all things la mav

Sea Buckthorn Oil - The Good Oil

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:26:00 GMT

Beauty oils have been around for 1000's of years. Carefully extracted and used by women from all over the globe. They took a back seat when science met skincare and the discovery of petroleum-based products were born. Like all things provided to us from nature, it didn't take long for these miracle ingredients to once again, shine through and become the ingredients of choice.

At La Mav, we pride ourselves on our Three Tier Formula:

Tier 3 - Active Constituents
Tier 2 - Specialty Oils
Tier 1 - Base Ingredients

The La Mav range wouldn't be complete without a carefully selected assortment of "specialty oils"; chosen for their healing and rejuvenating benefits. One oil in particular is quite unique and deserves bragging rights and that is Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae Rhamnoides).

This powerhouse has over 120+ compounds and minerals with 8 vitamins. Loaded with natural carotenoids, tocopherals and tocotrienols, Sea Buckthorn has one of the highest levels of EFA's, (natural essential fatty acids) 3,6,7 & 9 of up to about 95%.

Omega 7 is a rare essential fatty acid, also known as palmitoleic acid, recently discovered to fight free radicals, increase skin healing and reduce scarring. With such regenerating, healing and anti-oxidant properties, Sea Buckthorn has been used to treat overseas cancer patients with radiation burns. Also used in wound healing after cosmetic laser surgery and my favourite, used to treat the Russian cosmonauts for radiation burns when they re-enter the atmosphere.

The oil penetrates deeper into the layers of skin, taking with it all its healing elements and providing an army of anti-oxidants to combat cell damage.

Sea Buckthorn oil is noted in ancient Greek texts as being cultivated for the diet of race horses, hence the botanical name Hippophae; - shiny horse. Legend tells that it was the preferable food of the famous flying horse Pegasus and that it was helpful in getting him airborne!

Sea Buckthorn is used in a variety of products within the La Mav range especially in Wrinkle-Smoothing Range:

Bring on the Big Guns!

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:23:00 GMT

When this time of year rolls around, we at head office get quite excited, because winter means dehydration and this allows us to brag about our Ultra-Hydration range. True, many women enjoy these products all year round when their skin concerns call for extra hydration. Seasonal changes and the drop in humidity can play havoc with the rest of us and those who may have had a gorgeous dewy complexion all summer, may now be screaming in horror in the change of skin texture and plumpness.

The La Mav Ultra-Hydration range was developed to target these specific concerns. Potent Bio-Actives were rounded up and harmoniously blended to create three moisture-boosting formulas:

These big guns are essential when the weather is against us, we spend too much time in heated environments or our diet may be lacking in enough essential fatty acids to help keep our skin soft and supple.

Exotic oils like Marula from the heart of Africa and natures “liguid gold” Argan oil from a small region in Morocco, deliver linoleic & oleic acid to re-energise, repair and promote hydration. Aloe vera and rose distillate revitalise, refresh and hydrate dry dull skin.

By far our hero ingredient has to be hyaluronic acid. This natural compound already present in the skin, starts to break down and deteriorate with age. Hyaluronic acid has many important functions, including holding in moisture, providing cushioning, aiding in tissue repair, holding together the skin structural components collagen and elastin, and helping create a protective barrier against microorganisms. In the cosmetic surgery world, this ingredient is widely used in dermal fillers.

Natural Hyaluronic acid used in skin care products, holds up to 1000x it’s own weight in water. This amazing feature allows the ingredient to take moisture into the skin and hold it there near the surface. Thus giving the skin a fuller, plumper appearance.

Armed with that knowledge (excuse the pun), we hope we have shed some light on which products to use when nature is not your best friend…

Enchanted Graden Party

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:47:00 GMT

Recently La Mav hosted a customer launch garden party at Chapel in Auckland. We were lucky enough to have over 100 lovely ladies as our guests who were all eager to try out some of our wholesome organic products. Those who RSVP'd on time went home with an exclusive La Mav goodie bag, filled with things from our range like our La Mav Nectar. We had such an amazing night and will hopefully be hosting another event like this soon.

Secret Weapon

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:09:00 GMT

When you’re talking to a specialist in any field you always want to know their secret. The thing that makes them get the results- their secret weapon.

In skincare you will most likely find the secret weapon product when you find the perfect mix of ingredients for your skin. A concentrated dose of ingredients like rosehip oil, evening primrose and vitamin E, for example, could be just what your skin needs to get its glow back.

The founder of La Mav, Tarj Mavi says that her secret weapon is the La Mav serums and nectars. The magic of these products is the intensive formulas, which are designed for specific skin care needs.

These perfect little tubes of goodness can work for any skin type. As soon as you mention the word ‘oil’ most people freak out but many natural oils are actually really good for your skin (yes even oily skin types).

La Mav’s serums and nectars have been developed to make your skin look and feel the best that it can. The Antioxidant Rich Nightly repair nectar for example uses eight flower nectars in its formula.

Have a look at our serums and nectars and see what you think. If you’re having trouble choosing one that suits your skin feel free to contact us and have a chat.

Scenting your home with Nature

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:27:00 GMT

Many of us love to create fragrance within the home using candles, incense, plug-ins, sprays and diffusers, but did you know that you may be negatively affecting your health? Unless you are using pure essential oils to bless your space with delightful aromas, the synthetic ingredients used in conventional products can have harmful effects.

I personally cannot tolerate artificial fragrance on a regular basis. The smell is too overpowering. I recently visited a family member who had one of those timer based spray units and was startled with a dousing of spray as I walked past. I truly felt like I’d been targeted like some bug!

Studies show that synthetic fragrances can compromise our body’s natural rhythm and negatively affect our endocrine system upsetting our hormone balance.

So what are our options? Well just take a walk outside right now, close your eyes and take note of all the amazing perfumes radiating from the blossoms in your garden. Nature provides an amazing array of exquisite perfumes at different times of the year. At the moment my house is surrounded by the heady blossoms of star jasmine which I know from memory is the start to the warmer weather.

Essential oils are the extracts from plants, whether it be from the roots, bark, flowers or leaves. These precious oils are extracted using different types of methods and at the end of the process the precious oil is collected ready for use.

Essential oils have a therapeutic affect on your mood. They can change the way you feel within three seconds. This is because these powerful oils stimulate the nerve receptors in your nose and access your limbic system. Our emotions, memory and trauma are all stored in the limbic system, when the oils reach our emotions, thoughts and memories are triggered and feel good hormones are released. For instance jasmine always reminds me of balmy summer evenings and as soon as I smell the blossom I am transported to those summer thoughts. Peppermint is another oil I like to burn if I need inspiration or want to boost my mood. I instantly feel revived and alive and ready for what the day may throw at me.

Try some of these mood blends to enhance your day:

Morning Energiser: 4 drops Lemon Oil, 2 drops Peppermint Oil and 2 drops Lemongrass Oil

Love is in the Air: 1 drop Patchouli Oil, 4 drops Ylang Ylang Oil and 2 drops Sandalwood Oil

Children Chillout Blend: 2 drops Cedarwood Oil, 2 drops Vetiver Oil and 2 drops Lavender Oil

Thought of the week

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:05:00 GMT

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs

5 Easy Steps To Prepare Your Skin For A Big Event

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:10:00 GMT

It's always a good idea to prep your face for an event where you know you'll want to make a good impression. Following these five easy steps should help promote clear and healthy looking skin in the lead up to your big event.

Cut out alcohol and other nasties. The easiest way to promote a healthy complexion is to fill our bodies with healthy organic and nutritious foods. You will be surprised at how well your skin reacts when you stop feeding it nasties like alcohol and refined sugar.

Drink more water. I know there are a few schools of thought on the effect that water has on our skin, but I am a firm believer in maintaining a healthy level of water intake to help keep your complexion clear. Our skin is an organ and unfortunately it's one of the ones that release toxins from our system. So if we're not keeping our other organs properly flushed and hydrated our skin can really start to suffer.

Rest Up. Beauty sleep is not a myth. Get as many Zzz's as you can in before your big night to help you look rested and refreshed.

Treat yourself to a facial. I tend to treat myself to a little pampering (including a facial) a couple of days prior to a big event, which is when my skin seems to really show the positive effects from the massage & treatment. La Mav products are excellent to for DIY facials for all skin types.

Use good organic skincare. Feed your skin with natural and organic skin care that incorporates natural bio-actives, tocopherols, vitamins & antioxidants and your skin will thank you.

Remember that confidence is key!

Sarah Wilson loves La Mav Antioxidant Nectar

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:24:00 GMT

We have been hearing from our wonderful ambassadors how much they love Antioxidant Rich Nightly Repair Nectar, but it feels so special when someone like Sarah Wilson loves it too.

SARAH WILSON is a journalist, blogger and social commentator. Former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and writes a weekly column for Sunday Life magazine about how to have a better life, and is a regular guest on Channel 7′s Sunrise. Recently the team at Aphrodite's Chase interviewed Sarah for a segment on "Stuff that I Love".

When asked what's in her beauty bag - Sarah mentioned La Mav Antioxidant Nectar. You can read Sarah's interview with "The Aphrodite Chase Team" here.

Detox Program

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:58:00 GMT

I met my friend Sara last week who is a Naturopath and is an organic advocate. When she mentioned that she was on a Detox program, she knew that I will have lots of questions for her. She explained it in a real easy to follow steps.

DETOX PROGRAM

When toxins build up in the body, problems such as weight gain, poor skin, headaches, decreased energy, generally feeling unwell, bloating, increased flatulence and lowered immunity may occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, starting a detox program can be a great way for the body to recover from an influx of toxins and get back to its peak condition.

What to avoid?

Understandably, this is the part that scares most people. The important thing to remember is that detox diets don’t mean you have to fast or restrict yourself to liquids only. Essentially, try to eat whole, natural foods that have not been processed or altered artificially in any way. Avoid: sugar; dairy; wheat; gluten; high-fat foods; caffeine; alcohol; food additives and preservatives.

What to eat?

With a few creative ideas, you won’t feel like you’re missing out. There are certainly some foods that you can eat as much as you like: fresh fruits and vegetables (organic if possible); grains such as quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat; legumes and beans; nuts and seeds (unsalted and unseasoned); extra- virgin olive oil; and non-caffeinated herbal tea.

Drink up

Water is a vital component of detoxing because water can assist the removal of waste from the bloodstream. Usually, eight to ten glasses should be drunk daily. To help boost metabolism, add lemon or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the water.

What to expect?

Be prepared to feel lethargic in the second and third day of the detox program. Along with decreased energy, a blood sugar headache (pain across the forehead) or caffeine withdrawal headache (pain at the back of the neck) can be expected. The good news is this discomfort won’t last. After the third day, energy levels should significantly increase and a general feeling of wellbeing can be expected.

Avoiding the winter-skin blues

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:24:00 GMT

With these cold and dreary days and nights, our skin faces a barrage of extremes and stressors that it’s not subjected to in the warmer months. We should be even more diligent with caring for our skin and health during the colder months.

Regardless of our skin type, our skin will often become dryer and more dehydrated from the constant use of heaters in our homes, cars and work places, and from the icy-cold winds; the humidity drops leaving less moisture in the air which, in addition to the drying winds, directly assaults our skin – often resulting in dry, irritating, flaky skin that, if not properly cared for, can develop long term damage and premature aging.

There is also the danger of using water that is far hotter than we would normally use - long hot showers and baths are common in the cooler months. Though very hot water can soothe and warms us, besides drying out the skin, it can also cause the capillaries on our faces, shoulders and other exposed body parts to break; leaving the skin looking flushed and prematurely aged. Once broken, though they may occasionally fade over time, they rarely disappear.

There is no denying it – winter wreaks havoc on our skin making it feel uncomfortable and less than it’s best. As we have seen, not only can skin be damaged during this time, but neglecting its proper care in these cooler months can actually lead to premature aging in the skin.

La Mav Organic Skin Care range is specifically formulated to address these specific skin needs. By following La Mav’s simple 3 Step SkinPrescription™ to beautiful skin, you can kiss those winter-skin blues away for good!! La Mav products offer a high-performance system of certified organic products designed to work together in harmony to deliver maximum results for your skin concerns.

STEP 1. CLEANSE/TONE/POLISH:
With regular cleansing, toning and exfoliating nearly half of our skin concerns can be taken care of. Regular exfoliation helps in removal of dead skin cells and impurities that have built up during the colder months. Bio-Actives in La Mav’s exfoliators deep cleanse the pores and freshen the skin, effectively removing dead skin cells to reveal softer, evenly toned and smoother looking skin while helping regulate sebum production.

STEP 2. OPTIMISE:
According to your skin concern; choose your targeted La Mav OPTIMISE solution. La Mav DAY Treatment Serums and NIGHT Treatment Nectars are specifically formulated with potent scientifically-proven Bio-Actives and are available in 4 different ranges.

STEP 3. MOISTURIZE:
Moisturizing is an important step in your daily skincare routine and a perfect way to pamper skin with La Mav Bio-Actives.

Daily use of La Mav Bio-actives will help smooth fine lines, wrinkles and improve uneven skin tone restoring skin's natural glow and you can kiss those winter blues goodbye.

Don’t forget to stay well hydrated and enjoy life to the max!

La Mav Launches New Packaging Design

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:48:00 GMT

La Mav Certified Organic Skincare is delighted to introduce newly designed product packaging. The sophisticated new packaging signifies an important step in communicating the true essence of the brand.

La Mav founder, Tarj Mavi explains “We are extremely satisfied with our product formulations which remain completely unchanged. The decision to update our core and secondary packaging was so that we could more closely reflect the essence of the brand – age defying results, inspired by skin science and delivered through nature.”

The new packaging is coloured coded to reflect the different product ranges and skin types:

Purify and clean packaging is covered in an earthy green to represent the plant bio-actives contained in the products
Gentle and clean packaging is coloured light peach to represent the soothing and gentle nature of the key ingredients.
Skin Brightening products are coloured in pale yellow packaging to represent the lightness and clarity the key ingredients provide.
The Lift and Firm range is packaged in a sophisticated purple colour representing the needs of the more mature skin.
Age Defence range is packaged in the core pink colour – feminine, grounded, luxurious
Wrinkle Smoothing range is a bold tone of the La Mav core pink colour
Ultra Hydration range is coloured in a calming hydrating watery blue.

The plant design printed on the packaging consists of a combination of the stems, branches, flowers and other raw materials that are used in La Mav products – working in harmony to provide specific skin benefits.

La Mav was founded on a desire to create a highly effective skin range that was also gentle on the skin and environment. La Mav anti-ageing skincare is 100% organic, containing powerful natural bio-actives yet free from harsh chemicals.

La Mav believes that good business can go hand in hand with being socially responsible. Whilst La Mav products utilize ingredients that have been naturally derived and are biodegradable, the product packaging is eco-friendly, using containers and boxes that can be recycled.

What's UNIQUE about La Mav Organic Skin Care - Part 2

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:57:00 GMT

We are often asked what makes LAMAV ORGANIC SKIN CARE products different. So to best answer this we thought we take you backstage through our development process that started in 2006. And to simplify this explanation we have divided this series into various parts.

In the first part we covered WHAT WE LEAVE OUT AND WHY.

This part will focus on one of our ethical commitments towards animals.

LAMAV is accredited with "CHOOSE CRUELTY FREE" which is an Australian association that surveys companies which claim to sell products that have not been tested on animals and do not contain animal ingredients.

Every single one of our ingredients fulfil this criteria. We are very proud to display the CHOOSE CRUELTY FREE bunny logo on our labels.

Cruelty free bunny logo

Visit CHOOSE CRUELTY FREE for further information.

Flawless wonderland

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:45:00 GMT

As we grow older (and mature), our skin loses its youthful glow from dehydration and loss of elasticity. Wrinkles, age spots, and weather and tear replace that baby-soft skin that made us look so vibrant and carefree in our adolescence (oh the memories). If you’re on the hunt for a pick me up La Mav have a miracle product that will make your skin look so radiant that it will seem magically lit from within.

LA MAV CERTIFIED ORGANIC ANTIOXIDANT SKIN BOOSTER fakes that Hollywood flawless skin. From the moment of application you will enjoy an instant glow making your skin look younger even in the most unflattering light.

How does La MavCertified Organic Antioxidant Skin Booster Benefit the skin?

Anti-ageing Vitamin A, B5 and E improve skin hydration, tones and smooths to make you look naturally luminous
Antioxidant botanical extracts help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and can be used after laser treatments to improve uneven skin tone.
Key ingredients Certified Organic Rosehip, Macadamia, Bilberry seed, Acai and Avocado oils will help smooth fine lines, age spots and wrinkles.
Its high active ingredient content helps strength the skin to assist in elastic and collagen production which is what keeps the skin’s elasticity, smoothness, tone and beauty.
It's aroma is divine as it is a nectar of 8 beautiful and beneficial flowers - Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli, Lavender, Neroli, Ylang Ylang, Palmarosa and Immortella.

La MavCertified Organic Antioxidant Skin Booster in Operation:

For best results and intensive nourishment use La Mav Certified Organic Antioxidant Skin Booster after cleansing and toning and prior to moisturising. Using a clean fingertip apply 2-3 drops onto the skin, gently massaging over face, neck and décolletage using small circular motions until completely absorbed. To help doubly maintain the skin’s moisture balance follow with La Mav Wrinkle Smoother Complex or La Mav Night Repair Formula.

All my family and fiends are now hooked on the Antioxidant Skin Booster – they can’t get enough of it (esp Michelle Cook). Within a few days of testing, my skin became so unbelievably firm, felt silky smooth and I was glowing like a teenager with a crush.

For regular beauty secrets to preserve your baby-face – check back to read my blog posts.

La Mav – fuelled with certified organic and anti ageing ingredients to keep your skin looking young and beautiful.

LaMav’s Bio-Active Spotlight - LaMav Organic Skin Care Blog

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:02:00 GMT

“LaMav’s Bio-Active Spotlight” is a regular entry in our Blog Series to outline the skin benefits and results of LAMAV BIO-ACTIVES. The incorporation of Anti-ageing, results-driven, certified and 100% naturally derived Bio-Actives set LAMAV ORGANIC SKIN CARE apart from other certified organic products available on the market. All our products are based on LAMAV's unique "Three-Tier-Formulation". We have formulated these beautiful products with LAMAV ANTI-AGEING DIFFERENCE for you to experience high-comfort and luxurious texture.

First ingredient in our series is – HYALURONIC ACID.

Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in all human connective tissue and joints, including the deeper layers of our skin (the dermis).

Benefits:

It helps to maintain and regulate optimal hydration level and keep skin smooth and "plump" through its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It is an excellent Bio-Active in LAMAV ORGANIC SKIN CARE to combat skin dryness especially in hot dry climates, air-conditioned rooms and areas of low humidity. Hyaluronic Acid is non-occlusive and it does not clog pores.

Results

Optimises hydration making skin smooth and supple
Restores softness, elasticity and skin firmness
Skin looks replenished and healthy
Anti-wrinkle activity

Interesting Fact:

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the "KEY TO THE FOUNTIAN OF YOUTH" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages.

What's UNIQUE about La Mav Organic Skin Care - Part 1

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:29:00 GMT

We are often asked what makes LAMAV ORGANIC SKIN CARE products different. So to best answer this we thought we take you backstage through our development process that started in 2006. And to simplify this explanation we have divided this series into various parts.

The first and the foremost part covers WHAT WE LEAVE OUT AND WHY. On an average, each one of us use 10 products that contain controversial ingredients like parabens, mineral oils, lauryl sulphates etc., which, when absorbed by the body in miniscule amounts daily, used over a lifetime may be capable of causing allergies, skin sensitivities and rashes and more than what we know today. Skin is the largest organ of the body. Anything you put on it has the capacity to be absorbed through the pores.

The first strict criterion on our Research & Development list for LAMAV ORGANIC SKIN CARE products was to formulate our range strictly without these ingredients. We have captured this beautifully in our "FREE FROM" logo.