Jolie July: Super Elixir

By nature, especially when it comes to beauty and health products, I tend to be a bit sceptical.

Cynical even.

To the point that when I used to work in medicine, and the claims about Boots’ Protect & Perfect serum were made, way back in 2009, I had to actually call up the professor involved and ask him if they were true.

Given I was processing a pile of media articles almost a foot high at the time, you’d think I’d have believed the hype.

I’ve even, when presented with a ‘new wonder therapy’ asked to see the journal papers relating to its efficacy. Oddly, they never materialised.

So, when the invited came to head to Selfridges to see a talk about a new form of super greens, the Super Elixir, I was initially dismissive. It was, to be honest, that supermodel Elle MacPherson was going to be there that swung it.

For those of you (I know you exist because I’ve had a lot of puzzled faces when I mentioned her name) who don’t know who she is, she was one of the original supermodels. A lady whose figure earned her the nickname ‘the body’, who was the subject of many a young man’s fantasy and many a young lady’s aspirations and no doubt the subject of girl crushes the world over.

Sadly, all likelihood of me growing a foot in height, suiting long blonde locks and having a tan to die for have long since dissipated. A short, dumpy, freckle faced redhead is what I’ll probably remain. Good job Mr GFB likes short, dumpy, freckle faced redheads.

Still, I would get to meet her. Up close.

The urge to be able to really see if she is as beautiful as she looks in the media was enough to make me want to go. In fact that’s what every woman I’ve spoken to afterwards has asked ‘Is she as beautiful in real life?’.

This was why, one lunch time, I very hurriedly and somewhat nervously, made my way to Selfridges (thank god for Uber)  and the for the talk, chaired by the delightful Armand Beasley, to discuss the new product.

Almost immediately I spotted the security around and the lady herself. I tried, whilst sitting and chatting with other bloggers, very hard not to be a fangirl. Thankfully there was wine on hand to make me feel better and some nibbles to help soak up the alcohol. Drunky fangirl? Nobody wants to be that person.

The talk was interesting, even to my skeptical eyes. As she edged towards her 50th birthday, Elle had started to feel tired, unwell, not herself. There was nothing wrong with her diet, or her exercise regime – she was still working out regularly, still looking after herself, but something wasn’t quite right. She’d heard of Dr  Simone Laubscher, a nutritional specialist (Dr Laubscher has a PhD in oxidative stress and toxicology and a bachelor degree in science and nutrition) working on Harley Street and went to see her to see if she could help.

After some consultation sessions, Simone determined that there was something missing from her diet. Now this, I admit is where I get a little confused and if any of you science types (I’m geeky, but my knowledge is limited) really want to correct me, please do. The tests done on Elle’s blood indicated that her body was somewhat acidic and the super greens that Simone prescribed would help address that balance. This isn’t the first time I’ve head of super greens alkalising the body, but what I’m not sure about is how accurate this is, or how it does it, particularly as I always thought the body regulated it’s own acidity levels.

Either way, they were beneficial, because Elle saw an improvement in her health, her hair, her skin and nails. Her energy levels improved, her bounce was back.

She was so thrilled with this change, she wanted to share it and so worked with Simone to create the ultimate in super green, the Super Elixir. This blend of greens contains, pre and pro biotics, Chinese herbs, digestive enzymes, omega 3, vitamins and minerals. And it’s designed to be safe for both adults and children.

Seriously, this woman is 50 (yes, yes she is just as beautiful in real life).

At the end of the talk, and having met Elle herself (I behaved myself, I swear – no giggling or blushing), we bloggers and press were given a goodie bag – containing one of the refill bags of the Super Elixir. Forget being sceptical, I was going to be able to test this myself.

I determined to do this properly. One whole month of Super Elixir daily, as specified in the dosage, 1 hour before/after hot food and 1 hour before/after coffee as both have a negative effect on the nutrients. I’d take it religiously, keeping to it and not changing the rest of my diet particularly.

I’d then try another super green for comparison (I selected a generic brand in a similar paper bag from Holland and Barrett costed at £20.00).

Both brands look a bit, well, like you’ve pureed the contents of your salad drawer and diluted it with water. Sludge would be appropriate.

Not particularly appetising (I believe this is the Super Elixir, though to be honest, you really couldn’t tell the difference). As you’d expect given the price difference, the texture was different –  the Super Elixir was slightly grainy, but not bad. The generic brand was gritty and like thick pondwater.

Flavour wise, there was a massive amount of difference. Both Simone and Elle tasted tested the Super Elixir until they were satisfied. What you get is a pineappley sweet flavour, that’s quite light and pleasant, despite it’s colour. The generic brand is, well, it tasted green and sludgy.Though you use half the amount of the generic brand, it’s actually difficult to drink – the use of a straw, or taking it as a shot is, well, pretty much mandatory.

The price difference of £20 versus £62.00 is rather large. There are several different greens on the market, I’ve seen prices ranging from £12 through to £39.99 online – though I think the Super Elixir tops the list. If you see anything pricier, please let me know!

Finally, I guess, the important bit. How did it make me feel.

I didn’t notice anything whilst using the Elixir that I could put my finger on. I think my hair grew faster – but that could be that it’s summer and that’s generally what happens. What I noticed more was when I stopped.

After a couple of days, my energy levels dropped. I wasn’t as bouncy or as happy as I had been over the last month. My skin went spotty and my hormone levels started to fluctuate. I was, to put it bluntly, grumpy, out of sorts and not a pretty sight.

I’ve been trying the generic brand for the last 3 weeks and I have to admit my skin has cleared a bit – but it’s not as good as it was with the Elixir. My energy levels haven’t increased and I’ve been told my bounce is still somewhat intermittent.

And so, much as I hate to admit it – and I really do, I quite like being a sceptical so-and-so – is that once this sludge green that I’m drinking daily has run out, I’m heading into Selfridges to buy me some Super Elixir.

Make of that, what you will.