The curative capacity of the liquid gold honey is well-reputed. However, it’s unusual to view the bee-sting itself as an equally potent health ally…
Bees have a pretty good rep. Our common speech is littered with references to these insistently active creatures. Just think: the birds and the bees, busy as a bee, bee in the bonnet, the bee’s knees…we’ll stop right there, noting that our fascination with these magically mysterious beings extends far beyond their miracle of honey.
The curative capacity within certain varieties of this liquid gold is well-reputed. However, it’s more unusual to view the bee-sting itself as an equally potent health ally. Bee Nigma, a New Zealand company, has done just that, taking the bite from the bee with their new Bee Venom Face Cream.
This is a luxurious product that has high claims. Smoother skin, tauter skin, younger skin; all the kinds of skin we’d like to retain, forever. Its secret weapon is the bee venom itself, which triggers a tightening of the skin’s surface. For an ingredient which may sound a little like the apple in Snow White, it offers a refreshingly effective kick in a combination that includes shea butter, almond oil and (keeping with the theme) manuka honey.
The cream is light and delicious, scented with the delicate aroma of honeysuckle and almond. It made the cut through my religiously-operated Dr Hauschka routine, a feat few products achieve. Once upon a time a dear girlfriend gave me a tube of wrinkle cream for my birthday. Now I have the perfect come-back – a face cream that does botox, naturally darling.
Kudos must be given to Bee Nigma for their simple, classy packaging. Small things count, like a sweet little "thank you" card inside the box and branding which is consistent, clear and intelligently executed. To bee or not to bee – well, it’s a question I’d recommend saying yes to any day.
By Willow Sharp
Bee-low: Bee Nigma Bee Venom Face Cream $119 from www.beenigma.com
Megan’s been trying Manuka Doctor api nourish Repairing Skin Cream morning and night for a few weeks now. The slender white bottle has an airless tube that keeps the cream fresh and free of contact with the air resulting in oxidisation. New Zealand honey is well known for healing, and Manuka Doctor api nourish Repairing Skin Cream utilises UMF® manuka honey, which has Waikato University scientific nods for suppling nutrients that activate and stimulate tissue regeneration. Contrary to what I thought it didn’t sting at all and was very mild to use – and I often get skin sensitivity. There’s also a Skin Rejevenating Mask using bee venom, for those who like to apply a concentrated mask. The Repairing Skin Cream retails for $47.50 and the Skin Rejevenating Mask for $84.95 from www.manukadr.co.nz
Bee-low: Manuka Doctor Repairing Skin Cream.
Mossop’s Daily Aid Balm is a multi-purpose, 100% natural manuka honey-based balm that’s perfect for soothing any minor skin irritations and dry, cracked skin. “I always knew honey was full of goodness, but it wasn’t until our UMF® Manuka honey healed a wound on my 83-year-old mother’s ankle that I fully realised the amazing benefits honey has for the skin,” said Wendy, who with husband Neil owns the 60-year-old business Mossop’s Honey, based in Tauranga.
Bee-low: Mossops Daily Aid
MOR Cosmetics has the cutest bee emblazoned bodycare around the $15 – $20 mark ideal for everyday use or for gift giving. This Honey Nectar range is described as fragranced as "Sweet Brown Sugar melts into golden Honey Nectar on a base of candied Almonds & warm Vanilla Milk."
Bee-low: MOR Essentials Collection in Honey Nectar.
Willow Sharp and Megan Robinson
9 November 2012
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