Technical issues and illness (poor us) have meant it's been a while since we last blogged. Actually, I did write a marvellous blog about how companies/individuals use ingredients' Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to scare the public into avoiding perfectly safe ingredients. Sadly, as I went to post it, my computer crashed (not poetic justice so don't even think it). As it took quite a lot of research (including finding MSDS's for the ingredients these people love to promote and showing that, taken out of context, even the most innocuous can sound horrific), it is going to take me a few days to rewrite it.
It would have been timely as I have just had a long telephone conversation with a customer who suffers from contact dermatitis on her hands and whose skin becomes sensitised to most cosmetic products instantly or within a few days or weeks of use, leaving her with dry, itchy patches on her skin.
'I have found that all the products which claim to be natural and fantastic for sensitive skin are the ones I have most problem with,' she said. I tried not to climb onto my soapbox but did have to have a quick rail against those writers/companies etc which claim that natural is best for sensitive skin. As I said to her, it means many people suffering from a sensitive skin condition are not finding products which work because they have been terrified into avoiding anything with demonised ingredients such as mineral oil and lanolin.
Colds and flu (oh, how we've suffered) aside, we've had quite a good few weeks. John Bell & Croyden, the pharmacy in Wigmore Street in London, has just taken on some more of our extensive range which is great news for us and, more importantly, our customers who enjoy their trips there but who have found it frustrating that they couldn't buy essentials such as their Queen Skin Cream for dry, sensitive skin or Shampoo for sore, itchy and sensitive scalps when buying their Theatrical Cleansing Cream (classic cleanser for sensitive skins) or Eye Make-up Remover for sensitive eyes. This week when we were promoting the products, there were so many people who came up to compliment us on them. 'I'm moving back to the States soon and am worried about what I'm going to do without my Queen Medicated Cleansing Lotion and Moisturiser', said one American woman. We reassured her that she can order online at www.queen-cosmetics.com and that we WILL get her her products by hook or by crook (or airmail anyway).
Having been keen to find a way to offer free samples without getting inundated by people who have no real interest in the products, we have followed the advice of those nice people at www.inasoapnutshell.com and have levied a small charge to at least cover the cost of postage & packaging. By the way, do visit In a Soap Nutshell if you find washing detergents are a problem for your skin. Soapnuts are unscented and gentle (yet somehow manage to really clean your washing) and they're amazing value to0.
Anyway, if you do want a FREE sample of our product of the month for sensitive skin (this month it's our Moisturiser) do visit our News and Special offers page and find out how to get your hands on one.
Lastly, I am pleased to tell you of our most recent star spot (they've been a bit thin on the ground of late): Bruce Forsyth. Brucie was browsing around John Bell last week and I have to say he looks fantastic - not a day over 45. He was tanned, relaxed and had a very good wig on. An inspiration!
Have a good weekend.
The Team at Queen
