ON THE BEAUTY NATURE TRAIL

There is a delightful irony in a grooming market now intent upon all things ‘natural’ when its whole raison d’etre has been quite the opposite. Transforming the hairy, pasty, unfit figure of your average natural man into a sleek, tanned and trim gent has taken all the guile and inventive application of a cavalcade of chemists and unguent wizards.

Now, the cosmetic/toiletries/grooming/spa fields are stampeding to embrace the environmental concerns of the populace, falling over one another in their haste to get out ever more environmentally-sound and ‘natural’ products and treatments. The clothing industry may be moving to diminish its carbon footprints (see Style p7) but the grooming industry is having to re-invent itself.

Balaton-Spa had a head start, by virtue of having been using for some years an ingredient that now forms the basis of a full range of face and body products, equally good for men and women. This ingredient lends itself to some poetic marketing - ‘by the beautiful shores of Lake Balaton’ which is where the ‘nutrient and botanical rich moorland peat and moor water’ that provides the natural base for the range comes from.

The face mask has already won devotees among celebrities. It promises to ‘deep cleans, purify and refine dull and tired looking skin’ and acts like a mini face lift. Men will find it suitably masculine, a thick, black substance in a pot, which should be applied every other day for the first ten days and then twice a week for optimum results. Available from spas and salons nationwide or go to the www.balaton-spa.co.uk site.

SHAVING A DANGEROUS HABIT

At a different level but still on the nature trail is the recently launched Pure Nuff Stuff, which its makers modestly claim to be ‘the world’s first range of pure, organic, natural skincare products which can be customised with your choice of different pure essential oil combinations’.

Now, they have introduced a range specially formulated for men. They point out that men are at ‘especial risk of absorbing toxic chemicals in their daily skincare routines, as shaving scrapes the surface of the skin, allowing the more powerful chemicals in high street products to permeate the skin and enter the bloodstream’.

“Every item we create is natural, eco-friendly and made to order for optimum freshness and quality,” reports proprietor, Emily Kavanaugh. “We use botanical ingredients from natural and fair trade sources, which are renewable and where possible local, to provide an end product that is natural and affordable – to everybody.”

All the shaving, bath and hair products retail at under £10 .Go to www.purenuffstuff.co.uk for further details.

MEN GO UP THE POLE

Those young ladies who whirl and twirl round a pole are actually involved in a highly effective keep-fit exercise - and now men are getting in on the act.

Pole-dancing is the latest trend for getting into shape, according to LA Muscle, internatinal keep fit specialists, who report that just one hour of spinning on the pole can burn up to 250 calories. It will also tone the upper body, strengthen stomach muscles and increase muscle definition in bottom, arms and thighs.

No wonder pole classes are springing up all over the country. The London Academy of Pole Dancing is just one that offers a comprehensive programme of pole activities and supporting merchandise, suitable for beginners through to would-be professionals, such as the artiste pictured here.

For those men a little shy, a home dvd might be a more comfortable option. Buy your own pole and Lucy Misch’s Pole Exercise DVD ( www.poleexercise.co.uk) and get spinning.