Eyelashes and Dale Winton

Eyelash Cream has become the new bestseller at Queen in the last week. This is a lovely and unique product which is one of our classics along with things like Theatrical Cleansing Cream, Cold Cream and the much loved Medicated Cleansing Cream (which, confusingly, isn't actually medicated - when it was created back in the 1920s by the dermatologists who founded Queen, the word denoted purity and that the product wouldn't provoke an allergic reaction. We dare not change the name for risk of causing a riot). We recently decided to talk about a different product each time we send out one of our newsletters and this time it was Eyelash Cream. As with all our products, this little wonder is especially formulated for sensitive skin and eyes.

I was prompted to talk about Eyelash Cream by a conversation with a charming journalist at Men's Vogue. He said that the reason men have better eyelashes than women is because they don't slap mascara on every day (or three times a day) and cause further trauma by removing it every night. It makes sense that this does make eyelashes dry and brittle although quite whether this affects length and thickness, I don't know! Anyway, it does highlight that eyelashes do get quite a raw deal and could do with a bit of TLC which is where Queen Eyelash Cream comes in. It is designed to re-condition lashes and/or to be a substitute for mascara. Some of our clients use it to keep eyebrows in check too. So, really a good all-rounder to have in your make-up bag. Try it (http://www.queen-cosmetics.com/eyelash-cream---special-offer-until-end-february-22-p.asp). It's a tiny pot but it will last and last! It can be used by contact lens wearers and is an ideal product for sore, watery eyes which dislike mascara (although you should also try Queen Mascara if you fall into this category).

And so to this week's John Bell and Croyden visit. I approached with a degree of trepidation this week, having made an appointment to see one of our more irrascible customers. I knew she wanted to take me to task about JBC being out of stock (I am unfortunately not in control of what and when they order from us) of her two favourite products, Sensiderma Rich Cleanser and Sensiderma Night Cream. I had taken the precaution of taking these products up in my briefcase and as it turned out, I shouldn't have worried. It seems the previous days irritation with JBC staff had been largely due to a faulty hearing aid and too-loud musak in the store. Fortunately, she had put in the better of her two hearing aids and we were able to converse properly. She was absolutely charming and went away smiling and thanking everyone profusely.

I suppose it must be because I am getting on in life and because I wear a suit and a visitors' badge that many customers make a beeline for me assuming I running the store. There was one hair-raising incident when an elderly lady approached me at great speed waving papers under my nose and shrieking that she needed my signature on her driving licence application because her father had worked at John Bell 50 years' ago. Fortunately, a member of staff intercepted her and she was led away to see 'Dr so-and-so'. Whether this a regular occurence or Dr so-and-so could actually sign her licence, I don't know!

Once again, I met lots of delightful people and it was a day when they were all interested in the products with no refusals to take a brochure and/or sample. No matter how hardened one becomes to it, it is always disheartening when someone waves you away and barks 'not interested' without even knowing what it is you are offering. But then, the converse is those people who are kind enought to stop and chat and show interest in the range. Last week I met a lovely young woman called Alexia Somerville. She is the fashion stylist at the exclusive fashion bible Luxure Magazine. She took the time to drop me a line this week to say she thought the samples she had tried were 'spectacular'. It is always fantastic to hear feedback like that. We can only hope she will spread the word!

Showbiz personalities were a bit thin on the ground this week. There were a couple of familiar faces but noone was able to put names to them. Fortunately, I was saved by none other than Dale Winton who was sitting outside a cafe in Marylebone High Street enjoying a coffee. He looked his usual hale and hearty self although whether this was due to the cold weather or make-up, I'm not sure....

The stirrers are on for a new batch of Moisturiser so better go and check all is going smoothly.

Please come back soon.