose canina fruit oil), Organic Jojoba Oil (simmondsia chinensis seed oil) Organic Macadamia Oil (macadamia ternifolia seed oil), Natural Vitamin E (tocopherol) EcoCert natural essential oil blend(tocopherol), Lime Essential Oil (citrus aurantium oil),Neroli Essential Oil (citrus aurantifolia oil), Bergamot Essential Oil (citrus aurantifolia oil)

2)  Exotic and floral, White Frangipani and Magnolia

Organic Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera oil), Organic Rosehip Oil (rose canina fruit oil), Organic Jojoba Oil (simmondsia chinensis seed oil) Organic Macadamia Oil (macadamia ternifolia seed oil), Natural Vitamin E (tocopherol) EcoCert natural essential oil blend(tocopherol), Magnoila Essential Oil (citrus aurantium oil),White Frangipani Essential Oil (citrus aurantifolia oil)

The most important thing to know about these oils, is that they solidify at cooler temperatures. Luckily, we have had such an extremely warm summer this has not been a problem......hmmmm I should cocoa!!  In absence of blazing sunshine (although never good to expose essential oils to direct sunlight anyway) simply place the bottle in a bowl of warm water to return it to a silky liquid.

An equally important thing to know is to use the oils sparingly. They retail at £25.00 per 100ml, but a little goes a very long way.  They can be used as an indulgent bath oil; please take care when getting out of the bath whenever you use any oil products, otherwise, just when you think it is safe to step out of the water, wham the bad day will come back with a vengeance!

The oils are also fantastic as an all over body moisturiser, a deep conditioning hair treatment (again, if Grease is not the word that you want to hear, use sparingly!) or to condition nails and cuticles. 

My favourite use is as a massage oil, even better to share with someone else. I can't think of a nicer present to be honest - the power of touch is in itself amazing, but combined with such beautiful oils it is just pure magic.  Magic enough to make me forget a bad day....what bad day?

Exfoliating Mary Poppins Style....

I think my all time favourite Lord Sugar Apprentice one liner is "Mary Poppins I am not", although saying this his surname is connected:

"A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way"

Sugar (the commodity) has an unfavourable reputation in the Beauty industry - think excess pounds, acne and wrinkles.  Sugar (the person) has an increasingly glowing reputation in the Beauty industry thanks to his partnerships with two 2011 Apprentice candidates, Tom Pellereau (aka Inventor Tom) and Susan Ma, founder of Tropic Skin Care.  Ever since the wonderful Series 5 episode 4 of the Apprentice, where candidates were tasked to produce and sell two bath products made from natural ingredients (if you haven't seen it, do check out this classic clip where Nick casually drops a you have just spent  over £700 on fragrances bombshell), I was aware of Lord Sugar's interest in the Beauty industry, but I couldn't quite picture how he would become involved (Eau de Amstrad and Tottenham Toner never sounded like top sellers!). 

Tropic Skin Care also brings sugar the commodity into a Beauty Hero light, thanks to a product that very much like Mary Poppins is "practically perfect in every way". I am referring to Face Smooth Polish, retailing at £15.00 per 100ml, available via the Tropic website and via Tropic Ambassadors.

Organic Rice Flour (oryza sativa flour), Sugar Cane (sucrose)Golden Jojoba Oil (simmondsia chinensis oil), Macadamia Oil (macadamia ternifolia oil), Sweet Almond Oil (prunus amygdalus oil), Natural Vitamin E (tocopherol), Acai Berry Oil (euterpe oleracea fruit oil), Camomile Essential Oil (chamomilla recutita flower oil), Lemon Essential Oil (citrus medica limonum oil), Sweet Orange Essential Oil (citrus aurantium amara oil), Peppermint Essential Oil (mentha piperita oil)

Made with 100% of ingredients from natural origin, using premium distilled essential oils.

Directions:

Gently massage onto dry skin in circular and upward motions for 1 minute, focusing on areas around the nose, chin and forehead. Avoid the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and splash your face with cold water to close pores. Pat dry and follow with Tropic Skin Revive if needed. On sensitive skin, massage onto wet skin. Use twice a week.

 

Rich in natural alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate & rejuvenate skin; sugar used topically (especially Tropically topically) helps promote a brighter complexion.  Several studies now show that sugar can heal wounds, in some cases where antibiotics fail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2278942/Pouring-granulated-sugar-wounds-heal-faster-antibiotics.html 

I was going to call this post "Take the rough with the smooth", as after a hard day this is such a wonderful treat to make you feel aaaaaaahhhhhhhh that's better, no matter what the day throws at you.  So what makes it so special?  Well to keep up the Mary Poppins theme, a lot of products make "piecrust promises.  Easily made, easily broken".  Not the case with Face Smooth, the product has been made with so much care and attention, it doesn't fail to live up to its promise:

"It works to cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise all in one, to leave your skin feeling velvety, refreshed and simply radiant."

It is not like other scrubs. I repeat it is not like other scrubs!  It is incredibly gentle, leaving your skin feeling baby soft yet thoroughly cleansed. If like me your skin has a tendency to that just stepped out of chip pan look, fear not, yes it does include oil, but it leaves nothing more than beautiful moisturised, pampered skin (not an oil slick in sight).  
Perhaps the nicest part of the Face Smooth experience is the aroma: uplifting (peppermint), refreshing (orange & lemon) and reassuring (chamomile). This is a wonderful product to treat yourself, or a loved one. I strongly recommend you get out a wooden spatula* and give it a whirl.


* comes free with the product for easy mixing.

Giraffe with fluttery eyelashes...

Several thoughts spring to mind. Firstly has the lady from this year's Apprentice been entering Tropic Skin Care Friday Freebie competitions?  I'm sure I saw the reply "Horse" when asked to identify this beautiful creature.

I have long since suspected a flaw with Twitter competitions, it is so easy to piggyback on someone else's answer. Perhaps responding 'horse' was a genius plan to divert attention from the correct answer.  Indeed, the prize in question was a gorgeous Tropic Lash Extension Kit, so can't blame someone for the attempt.  My inner voice of flinkle*, did want to add to the mêlée of answers by retweeting "Okapi", "Camel" or "Tropic Zebra", so I could bamboozle the competition and swoop in at the last second with the correct answer.
*mischief making

My second thought concerned my adorable nephew, he does the cutest impersonation of a Giraffe with fluttery eyelashes (think 3 year old, hands raised to eyes, little fingers waving up and down enthusiastically).  Jumping from topic slightly (I am such a grasshopper), but still on the theme of cuteness, I saw this posted on Twitter today, perfect for a Tropic Bunny Blog:

My last thought was "why am I still blogging?", my 30 day Tropic Trial is up. ...step away from the keyboard!  The truth is, I am so enthusiastic about the products I want to share my experiences. I am also considering becoming a Tropic Ambassador (main flaw in this plan is my total lack of selling prowess. Nonetheless, I've signed up for one of the open invite Business Meetings this July...so maybe, just maybe.  I have visions of a Tropic Tea Room..think vegan cupcakes and treats, herbal infusions, massage, chats about ingredients & the company ethos, and of course the chance to try out the fabulous products).

For the time being, here is everything you need to know about the Lash Extension Kit
"A revolutionary lash duo kit that creates instantly fuller, longer, show stopping lashes"

1) No animal was harmed to bring this fabulous kit into your life.

2) It is free from synthetic fragrances, harsh preservatives or parabens.  However, the product does clearly state that the Extension Fibres are NOT suitable for contact lens wearers or sensitive eyes.

3) It retails at £25.00, which does seem a lot for a mascara (or is it just ages since I have invested in makeup? And I do think this product is a good investment, so please read on).

4) The kit contains 2 products - Fixing Gel and Extension Fibres. 

To apply you follow a 3 step system: 

STEP 1: Apply a generous coat of the Fixing Gel to lashes, focusing on the tips.

STEP 2: Immediately apply Extension Fibres, which instantly attach to your own lashes.

STEP 3: Allow 20 seconds for Fibres to adhere to your lashes and apply another coat of the Fixing Gel to set your fibres in place.

Now, if like me you panic at the prospect on any instructions that contain more than 1 step, especially where make up is concerned (I am no Lisa Eldridge); fear not, it really is incredibly straightforward. 

5) The results are A-M-A-ZING!  Fluttery eyelashes that are as beautiful and natural as the Giraffe's.    The Fixing Gel contains panthanol, which is an active ingredient included to condition and nourish lashes, whilst encouraging growth (clever, clever Fixing Gel!)

Tropic Skin Care's Own Beautiful Susan Ma demonstrating the Extended Eyelash Effect - please note, do both sides or you may fall over due to eye lash imbalance ; )

6) Products now available via the Tropic Website  http://www.tropicskincare.com/makeup/eyes.html or through one of the fantastic Tropic Ambassadors. I purchased mine on discount (offer posted by @CaronTROPIC, but loads of fantastic offers out there - I will try to repost as many as possible in the future).

Day Thirty

Products used AM	- Smoothing Cleanser - Toner - Skin Revive - Lip Love - Body Love
Products used PM	- Smoothing Cleanser - Toner - Skin Revive
My Skin: How comfortable does it feel?	At the end of my 30 day Tropic Trial, I would rate my skin at 7 out of 10.  It is by no means picture perfect, and I have a couple of recurring blemishes.  However, it feels extremely comfortable and most importantly I am treating it with love and respect..No, make that most importantly I am treating the natural world with love and respect; my use of the products is not to the detriment of any other creature. I am sure that if I continue to use the products (which I will indeed do!) I will see further improvements.  I am excited about the contiuation of my Tropic journey.
Product Observations	The love, care and attention behind the forumlations shines through in each and every one of the products I have tried.  This is one of the very few brands I have encountered with the magic ingredient "bottled love".
Activities/Mood	Some "cucumbers-to-be" have appeared in my vegetable garden (little things make me very happy, these are variety F1 cucumbers. I like to think this stands for Formula One and they are a quick growing!) Genuinely sad that this is the last blog entry - hoping to write more about Tropic in the future.  A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read any of the entries.
Ingredient for the Day	Cucumber (appearing in Toner, Eye Refresh Roll on and my vegetable patch) The juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin.
Picture for the Day
Quote for the Day	"Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well." -Unknown This is for a lovely lady who said she was very brave to post a before make up shot (she just couldn't see how beautiful it was before any of the make-up).