Blogging for your business

Social media expert, Louise Thomas, reveals how blogging can help your business in a variety of ways

Do you want to bring more traffic to your website, increase sales, rank higher on Google, increase customer loyalty and brand awareness? And no – this isn't an online marketing scam – it's called a blog, and if you do it well, it has the possibility to bring you all of the above!

Blogging is hands down one of the most valuable forms of social media marketing, but is quite often one of the lesser used platforms. Presumably, this is due to its time consuming nature. It's far quicker and easier to send a 140 character tweet, or post a quick Instagram post, whereas posting a blog on the other hand, can take a fair bit more planning and time.

Although time is our most valuable asset, I'd definitely advise you not to discount blogging as a form of online marketing. Instead, here are some tips to ensure you get the absolute most out of the hours you put into blogging, so you can ensure you're spending your valued commdodity wisely!

1. Pick a platform that works best for you

The two most popular platforms are Blogger and Wordpress. Blogger is ideal for the hobbyist or relatively small business owner, whereas the latter is the more professional of the two platforms. If your business' website is already set up, simply talk to your web designer about building a Wordpress blog into your website. It's a fairly simple process that will save you a lot of time setting up yourself! However, if you're looking to start a blog on your own, there are plenty of helpful beginners articles online.

2. Decide on your angle and a rough schedule

Formulate a brief outline of what you plan on sharing on your blog. Go back to basics – remember how important it is to give your readers something, whether that's information, entertainment or a freebie. If readers can see that you're an expert in something and have great advice to lend, they'll instantly 'trust' your business and, psychologically, this can seriously work to your advantage. Once you've decided on a general structure, it's now a good idea to realistically decide how often you can commit to posting on your blog, once or twice a week is ideal to hold your readers interest and keep them coming back for more.

3. Keywords are key!

If you haven't heard already, Google pretty much run the internet and everything you do on your website should be geared towards gaining higher search rankings in Google – otherwise known as SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). Blogs are a great way to gain a higher ranking on Google, just ensure that you use keywords to optimise your blog and make the most of this. When writing a blog post – particularly the title – try to imagine what the average person would type into Google to discover your blog post, we tend to Google questions such as 'What is SEO?' – this is a great rule to follow when titling your posts. Rhetorical questions also make for interesting reading, and help you build up a relationship with your reader by asking for their interaction.

4. Don't give up too soon!

It takes around 30 blog posts before you start noticing an effect on your business – whether this be a surge in visits to your website, a following of readers starting to grow or a direct increase of sales or business enquiries. But quality is of course more important than quantity – so don't rush through a blog post just to build up an archive of posts, write something informative and helpful and work on getting it shared as much as possible online on other forms of social media.

If you decide to take the plunge and start a blog for your business, then best of luck! Let us know how you get on and send us a link to your blog – we'd love to take a read.

Follow The Sneak magazine on Facebook and Twitter @thesneakmag

A Close Shave

Penhaligon’s fragrance expert, Nick Gilbert, reveals the secrets to getting the best shave

Beards and moustaches are undoubtedly having a renaissance among the fashion set right now, however, Nick Gilbert from Penhaligon’s, explains that the trend for staying clean-shaven, and using quality products to achieve this, is also experiencing a boom. Here, he reveals just how to get that perfect close shave.

Here at Penhaligon’s, we’ve always had a strong following for our shaving soaps and creams, but in the past year we’ve seen huge growth in demand for our male grooming products overall. Wet shaving is experiencing a renaissance, with more men taking the time to use a shaving soap and brush to get the closest and most luxuriant shave they can.

Smooth operator

If you are going to lose the beard and go for a smooth look, it’s essential that you take care, so as not to harm the skin underneath. Minimise the damage by trimming the beard with an electric trimmer first. This will ensure the hair is as short as possible before removing it fully, and this is the best way to help protect the skin.

When you’re about to start shaving there are some things you should do to prepare the skin. Start by using a face wash to clean the skin, then a scrub to scruff the hairs up, prior to shaving. This will lift them slightly away from the skin, making them easier to cut with a blade. Also, by lifting the hairs away from the skin, you will reduce the likeliness of getting any nicks or cuts.

When you shave, it’s important that you remember which direction to shave to care for your skin and get the closest shave: on the face, shave with the grain, on the neck, shave against it.

When it comes to the wet shave, Penhaligon’s most popular products are our Blenheim Bouquet Shaving Cream, Sartorial Shaving Soap and our Badger Hair Brush. As for when is the best time of day to shave, I’d suggest after a shower is better as the hair will be softened by the steam – so, whenever you like to shower is the best time!

Top tools

Ensuring you use a blade that is sharp and fit for purpose is very important – depending on the thickness of the stubble, a blade can last anywhere between five shaves for a thick beard, to 10 shaves for a light beard. So make sure you replace your razors regularly for a good result. However, if you do find you have cut yourself, the best way to deal with it is to use a styptic pencil to stem the bleeding and to avoid getting any other product into the cut as this will sting!

Make scents

When it comes to aftershave, we offer a wide range of unique scents. It’s fine to slap it onto your face after a shave if it’s one that contains skincare benefits. Penhaligon’s Aftershaves contain witch hazel, which acts as an astringent and tightens pores, as well as menthol, which cools the skin. However, eau de toilette should not be applied to the face.

Nick’s step-by-step guide to getting the best wet shave

1. Wash the face to create a clean surface, using Bayolea Face Wash

2. Scrub the face with an exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and lifting hairs away from the skin, such as Bayolea Face Scrub

3. Using a Badger Hair brush, create a rich lather with your shaving soap

4. Apply the lather to the neck, followed by the moustache and chin area, then the sides of the face. The hairs on the neck are tougher than the hairs on the sides of the face, so need longer to be softened by the lather

5. Shave with the grain on the sides of the face first, followed by the moustache area. Finally, shave against the grain on the neck

6. Use a warm flannel to remove any residue, and follow with soothing balm or soothing gel depending on skin type

7. Finally, apply fragrance to your chest and wrists

Penhaligon’s London, Perfumers Est. 1870

The first Penhaligon’s barber shop opened over 135 years ago, on Jermyn Street, founded by William Penhaligon. Today, the shop still reflects his witty, creative spirit, as an English man living in an age of excess and flamboyance.

The first fragrance, Hammam Bouquet, was created by William in 1872, when he was inspired after inhaling the steam aromas of his neighbouring Turkish baths. Penhaligon’s fragrant adventure continues today, creating original scents for discerning eccentrics – true modern dandies and bold women who are proud to go their own way.

The staff still passionately carry on William’s legacy of creative and innovative perfumery, challenging the traditions of the art, working with master perfumers who interpret ideas; conjuring up new perfume sensations that flow against the tide.

Penhaligon’s scents are still made in England, using the finest, rare ingredients – from hand-squeezed bergamot, to jasmine at twice the price of gold. The signature Penhaligon's fragrance bottle is still to William's original design of clear glass with a distinctive ribbon-wrapped stopper.

Royal Warrants

By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, William Penhaligon had been appointed Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court and in 1903, was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Alexandra. Today, Penhaligon’s holds two long-standing Royal Warrants from HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

Visit a Penhaligon's boutique today to find a portfolio of 34 unusual and distinctive fragrances.

Products

Shaving set, £35.00, House of Fraser, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Daily moisture boost, £29.00, Elemis, www.timetospa.co.uk

Bayolea Shaving Soap Bowl Box, £36.00, Amara, www.amara.com

Endymion shaving cream, £23.00, Penhaligon, www.amara.com

Bayolea 100ml EDT 100ml Box, Penhaligon, www.amara.com

Ice-cool foaming shave gel, £21.00, Elemis, www.timetospa.co.uk



Shaving cream in sea buckthorn, aloe vera, or sandalwood, £9.00, Edwin Jagger, www.amara.com

Sartorial 100ml EDT 100ml Box, Penhaligon, www.amara.com

Bayolea Shave Cream, £24.00, Penhaligon, www.amara.com

Endymion aftershave balm, £29.00, Penhaligon, www.amara.com

Penhaligon’s nickel shaving set, £136.00, Amara, www.amara.com

Porcelain shaving bowl, £22.00, Edwin Jagger, Amara, www.amara.com

Smooth operator razor case, £19.95, Men's Society, www.amara.com

Primrose’s Kitchen recipe

Primrose Matheson explains how a naturopathic diet can benefit you and shares one of her favourite recipes

Having had a youth of chronic fatigue, M.E and poor digestion, I set out on a mission to understand my body and what was needed to maintain it in perfect health. This led me into Naturopathic and Complementary health studies and a degree in Homeopathy, the knowledge of which I’ve used to design natural and wholesome food. I started with muesli, as breakfast is, as a nation, our favourite meal of the day, due to its quick assembly. I had a desire to make it into a healthy food for any occasion, not just first thing in the morning.

By including ingredients you might associate more with lunch or dinner, such as beetroot and carrot, I wanted to create a versatile health food that tasted great and could be eaten as a healthy snack whatever time of the day. Ideally for a more balanced diet we should be eating as much or more fruit and vegetables than we do grains.

From this, it seemed logical that if I was going to add a healthy ingredient like vegetables, why not add other nutritious ingredients not found in breakfast muesli that support good health?

By incorporating beneficial and thoughtful ingredients into these muesli’s we at Primroses kitchen hope to make keeping a balanced diet easier. For more details of what our products include, visit our ingredients see the ‘Ingredients page’ on the website.

Since then, I’ve developed new products in order to make healthy eating a little easier and encourage my customers to empower themselves through the food they eat and listen to their bodies.

We’re constantly told what we should and shouldn’t eat, I ask people to listen to their body. If something makes you feel good and energised then eat it, if it does the opposite then don’t. It sounds simple but we have forgotten how intelligent our bodies are and when we listen to our bodies and make changes to our life, we feel empowered. Everything in our lives offers us an experience to grow – when we find the answers within ourselves I believe we have found the root of happiness.

The principles of Naturopathy

A naturopathic diet follows the six guiding principles of naturopathy:

- Trust that the body can heal itself

- Identify and treat the cause

- Treat the person as an integrative whole

- Use non-harming and non-invasive techniques

- Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention

- Use education to allow people to take responsibility for their health

To find more delicious food ideas like this, visit www.primroseskitchen.com

Roasted Root Vegetables with Caper Dressing

This tasty roasted treat is a great addition to any meal and is bursting with goodness.

Ingredients

- 4 medium parsnips

- 4 medium red onions

- 2 medium sweet potato

- A handful thyme and rosemary

- 3 tablespoons of coconut oil

- 1 head of garlic

- 25 cherry tomatoes

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

- 3 tablespoons capers chopped roughly

- ½ tablespoon honey

- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard

- 2 tablespoon olive oil

To make

- Preheat oven to 190 C or gas mark 5

- Peel parsnips and cut into 2 segments, then cut each piece lengthways into two or four

- Cut onion into 6 wedges

- Place parsnips and onions in a bowl and combine with the thyme, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper

- Place coconut oil in roasting tin before and allow to melt, then add all ingredients from the bowl to the tin and spread out and roll around. Cook for 20 minutes

- While the parsnips are cooking cut the sweet potato into similar sized segments as the parsnips. Add potatoes and cook for a further 50 minutes

- When all the vegetables look cooked and tender, add and stir the halved tomatoes

- Roast for a further 10 minutes

- Whisk the lemon juice, capers, maple syrup, mustard, olive oil and a pinch of salt

- Pour over the vegetables

- Optional: toast cashew pieces and sprinkle over the top once cooked

The Age of Beauty

Stylists from Paul Mitchell Products and Professional Styling, reveal the best ways to care for your hair as you age

The structure of our hair changes as we age, which means we should alter how we care for it as time goes on. Stylists from Paul Mitchell Products and Professional Styling, reveal the best ways to do this.

Q. How does hair change over time?

A. Over the years, as your hair gets older and the grey starts to develop, you’ll find the texture changes. This isn't necessarily down to your mop being dry – this is also due to the change in structure once your hair turns grey.

Q. When does this change happen?

A. It’s a gradual process, which varies from person to person. In order to keep your hair looking its best, we recommend you invest in a range of products designed to add moisture, prevent color fade and repair, as soon as you notice your hair starts to get lighter.

Q. Does women’s hair thin with age?

A. The texture of the hair can definitely change as you get older. If you find it is getting thinner, we recommend using our Lemon Sage Thickening range. If you need assistance with ways to disguise thinning hair, Professional Paul Mitchell colour technicians can help. For example, they can advise you on how to create layers of colour that give the illusion of thickness. But what will work best for you will depend on your hair type.

You may find that your tresses becomes coarser with age. Grey hair has a different texture and we’d suggest you use a number of products from the Smoothing range to help keep it feeling soft. Super Skinny Relaxing Balm is great for fine to medium hair, while the Super Skinny Serum is ideal for medium to coarse locks.

Q. When hair turns grey, does it affect its texture?

A. Older hair does tend to be dryer, so turn to Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturising Lather Shampoo and Conditioning Rinse for optimum hydration. Paul Mitchell Super Strong Treatment, used as a regular weekly home treatment, will also help the overall condition. We’d also would suggest using a treatment oil on the hair before styling, such as the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil.



Tee Tree, Lemon Sage Thickening conditioner

Paul Mitchell, Super Skinny Relaxing Balm

Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Styling Treatment Oil

Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Moisturising Lather Shampoo


Q. Which cuts or colours help disguise thinning hair?

A. Hair looks great in any style providing that it looks healthy! It doesn't need to be short. Invest in a good product wardrobe for your hair – from shampoo to styling products – and having regular conditioning treatments to make any style look fabulous.

Q. Does grey hair behave differently when it comes to dyeing?

A. Having a few statement blocks of colour to enhance your haircut will detract the eye from the salt and pepper look. You can keep the statement panels as soft or as bright as your heart desires, without the commitment of an all over re-growth appearing.

Q. How can we banish yellowy tones from grey hair?

A. Use the Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo, which brightens blonde, grey and white hair, combating yellow hues and dullness while increasing shine.

Q. If you want to embrace grey hair, how should you care for it?

A. Blonde and grey hair can sometimes become dull through product build-up and air pollution. Combat this by using the Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two to deeply cleanse, followed by leaving our Platinum Blonde Shampoo on for five minutes to tone and brighten you locks.

Q. If you’re dying your hair, but want to go to your natural grey, what’s the best way do make the transition?

A. The most effective way is to create a multi-tonal effect. Creating high tones and low tones will give the overall look a more natural, contemporary and professional result.



Paul Mitchell, Platinum Blonde Shampoo

Paul Mitchell, Super Strong Treatment

Paul Mitchell, Shampoo Two


Q. Which treatments would you recommend specifically for mature hair?

A. Indulge your mane with our Instant Moisture Super Charged Treatment every week. This will help your hair reflect its inner health and keep it looking youthful.

Q. How often should we wash mature hair?

A. Hair varies from person to person so it’s really down to the individual, but Paul Mitchell Shampoos are gentle enough to use daily, if your hair needs it.

Q. What are the best hair colours for mature women?

A. It’s best to visit your stylist for a professional consultation and keep the colour multi-tonal.

Q. What are the most flattering hairstyle for older women?

A. It’s great to see shorter, more funky crops on white and grey hair, as it still looks young and fun. Just because your hair is ageing, it doesn’t mean that you’ve got to buy rollers and a hair net! Your stylist should be able to help you select a style to suit your hair, lifestyle and personality – so go for it and be glamorous!



Paul Mitchell Products and Professional Styling

Nearly 35 years ago, two friends, John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell, were inspired to start a company that would support the success of hairdressers and provide luxury hair care at an affordable price. The first products were launched and they were the first professional beauty company to announce that they don’t conduct or endorse animal testing. The rest is history.

These questions were answered by expert stylists at Paul Mitchell; Sam Walters, Nicole Hewitt, Evie Davies and Mandy Graham.

To buy these and other Paul Mitchell products, visit the website www.paul-mitchell.co.uk

Think Yourself Beautiful

Primrose Matheson, founder of website www.primroseskitchen.com, reveals how the power of positive thoughts can improve your appearance

Let's start off with a universal truth – you are entirely the creator of your own reality with your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. With this in mind we need to be aware of what we are saying, thinking and believing, to make sure everything is in line with our goals and desires.

The Hawaiians had the right idea when they created their language, the word Aloha for instance means ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’, but also ‘love’ and the ‘breath of life’. In this way, wherever the Hawaiians go, and meet people, they are spreading the love through a simple word.

Pure and positive

Keeping our thoughts pure and positive is something we all struggle with. We find ourselves in what the Buddhists describe as ‘Samsara’, a continuous cycle between death and rebirth, happiness and unhappiness, through our attachment to things in our lives. This leads to a desire to grab hold of things in our life, like our youth or our relationships, rather than going with the ebb and flow, in and out of life, valuing each step of the journey as an opportunity for growth.

The challenge is to remain aware and keep our connectivity to our heart. This means constantly checking in with ourselves when we experience emotions and feelings that we don’t like. The cause of these feelings nearly always has its root in fear. Our challenge is to go beyond this fear and make it our friend rather than our foe.

In relation to beauty, our fears surround wrinkles and spots and getting old. These are things that are not in the moment, they are all worries of a future that does not yet exist. Our need for the latest creams and gels and techniques stem from a desire for a quick fix and demonstrates our inability to give ourselves the time and attention in the moment that we need.

Water drinking is a prime example. A simple, easy and effective solution for reducing wrinkles, but it takes the effort to plan, fill up a bottle, and attention to drink it throughout the day without forgetting. We don’t want to have to be responsible so we give the responsibility to the, often useless, creams and gels instead or to the plastic surgeons!

Meditation

Meditation forces us to slow down and be on the spot, in touch with our emotions and our desires rather than rushing around thinking about the past or future.

For healthy vibrant skin try the following each day for a month, picture in your mind how you wish to see yourself. Maybe it’s an image of you with no blemishes, with brighter skin and a sparkle in your eyes, maybe it’s you running around with a lot of energy.

Picture this vision in your mind's eye whilst focusing the attention between your third eye – eyes shut.

Feel in your body the sense of happiness and joy that you know you would feel from looking this way, allow it to absorb into all parts of your body from the area of your heart, feel your heart expand.

Breathe deeply in and out and go back to your breath if you have trouble sitting still.

Sit in this space for 10 minutes each day. Each time a thought comes into your mind go back to that picture.

Alongside this, throughout the day, you can repeat this affirmation to yourself: ‘I am happy and grateful I am beautiful with perfect clear and radiant skin.’ Or ‘I am full of energy and vitality.’

Daily mantras to stick to

- Cleanse daily with a natural chemical free face wash

- If you are prone to acne then cleanse morning and night and exfoliate with a chemical free exfoliator – you can make a good one out of ground almond and soaked oats

- When you feel a tightness on your skin, you know your skin is perfectly clean

- At night use a chemical free toner and a light night oil if you are prone to dry skin

- In the morning, use a chemical free moisturiser or pure oil like Rose of Mosqeta

- I love the Suki range as my skin tends towards dryness, they do some great balancing products

- Use chemical free make-up

- Chemical free is important as most of the products we use regularly are used to using and are readily available contain parabens and petroleum's which are drying long term, and toxic to your body

- When out in cold and wind, use a scarf around your face to protect it!

Visit Primrose's website for more tips and healthy living ideas www.primroseskitchen.com

Heads up

If you want to get ahead, get a cap…

Navy Tweed Cap

£16.00

Burton Menswear London

www.burton.co.uk

Brown Button Cap

£29.50

Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant at Debenhams

www.debenhams.com

Brown Flat Cap

£28.00

Debenhams

www.debenhams.com

Herringbone Flat Cap

£29.50

Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant at Debenhams

www.debenhams.com

Herringbone Button Cap

£28.00

Rocha.John Rocha at Debenhams

www.debenhams.com

Large Square Cap

£59.00

Dubarry of Ireland

www.dubarryboots.com

Brown Check Wool Flat Cap

£25.00

House of Fraser

www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Prince of Wales Flat Cap

£19.50

Marks & Spencer

www.marksandspencer.com

Green Check Cap

£22.50

White Stuff

www.whitestuff.com

Classic Tweed Baseball Cap

£14.00

White Stuff

www.whitestuff.com

Tartan Army

If you’re after a classic interior style that never goes out of fashion, look no further than tartan 

Tartan may once have evoked images of traditional country Scottish style, but it’s currently experiencing something of a renaissance, in both clothing and home interiors. Although traditional red, blue and green tartans may spring to mind first, tartan isn’t just for Christmas! There’s no reason you can’t incorporate a modern Highland theme in your home, with some of these gorgeous interiors ideas.

Create your very own rustic hunting lodge with this Loch Leven wing chair in Gower plaid, £1,249.00, DFS Furniture Co Ltd, www.dfs.co.uk.



Tartan has definitely got a new image – gone are the days of old-fashioned bed and breakfasts with faded tartan carpets and threadbare three-piece suits, this is a new era for this classic style.

Join the clan

If you’re unsure about adding Celtic touches to your home, try just a few tartan soft furnishings, such as cushions, rugs, curtains and throws for a warm cosy feel. And if you want to keep things light, bear in mind, tartan doesn’t have to be garish, look for items in a summer tartan – a neutral colour palette – which has a much fresher look than some of the heavier colours.

Team beige, grey, soft greens and lilacs with splashes of bright blues or mustard to add some colour and focus. Using quality fabrics will also add a real richness and warmth to any living space.

Perfect plaid

Highland style is characterised by its criss-cross pattern, in multiple colours and it’s the endless variations of colours that makes it such a versatile pattern. A change of colour palette re-invigorates this heritage style into something really fresh and contemporary. From bold shades to pastels, anything goes with tartan!

One of the great things about plaid is that you don’t have to be too precise about getting exactly the right colour-match with your existing scheme. Ensure the tartan you choose picks up on at least one colour from your room's existing palette and it will fit right in. This style is vintage, rustic and organic and the mix of colours adds to this eclectic and natural theme.

Usually made from quality wools and tweeds, a good tartan fabric is incredibly tactile and hardwearing, and an investment that can last a lifetime. It’s almost like a modern day arts-and-crafts revival is taking place: as technology gets ever-more advanced, many hark back to more traditional skills, crafts and materials, which are very much en vogue.



Highland check linen rug,£100.00, Laura Ashley, www.lauraashley.com

Jean Paul Gaultier tartan twiggy cushion, £88.50, Amara, www.amara.com

Carola van Dyke fox and doe cushions, £85.00 each, Cotswold Trading, www.cotswoldtrading.com

Vintage tweed and tartan buttoned patchwork chair, £800.00, Kelly Swallow, www.kellyswallow.com

Hannah Williamson sausage dog draught excluder, £42.50, Cotswold Trading, www.cotswoldtrading.com



Tartan footstool, £205.00, A Little Furniture Shop, www.littlefurnitureshop.co.uk

Charlie indoor/outdoor rug, from £70.00, Dash & Albert Europe, www.dashandalberteurope.com

Arran Crimond heather tartan table lamp, £245.00, Alexander & Pearl, www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk

Victorian sofa, £1678.00, Delcor, www.delcor.co.uk

Hannah Williamson stags head cushion, £52.50, Cotswold Trading, www.cotswoldtrading.com

Tartan cushion,£8.00, George Home, www.george.com