#MeetThe…Skincare Magnate

 

We are so excited to bring you our interview with Liz Warom, founder and MD of Temple Spa, one of our favourite skincare brands.

Liz and her husband Mark have a wealth of experience in the beauty industry, and set up Temple Spa ensuring it reflect their beliefs and values. Temple Spa do not test on animals or hire others to do so on their behalf. Their products are paraben free, with a focus on natural ingredients and essential oils and their aim is to improve the self esteem and wellbeing of everyone they come into contact with. We have to say, as massive devotees to the brand, everything we’ve seen, heard and bought so far from them, really does live up to this claim. So would speaking to Liz also live up to our expectations? We found out…..

 

 

Hi Liz, thank you for taking time out to talk to us so close to Christmas. We’re massive Temple Spa fans so really excited to talk to you! Can you tell us about your early career in the beauty industry?

I got married to Mark 36 years ago when I was just seventeen! I wasn’t prepared for how much it cost to have a mortgage and run a household, so I decided to become a direct sales consultant selling cosmetics to supplement my rather pathetic income as a dental nurse. I completely found my niche working with women and within two years of starting I had 2000 consultants working for me and left that company 8 years later as National Sales Director and still on 26 years old.

From there I joined a cosmetic manufacturer where my role was to create concepts for stores such as Marks & Spencer, Miss Selfridge and The Body Shop. It was here that I learned how to evolve product working with chemists, designers and manufacturers, a brilliant apprenticeship for the future. I eventually ended up working for one of my clients Anita Roddick and it was managing the Colourings brand at The Body Shop where my career really took off. Mark joined me as joint general manager and we took the brand into another dimension of growth and that taught us about managing a brand in over 50 countries and re-invention.

Wow, that is amazing! Anita Roddick was a very inspiring lady. How did you go from The Body Shop to setting up and running Temple Spa?

From The Body Shop, we came up with a concept for a lifestyle brand Vie, and after approaching Richard Branson with the idea, it became Virgin Vie and we took the brand from concept to launch in 18 months. It was only when the pull to truly manage our own business and brand with complete ownership became too strong, did we leave to pursue our dream for Temple Spa, which was our destiny.

To work with such successful brands and now be running your own award winning skincare company, you must have a real passion for beauty/skincare. Where does this stem from?

Yes, the creation of products is in my veins. I am a highly creative person and “see” things as well as “hear” things that give me constant inspiration to create, augment and perfect. I am blessed to work with some amazing ball catchers too, and its team work and having the right people around you, who look out for vision that makes it happen.

We bet running your own business can be stressful at times though. What does a typical day involve for you now?

Since I’ve got an I-Pad, keeping on top of emails has changed my life. I am able to check in early morning or last thing at night swiftly and efficiently, I deal with the States and Far East so quite a bit of communication starts or ends my day. As an MD, I oversee quite a few areas of the business and I find it works best if I have a ‘focus’ for the day which might be with my product development team or a supplier. I might meet an editor, journalist or Harrods buyer to take them through what’s happening a few months down the line, I definitely absorb myself in our fabulous Spa to Go business, we have over 1000 consultants and I LOVE any opportunity to meet with them, they look up to me and pull strength out of me. A lot of my job is future focused and I enjoy strategising to constantly see where the business and brand will be in years to come, we’re leaving a legacy and it’s a big responsibility.

Your passion and enthusiasm is very evident, but what for you, is the best thing about being MD of Temple Spa?

It probably sounds corny but I adore working with my husband, I respect him as a business partner and our careers have allowed us to work alongside one another for over 20 years. I also love the variety of my job. No day is the same and it keeps me buzzing.

We don’t think it’s corny, although we do admire both of you for being able to work together and remain married for so long! If others want to follow in your footsteps, setting up in the beauty industry, what would you advise them to do?

Have a clear picture of what you want to do, research it well and be prepared to work hard. Study, do extra training or work experience to push through. Mediocrity kills most businesses and when I find earnest, hard working people who have a great attitude, I will give them a lot of freedom to progress and fulfil their own ambitions. You have to be excellent not just OK to really get on, I am truly passionate about excellence and when I see it in other people, I am excited for them and know they’ll go places (hopefully with Temple Spa!).

You’re inspiring us for the new year! So, out of all the products that Temple Spa offer, which would be the one you couldn’t live without?

Gosh, I’m asked that all the time and it’s so hard to pick just one. My products are my children and I love all of them! Probably my desert island product would be IN THE BEGINNING the most awesome balm cleanser.

We know how you feel, we have rather a lot of your products in the bathroom cabinet, but have to agree we couldn’t be without In The Beginning! What’s your top beauty or skincare tip?

Smile with your whole face. If you look at yourself in the mirror with a frown or still expression, then brighten up your face with a wholehearted smile, the years drop away and you sparkle.

That is a great tip Liz! It just goes to show that anyone can be beautiful. Thank you so much for your time, we’ve loved talking to you and we can’t wait to see what 2013 holds for Temple Spa!

You can find out more about Temple Spa by visiting their website, where you can see purchase their full range of products, find out how to become part of their Spa To Go business or book a party. 

Don’t let Winter have its wicked way with your skin!

One of our favourite beauty blogs is We Were Raised By Wolves, so we were delighted to be able to write a guest post whilst Evelyn is away. We hope you like it…..take a look at the blog here.

As most of us have probably noticed, it’s getting a lot darker, wetter and colder outside now we’re getting closer to December. We don’t know about you, but the change in temperature and biting British winds plays havoc with our skin, and we often end up with red and sore faces as this time of year.

We’ve put together our pick of our favourite winter skin wonders that we can’t live without, and thought we’d share them with you!

Preparation is key….

Using the right cleanser is essential in winter. Using an astringent, drying cleanser at this time of year is asking for sore skin. Our favourite product is In the Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt by Temple Spa. This waxy cleanser literally melts on the skin, removing all traces of makeup and grime and gives a super strong injection of moisturiser without being greasy. Lavender and Vitamin E helps to soothe and relieve any tightness.

Go the extra mile….

To give your skin a boost when the usual cleanse, tone and moisturise isn’t enough, we love Natio Ageless Hydrating mask. It is like an intensive conditioner for your face! Containing organic rosehip and sesame oils, as well as papaya and aloe vera, this mask really helps brighten and refresh your skin with intensive moisturisation. When applied it feels like double cream, and gives instant relief to skin battered by the elements!

When the going gets tough….

If you’re really suffering, for example with chapped or cracked skin around the nose, lips and eyelids which often happens to us during winter time, we recommend turning to Nurture’s Nourishing Rescue Balm. This extra softening balm is great on those areas which need some real TLC. It reminds us of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream but with a much smaller price tag. And we find the lavender scent really soothing and relaxing which is an added bonus.

Primetime for Primer…

We’re always extolling the benefits of primers here at thebeautyobsession, but it’s even more important during the winter months. As well as providing a nice base for makeup, they offer an extra barrier between your skin and the elements. Our favourite primer is Avon’s Magix Skin Perfector.

Cover it up….

Once you’ve full prepped and pampered your skin, if you’re still suffering from redness, don’t panic! The constant changing temperatures brought about by central heating and then stepping outside into the cold, mean that even those of us with usually flawless skin can suffer from some serious flushing! You can disguise the redness by using yellow or green toned concealers and foundations. We like Benefit’s Perk Up Artist for evening out skin tones.

Love your lips…

The most common part of your face to suffer during winter are your poor lips! We can’t stress enough how important it is to protect and moisturise – chapped lips really aren’t a good look! We don’t leave the house without our Balmi lipbalm attached to our keyring, and if we need some colour, we use one of our Clinique Chubby Sticks. They moisturise and have great colour!

What are your winter skin saviours? Have you tried any of our favourites?

 

November TBO Awards!

November is over and we’re already in the final month of the year! Who can believe it?

Here are thebeautyobsession’s Top 10 products out of everything we tried and tested in November…..

No. 10

In first at number 10, it’s anatomicals Java Lava Coffee Buzz Body Cleanser, we can’t wake up in the morning without this, and we love how the scent stays with us all day! 

No. 9

Up next it’s our new favourite lipbalm. Balmi is attached to our keyring and follows us everywhere! 

No. 8

We love this gorgeous scent from Paco Rabanne and we’re wearing it day and night! 

No. 7

If you’re looking for nails that attract attention, you should take a look at our three favourite magnetic polishes.

No. 6

At No. 6, it’s the AnarKitty Denman D3 brush. Not only do we love the Limited Edition design, we love how well the brush allows us to style our hair and keep it smooth and sleek. 

Our Top 5 were really difficult to choose between as we love all of them, but here it goes….

No. 5

We have to credit the Guy Kremer Hydro Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner with improving the condition of our dry, damaged hair. Not only is it shinier, smoother and stronger – it smells lovely! 

No. 4

Our fourth favourite product this month goes to Temple Spa In the Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt. We can’t live without this, especially at this time of year. Our skin thanks the guys & girls at Temple Spa unreservedly! 

No. 3

In at No. 3, it’s a product we use every single day – MUA Cosmetics Brow Kit! We love the mix of colours and the wax that makes it stay put all day. We also really love the price – £3.50!

No. 2

Second place goes to the best foundation we’ve ever used! Chanel Vitalumiere gives a flawless finish and feels lovely on the skin. 

So, which product makes it to the No. 1 spot for November?

No. 1 – Winner!

We’ve been blown away by how good the Real Techniques brushes are. They make all makeup appear so much more flawless, they’re excellently priced and they don’t shed. We also love the video tutorials by the brush creator Samantha Chapman, there’s one for every brush! 

Which products would make your Top 10? Have you tried any of the ones we’ve featured?

Can you really get an indulgent facial out of a jar?

In our opinion yes – with this little gem!

Here at thebeautyobsession we love all things beauty, but we love things that make us feel good when we use them even more. This cleanser is one of those products. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Temple Spa, they’re a luxury skincare brand who retail in Harrods and Selfridges and through a network of consultants at home Temple Spa parties. We only discovered the brand a year ago through one of their parties and we’ve been hooked ever since!

The In The Beginning cleanser is a yellow balm presented in an elegant frosted container with spatula included. The first thing that strikes you with this cleaner is the lovely smell. We wish you could smell through the screen as it so scrummy it half sells itself because of the scent! It’s a strong aromatherapy scent which reminds us of facials in expensive salons. This comes from the key ingredients; Calendula, Clary sage, Lavender, Vitamin E, OIive Oil and Basil. Like all Temple Spa products, In The Beginning is inspired by the Mediterranean.

To use, you take a small amount (smaller than a 10p) either using the spatula or as we prefer with our fingers. You then use your fingers to massage it into your face and neck, and it literally “melts” into the skin. It feels really luxurious and is oily enough without feeling heavy or greasy. As you massage you can feel the tiny wax balls under your fingertips. They exfoliate lightly without scratching and gradually dissolve and add to the texture. Trust us, once you put this on your skin you won’t want to take it off!

Once you’ve decided you really do have to remove it (we like to sit with it on for a while to enjoy the lovely smell and the relaxing feeling it gives us) you can just remove it with a warm muslin or natural sponge. You could just use a flannel too, but where’s the luxury in that?! It removes all traces of makeup and leaves skin feeling so soft, but again without any greasy feeling. We also think it makes skin look instantly brighter. We’re not ones to gush about products, but we really have to about this one, we won’t be without it now we’ve found it! All Temple Spa products are paraben free and they don’t test on animals.

We only use this product at night, not because it isn’t suitable for using in the morning, but because it’s so lovely we want to have enough time to enjoy it, which we can’t really do without running around the way we do in the mornings! A 60g pot costs £27 and lasts us at least 6 months, so would last about  2/3 using it twice a day.

As a final detail we have to say the customer service is great, products always arrive on time and are packaged with tissue paper and complimentary chocolates – it’s the little touches! So far we’ve only had good experiences with Temple Spa and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

You can find out more about Temple Spa and find your nearest stockists or consultants here.

Thanks for reading. 

tbo

xxx