Category: Must Read

It’s what’s on inside that counts

At the age of 40 and still battling with her skin, Lesley decided to leave her life in finance and retrain in the beauty industry, where she began studying therapies and ingredients. She was shocked, as most of us are when we start to think about what we are actually being sold in the pretty packaged bottles. The inclusion of, more often than not, bovine, fish or porcine sources, preservatives and chemicals isn’t really what human skin needs. The multi-billion-euro beauty industry works tirelessly to convince us of the next must-have, miracle cream when we should be looking back to our friend, Mother Nature for help.

The mainstream creams and lotions are mostly not vegan-friendly, kosher or halal, but more importantly, they can be damaging, as Lesley found out: “My skin was making a cry for help with the acne and fine lines. After some tests, I discovered I was allergic to many of the chemical components. Nearly all skincare products are made from the same ingredients, so that made me wonder if I could create skincare products without chemicals.”

On completing her Aromatherapy and Advanced Aromatherapy exams, a journey of wholesome discovery and many years of research and development began. Soon after, Lesley came to the Algarve in 2010, in search of a better, more relaxed lifestyle where she continued building her boutique skincare manufacturing business, Karma Skincare.

“Karma Skincare is a vegan, gluten-free range of products, which is created with only pure, natural ingredients. Everything that I use in my products is halal-compliant and very importantly, palm oil-free. I only use the power of plants and minerals to improve your skin. If you put something good on your skin, then it will respond and glow. If you use chemicals or animal-derived ingredients, your skin will complain and cause you problems.”

Speaking to Inside at Sisters Hairdressing Salon, in Alvor, Lesley explained her process: “I source all of the ingredients myself and make countless batches before finding the right balance. After some field studies, I send new products to a UK laboratory for clinical testing and certification.” The Karma Skincare range is continuously growing, with a full-face range, highly acclaimed insect repellent and after-bite products, and one of her best-sellers, the Magnesium and Aloe rub — one client wrote that muscle and joint swelling went down in a day following using, whereas the hospital said it could take six months. Having heard so many good reviews, it was time to try Karma Skincare for ourselves. At the entrance of the salon, the full range is on display, with the facial products, Karma Cleanse, Karmatone, Karma Hydrating / Karma Renewal, the bestselling Karma Skin Tightening Intensive facial oils and Karma Night cream. Just to the side, the body range is on display with three very popular products, the Buzz Free and After Bug gels and the soothing rub.

Downstairs, in Lesley’s therapy room, there’s a selection of products and a treatment bed where I had an amazing Instant Boost Mini Facial, using the full day-care range along with a soothing chamomile oil and French clay mask. The facial was incredibly relaxing, and the products smelled fantastic. Lesley also used the Magnesium and Aloe rub on my shoulders and had the knots rubbed out in no time. Once all of the oils and mask had done their job, the treatment followed with a micro-current facial, using a high-frequency current and light to finish off.

Ingredients like the pure rose water used in the Karmatone are one of the reasons that Lesley does everything herself. If she were to outsource her production, a manufacturer would likely not use such pure, high-quality ingredients, as they would be looking at the profit margins too closely.

Having suffered from skin complaints in the past, Lesley knows only too well what an effect it can have on someone’s confidence. This is precisely why everything is done in-house. You can buy Karma Skincare online or pop into Sisters for a treatment.

www.karmaskincare.co.uk

Text Mia Wallace
Photos Chloe Ophelia

Fine dining at Tivoli Carvoeiro

With one foot firmly set in Portugal, The One Gourmet Restaurant of the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel & Resort enjoys a spectacular view out over the glistening Atlantic. Here, the chef and his team celebrate the abundantly available fruits of the nearby sea and countryside to the north.

Dining at The One is a journey through Portugal, with recipes full of considerable ethnic influences. Executive chef Bruno Augusto has an impressive pedigree, with experience both internationally and locally with Vila Vita, in Porches, The Ritz, Cascais Miragem, near Lisbon, and, more recently, Vale d’Oliveiras, right here in Carvoeiro. Now in place at the pass of Tivoli Carvoeiro, the young chef is full of enthusiasm and creativity.

Applying French technique and Asian minimalism, The One has a sophisticated style and presentation. The restaurant itself isn’t all about the view — but what a view it is. The décor has tonnes of natural fabrics in the wall coverings, and a central, curved green velvet bench takes centre stage, offering a variety of comfortable seating options. There is also a sprinkling of individual tables towards the terrace area leading onto the minimalistic dressed setting that soaks up the endless sea view in front of it. The ambience is perfect for sitting back and enjoying the dining experience ahead.

The team are knowledgeable, and a wine pairing dinner is a fabulous option for guests who are happy to leave their fate in the capable hands of sommelier Francisco Meira, who takes great pleasure in delivering a bespoke pairing to suit the guests’ taste. Franciso is keen to showcase the best offerings from local winemakers and has a fabulous wine cellar at his disposal, taking the dining experience to another level.

The menu is varied with fish, meat and vegetarian options. It also has a good range of balance with a vegetarian tasting menu, which is fairly unusual in the Algarve. The produce that chef Augusto is using is top class, with deep flavours of wild fish, organic vegetables and local meats featuring throughout the menus. Guests can enjoy an à la carte experience at The One, should they prefer something a little lighter with individual dishes or sharing options giving great flexibility. Diners will find the service to be attentive yet relaxed, which fits in well with the general vibe of the resort.

The One is located next to the Azur Bar, where both resort guests and non-residents are welcome to enjoy a drink and lounge whilst enjoying piped music and a warm sea breeze. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the Vale Covo cliffside, Tivoli Carvoeiro is a fully refurbished five-star hotel and resort, ensuring spectacular experiences in luxury surroundings. There are 248 suites and rooms with different capacities, including family suites and luxurious rooms with Jacuzzi tubs on the terrace. The gym is available for non-residents too, under a membership scheme, and has a sauna and steam room on the side of it, making it a perfect hang out for the winter months. An indoor pool and Jacuzzi can be found on a lower floor as can the large outdoor pool.

The spa is also open to everyone. Once inside, guests are transported to a haven of tranquillity where the beauticians work their magic. Ceramics made especially for Tivoli by local icon Porches Pottery are dotted around, highlighting the company’s ethos of sustainability and involving the community. The décor is a fresh blend of Asian and Portuguese and creates an elegant and calming environment.

www.tivolihotels.com

Text Mia Wallace
Photos Filipe Farinha/Stills

Long-time local resident and highly skilled craftsman David Pearce opens a portrait studio in Ferragudo

Staying with the theme of the 50th edition of Inside Carvoeiro magazine, we stopped by Ferragudo to see our old friend David. Having presented his stunning handcrafted wooden boats in a previous edition, we were pleased to hear that he was doing something a little less physical now that he’s in his 70s.

David now dedicates his time to painting portraits. Using watercolour, acrylic and oils, he’s always keen to find a medium to enhance the commissioning customers’ memory of the subject they want. “I work from photographs,” said the artist. “People come to me with a photo of their pets, people or places and I get to it.” With many of his commissions being of loved ones and pets, he takes great joy out of delivering the final pieces and seeing the emotion on the faces of the buyers.

When asked about his formal training, David explained: “I studied art at Worthing College, in West Sussex, where I later went back to teach for a brief period. I then trained as an architect, which was probably a terrible thing to do as a free artist, everything began to be very linear. Although, saying that, it did give me discipline, which is always welcome,” he joked. As an internationally acclaimed portrait artist, previously with studios in California and London, the artist’s modest gallery in the Algarve is located on Rua da Hortinha, in Ferragudo, next to the coffee shops. He usually spends his mornings here working on commissions, and, if the door is closed, he’s never too far away.

David is a man of many talents. He has sailed and lived around the world, is a highly skilled carpenter and even turned his hand to the restaurant business. People may remember him from the old Tasca David, where he was known to serve the best ribs in the Algarve for years. There aren’t many people around like him, a lovely, funny and fascinating character who has chosen to settle in this sleepy corner of the world. That is quite an endorsement considering that he has been to so many places.

David welcomes a subject for portrait painting commissions that touches your heart: painted portraits of family, pets, landscapes or even your home. For an initial quotation, he requires a good quality photo of the subject for the portrait painting in person, by email or post. You can see some examples of his work on his website or pop into his studio and have a chat about what you would like to achieve. David is a master craftsman, and if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, he would be more than happy to get creative.

There’s the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none”; and then there’s David, who’s a master of many.

www.pearceportraits.com

The new adults-only B&B is perfect to recharge and enjoy some precious relaxation time

When we heard that one of our favourite hotel managers was setting up a boutique retreat, we were very excited to see what Lourenço Ribeiro and his lovely wife Luisa had created. Positioned in between the Atlantic Ocean and Guia, Lourenço and Luisa have taken their extensive travel knowledge and experience and made great use of it. What they have achieved is a real haven away from the hustle and bustle of Algarve summer life.

This is a place to relax, listen to the birds gently chirping in the trees and take some time for yourself. There are eight country-chic, luxuriously boho-styled rooms from 19sqm to a whopping 30sqm, furnished with natural fabrics and linens with accents from local artisans. The size and sensation of natural flow and light that encapsulates these spaces will take you by surprise. Each room has an open-plan shower area with organic toiletries by French brand Damana and plush, cotton towels with big fluffy robes and slippers for that ultimate ‘hotel’ feel. Rooms have essence diffusers and a kettle with a selection of herbal infusions along with a pitcher of water and some fruit.

Alamos Retreat is all about wellbeing, and that’s highly evident in the breakfast lounge, where guests are treated to a buffet of healthy and biological, homemade gluten-free pancakes, muffins, fruits, local cheeses — including lactose-free choices — freshly made juices and the best eggs around. The menu is mostly vegetarian, with gluten-free and vegan options aplenty. However, carnivores will not be made to feel uncomfortable at all and will leave feeling none the wiser that the retreat is predominantly vegetarian. Breakfast is a very leisurely affair, and they don’t adhere to a strict timetable, which is refreshing. Guests come and go throughout the morning, and nothing is too much trouble for the staff.

Being adults-only was a welcome change, and as the guests are all there for the same reason, it is tranquil and very chilled out. In the central area of the retreat, you’ll find a refreshing kidney-shaped pool, rattan loungers and shade to enjoy lazy afternoons. Morning yoga is a part of the experience at Alamos, and after a perfect night’s sleep, there’s no better way to start the day than a gentle and invigorating yoga session, which is included as a part of the Bed & Breakfast package. By the pool, there’s something very unusual — an anti-gravity, aerial yoga pavilion. At first, you might feel intimidated by the sight of these silky hammocks hanging from the pergola structure and there is a lot of giggling to begin with, but once everyone finds their balance and realises that the fabric can hold somewhat substantial weigh, participants get into the swing of it, and it is actually highly enjoyable and rewarding. More mainstream yoga, meditation and Pilates are also available, depending on the day but guests can check the schedule on the website or on social media.

The retreat also offers an antioxidant reading that measures your antioxidant level. This gives you an insight into your lifestyle: It shows if you are healthy, if your consumption of fruits and vegetables is enough, if you are too stressed and, most importantly, if you are protected against diseases. “At Alamos Retreat, everything was designed so that our clients can recover their full health potential,” says Lourenço. Having dedicated most of his adult life to the hospitality industry, we were keen to find out the drive behind this new project and discovered that Lourenço is certified in Holistic Nutrition by the Institute of Traditional Medicine and holds detox seminars throughout the year at local hotels. He is passionate about wellness, cancer prevention, fitness, weight-loss hospitality and luxury lifestyle.

Wife Luisa loves baking the fabulous, sugar-free cakes that are on offer at the lounge and enjoys bibliotherapy, art and handicrafts. She has made many of the things that you can see at the property, such as the macramé, and has been instrumental in the interior design of the property. Son Guilherme is the young apprentice and is learning the ropes as he goes along. He’s a natural, so it looks like this is the perfect project for the family to work together and build something sustainable and meaningful for the future.

The beds are intended to be “one of the most comfortable in the region”, as the linen is 100% cotton. Guests can also choose from three types of pillows (standard, memory foam with essences and feathers). Lourenço’s extensive hotel experience is very apparent and the attention to detail is something else.

www.algarvewellnessretreat.com

Text Mia Wallace
Photos Daniel Clarke