Image from butter LONDON's Facebook page

People love butter LONDON’s nail lacquers and I do not blame them. Their “products are formulated without the use of  harmful ingredients, like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.” I appreciate that. I also like that their products are cruelty free, that is, their marvelous colors were not tested on bunnies. I appreciate that even more.

butter LONDON’s colors are great and fun to play with. Just think about painting some fingers a gorgeous yellow (“Cheeky Chops”) and others a nice cobalt blue (“Blagger”). Oh, yes the names, they signal a great attitude. For example, there is “Primrose Hill Picnic: A happy, punchy, tropical, fuchsia pink lacquer. Will make you want to take off your shoes and run barefoot through the office.” Then there is ”No More Waity, Katie” a lacquer/nail polish created on the occasion of the marriage between Kate Middleton and Prince William. But how good are their products?

I tested Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat, Blagger Nail Lacquer and Hardwear P.D. Quick Topcoat.

I left the basecoat on for a couple of days to see how well it held up and it did great. I think it’s good enough to use just by itself. Then it was time to put on the lacquer. I chose “Blagger.” I went to Salon Herdis in Northampton because I also wanted to see what a professional would think. Mary, who works at Herdis, was a bit doubtful about the matte basecoat but it did not interfere at all with the cobalt blue “Blagger.” It was also nice to see how quickly all three coats dried. We both felt that the polishes were a bit harder to apply than some other brands due to the brush. Usually when you apply a polish the brush opens up a bit, which makes application for a layperson like me a bit easier. butter LONDON’s brushes do not open up as much, so you have to be a bit more careful when applying the color.

butter LONDON's Blagger

Then the real test began to see how this polish would hold up over time. I lead an active lifestyles and the color stayed on nicely on the nail. Washing dishes, the dog taking me for a walk, exercising (well, some exercising), cooking, and in the end my nails still look nice and blue. This means that I have yet to try out “Powder Room,” butter LONDON’s acetone free lacquer remover.

So would I recommend butter LONDON? Yes, because I really like their color selection, they’re non-toxic, and they last. So yes, please I take some ”Teddy Girl” bubblegum pink, “Jaffa” a nice orange color, or “Come to Bed Red” (they named it, not me). They also have much more subdued colors but I clearly like my nails colorful because this is one way in how I like to cheer myself up.

Nicole works in the technology industry, loves to write, and appreciates how the world looks from an upside down perspective.

Janet Ahearn, Reflexologist

Who Am I?
My name is Janet Ahearn.  I’m a certified Foot Reflexologist and an Energy Medicine Practitioner.  I worked for 13 years in the corporate world and 10 years ago, I decided it was time to leave the heavy workload and long commute behind. Given my own personal experiences, I found myself wanting to help people find ways of managing their own stress levels and ultimately, improving their physical and emotional health in the process.

What Do I Do?
I’m often asked that question as a Foot Reflexologist.  Well, ok, first I’m asked, “You’re a what?” with an inquisitive, but puzzled look.  Perhaps I should address that question first.  Reflexology is one in a long list of alternative therapies that look at you as a whole person, not just as an arm, a leg, or a knee.  The theory behind reflexology is that the entire body is mapped out in our feet (hands and ears, too) via reflex areas; by applying specific thumb/finger walking techniques to these areas, a Reflexologist can have an effect on the corresponding areas of the body.

Ultimately, reflexology works the part of your nervous system that helps you relax, the part that helps you say, “Ahhhhh!” as deep relaxation is achieved.  When the body is relaxed, it has a better chance of doing what it has the ability to do naturally – heal itself.  Of course, there are no guarantees in the healing process, but as with anything else alternative or conventional, it’s certainly worth a try!

At a minimum, Reflexology can help rebalance the energy within your body and restore a sense of well being, which puts you in a much better frame of mind to deal with life’s  stressors.

Foot Reflexology Chart from the Reflexology Research Project

What Is A Session Like?
It starts out with a nice warm footbath; a quiet peaceful atmosphere, with soft relaxing music in the background, to further soothe your frayed nerves; a brief conversation about what you need from our session in a space of understanding and compassion; a place where you can drop your shoulders, relax your neck and back, and receive some much-needed self-care; a comfortable table to lie down on and even take a nap if you find yourself so inclined.  The majority of the session is a combination of relaxation and reflexology techniques designed to stimulate a deep sense of relaxation.

Our main goal is to achieve relaxation.  My focus is on empowering you to achieve better health.  You are the expert on what you need to feel better, what holdsy ou back, and what you want to change.  I’m simply here to support you in exploring and attaining the outcome you desire with regard to your own health, one step (or should I say “foot”) at a time!

And, into this freshly cleansed and prepared “soil” we plant our new intentions and practices.  Without the cleansing process the remnants Of our old habits inhibit the new from taking hold as robustly.  This cycle of letting go of what no longer serves us and embracing the new is as basic as our inhale and exhale. It is replicated in our morning and evening skin care ritual, in the succession of the seasons.  When we plant the new seeds, habits & rituals in the spring we are linking ourselves to the natural momentum of the life cycle and are strengthened by this connection.   What new and renewing practice do you want to plant?

Luahn is a  co-founder of JoiaBeauty and has a passion for practicing and teaching Yoga.

2. Bring into your being and your surroundings vibrant and appealing foods, products, information, sights and sounds. We’re what we consume.

3. Peace breaks. Brain research indicates that taking three 2-minute meditation breaks each day can positively impact brain function and give us an overall sense of well-being.

My current favorite  method:Inhale deeply from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head chanting (silently or out loud), “peace in my heart” and exhale out from your heart chanting, “peace on earth.”

                                                                        Shine out!!!

Luahn is a  co-founder of JoiaBeauty and has a passion for practicing and teaching Yoga.

A wise friend states “you can’t give what you don’t possess.”  Doesn’t that make so much sense to you as you read these words?  And, as I contemplated further it has so many facets.  We can relate it to our physical, emotional, mental or spiritual  resources  and more.  My friend offered this wisdom in a spiritual context.   However we think about it, we need to consistently care for ourselves as we are caring for others.  Easier said than done! We don’t want to let people down.  But it’s a basic law of nature:  if we move stones from one pile to another eventually the first pile will be depleted unless we restock.  If we offer nurturence to others we need to be open enough to receive something back. As I write these words the question, “What is the consequence ?” pops in my head.

When I mentioned this topic to  a longtime customer, now friend, she unhesitatingly said, “I know about that!”  Yes, she does.  Over the years there have been times we might have lost this perky, bright-eyed woman to major illnesses.  I think for each of us the consequence to “not receiving” is going to be different for all kinds of reasons.  And, our bodies will let us know in small ways that if  go unaddressed become more significant.   But, when does receiving in become taking more than is our share – becoming a taker vs. a giver?  When do we turn the corner to self-involved and self –centered?  How do we know what we know what we truly require?  Often helping others is exactly what feeds me.  One of the most meaningful quotes I’ve read is when the Dali Lama was asked to describe what he does, he answers (and I’m paraphrasing)  “I take care of myself.”  Yet, none of us would describe the devoted work and life of this enlightened being as selfish, more like selfless.  For this particular being the offering out is nourishing.

I think we do know in our hearts the balance of receiving and giving that is necessary for us to live a joy-filled and healthy life of connection with ourselves and others. We need to turn inside and listen to the still small voice that unerringly guides us.  And, if we can’t hear or don’t heed that voice our bodies will tell us with an ache here and a pain there.

Luahn is a  co-founder of JoiaBeauty and has a passion for practicing and teaching Yoga.

For years we have been talking about and training this method to customers and what I understood early on is that this method, compared to others, requires a loving touch to the skin, to our faces. Instead of vigorously scrubbing using products that override the skin’s natural functions this works with our natural healthy, rhythms. It might take a minute or two longer than others but the time spent gently moving our hands across our skin, in addition to the exquisite products, sends a message to our entire being affirming our innate beauty. And, isn’t that what all of our activities should be for ourselves and for others? Reveal your inherent radiance!

The Radiant You Challenge:

Recently my friend and I offered a Yoga and Skin Care workshop entitled “Sri Revealed”.  The Sanskrit word Sri can be defined as effulgent beauty, abundance, glory, excellence .  My favorite definition is an “explosion of a star radiating” outward – it has that much power and light.    AND, the best part about it is each one of us at our very essence is this star and our beauty and the beauty we create in the world is Sri.  This vibration exists everywhere and in everything. It’s the twinkle in our eyes, the dramatic display of autumn leaves, the joy of seeing a snowdrop poke through receding snow, the smell of cinnamon toast or the sound of a concert pianist.

So, where ‘s the connection to our skin?  Our skin is the bridge between our inner and outer worlds. It is luminous when we allow our “star power” to shine out.  We do this when our thoughts, words and actions are guided by the wisdom of  hearts.   As powerful as this  star power is it speaks in a still, small voice which means we need to take time to listen.  By nurturing body, mind and spirit.

Luahn is a  co-founder of JoiaBeauty and has a passion for practicing and teaching Yoga.

We are now JoiaBeauty:A Personal Care Apothecary, which totally suits our mission of nurturing the outer expression of our precious inner beauty with healing products and treatments.   Our original name choice may have seemed a bit risky from a marketing standpoint but worked out well.  Adding “Beauty” has enhanced an already lovely name and further defined who we are.  Now we just need a pronunciation guideline for our names Joia (joy-a), Mette (met-ta) and Luahn (loo-ahhn). We ‘re unique!

Luahn is a co-founder of JoiaBeauty. She has a passion for natural skin care and loves practicing and teaching Yoga.

Thank you for your patience. And please let us know about topics you would like us to discuss.

- JoiaBeauty