Nature holds the key to many beauty secrets and Nimue Skin Technology has discovered how a rare Swiss apple can help us look years younger by renewing our skin’s own cells.

Nimue Skin Technology, the international leaders in scientific skincare, are releasing their extraordinary new Stemplex Serum which uses plant stem cells extracted from spatlauber apples to strengthen the stem cells found in our skin.

Skin stem cells are responsible for tissue renewal but age, stress, and environmental damage mean they loose their capacity to divide. Skin renewal becomes slower and wrinkles appear and deepen.

But Nimue Skin Technology’s New Zealand spokeswoman Terri Grace says clinical trials of Stemplex Serum show that this process can be reversed.

“Using plant cell cultures to maintain the function of skin stem cells is a break-through in anti-ageing. The clinical trials have shown a significant and visible decrease in wrinkle depth for every single one of the subjects.”

Those trialling the product saw a 15 per cent reduction in the depth of crow’s feet wrinkles after just one month of using the product.

Stemplex Serum also contains a number of other active ingredients which together have a unique and powerful anti-ageing effect.

In addition to preventing and decreasing wrinkles, the new serum has an immediate tightening effect on the skin, enhances skin tone, preserves a youthful appearance, and protects the longevity of your own skin’s stem cells.

“In essence it combats chronological ageing and has a noticeable firming and smoothing effect on the skin,” Grace says.

“Stemplex Serum is the ultimate way to retain your youthful good looks. It will deliver significant results and protect your own skin stem cells from stress and damage.”

Its lightweight texture absorbs easily and is suitable for use from early twenties and for most skin types. It can be used morning or night under the appropriate day or night preparation.

Stemplex Serum has never been tested on animals and is also paraben free. The 30ml airless pump dispenser is now available from Nimue Skin Technology stockists for RRP $260.

About Nimue

The Nimue Skin Technology product range was initially developed in 1994 aimed at the medical market for pre and post operative application as well as for advanced results orientated skin rejuvenation treatment by skincare therapists. Nimue Skin Technology has since evolved into a globally-recognised brand, primarily amongst leading skin care salons for its innovative formulations and cutting-edge technology based on the effective combination of exceptional ingredients with scientifically proven delivery systems.

As a primary leader in the skincare industry Nimue Skin Technology is renowned for their expert understanding of the skin and the effective treatment of various skin conditions.

As a dynamic brand and trendsetting innovator Nimue Skin Technology continues to satisfy the ever demanding industry with a unique understanding, philosophy and concept.

For more information about Nimue Skin Technology and a full list of stockists visit www.globalbeauty.co.nz or call 0800 144562.

Nimue Skin Technology is now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nimueskinnz

Steve Bird’s boutique New Zealand wines will soon be introduced to an extra 13 million people through one of the world’s largest alcohol purchasers.

The Kiwi winemaker has appointed Canadian agent Von Terra Enterprises to represent Bird Wines to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

The LCBO is a provincial government agency which controls more than half of Ontario’s total beverage alcohol market. They source wine, spirits and beers from 77 different countries and recorded $4.27 billion worth of sales in the 2008/09 financial year.

Steve Bird says all products selected for general purchase by the LCBO must have agent representation, and he was thrilled to have Von Terra Enterprises on board to help market and promote Bird Wines in Canada.

“There is huge competition to get new products picked up by the LCBO so this deal is very significant. One in three Canadians live in Ontario so we hope this is just the beginning of a whole new export market for Bird Wines.”

Von Terra Enterprises president Andrew von Teichman says the 2008 Bird Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Big Barrel Pinot Noir were chosen following rave reviews by eRobert Parker – a renowned US wine reviewer.

eRobert Parker scored 90/100 for both Bird’s 2008 Sauvignon Blanc and for the winery’s 2008 Big Barrel Pinot Noir.

Bird Wines will be sold through the LCBO’s VINTAGES stores – the fine wine and premium spirits division of the LCBO. They offer opportunities for new producers to establish their presence in Ontario and build a reputation for quality products, while offering consumers unique discoveries from around the world.

“The VINTAGES collection of fine wines is available through 170 LCBO stores, 40 boutiques and six specialized shops across Ontario,” von Teichman explains.

“Products that do really well there are then often picked up across the board by the LCBO so competition among brands is intense.”

VINTAGES customers tend to be quite knowledgeable about wine and spirits, says von Teichman. “They have above-average income, purchase wine more frequently, and spend more on their purchases. They expect to be rewarded for paying more and we’re confident Bird Wines will be very well received.”

This latest deal comes three years after Bird Wines successfully broke into the tough US market through Via Pacifica Selections, from which he went on to form a joint venture partnership with director, David Duckhorn.

Steve Bird will visit Von Terra Enterprises this August to coincide with the launch of Bird Wines in Canada. “We have a full programme of presentations and tastings planned to coincide with the release of our wines in Ontario. The door has now been opened to an enormous market-place and we intend to take full advantage of that.”

Become a fan of Bird Wines on Facebook

New Zealand’s leading avocado oil manufacturer is enjoying strong  growth both at home and abroad but is about to set its sights even higher.

Grove Avocado Oil has big plans to increase distribution within the food service industry this year.

Grove Avocado Oil’s executive director, Brian Richardson, says the company currently supplies in excess of 100 restaurants in New Zealand and is now focused on growing its market share.

Grove Avocado Oil is highly regarded and is a product of choice for top restaurants such as Molten in Mount Eden who use Grove Avocado Oil as a garnish for their Waikanae Crab and is used as sauce in their Crispy Hapuka with Paua sausage.

John Millward from Little Karoo is a Grove Avocado Oil food service representative and says that Molten’s menu is a great example of avocado oils’ versatility.  “Owner Michael Van de Elzen uses the oil in many different ways from dressing to sauces.  He makes a fantastic aioli with avocado oil, which has become a firm favourite with his customers,” says Millward.

“Consumer knowledge and understanding of the benefits of Grove Avocado Oil is driving this growth and chefs love cooking with it because it has the highest smoke point of any extra virgin oil and is a healthy option for roasting, stir frying, pan frying and barbeque cooking.,” says Richardson.

Grove Avocado Oil is also higher in healthy monounsaturated fats (proven to lower harmful blood cholesterol levels) than most other culinary oils including olive, canola and rice bran oil. In addition, it’s a natural source of bio-available vitamins A, E and D.

“A really important point of difference for Grove Avocado Oils is that we use 100 percent avocado oil and our products aren’t refined, bleached or deodorized – it’s completely pure,” says Richardson.

Producing oil from avocados suitable for cooking was first introduced by Grove Avocado Oil in 2000.  It became the first product of its kind to be sold on supermarket shelves, and is now exported to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Mexico.  Sales in Japan doubled during the last financial year.

Grove’s range of cold-pressed, extra virgin avocado oils now includes Lime, Garlic and Horopito (pepper) infused flavours, as well as premium, organic and aerosol spray products.  Grove Premium Avocado Oil range is sold in deli’s such as Nosh and Sabato in Auckland.  All have the Heart Foundation tick and are packaged in attractive, tapered bottles.

Sales received a major boost this year after Grove Lime Avocado Oil won the ‘best oil for dressing’ category at the 2009 Healthy Food Awards. The annual awards, judged by a panel of experts on behalf of Healthy Food Guide magazine, highlight the best food choices available on our supermarket shelves for consumers.

About Grove Avocado Oil

This Tauranga-based company has spent the past decade developing its extensive range of cold pressed extra virgin avocado oils. Grove Avocado Oils are made entirely in New Zealand from naturally ripened locally-grown avocados which are then gently cold pressed.  The company’s manufacturing processes are closely monitored to ensure the oil produced is of the highest possible quality.

Quality Assured

The entire process of fruit sourcing, ripening, processing and oil bottling is managed using a documented quality management system. The company operates a New Zealand Government Approved Food Safety Programme using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP) which is externally audited and certified by AsureQuality. Each batch of oil produced is sampled and tested against rigorous specifications and Certificates of Analysis are provided with all shipments.

Become a fan of Grove Avocado Oil on Facebook

OPI nail lacquer’s New Zealand distributor is vowing to take action against beauty salons and nail bars that are selling fake lacquers and defrauding unsuspecting customers.

Global Beauty Limited – the only authorised distributor of OPI in this country – has discovered some nail technicians are filling empty OPI bottles with cheap, inferior nail lacquer before painting the nails of customers who think they are receiving an OPI manicure. The colour is often different from the true OPI colour and the polish begins to chip off within 24 hours.

OPI, a leader in the global professional beauty industry, is renowned for its long-lasting performance and superior quality nail lacquers.   The shades also contain no DBP (dibutyl phthalate), Toluene, or Formaldehyde.

OPI spokeswoman Terri Grace says filling an OPI bottle with a different brand of lacquer and passing it off as an OPI product is a clear breach of the NZ Fair Trading Act.

Grace says over the next six months the company will send mystery shoppers into nail salons suspected of fraud and then get their clippings tested.

“We are determined to protect the OPI brand and stamp out this fraudulent practice and have now employed the services of a forensic company that is able to analyse the nail lacquer from a small clipping of a customer’s nail and determine if the lacquer is a genuine OPI product or not.

“If we discover the existence of a non OPI lacquer when the customer thought they were getting OPI we will immediately take action against the nail bar concerned as well as advise the NZ Commerce Commission and the Department of Health of the forensic results.”

Letters are about to be sent to nail bars across the country to outline the situation and warn them of the consequences if they’re caught.

“OPI International and Global Beauty Limited are most concerned about this deception to customers and the subsequent damage to the OPI brand. The sooner these nail bars cease this practice the better for genuine nail bars and customers alike,” the letter says.
Already one Auckland salon has been caught using counterfeit OPI product and their details have been passed on to the Cosmetics, Toiletries, & Fragrances Association (CTFA).

OPI salons have also been reminded to prominently display their authorised salon stickers and customers are being urged to avoid nail technicians or salons who:

• Use products from unlabeled or unmarked containers
• Use dusty or dirty nail files, buffers and other tools, and have untidy premises
• Do not ask you to wash your hands or feet before performing any nail or pedicure service, and do not wash their own hands before starting each service
• Provide services that are painful or damage your skin or nails
• Cannot explain how they clean and disinfect their nail files, clippers, tools and foot spas when asked
• Use an implement or other object to forcibly remove or “pry off” artificial nails
• Stick their fingers directly into jars or containers
• Do not discuss concerns, ask questions and/or complete a consultation before performing services

All authorised OPI salons are now listed on www.globalbeauty.co.nz and Grace says salons will be regularly checked by OPI sales representatives to ensure compliance.

About OPI

The OPI success story began in 1981 and since then has grown into being the fastest growing and number one selling product of its type, sold in over 50 countries.

Selling more than 25 million bottles of lacquer annually OPI sets the fashion bar for the best manicured nails in Hollywood and boasts a long list of celebrity fans.

OPI is renowned for its unique shade names such as I’m Not Really A Waitress, Your Royal Shyness, Yoga-ta Get This Blue!, Lincoln Park After Dark and Jade is the New Black.

OPI offers a complete range of nail products that deliver high performance for the professional and long lasting services for the consumer.

You can now follow OPI on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/opinz