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In recent years it has become possible to create high quality elegant and high SPF sun protection products using physical sun blockers actives such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. In the short period of time that these products have been available we have come to rely on this 'invisible' protection believing it to be more environmentally responsible, safer (for us than chemical filters) and more natural - a physical barrier rather than a mini-chemical reaction. However, one of the key scientific advancements that made this technology possible has its self come under the microscope as a potential risk to both the environment and our health. What we are talking about are nanoparticles or microscopically tiny little particles which can be as small as one millionth of a millimetre to 100 times that large (which is still very tiny).

Sure we all know that oil and water aren't the best of friends. We found out the hard way after endless experiments, trials and finger-crossing days. We waited with bated breath and crossed fingers for the inevitable time when our cream became a two-phase disaster again! But happily, those days are behind us now and having mastered the art of making oil and water mix into a beautiful creamy emulsion it is time to turn our attention to how it feels.

If, like many of us your first port of call when researching is the merry old world wide web you could be forgiven for thinking that the answer to this question starts, middles and ends with the stuff inside the pot, the chemicals (or non-chemicals) that make-up the said 'cosmetic' but you would be wrong. Logically thinking it seems somewhat irrelevant to talk about what DOESN'T or WON'T go into your product/s and it is rather short sighted to think that, when talking safety the wet stuff is all that matters. What matters is not only more interesting but it is also more likely to make a difference.

Not many people want to walk around with twigs, bark and leaves stuck to their skin but more and more of us are turning to plants to help solve our skin care woes. So, how do you get the goodness out of a plant and into a pot?

Is your shampoo genetically modified and other scary stories?

G.M.O. When did those three letters become too taboo for the average civilised dinner party? And what about the cosmetics industry, I bet that they are swimming in super-fertile soya beans, monster wheat and jumbo avocado's or are they? You see the problem with stuff like this is that unless your in the know, you're in the 'don't know nothing' and are at the mercy of those nasty little sales types who would probably sell you your own granny while she wasn't looking!

Many people swear by mineral make-up, the next generation of colour cosmetics that promises to give you skin perfection and purity. It all sounds so good and I must admit, the prospect of a product that is 100% active, contains no 'fillers' or excess ingredients and is efficiently packaged ticks most of my 'eco' boxes. However, I'm not convinced that mineral make-up is the new skin saviour and want to dig a bit further to find out what's the deal with mineral make-up and is it really chemical free?

Inspiration is not something that New Directions customers lack and for many it is the prospect of lazing around in their very own 'hand-made' spa-at-home that keeps them coming back for more. However, turning our starter bases into a feast for the senses doesn't always come easy and that's what we want to talk about here.

If you are making creams there are three little words that you should know:

• H = Hydrophile
• L = Lipophile
• B = Balance

It wasn't that long ago when sporting the Bronzed look was about as Australian as it got. However times have changed and with skin cancer currently accounting for around 80% of newly diagnosed cancers in Australia, it's time to get your tan from a can!

According to research two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they reach 70 and that's scary stuff. However, for most young Aussies it isn't that that worries them, they have got their eyes on the fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation and that's where you come in.

Being part of the cosmetics industry is both exciting and rewarding due to the fast pace, fabulous ingredients and beautiful promises. However, clouds can start to gather if you don't understand the rules of the game -rules that are there to protect both yourself and your clients. We are all about the claims and in the world of beauty the line has been drawn. It can feel like there is a lot to take in when things get legal so let's take it one step at a time and work out the who's, where's and why's of claim substantiation. It's as simple as 1, 2, and 3.