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WE'VE compiled a guide to natural beauty using some techniques I use as a complementary therapist, plus a few of your questions.

Feel free to send in any of your own natural beauty tips or questions to; emily@naturalboutique.co.uk.

ARTHRITIC, COLD OR DRY HANDS:

Massage is fantastic for the hands; it boosts the circulation (especially good in winter for cold fingers), keeps joints supple and can ease symptoms of arthritis by increasing synovial fluid to the joints. Massaging your hands can also improve skin tone and elasticity.

Here's a simple, quick routine for hand massage that can be incorporated whenever you add hand cream:

1. Put a small amount of moisturiser in the palm of your hand (visit our shop if you don't have any!) An amount roughly equivalent to a 5p piece should be enough. Rub it all over your hands.

2. Using your thumb, sweep over your palm and circle at the base of your fingers.

3.Turn your hand over and run your thumb between the bones on the back of your hand (metacarpal bones), towards your wrist.

4. Rub your thumb over the back of your fingers, from the base to the nail, paying particular attention to the joints. This is particularly good for arthritic fingers.

5. Grab your index finger and gently pull from the base of this finger to the nail, slightly twisting your hand as you do. (Using gentle pressure over the surface of the skin.) Repeat for rest of fingers.

6. Place one palm on top of the other, fingers interlacing. Using a very light movement, sweep your upper palm across your lower palm as if you were stroking your hand. (This is very soothing to the nervous system.)

7. Repeat on other hand.

 
 
Q What can I do about a dry, itchy scalp?

A  There can be a number of causes of a dry, itchy scalp. Chlorine in swimming pools, chemicals in hair products, or over-use of heated stylers such as straightners of hair dryers can irriate the skin or dry it, causing itchy flakes to form.

You can incorporate this simple hand massage routine whenever you apply mosituriser or hand cream:

Limiting your exposure to these, and washing your hair in cooler water can all help. But you can give your hair and scalp a treat by creating your own oil treatment at home. 

OIL TREATMENT:

1. Apply a vegetable or base oil to your scalp such as almond oil, olive oil or Weleda's seabuckthorn oil.  The amount depends on how fine your hair is, but pour something the size of a 10p into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and massage it into your head. As well as being good for the skin on your head, it should also nourish the hair from its roots.

2. Leave it on as long as possible. Ideally put a towel on your pillow and leave it on overnight, or wrap a warm towel around your head and leave it on a few hours. This allows the skin to absorb it better.

3. Wash it off by putting shampoo on dry hair, THEN wetting it, or it won't come out!!! 

I'd maybe try it a couple of times in a week to see if it helps.
 
It's also a brilliant hair conditioner and most people find it leaves their hair stronger and glossier. To use as a hair condition, just apply the oil to the length of the hair as well.  

Other causes of a dry, itchy scalp can include seborrhoea which is when the skin yeast that lives on everyone's scalp is over-produced and can be treated with an anti-fungal shampoo. But as with any medical condition you are concerned about, seek medical advice first. 

Q Does the Weleda Rose Deodorant have a strong smell?

A The Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant has a really delicate smell and there are other oils in there like lemon so it's quite a pleasant, general floral scent.
 
A lot of people are put off rose products because 90 per cent of cosmetics with a rose scent use a synthetic version, which I find has a rather cloying smell.
Any products we sell contain oil made from real roses which is very different aroma from the synthetic stuff and absolutely gorgeous!
 
Remember natural deodorants don't stop sweating to the extent big brands do. It's really not healthy to totally block the sweat glands and there are concerns about some of the chemicals in traditional deoderants used to do this, so you just need to apply natural more often. Weleda's deodorants work by stopping sweat smelling basically!

Q The main thing I buy and use daily is a simple, rich moisturiser for my face. So, I was wondering if you've got any recommendations for an equivalent daily moisturiser that I could try out? The face creams on your website are described as being for dull or sluggish skin and for aged/mature skin which I wouldn't say is what I've got.

A Try one of the Naturallythinking moisturisers; they’re not greasy and soak into the skin really nicely (the moisturiser you mentioned is a non-greasy one, so I assume you want something not too heavy.)
The best ones for dry skin are Cream of Youth (those of you who are already youthful can try this too!) and Frankincense and Myrrh cream.
Cream of Youth is made from Gardenia flowers which smell slightly similar to jasmine and are very good for nourishing the skin.
The other cream contains Frankincense essential oil, which has historically been used in skin treatments of all kinds, but is most commonly used now for dry skin or mature skin.
Plus, Weleda’s Skin Food can be used as a balm for just about everything, including as a face cream for dry patches of skin. It has won loads of awards too!