It’s remarkable how much punishment our skin takes – form the extrinsic factors of environment like the sun, smoking and repeated muscle movements (think face and smiling) as well the skin’s constant need to repair scratches bruises and other knocks we submit it to daily. Our largest organ is always working, and with its constant presence its care is easily overlooked.

As much as we like to think that a good moisturiser and the occasional scrub will do in the fight to keeping our skin looking young, smooth and oh-so fresh, it is just as important to take the battle deeper and fight from within.

This is a battle cry of BioCorrex, who have been waging the war against ageing skin with their range of inner beauty supplements. I was given the chance to try out their Über Skin Plus collagen powder and put it to the test.

Uber Skin Plus boasts that in just 8 weeks it see a reduction on wrinkles and furrows by 26%, suppleness of the skin increased by 19% and hydration levels increased by a massive 28%.

Question is, does it work?

I felt the story of the LUSH Slush Fund needed it’s own post. It’s just an incredible journey that I felt had to be shared.

In November 2010, the motivation for establishing the SLush Fund was simple: Could Lush begin to move beyond simply buying fairly traded ingredients and, instead, develop supportive partnerships with the communities that produce them?

It’s pretty tough to start an article about LUSH Cosmetics, a brand that has it’s fingers in so many pies on so many levels in so many ways – skincare, haircare, hair styling, fragrance, essential oils, makeup, spa treatments and philanthropy – you se what I mean? Maybe it’s best to just start with the facts.

I was lucky enough to be invited by LUSH down to their base in Poole, Dorset where the label was founded back in 1995. This may be another reason why I have always been a champion of this brand, and smile every time I see it – Poole is my home town too, and I’ve grown up near the factories, and the original store at 29 The High Street, and have seen the brand grown and expand through the country and globally (it was just a shame that during the trip I didn’t get time to go and see my mother, she was pretty pissed! The “I’m working!” pleas didn’t help).

Two very dear friends and fellow bloggers - Jo Wong from whats-he-wearing.com and Simon G from theverysimong.com joined me on this little adventure and when we arrived in Dorset, the delightful Plum from plumdiddlyumcious.com also joined in the fun.

This post first appeared on planetnotion.com as part of my Groomed column.

Skinbreeze, a revolutionary new facial technology treatment, offers a wind of change in the skin care industry. I went in for a session to discover if this new treatment was really anything more than a passing gust.

Self-dubbed as a microdermabrasion revolution, Skinbreeze is a salon-based treatment system, which focuses on a unique skin resurfacing technology – one that actually boasts a crystal free treatment.

The new Skinbreeze system has  four steps:  Microdermabrasion, then LED light therapy, O2 infusion and O2 spray. Depending on what your concerns are depends on what combination you have.

Orbital Microdermabrasion
This is the exfoliant part of the treatment that helps reduce fine lines and imperfections in order to leave you with a more radiant and smoother looking complexion. There are 60 levels of abrasion so it can work for every skin type.

LED Light Therapy
Here, the therapeutic properties of red and blue lights are used to calm the skin, neutralise bacteria and reduce redness. This helps in the prevention of acne, blemishes and scar tissue.

O2 Product Infusion
Using their own Skinbreeze serums, the next stage of the treatment is to use a compressed air delivery system on the skin, this encouraged a deeper absorption of the serum and increase its effectiveness.

O2 Spray
Finally, an O2 spray is used – a delivery system for liquid-based Skinbreeze skincare products. These intensively hydrate and replenish the skin’s moisture levels after the harsher microdermabrasion has peeled the skin.

The Results

For my treatment I has the microderm and O2 infusion. I really enjoyed the Skinbreeze treatment, the microdermabrasion was really effective but a lot less harsh than previous treatments I have had. You still need to be careful afterwards, avoiding exposure to the sun etc, but my skin was a lot less red afterwards and didn’t sting as much.

The O2 spray was interesting, and cold, and I definitely would attribute that to keeping my skin feeling fresher than a usual microdermabrasion.

The only thing lacking with the treatment was extractions. Usually during a microdremabrasion treatment, a lot of salons would then spend sometime extracting blackheads. It’s a great opportunity to do so with the dead skin removed and the pores open and exposed. It was a shame this wasn’t done as I’m always after a good extraction! As male skin is oilier we are prone to blackheads, so any chance to get rid of them is fine by me.

Skinbreeze is a great introduction to the world of microbermabrasion as it is gentler on the skin and leaves you feeling a lot less a kin to sandpaper.

Depending on your skin concerns, the treatment lasts from 15-90 minutes with the average facial around 45 minutes. Prices can range from £20-90 depending on location and treatment needed.

Find your local salon here

Push yourself to the extreme with Paul Smith’s new fragrance for men.

Paul Smith’s latest men’s fragrance is a summer refresh of the original Extreme scent. A vibrant and invigorating interpretation, this outdoorsy eau de toilette takes the best notes from its predecessor, including bergamot, geranium, Tonka bean and incense. Extreme Sport then infuses the composition with new notes of grapefruit, and Moroccan mint for a energising kick off.

The start of the scent race then gets taken over to a spicy, floral heart of stimulating black pepper. As it nears the finish line, Extreme Sport completes the race with a dry down that’s full of staying power – a base built around the incense, cedar wood and Tonka bean, which give it a long-lasting sillage on the skin.

The bottle has also taken its lead from the original, reworked in a blue lacquer to reflect it’s adventures, outdoors aesthetic. The feature of the iconic Paul Smith chronograph symbolising “a reminder in life, as in sport, [that] time is of the essence.”

To accompany the release of the new fragrance, Paul Smith has also commissioned photos of extreme sports stars in action, shot by photographer and filmmaker Sebastien Montaz-Rosset. The collection, shot in the French Alps, features three of Paul Smith’s favourite sportsmen in their element - extreme skier Vivian Bruchez, mountain biker Clément Iribanes and alpinist Fabien Meyer, taking the new fragrance back to its extreme sports roots.

Paul Smith Extreme Sport is available now at Paulsmith.co.uk from £22.50

On the hunt for a new fragrance? This is not going to be just any fragrance, this is going to be your signature fragrance, one that you will take with you through life and keep wearing.

I’ve always been a one-fragrance man, but in recent times, and with the need to review products for work, I find myself spraying different fragrances at whim. While this is something I am aware is a very lucky thing to be able to do, I do long for the days when I had one scent that people associated with me.

So I have begun a quest to find my new signature scent, and here are the first five up on the review block that I think you should know about.

Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche

Launched earlier in 2014, Hermes’ latest men’s EDT fragrance is a woody, aromatic scent that the brand describes as “a dialogue between bitter orange and woody notes and a clash between the solidity of earth and the freedom of citrus.” The opening notes of orange, citrus and water are lively and punch right to the back of the nose but settles instantly. It’s a bold opening has similarities to the original fragrance but is more well mannered. The composition then settles into heart notes of geranium and then base notes of wood, patchouli and cedar. It settles close to the skin with minor sillage making it a subtle fragrance for everyday.  The bottle is clean and classic with a twist top so it’s easy to store and carry, while the juice is an opaque honey tone.

Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche is available from Harrods.com for £77

Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Blu

This new eau de toilette from Ferragamo launched in April, it’s inspired by all things water and ocean, obviously – the power of sea waves and nature as a whole. It’s a complex scent with aromatic, balsamic, earthy, spicy and woody accords. The bottle is a striking ombré from dark to light blue, resembling the ocean seas. With top notes of green cardamom and Bergamot, followed by heart notes of cascalone, cedar wood atlas, cypriol and lavender, the fragrance settles with base notes benzoin and ambrox. It’s an intense and energetic fragrance that’s as complex as the inner soul of the Ferrragamo man.

Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Blu is available from Debenhams.com from £36

Mont Blanc Emblem

Launched in the spring, Mont Blanc’s EDT men’s fragrance is a truly masculine scent that pays homage to the essence of the Mont Blanc brand. As the name Emblem suggests, this scent is solid and strong; it holds its identity like a true landmark – powerful with a strong sense of attraction. The fragrance erupts with initial top notes of bitter grapefruit, cardamon and clary sage leaf with black peppercorns for warmth. Emblem evolves into violet and cinnamon leaves for a crisp heat while the intense precious woods and Tonka beans .

Mont Blanc Emblem begins with a splash of aromatic clary sage and cardamom mixed with sparkling grapefruit, which, right from the start, give the impression of a strong and charismatic fragrance full of contrasts. Fresh, green and frozen violet leaves are wrapped in cinnamon to provide elegance to the composition. The base features intense woods and Tonka beans for a surprising dry down.

The bottle reflects the craftsmanship of Mont Blanc pens, it’s modern, clean and intense in its shapely design, the deep balck and shiny finish are set off by the white logo at the top.

Mont Blanc’s Emblem has definitely struck a chord with me, it think it’s the top of my list currently for my new scent.

Mont Blanch Emblem is available from Selfridges.com from £29

Karl Lagerfeld Pour Homme

This much anticipated fragrance launched, alongside an accompanying women’s scent, to much furor. An aromatic fougère fragrance, the eau de toilette, Pour Homme, opens with fresh lavender and mandarin oil. The fragrance develops to a heart of green apple and violet, built on a base of amber and sandalwood.

As a huge fan of Mr. Lagerfeld in general I had huge hopes for this scent, the bottle is as striking and grand as you’d expect – watch out for dropping it as I did, I nearly broke a toe – and the fragrance itself is nice and I do like it. My only issue is I don’t think it’s as individual as I anticipated, while smelling great it doesn’t stand out against the rest of the market and simply sits amongst the crowd as a good-for-anyone scent. With the weight Karl Lagerfeld holds in the industry, I would have though he’d have come out with something a little more in your face. The scent doesn’t hang around too long either but does settle close to the skin for a subtle hit that keeps the fragrance very personal - if you are looking for a simple, inoffensive scent then I would recommend checking this one out.

Karl Lagerfeld Pour Homme is available at Selfridges.com from £33

Valentino Uomo

Housed in an ornate bottle that resembles a liqueur decanter, a fitting design for the amber-tone juice of the fragrance, the Valentino Uomo (man in Italian) eau de toilette is inspired by a “specific scene at the end of an aristocratic family lunch, on a huge table set on the terrace of a striking Roman palazzo. The fragrance notes are emanating from the garden of the palazzo, as well as the beverages and desserts that are still on the table after everyone has left.”

Valentino Uomo is a rich and decadent fragrance; utterly refined, it’s an expression of unmistakable style - it’s the olfactory equivalent of the brands iconic aesthetic of sophistication. The bottle is cut in prism studs, reflective of the ashlar bricks on a patrician palazzo.

The scent is a classic accord; smooth and leathery, “the softly smoky wood with a touch of vagueness that upsets the balance.” Top notes of bergamot and myrtle are succeeded by racy roasted coffee, blended with gjanduja cream on a rich base of cedar and precious leather.

Valentino Uomo is a powerful fragrance that demands attention; it’s mature in nature that would complement the suited-and-booted man well.

Valentino Uomo is available at Harrods.com from £46

- Words by Neil Thornton

Follow Neil on Twitter (@IamNeilThornton)

The other week I has the chance to style and help art direct a shoot up-and-coming photographer to the stars of the West End Darren Bell who has taken photos of pretty much every leading actor and actress you can think off - well, when you are asked to be one of the photographers for the Olivier Awards it is a bit easier. The subject of this editorial shoot was to be leading man Alistair Brammer, who plays Chris in Cameron Macintosh’s latest revival of Miss Saigon - so you can imagine that this wasn’t going to be something I turned down. It was a fun but daunting prospect; since moving into fashion journalism it has been a long while since I styled anyone but myself! But with the chance to style Alistair and in the amazing setting of the Prince Edward theatre in the heart of London’s Soho I couldn’t resist. On the day makeup was to be done by makeup artist Lauren Appleby, and Darren was to be aided by actor and illustrator Alex Bloomer. The brief was pretty straight forward - the look needed to be classic, masculine and dapper in a blend of fashion editorial versus theatre. The harder part was making sure the styling suited the plush reds and purple’s of the theatre’s decor. After look at the brief and making initial notes, there was one brand that came to mind first; Duchamp. Having been involved with Duchamp on many occasions through London Collections over the past few years, I knew their strong aesthetic would be perfect for this shoot. Duchamp’s ethos and aesthetic perfectly matched Alistair’s masculine face and body. So I got to work.

After looking through the latest Duchamp collection I found the suit i wanted, a gorgeous print-in-print checked suit. It was a sharp double-breasted jacket with notch lapels and double-back vent for a classic finish. The print was striped check and I knew that on first look Alistair would double take at the suit, as the print looks so bold, but I knew it would shoot well and I wasn’t wrong.

  I styled the suit with a Turnbull and Asser  double-cuff shirt, this white-on-white textured shirt was a bespoke fabric that was made for especially for Daniel Craig in the Bond films - it was too perfect of a tie-in with our theme to not include and it looked amazing. I finished the suit with a silk paisley tie and pocket square, similar in pattern with with slightly different colour palettes just to give a little modern edge to the styling’s classic nature while complemented the setting. I love the double breast on the jacket; Alistair has the ultimate ‘V’ shaped body with a small waist, which meant he could pull of this look like no other. The cufflinks are Dunhill and the shoes are Alistair’s own. Last minute I decided I decided to bring along another suit just to mix it up a bit. We had only planned and need a few shots but I am in love with this suit (it does actually belong to me!) and wanted to have a go at shooting with it as I knew it would suit Alistair. It’s a three-piece wool-rich suit from Topman, as is the shirt and tie.     I’m really happy with the results from the shoot, Alistair and the clothes look amazing. Darren Bell is a genius. Make sure you check out more of his work at Darren-Bell.co.uk and don’t forget to follow him on Twitter too. I can’t thank Duchamp enough for clothes, they were absolutely perfect. You can find your own suit at duchamplondon.co.uk You can find Lauren Appleby’s website here, or give her tweet here Find Alex on twitter here And lastly, give Alistair a follow here.