June 2010
Treatment Review: THE SALT CAVE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT (20.08.10)
What it promises: The Salt Cave has two clinics nationwide – the original location in South West London, and a new location in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The chamber reproduces the microclimate of a natural Salt Cave using a special medical device. Patients sit in the room and breathe normally, whilst negative ionized salt particles work their way into the respiratory system, reaching even the deepest part of the lung (alveoli). After one hour, patients feel their respiratory system is cleaner and clearer. Salt therapy helps a vast range of conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, coughs, sinus problems, ear infections, psoriasis, rhinitis, hay fever, allergies, cystic fibrosis, tonsillitis, and eczema.
What happens: I suffer from mild asthma and recurring sinus problems, so I was keen to visit The Salt Cave when I heard it had opened in my hometown of Tunbridge Wells, Kent. After arriving, I was asked to cover my shoes with plastic bags and place a net over my hair (to keep the cave hygienic). I was then lead into the cave, where a staff member sat next to me to explain the benefits of the treatment, before leaving me to my own devices. The cave itself looked like a snow grotto – with a thick layer of powder-white salt on the floor, salt covering the walls, and flickering lanterns scattered around. The room was instantly relaxing – I can’t quite explain the science, but I was more than happy to put my feet up onto the foot rest, open my book, and sit back to enjoy the peaceful ambience for the next hour. When I arrived in the cave, I had a blocked nose – but as the minutes ticked away, I felt the pressure ease and airways slowly re-open. After an hour, the lights came on to alert me that the hour was up. I made my way out of the cave, removing the plastic bags and net in reception.
The Results: To notice real benefits, The Salt Cave recommends that a course of sessions is booked (the specific number relates to each condition, which the company will advise when you book). One treatment, therefore, wasn’t enough to report a huge change in my overall health – but I did instantly notice an instant improvement to my sinuses, which stayed clear until late that evening and felt more comfortable for well over a week. If it can do that in an hour, I can only imagine the power it can have over a course of treatments – and the countless reviews I’ve read from (extremely) happy customers are testament to that.
Price: First session is free (call for details). Thereafter, one-hour sessions cost £35, with discounts offered if you book a package of 10 or more.
Location: London Salt Cave, 320B Earlsfield Road, United Reformed Church, London SW18 3EJ. Kent Salt Cave, 10 Vale Road, Post Office Square, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1BP. To book, call 033 33440533. www.saltcave.co.uk
Tried & Tested: LENGTHENING MASCARAS (20.08.10)
Add some length to your flutter with our pick of lengthening mascaras.
CLINIQUE HIGH LENGTHS MASCARA, £14.50 (www.clinique.co.uk)
What they say: The unique “willow” wand applicator features rows of strategically placed tines to comb through lashes, carefully stretching and separating each lash to new lengths. The proximity and placement of each tine helps to coat lashes evenly and resulting in longer, lusher lashes.
The Results: I’m a big fan of Clinique makeup, but felt a little daunted when I caught sight of this long, curved wand as I wasn’t sure how to use it. After combing it through my lashes once, however, I was completely converted. Mascaras I’ve tried in the past usually miss the smaller lashes in the outer-corners of my eyes, but this long wand caught every single lash, making the overall length of my lashes appear much, much longer. I don’t know if I could revert back to a regular mascara wand now – the people at Clinique are genius!
Best for: Coating every single lash
BOURJOIS ELASTIC MASCARA, £8.99 (www.bourjois.co.uk)
What they say: An ultra stretchable formula enriched with hevea that stretches the lashes to form extensions beyond the tip of lashes. An extending and defining brush with reservoirs that release the formula along the entire length of lashes and with long, thin bristles for high definition and maximum stretching.
The Results: I have quite short lashes, so I’m always keen to try new lengthening mascaras. I like this product – the long, thin wand gripped my lashes tightly as I swept it through and coated my lashes from the root to the tip. It didn’t do much to volumise my flutter, but it did a brilliant job at defining and noticeably lengthening the lashes – in fact, I’d go as far as to say that they looked double the length. I did notice a few clumps the first time I tested it, but that was easily rectified by wiping the excess off before applying. Overall, I’m very impressed – and it’s such a great price that I would definitely buy it again.
Best for: The budget choice
YVES SAINT LAURENT MASCARA SINGULIER, £21.50 (Counters Nationwide)
What they say: Thanks to the perfect pairing of its multi-effect formula and its exclusive brush developed to amplify the make-up results, MASCARA SINGULIER gives the eyes exciting new allure: the lashes fan out in a vertiginous fringe of such density you’d swear your eyes have a thin trace of eyeliner.
The Results: I love the packaging of this mascara - it’s the typical YSL gold tube, which looks both stylish and classic. The brush is thick and coats the lashes evenly – a welcome relief from the clumpy effect I’ve found in the past with cheaper mascaras. It definitely made my eyelashes longer and lasted all day - I only reapplied another coat for my evening out. Even my boyfriend commented on how bright my eyes looked. A fantastic investment – I’m hooked!
Best for: Long-lasting results
MAC OPULASH, £12.50 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk)
What they say: Opulash creates aesthetic extremes when it gets going, for a dramatic end look. It’s all in the brush: enlarged and engineered to grab roots, lift, hold, replicate, exaggerate and build-out like an architect intent on astounding with structural sleight-of-hand.
The Results: I can’t rave about this mascara enough – it does exactly what it promises. From the very first sweep, my eyelashes were lifted from the roots and fanned out to look glamorous and dramatic. I’ve got long eyelashes anyway, but this mascara defined the entire length of the lash and made me look like I was wearing false eyelashes. When I used it alongside my eyelash curlers for a night out, I felt a million dollars. I’m going to stock up!
Best for: A dramatic effect
BOBBI BROWN LASH GLAMOUR LENGTHENING MASCARA, £17.50 (www.bobbibrown.co.uk)
What they say: Created for those who want the all-out drama of false lashes, this state-of-the-art formula super-lengthens, defines and lifts lashes. A special silicone blend helps this mascara glide on smoothly, and delivers long-lasting, water-resistant wear.
The Results: I love the stylish packaging - and it’s a great size to pop into my handbag on a night out. The mascara itself is fantastic - it glides onto my lashes easily, giving an even coverage and extra definition to the tips of the lashes. I only needed one coat for a really dramatic look, so I think the tube will last a long time, making it better value for money. I love that it’s water-resistant, so it can also be taken on holiday.
Best for: On the go
GIVENCHY PHENOMEN’ EYES EFFET EXTENSION, £19.50 (01932 233 824)
What they say: A mascara with an innovative ball-shaped brush. A totally groundbreaking 360° gesture to capture even the tiniest lashes right from the root. The eyes are redefined, intensified, and magnified.
The Results: Wow – l love this mascara! The ball-shaped brush looks slightly scary at first, but it is surprisingly effective at getting to the root of eyelashes and provides impressive volume. Because of the shape of the ball, you can even get the tiny lashes at the corner of your eyes, which made my eyes look much bigger and open than usual. So many people asked me if I was wearing fake eyelashes when I had this on. It’s more expensive that what I’d usually pay, but I’d recommend it if you want to treat yourself to something special.
Best for: A false lash effect
Blog: CELEBRITY HAIRDRESSER RICHARD WARD SHARES HIS ULTIMATE FRIZZ FIGHTING TIPS (20.08.10)
Frizz is caused by moisture. Damp, drizzly climates, or humid environments cause hair to absorb moisture and revert to its natural, pre-blowdried state. When hair is damaged it loses its ability to maintain moisture and becomes more porous in the damaged areas - hence, ends frizzing more than newly grown roots (which have undergone less chemical processes). Hair can also be naturally coarser and drier and therefore more frizz-prone, too.
Here are my top six tips to achieving beautiful frizz-free hair:
1) If your hair frizzes then don’t be tempted to dampen it down as this will re-hydrate your hair more and cause it to frizz further. The aim is to blow dry it to remove the moisture and re-shape the hair to look sleeker, so instead spritz your hair with a leave-in conditioner, which will protect your hair from air moisture content and humidity and restore its natural balance.
2) Frizz caused by porosity or sensitivy (damage to the cuticle and cortex, or main bulk of the hair,) is crying out for moisture. So, use a twice-weekly deep conditioning mask as its ingredients evens out porosity in the damaged cuticles to leave hair smooth and glossy.
3) A serum or gloss wax will prevent frizz but just use a small amount and scrunch into the ends avoiding the root area. Be careful not to over-use silicone based products such as serums, which can result in a product build up on the hair shaft
4) Keep the use of electrical equipment to a minimum if you want glossy, movie star hair! If your hair is frizzy, blow dry it from wet (not towel dried) as the blow dry will stay in longer (it should last 2/3 days if your hair isn't greasy). Section well and use the right brush (such as my Richard Ward Medium Radial Brush £7.99) and a professional dryer and you should find that you’ll also need less daily electrical intervention.
5) Keep the frizz at bay with regular hair cuts to remove split end, which if untreated can travel up the hair shaft resulting in a ruffled cuticle and therefore encouraging a frizzy appearance.
6) Another trick to achieving frizz free curls is to blow-dry your hair straight before your start curling. By doing this you will eliminate the frizz before you begin styling your hair, which will leave your curls looking healthy and luscious with not a frizzy hair in sight! Think Nicole Kidman, who always does this to result in larger, sleeker curls.
To book an appointment at Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, call 020 7730 1222 or visit www.richardward.co.uk
Editor’s Letter (20.08.10)
Still bothering to dye your hair? How very last season… If the celebrities are to be believed, there is no more fashionable hue for our locks this season than grey. Ladies, it’s time to get back to our roots. The trend was started by supermodel Kristen McMenamy, who made history by embracing her natural hair colour on the cover of Vogue. A troup of celebrities and designers have followed suit, including Lady Gaga on the cover of Vanity Fair, Pixie Geldoff and Kelly Osbourne on the streets of London, and models strutting the catwalks for Dior and Chanel. Are you convinced? I am. I genuinely think that silver and pale grey hair is pretty, but only when it’s one single tone – and sadly, that’s not always the way that hair turns grey naturally. But if you’ve got it, why not flaunt it? Spend the money you’ve saved from regular dye-jobs on keeping your locks in fabulous, shiny condition with intensive treatments and luxurious, premium hair products. And imagine how much time it’ll save – it’s got to be worth it for that alone.
Spa Etiquette. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I was sent a picture of this Sauna Etiquette poster. It reminds me of the my childhood, when those famous ‘No Heavy Petting’ posters were dotted around our local swimming pool. But it’s a serious point – as spas get more and more popular in the UK, we need a few ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ to make sure we all enjoy the experience. There are few things more irritating than a noisy group joining you in the sauna, instantly shattering the peace and quiet. And how many Scandinavian tourists would know they need to wear a towel in UK saunas (when they happily sauna naked at home)? That’s not an etiquette-mistake that I’d like to witness every day. Posters will be nationwide from September.
Toni & Guy. If you are a fan of Toni & Guy salons and haircare products, you will be eager to get your mitts on the brand’s six new electrical hairstyling tools, which have just hit shelves nationwide. The collection is split into three ranges – Signature (designed by Sacha Mascola-Tarbuck), Innovation (taking inspiration from high-tech innovations) and Core (affordable, yet high-quality). As you’d expect, the appliances are uber high-quality – I have never seen straighteners that heat up so quickly and smooth my hair so effectively. And with prices start at just £19.99, it’s no wonder that the collection is making such waves in the haircare industry. www.toniandguy.com
Clinique. I don’t make a secret of the fact that I never venture out into the sunshine without smothering it in high-quality SPF – and one of the quickest ways I’ve discovered to do it is with Clinique’s Body Spray SPF25 (£17). With the aid of the spray can, the silky, non-greasy formula covers skin in seconds and leaves skin protected against UVA and UVB rays. The 150ml spray can seems to last and last – so one of these will be enough for your week-long holiday (keep it to yourself – this is way too good to share…) www.clinique.co.uk
Angel Cat Sugar. You can’t have failed to notice that cats are a big trend in the beauty world at the moment – in fact, my Editor’s Letter included Feline Lipsticks from Paul & Joe last week and Marks & Spencer’s Hello Kitty London collection the week before. I’m more of a dog person myself, but even I find this Angel Cat Sugar Beauty Bag (£14) rather irresistible. The celebrity world is equally enamoured, with Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly, Claudia Schiffer, and Katie Price amongst fans of the brand. Get yours from www.angelcatsugar.com
Charlotte Taylor. This penguin-print silk scarf has apparently been a big hit with fashion bloggers - and I can see why. There are a plethora of ways to wear it – from the conventional around-the-neck style, to wearing it as a head band, a belt, plaited into hair, or tied around a wide-brimmed hat. I adore the gold penguins set against the bold cobalt blue scarf – and I think it’s the perfect way to cheer up a dark outfit this Autumn/Winter. www.charlottetaylorltd.com
Feature: BLACK BEAUTY (20.08.10)
The beauty industry is often accused of neglecting those with dark skin - so this week, we’ve dedicated our entire feature to the best products for beautiful black skin and hair.
SKINCARE
Dark skin is often oilier than Caucasian - but the obvious benefit is that it is less prone to show the signs of aging, as celebrity facialist and founder of HEAVEN Health & Beauty, Deborah Mitchell explains, “Black skin is more resilient ... It rarely has fine lines but when aging occurs the lines are deeper. Where there is an over-production of sebum, my Youthful Moisturiser, £25 for 25ml (www.heavenskincare.com) is brilliant because of the inclusion of calendula oils for repairing deeper lines, frankincense and vitamin c to combat aging and over-production of oil without stripping the skin so that it looks like velvet.”
Dark skin has a higher quantity of melanin, which gives the skin its pigment and goes someway to protecting against environmental aggressors, yet it remains important to incorporate an SPF into your regime. Supermodel Iman, who has created her own cosmetics range shares her favourite products, “I’m loyal to what works and don’t experiment a lot. The key is keeping it simple. . . I moved to LA in 1989 and honestly, the best thing about living there was meeting (facialist and spa owner) Ole Henriksen and David Bowie. Ole’s Nurture Me, £40.85 for 50g (www.beautyexpert.co.uk) is the best moisturizer – rich, but non-greasy. I put his Truth Serum, £46 for 30ml, on at night if my skin is feeling extra dry. It’s so luxurious and smells like oranges.”
Dark skin is more prone to pigmentation spots and dark patches - but there are a number of products on the market specifically targeting at treating the concern. Matis Reponse Jeunesse Radiance Revealing Serum, £39 for 30ml (www.matis-uk.com) is just one, which improves skin tone and texture with ingredients such as Papaya, Cranberry and Purple Orchid extracts to gently exfoliate, boost cell renewal and maintain a refined and youthful appearance. Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, £37.50 for 30ml (www.clinique.co.uk) is a lightweight, prescription strength gel-serum, which launched earlier this year and is already proving popular as a results-driven problem solver for dark skinned beauties suffering from the associated pigmentation spots. It’s also ace at minimising the appearance of acne scarring.
BASE
The choice of base for darker skin has improved in recent years - and there are some surprising ranges coming to the rescue.
Bobbi Brown says: “Black women can have different skin tones within their faces. The skin tends to be darker across the forehead and perimeter of the face and lighter on the middle parts of the face, including the cheeks. To create a seamless look between the areas, it’s important to be equipped with more than one shade of foundation. It’s a good idea to have three different foundation shades on hand so you can experiment and see which shades work best on different areas of your face. Go ahead and blend and mix the shades- this is definitely an instance where you have to be your own make-up artist.” Bobbi went on to comment that it’s best to look for foundations with bluish undertones if you have very dark skin, red-yellow hues for medium and soft golden shades for lighter skins.
M&S’ new cosmetics range, Perfection includes shades which cater to those with dark skin, including caramel, dark tan and coffee. It’s a purse friendly offering, starting at just £7.50 and features compacts and cream foundations in functional packaging, depending upon your preferred formula. The range incorporates SPF into the formulas – but as it isn’t zinc oxide based, they retain a natural appearance once applied, rather than appearing ashy. You’ll need to use a primer for day-long results but it’s a good starting point to play around with.
Thandie Newton is a fan of the Mymix foundation, £12.99 (www.myfacecosmetics.co.uk) from celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s range, myface.Cosmetics, which leaves an airbrushed effect base with a dewy finish. The range is split to suit different skin tones so it’s practically foolproof to find colours to suit your natural colouring.
If you can stretch your budget a little further, check out Canadian brand Colour FX, which has recently launched in House of Fraser stores, from £20 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk) and offers a wide range of shades.
MAKEUP
Once you’ve perfected your base, it’s time to have fun playing with colour. MAC Cosmetics Senior Artist Caroline Donnely explains, “Black skin looks great with a flash of bright colour, a bright magenta or red cheek, or a bright lip works so well with just a highlight on the cheekbone.”
Highlighters can look dull or disappear into black skin, but Topshop’s Glow in Dark, £10 (www.topshop.com) creates an enviable luminosity. It was used by makeup artist, Hannah Murray, at the Topshop Unique AW10 show to highlight cheekbones, nose, cupids bow, centre of forehead and chin.
You don’t need to use lip or eye pencils - black women tend to have natural definition to their features, so skip these steps and spend more time and money on perfecting other aspects such as your base or experimenting with different eyeshadows. Try out The Body Shop’s brand new Baked to Last Eye Colours, £9.50 (www.thebodyshop.co.uk) - the shimmery shades within the duos are especially beautiful worn on dark skin.
When it comes to lips, keep it fresh with deep yet sheer lip colours. If you want to wear red, look for deeper shades to complement your skin tone - or seek out rich shades that incorporate a brown base, as these are universally flattering on darker skin tones. Beverley Knight has created her own range, K by Beverley Knight, after finding herself limited by the options available on the market. She says: “Black women can struggle to do the nude lip look, as our lips are darker, so I blend foundation and powder over my lips to blank them, then add a pink nude lipstick with a shimmer on top.” The range is available at www.kbybeverleyknightcosmetics.com, from £4.
NAILS
Ladies rejoice! Whilst you may curse the difficulties entailed when choosing a foundation, nail colour is one area that you can truly enjoy, as a wide spectrum of shades works well.
Pastel colours look surprisingly fashion-forward, yet add a candy-like sweetness to your look as Leona Lewis has discovered. She loves Models Own Nail Polish in Lilac Dream, £5 (www.modelsownit.com) so much that she’ll be wearing it in her next music video - and no doubt beyond, as it has an impressively long-lasting formula.
Brights are the obvious choice for summer as they pop against dark skin. OPI, from £9.95 (www.lenawhite.co.uk) are the perfect option – particularly if you prefer to wear bright shades on your toes, as the wide brush makes a professional application easy to achieve at home. Oprah Winfrey has recommended Jade is the New Black for bright toes, whilst tennis star, Serena Williams said, “I love dark, vampy polish like OPI Nail Lacquer in Chick Flick Cherry - it’s the best red ever.” For Brit brands, look no further than nailgirls (www.nailgirls.co.uk), founded by two black sisters who have a natural understanding of the best shades for dark skin.
Meanwhile, Revlon’s dark shades, such as Midnight Affair and Plum Night, £6.29 (Boots nationwide) look fantastic on black skin, adding an edgy elegance without the gothic suggestions when worn on Caucasian nails. The brand offers fantastic value for money, with quality formulas and lasting, intense pigments. Also worth checking out for trend-led colours on a budget is Barry M (www.barrym.com), which counts Mel B amongst its fans.
BODY
Very, very few women can claim to be cellulite free - so when somewhat unflattering photos of Tyra Banks on a beach holiday emerged, it only served to further endear the super model to us. She’s been spotted stocking up on beauty essentials in Lush and one of her must-haves is Buffy the Backside Slayer, £5 for 90g (www.lush.co.uk) - an exfoliating massage bar inspired by Brazilian beauties who pummel away any dimply bits whilst on the sandy beach at Ipanema. If it’s good enough for Tyra, it’s good enough for us!
Back on our side of the Pond, it’s hard to find a woman who hasn’t fallen in love with luxury spa brand, Elemis. Celebrities are often singing the brand’s praises with fans including Angela Griffin, Mica Paris, Naomis Harris and Campbell and Alesha Dixon, who reportedly adores the zesty fragrance of the Exotic Lime and Ginger Body Wash, £18 for 300ml (www.timetospa.co.uk), which is free from nasties such as parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate.
HAIR
Ethnicity plays a huge part in hair type as different groups have different shaped follicles, which dictate the nature of the hair. Afro hair emerges from the follicle curly and each hair is a lot thicker.
A major complaint of those with Afro hair is a lack of moisture, which is emphasised by the fact that the hair grows naturally matte. This is linked to the amount of melatonin in the body, as there isn’t sufficient moisture in the scalp to push through into the hair. Jamie Stevens, Resident stylist for Gok’s Fashion Fix (Jamie Stevens Somerset: 01278 683 413), advises, “Make sure every product you use is moisturising. Your shampoo, conditioner, serum and blow-drying lotion should all be nourishing. The MoroccanOil range, from £15.85 (www.lookfantastic.com) is great and has a full range of treatments. Invest in a good pair of ceramic straightening irons. They are one appliance that you can do everything with; curl, slick, wave and straighten. Don’t forget heat protection, you don’t want to lose any more moisture!”
This lack of moisture can make frizz a problem. Alexandra Burke swears by SilkPerfect 100% Pure Silk Pillowcases, £29.99 (www.silkperfect.com) to maintain smoothness whilst sleeping. Silk protein prevents the rubbing friction often associated with pillows and reduces the loss of natural moisture, meaning that you can wake up without the dreaded bed head.
Errol Douglas (Errol Douglas, Knightsbridge: 0207 2350110) is one of the UK’s top celebrity hairstylists and so knows a thing or two about caring for different types of hair. He advises, “Afro hair should only be washed every 10 days to 2 weeks. If the hair is dried naturally, you can twist it (just keep twisting around your fingers as it’s drying to give natural movement and a more defined curl). I use talcum powder on the roots to suck up excess product between washes – it’s better than dry shampoo on Afro hair because that sits on hair and sends it speckly. Brush it out after you’ve applied (give hair a good rub and it goes translucent). You can also use greaseproof
paper – put it on the ends of hair and squeeze to take out any oily deposits.” He also suggests regular brushing, using a traditional bristle brush to optimise smoothness.
Feature: WORLD CUP OF BEAUTY (25.06.10)
This week, we take a look at the star players of beauty from around the world.
ENGLAND
Now is the perfect opportunity for World Cup widows to indulge in some pampering me-time.
Starting Line-Up: Founded in 1999, Nails Inc brought the concept of US nail bars to the UK and is now recognised as one of our country’s best known beauty brands with concessions popping up in department stores throughout the UK. It remains an independent, family-owned business and stays true to its British heritage by taking inspiration from London landmarks. Show your patriotism by wearing Nails Inc Nail Polish in Victoria & Albert, £10.50 (www.nailsinc.com) - a pillar-box red shade with an impressively smooth formula, likely to last beyond England’s World Cup dreams.
Substitution: Want to try something a bit different? Illamasqua (www.illamasqua.com) embraces Britain’s thriving subcultures with a range of professional quality, highly pigmented cosmetics. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to discover the brand, head to Selfridges, where the counter is staffed by professional makeup artists. For the duration of the tournament, the brand is offering complimentary nail painting in the team colours of your choice (colours £13).
Stoppage Time: Need time out from the horns and cheers of the fans? Head to quirky British spa Cowshed, where their Salt Scrub and Massage, £95 (www.cowshedonline.com) is a perfectly timed 90-minute full body treatment.
USA
Football, or “soccer”, may not be America’s most popular sport – after all, can you name any of the team? Luckily, stars of their beauty industry are more memorable, so take your lead from our well-groomed neighbours across the pond when picking your next purchase.
Starting Line-up: Founders of one of Los Angeles’ best-loved hair salons, Amanda George and Neil Weisberg have extended their offering beyond cut and colour with their signature haircare collection. Described as “vitamins for the hair”, Neil George Indian Gooseberry Treatment Oil, £34 (www.beautyexpert.co.uk) is an exotically-scented oil that conditions hair and prevents frizz without weighing down even the finest locks. Best of all, it cuts down on styling time. Forget football fans... Reese Witherspoon and Heidi Klum are reportedly fans of team Neil George.
Substitution: Perk up your makeup bag with cult brand Smashbox. The range is renowned in the States for producing high-quality products that offer superior coverage, making it ideal for the era of high-definition television. Give your cheeks a flush worthy of World Cup excitement, using their bestselling O-Glow, £16.25 (www.qvcuk.com) - a clear, lightweight gel with goji berry c-complex, which cleverly adapts to your skin tone, providing a natural colour.
BRAZIL
Brazil has held the World Cup more times than any other nation – but the country is as famous for its body conscious beach goers as it is for Pele and Carnival.
Starting Line-up: Home to the Earth’s greatest natural resource, Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest is packed with healing plants. Inspired by this lush biodiversity, Amazene uses a unique formulation based around the “ABC” of organic ingredients in each of their products. ABC stands for Acai, rich in antioxidants, Babacu, a non-greasy emollient to hydrate skin and Cupuacu, a moisturiser that helps to improve tone and elasticity. In addition to these core ingredients, the bath & body range takes inspiration from exotic fruits such as papaya, acerola cherry and guava. For skin worthy of Copacabana or Ipanema, prep with the sweetly-scented Mango and Murumuru Body Scrub, £11.95 (www.amazene.com).
Substitution: Ditch the WAG-like extensions and look instead to Surya Brasil to optimise the condition of your hair. The range of sustainable products uses ingredients sourced from the Rainforest. Restore condition to ravaged manes using Ucuuba Restructuring Hair Mask, £10 (www.liberty.co.uk).
Stoppage Time: Arguably the most famous contribution to Brazilian beauty is the famous bikini wax. If you’re yet to take the plunge, put yourself in the hands of the experts at The Ministry of Waxing, £38 (www.ministryofwaxing.com) where hot wax and distractions such as squeezy toys ease the pain and embarrassment.
ITALY
Putting passion into all that they do, we introduce the hot Italian brands to check out.
Starting Line-up: Bring a touch of Italian elegance to your front room with Dr. Vranjes signature fragrances. The artisan perfumer has developed his collection of scents in Italy’s cultural home, Florence, using traditional techniques and quality ingredients to capture the aromas of the Mediterranean. For summer, look no further than Acqua, from £25.50 (www.senti.co.uk) for a fresh, ocean-inspired fragrance.
Substitution: Italian women are never less than immaculate so take your cue from them when choosing your haircare regime. Davines, from £12.20 (0203 301 5449) is a new range of sustainable products, created with 100% renewable energy and zero impact packaging, which is specially targeted for use before, during and after sun exposure.
FRANCE
France may have been knocked out of the World Cup surprisingly early but luckily, the nation is more consistent when it comes to producing quality beauty brands.
Starting Line-up: Institut Esthederm takes a typically French philosophical approach to beauty, believing that skin needs to be trained, rather than merely treated, for long-term beauty. Looking to science, their suncare range is innovative in that it steps away from traditional SPF categorisation, which admittedly, takes some getting accustomed to, but proves effective and user-friendly. For a natural-looking, subtle tan, look no further than Sun Sheen, £28.62 (www.beautyexpert.co.uk), ideal for those with fair skin.
Substitution: Hailing from Provence, L’Occitane has enjoyed huge success with their range of products inspired by natural ingredients. This summer, look out for their new, fresh-scented Verbena Eau de Toilette (launching this month at www.uk.loccitane.com) or try a variety of their bestsellers in the World Cup Survival Set, £15. Already a fan of L’Occitane? Check out La Claree, from £6.50 (www.beautique.com) - the new skincare range created by the son of L’Occitane’s founder, Oliver Baussan. The range is based around high concentrations of olive leaf extract – an ingredient that is a hundred times more powerful than echinacea for boosting immunity and delivering an enviable radiance to skin.
Stoppage Time: Overindulged during the tournament? Luxury French brand Matis put the renowned cleansing properties of cranberry to good use in their 90 minute Cranberry Body Wrap, from £50 (www.matis-uk.com) to leave skin purified and boasting a youthful glow.
SOUTH AFRICA
The WAGs may have been banned from this year’s World Cup but it’s safe to say that had they jetted out to support the lads, they’d be stocking up on the best brands that the host nation has to offer.
Starting Line-up: Africology has been developed to combat the harsh South African environment, utilising indigenous plants such as yucca, marula and African potato renowned for their healing properties. It may not be cheap, but the Body Lotion, £20.99 (www.africology-uk.com) boasts impressive hydration powers.
Substitution: It may be a far cry from celebratory champagne, but South African women swear by Rooibos - or red bush - to maintain a youthful appearance. Try swapping your English Breakfast for South Africa’s Kromland Farm Organic Rooibos tea, £1.90 for 40 teabags (www.victoriahealth.com) to experience the antioxidant benefits for yourself.
Stoppage Time: London’s Chelsea Day Spa has introduced Chelsea Goes to Cape Town, £250 (www.thechelseadayspa.co.uk for details) - a package of African-themed indulgence. Choose from treatments including Guateng Gold Facial, inspired by the rich gold reserves of South Africa and utilising luxurious Elixir d’or and crushed pearl or The MalaMala, an invigorating sea salt scrub, clay masque and pineapple moisture treatment, named after the country’s biggest wildlife reserve.
Tried & Tested: LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURISERS (25.06.10)
It’s time to lighten up your skincare regime with a lightweight cream, lotion or gel. We’ve put six to the test.
MÁDARA DEEP MOISTURE GEL, £23 for 50ml (www.madara.co.uk)
What they say: Deeply hydrates, firms, and regulates excess sebum. Tightens pores, reduces shine and refreshes the skin. Extra light emulsion, oil free. Nourishes your skin with natural plant vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids and other biologically active substances.
The Results: I was quite surprised by how runny this gel was, which made it hard to judge how much to apply. After smoothing it over my face and wiping away the excess, however, I saw the benefits of using a gel rather than a cream. My skin felt cool, soft, and balanced – without any feeling of heaviness or greasiness. I’m prone to an oily T-Zone, so avoided applying it on these areas, but the rest of my complexion looked smooth and matte. If you like to feel moisturiser on your skin after application, this won’t be for you – but if you want something that absorbs instantly, I would highly recommend it.
Best for: A matte complexion
ELEMIS LIMITED EDITION PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM, £99 for 100ml (www.timetospa.co.uk)
What they say: Save £51 on this limited edition super size Pro-Collagen Marine Cream clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by up to 78% and increase hydration and moisture levels by up to 45%. This powerful anti-ageing cream provides a progressive lifting effect through increased collagen support.
The Results: Wrinkles are a real concern of mine, so I pick my skincare products based on promises to smooth my skin and stop further lines developing. My only worry about this cream was that it doesn’t contain sun protection, which I think is important for anti-ageing – but this isn’t a deal breaker, as I can apply SPF on top. I felt reassured that the ingredients were advanced and the limited edition pot would last a long time, as it’s huge! It was lovely to apply – the cream is fairly thick, but feels very light and absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling beautifully hydrated. It’s still early days, but I’ve already noticed that my skin feels softer and more balanced.
Best for: Anti-ageing benefits
LISA HOFFMAN DAY CREAM SPF15, £58 for 30ml (Harvey Nichols)
What they say: This lightweight moisturiser is perfect for use on dry skin. It contains SPF 15 to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation that leads to premature ageing of the skin, such as lines and wrinkles.
The Results: I have dry skin, which needs quite an intensive moisturiser, so I was quite worried about trying a lightweight product. I didn’t need to worry, as this cream has a lighter texture, but it still left my skin feeling highly moisturised and supple. As a bonus, it also felt cool and refreshed, which would be lovely on a hot summer day. After applying the cream, the fine lines around my eyes appeared plumped and my whole complexion had a lovely glow. It had great staying power too, as my skin still felt moisturised at lunchtime. I love the luxurious packaging and although I couldn’t afford this product on a long-term basis, I’d definitely recommend it to those with a bigger budget.
Best for: Long-lasting hydration
CRÈME DE LA MER THE MOISTURISING CREAM GEL, £92 for 30ml (www.cremedelamer.co.uk)
What they say: This ultralight edition of the original Crème de la Mer instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin, leaving a supremely soft finish. Its gel-like texture is ideal for warmer weather and times when a true cream might be too rich.
The Results: This silky, refreshing gel is very luxurious – and although the price tag is steep, I have noticed some real improvements to my skin. I’m in my early 30’s and have fine lines around my eyes and deeper lines running from my nose the corners of my mouth. Immediately after applying this product, the lines looked less noticeable – and whilst they haven’t disappeared after a few weeks use, they definitely appear plumped and smoothed after using the product. I also suffer from flaky skin on my nose and have been worried that my regular moisturiser is too heavy for this area, but had no fears about using this and the area is now smooth and flake-free. It’s a treat to apply and I’m not looking forward to the day when the pot runs out!
Best for: Dry, dehydrated skin
ESTEE LAUDER DAYWEAR PLUS MULTI PROTECTION ANTI-OXIDANT LOTION, £33 for 50ml (www.esteelauder.co.uk)
What they say: This protective moisturiser actively shields skin to help prevent lines before they appear - so your skin looks smoother and healthier, longer.
The Results: The packaging looks very sleek and one pump provided the perfect amount for one application, so there’s no wastage. The lotion is thin and silky, with the refreshing scent of cucumber – and afterwards, my skin felt supple, soft and moisturised, without feeling at all heavy. It also works as a great base, allowing foundation to smooth on easily. I was pleased that it contained SPF15, as this is a big selling point for me. The price is about right – and as a little goes a long way, it offers great value for money.
Best for: A base for makeup
DERMALOGICA SHEER MOISTURE, £27.10 for 40ml (0800 591818)
What they say: Natural Zinc Oxide minerals shield against sunlight and make skin radiant and make skin radiant, while extracts from Olives and Walnut Seeds help improve skin texture. A full spectrum sunscreen provides daily solar defense.
The Results: My skin is quite oily and prone to blemishes, so I tend to pick moisturisers for their protection properties, rather than hydration. This product was perfect – a lightweight lotion that sunk into my skin quickly and felt very soothing as it was applied. My complexion was matte and felt hydrated, without feeling heavy. It was good to know that my skin was protected with SPF15 – I’d much rather use this product on my skin than thick sunscreens, as they tend to block my pores. I’m sold – and I will be recommending it to friends.
Best for: Oily skin
Blog: CELEBRITY HAIR AND BEAUTY THERAPIST JANET GINNINGS TELLS US ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF HER MAYFAIR SALON (25.06.10)
I came to England as a young woman after growing up in India surrounded by an abundance of natural ingredients that my family used in natural skincare. My initial training led me to qualify as a hairdresser, beautician and aromatherapist. From the age of 24, I started working in a salon in Mayfair, and from that time kept in contact with the owner of the business. When he retired in 1996, I purchased his business. The premises were tired, the furniture and equipment was overdue for replacement, the client base predominantly consisted of ladies in their 60’s, and the business had not grown for many years. At that time, it was predominantly a hair salon.
But I had a vision. The location had enormous potential – and my challenge was to establish the business and make it my own. Rather than grasping a stagnating business, I went back to basics and started again.
Aside from the structural and cosmetic changes, I introduced a beauty salon in the downstairs basement, focussing on facials and toning body treatments. I put a lot of effort into marketing and networking, raising the salon profile by hosting parties, supporting charitable functions, providing hair dressing services to models at courtier launches and doing photo-shoots of the latest hairstyles for magazines.
A lot of the salons’ success has come from the fact that I have a long list of celebrity clients. I focus on this side of the business as everyone is obsessed by celebrity. Over the year’s I have taken care of the beauty needs of people like Elle McPherson, Caprice, Meera Syal, Sadie Frost, Preeya Kalidas as well as Shirley Bassey, Ivana Trump and Carol Vorderman.
I like infusing treatments with natural ingredients and think its great to see fabulous results on clients who book a course of treatments. I often refer back to the knowledge my mother passed to me about using natural ingredients in skincare and body care. It’s so simple to make a hair mask or face scrub from ingredients in your kitchen cupboard with maybe one or two additions from your local Asian supermarket. Many of these concepts are used in my salon treatments like the hair mask smoothie for dry and dull hair. This makes my salon treatment menu much more interesting and gives me a point of difference which I love. .
Working in a salon in this was has given me the privilege of appearing on This Morning, GMTV. I was also one of the star presenters for Celebrity Scissorhands on the BBC for Children In Need.
More recently I have focussed on charity work. Last year this included the launch of my charity for single mums and their kids called Today and Tomorrow. Late last year I completed a charity climb of Ben Nevis to raise money and am currently in training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity.
Visit www.janetginnings.com
Salon Review: ELEVEN HAIR SIGNATURE FACIAL, LONDON (25.06.10)
What it promises: This ultra-pampering ritual involves a reviving facial, personalised back massage, moisturising foot treatment, and soothing scalp massage. It is the perfect treatment for reviving a dull, tried complexion, whilst smoothing wrinkles and fine lines – but it goes one step further, leaving you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready again to face the crowds of Oxford Street when you step out the doors of the ultra-stylish salon.
What happens: After arriving at Eleven Hair, just off London’s Bond Street, I was lead downstairs to the beauty treatment rooms, passing rows of quirky white chairs, a ceiling covered in a blanket of falling glass icicles, and modern mosaic-style mirrors. Downstairs, the interior was just as modern and stylish, whilst the treatment room was clean, simple, and decorated in shades of white and cappuccino brown. The flickering candles, heady scent of essential oils, and soothing music created a luxurious, soothing ambience. I was expecting a classic facial, so when the treatment started with a back massage it was a very welcome surprise. The therapist focused on areas of tension and knots, with strokes that were firm, yet comfortable. As I turned over onto my back, I could already feel that my shoulders were looser. My feet were then wrapped in warm, vitamin-infused booties, before the hugely-relaxing facial began. The treatment included cleansing, toning, exfoliating, hydrating, and the application of a gel mask, which covered my eyes completely, and left my skin feeling incredibly refreshed. Just when I thought the treatment was complete, the therapist began a scalp massage to soothe away any remaining tension – although by this point, the tension was long, long gone.
Results: I can never pick between a facial or massage – but this indulgent treatment solves the dilemma. Not only did I leave the salon with glowing, smooth, even-toned skin (which lasted well into the following week), but I also left feeling lighter, brighter, and more positive. For four treatments in one, it is also great value for money – especially as it is based so centrally in London. I’m already looking forward to my next visit and I would highly recommend it!
Price: £111 for 1.5 hours.
Location: Eleven Hair, 11 Blenheim Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1LL. 0207 4912390. www.eleven-hair.com
Editor’s Letter (25.06.10)
Ascot, Wimbledon, The World Cup… It’s all getting a bit sporty, isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted just watching it. With bikini season around the corner, however, I have been inspired to put in bit of effort. I walk the dog twice a day, so I’m not exactly a couch potato – but I rarely have the time, energy or motivation to don a tennis skirt or lace up my running trainers. It needs to fit into my schedule, which is exactly why I love the concept of FitFlops. By increasing the distance of my morning and afternoon walks and donning these beauties, I will (fingers crossed) be rewarded with a toned physique… The clever footwear has been biomechanically engineered to tone and tighten calf, thigh, and bottom muscles while you walk in them. Do they work? Well, a top beauty journalist friend of mine owns seven pairs and walks in nothing else – and that’s a good enough endorsement for me… Better still, they look great – with this season’s collection featuring jewels, faux snakeskin, and even bang-on-trend clogs. Tempted? Check out www.fitflop.com and I will keep you up to date on my progress.
Elnett. Elnett hairspray is one of those iconic products that every lady will use at some point in her life. I don’t regularly use hairspray now, but the smell certainly takes me back to a childhood of dance shows and gymnastic competitions. For performance, it is hard to beat - teaming extreme hold with a glamorous shine and a touchably-soft texture. I love this limited edition pink can of Diamond Hold and Shine (from £2.19), featuring a sketch of die-hard Elnett fan Cheryl Cole. I predict it will inspire a whole new generation of Elnett fans – and that definitely can’t be a bad thing. Available Nationwide.
Marvel Gel. I’ve got sensitive skin and face scrubs are often a bit too abrasive – but this week, I was reminded about a brilliant product called Marvel Gel (£15). To exfoliate skin, you simply rub the thick, green gel over your complexion in gentle circular motions. There’s something quite rewarding about it, as you can actually see the top layer of dead skin as it is rubbed away. Underneath, skin is left smooth, soft, and blackhead-free. It’s perfect for summer, as the gel won’t rub away your tan and the tube is small enough to carry as hand luggage. Better still, it is packed with antioxidant ingredients to help repair environmental damage. www.happybabble.com
Scholl. It’s wedding season – and if your diary looks anything like mine over the coming months, you will be spending a lot of time in high heels. After a foot injury last year, I still struggle in anything higher than an inch – so I was thankful when Scholl’s Party Feet Ultra Slim Gel Cushions (£4.99) arrived on my desk last week. I tested them on a day trip to Ascot – and my feet were still going strong at 10pm, which is pretty impressive. They help to remove the burning pain in the balls of feet – and I can vouch for their effectiveness. www.scholl.com
Nuxe. I’ve been testing Nuxe’s Tonific Fermete Intensive Firming Cream (£36) for two weeks now. It smells deliciously sweet and citrusy, with a thick, indulgent texture – so applying it every night at bedtime has been a treat. I haven’t noticed my skin getting firmer yet – although it’s still early days – but the texture of my skin feels softer than it has ever felt and is starting to look more even-toned. It is designed to be used to tighten skin on the stomach, hips and bust – although I’ve been using it all over and it hydrates as quickly and effectively as any intensive body butter. www.spacenk.co.uk
Sublime Stitching. I was a bit addicted to embroidery when I was younger. I don’t have time to sit and stitch anymore, which is a shame as suddenly the passtime has got ultra-cool. Sublime Stitching – available on Tatty Devine’s website – has created a range of on-trend embroidery patterns for crafty girls and boys. My favourite is the Rock ‘n Roll collection (£4), which includes this fantastic drum-kit pattern. It would make beautiful – and very unique – cushions. http://www.tattydevine.com
Breaking News: YES TO TOMATOES™ ARRIVES ON SHELVES (18.06.10)
First there were carrots on our dressing table and now there are tomatoes! The people behind Yes to Carrots™ skincare have done it again, with the launch of Yes to Tomatoes™ - a product range specifically designed to treat combination and oily skin types.
The products are enriched with the antioxidant powers of organic tomatoes and the goodness of Dead Sea Mud and Minerals. With the addition of vitamins and nutrients – including red peppers, watermelon and rosemary – and ingredients that are 99.6% Natural, Petroleum, SLS and Paraben free, the products offer nothing but goodness for skin and hair.
Products work to absorb excess surface oils to balance skin, balance oil production, add moisture to dry areas, protect skin from sun damage and pollutants, and promote healthy, softer skin.
The range is small, but effective. Take your pick from Facial Wash (£8.99), Hydrating Lotion (£11.99), Facial Mask (£11.99), Terrific Day Shower Gel (£7.99), Volumizing Shampoo (£7.99), and Volumizing Conditioner (£7.99).
Buy Yes to Tomatoes™ at www.victoriahealth.com and selected Debenhams Stores Nationwide.
Feature: SKINCARE SOS (18.06.10)
Do you know what to do in a skincare emergency? We do! Whatever your problem, there's a product out there that will get your complexion glowing again...
SUN DAMAGE
We all know that sunshine isn’t good for our skin. In small quantities, it delivers vitamin D, vital for our overall health. But that’s all: the ‘healthy’ tans of the last few decades are now rightly seen as skin damage and not much else.
Dr Daniel Yarosh, Senior Vice President of Estée Lauder, explains the increased focus on hyperpigmentation in the beauty industry: “Men and women who used to sunbathe for hours when they were younger are now seeing results of UV damage, also known as age spots, and are actively seeking ways to treat this concern. We are also turning the corner on the focus on tanning. Bright clear skin is now fashionable, and age spots show up more dramatically on this skin. And we finally have technology that can make a real difference.”
Clinique’s solution is the Even Better collection. The latest addition is Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, £37.50 (www.clinique.co.uk), which is dermatologist-developed to be safe and comfortable in improving the appearance and evenness of skin tone by 53%. Or try White Gold Serum by Alpha-H, £33.00 (www.cultbeauty.co.uk). Australian skincare is some of the best in the world in caring for sun-damaged skin and Alpha H is an innovative range that specialises in solving the big skin problems, without falling back on obvious, mostly chemical solutions used by other brands.
Keep protecting yourself to prevent further damage, too. Skin Doctors Photo Age Reverse, £33.95 (www.beautybay.com) not only shields the skin’s structure from the damaging effects of UV radiation, it helps to reverse existing signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, sun spots, loss of elasticity and compromised texture. And for a sun-kissed look that’s safe, smooth on Lancôme’s Flash Bronzer Anti-Age, £23.50 (www.lancome.co.uk) to give an even glow and protect skin from premature ageing at the same time. Then all you need to do is stay in the shade!
CROW’S FEET
Some people might call them laughter lines but to those of us wanting to look more youthful they’re anything but funny. And although the little wrinkles that appear at the corner of your eyes as you age are inevitable, you can do a lot to reduce them.
Kristy Goodger, founder of Elemental Herbology, suggests using a eye cream rich in peptides, wheat amino acids and palmitic acid, which helps to create a natural ‘botox like' effect, combating the two main sources of wrinkles to smooth out lines and re-densify deep wrinkles. Try their new Eye Elixir, £38.00 (www.spacenk.co.uk), a triple action treatment to transform weary, parched or weathered eyes.
EyeSlices, £14.99 (www.thepromakeupshop.com) are new to the UK and also include peptides among their magic ingredients. They are re-usable eye pads that can be chilled before use and lie perfectly on your eyes while they impart aloe ferox leaf extract to boost collagen. They also contain hexapeptide complex to firm and brighten the skin around the eyes and lock in moisture. Perfect for the morning after the night before... Or roll on Yves Saint Laurent’s Top Secrets Flash Touch Wake-up Eyecare, £24.00 (www.johnlewis.com), another brand new formula that contains arnica, well known for its ability to decongest and smooth. It’s great under makeup too, making it perfect as a morning booster for your peepers!
From the French organic skincare range Melvita comes their Eye Contour Gel, £18.00 (www.beautybay.com). It’s not only reasonably priced, it’s a light, refreshing gel that gives an instant boost to the eye area by ‘plumping out’ fine lines, and contains ginkgo biloba and buckwheat wax to help reduce puffiness. It smells divine, too.
DULLNESS
It’s not as obvious as wrinkles or age spots, but a general dullness and lack of radiance can be just as ageing. Noella Gabriel, Director of Product and Treatment Development at Elemis, says “Everyone’s lifestyle manifests itself in different ways. As a result, today’s ‘modern skin’ reflects the signs of stress, pollution, medication and early menopause. The skin starts looking dull, lifeless and imbalanced.” Their solution is Visible Brilliance, £40.00 (www.timetospa.co.uk) a new, double-action serum that actively brightens and re-energises dull, fatigued and stressed skin thanks to its unique active ingredients, which includes red seaweed, Swiss garden cress and blonde pea protein.
For a ‘rested’, smoothed-out look to your skin try Avon’s Anew Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum, £28 (http://avonshop.co.uk). This dual formula serum has been formulated to brighten skin and fade the look of dark spots into the bargain. Clinique’s latest addition to the radiance-boosting ‘Turnaround’ collection is their Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer, £30 (www.clinique.co.uk). The focus is on ‘renewal’ and this high-performance cocktail of exfoliants prompts just that – unveiling brighter, more radiant skin.
Nicknamed ‘The Cosmetics Cop’ by Oprah Winfrey, US based beauty expert Paula Begoun has recently brought her range of skincare products – Paula’s Choice – to this country. The collection consists of state-of-the-art formulas based on reliable, published skincare research. Her answer to dullness is Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, £23.50 (www.paulaschoice.co.uk). This silky, luxurious blend of antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, plant oils, and potent anti-irritants helps restore a healthy appearance and encourages skin to function normally. It’s a new brand that is definitely worth investigating.
SPOTS
You’d think that by the time you’ve got out of your teens you’d be past the zits phase. But no. Just because our skin tends to get drier as we get older, it doesn’t stop us being prone to the greasy grip of a break-out. The cause? Anything from hormones and stress, to pollution, to a change in skincare routine. But solving the problem isn’t just about applying a cream to the actual spots. This kind of SOS needs a more holistic approach to rebalance the skin’s oils and get to the root of the problem. Try these solutions...
Aromatherapy Associates Lavender & Ylang Refining Face Oil, £34.75 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) is a great way to rebalance the skin’s oils. The company’s founder, Geraldine Howard, dispels any myths surrounding applying an oil to spot-prone skin: “When people think of applying oil to the skin they tend to think of mineral oils which leave the skin feeling greasy, whereas vegetable oils combined with essential oils do not. In fact, they can be very effective at helping to regulate an oily skin and heal blemishes without using harsh chemicals.”
A mask can be a great way to deep cleanse troubled complexions. Noella Gabriel, Director of Product and Treatment Development at Elemis, says, “A good clay mask is recommended for combination skin like our Herbal Lavender Repair Mask, £26.00 (www.timetospa.co.uk) which has a great healing property.” Thorough daily cleansing is vital, too – but the days of harsh, stripping facial washes that upset the skin’s natural balance are long gone. Paula’s Choice Normalising Cleanser, £11.50 (www.paulaschoice.co.uk) is tough on blemishes, but gentle on your skin and has a silky smooth texture that doesn’t leave your face feeling tight afterwards.
However much you care for your skin, the odd spot will still appear – usually on a day when you really don’t need it! For ‘on-the-spot’ relief, roll on Liz Earle’s Spot-On, £7.75 (http://uk.lizearle.com). It’s alcohol-free so you won’t be drying out the surrounding skin. It also works a treat on grazes, sores and bites: a handbag essential.
DRYNESS
Skin dryness can be caused by a number of factors – sensitivity, ageing, sun exposure... Whatever the reason, it’s always uncomfortable and means your skin isn’t functioning properly. Not only dry skin make it difficult to apply make-up and at its worse can result in redness and irritation. Time for another SOS!
This month Pond’s have said that sales of its Cold Cream, £3.99 (www.boots.com) have risen sharply since Kylie Minogue credited it for her youthful looks. She said: “It's really changed my skin. It's all I really use to look after my skin. It's such an old classic.” The cleanser deep cleans without leaving skin dry – and for very dry skin, follow it with Pond’s Dry Skin Cream, £3.99 (www.boots.com), an extra-rich formula with a unique blend of moisturising ingredients to protect and care for drier skin. Skin is left looking and feeling noticeably smoother and soft to the touch. And all for less than a fiver…
A pricier option is Dr Sebagh’s Extreme Maintenance Cream Dry & Sensitive, £117.00 (www.beautybay.com), which has been formulated for the most dry, damaged and fragile skin types. You get a lot for your money – a 50ml jar plus a smaller ‘handbag’ size 15ml jar to take out and about. To nourish drier complexions and protect from free-radical damage, add Caudalie's Vinoperfect Day Cream, £35.00 (www.cultbeauty.co.uk) to your daily beauty routine. The cream absorbs quickly and is packed with nourishing grape vine extract (viniferine) and an SPF15 to protect your skin from the sun and environmental damage – as well as improving the appearance of dark spots.
Alternatively, a great daily moisturiser which hydrates without feeling heavy is Elemental Herbology’s Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator SPF 8, £36.00 (www.spacenk.co.uk). Kristy Goodger, founder of Elemental Herbology, recommends those who suffer from dry skin “exfoliate twice weekly to shed dead skin cells and infuse skin with hydrators such as this one, which contains macadamia oil to repair damage, as well as royal jelly and shea butter to intensively nourish the skin."
AGEING
Wrinkles, ages spots, dullness - getting older isn’t exactly a walk in the park for your skin. And there’s another enemy that the beauty industry is focusing on these days too – slackness, or a loss of firmness, which can add years to your face. So what’s the solution? Take your pick from these hard-workers.
Skin Nutrition Face Lifting Serum, £118.95 (www.beautybay.com) is known as ‘the face-lift in a jar’. It uses a polysaccharide-rich, marine-derived extract obtained from the algae Macrocystis Pyrifera, which provides a remarkable tightening and lifting effect immediately upon application and gives an instant radiance and smoothness to the complexion. Another ‘investment’ product is Chantecaille's Nano Gold Firming Treatment, £265.00 (www.spacenk.co.uk), the latest in Chantecaille's groundbreaking Nano Gold range. You’ll understand the price when you learn that Infinitely small particles of pure gold are bound to silk microfibres to firm and tone skin, while creating incredible anti-inflammatory, healing and age-defying properties.
Ren have a botanical solution to slackness in the form of their new Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum, £45.00 (www.renskincare.com). This advanced serum creates radiant, plumper skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Native Peptides act as a safe alternative to Botox to smooth expression lines and even encourage natural collagen filling of fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Who needs injections?
Or try Priori CoffeeBerry Tightening Serum, £52.00 (www.beautybay.com) is perfect for everyday use – just layer it under your regular moisturiser or treatment. It uses a natural formula fortified with coffee berry to fight free radicals. The serum has a light silky texture that provides instant tightening and firming effects. You’ll be guaranteed to get a ‘You look well!’ by day three!
JO WOOD – FOUNDER OF JO WOOD ORGANICS – BLOGS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A GREAT BODY SCRUB (18.06.10)
I’d like to share with you my passion for a great body scrub and why I think this is so important to maintain healthy skin throughout the year. I am a little biased and also lucky in that I have my own fragrance and bodycare range: ‘Jo Wood Organics’, but I truly believe mine are the best Exfoliating Salt Scrubs in the world. These products have won numerous awards and so this is testament that there are some people out there that seem to agree with me - and I’m just thrilled about this. I spent months going back and forth with the laboratory to ensure that I got the formulations just right, so all the hard work has been rewarded.
Our skin is our biggest organ and it needs looking after. It needs to be nourished, hydrated and preserved so that fresh skin can breathe. Throughout the year we expose our skin to different temperatures and seasons, and this all has an effect on our skin and how it looks, feels and glows; especially at this time of year when we are dusting down our frocks and starting to show a little more flesh. I body scrub and body brush every day as part of my beauty regime, and in fact it is like having your own mini spa treatment at home. It also helps with improving circulation and lymphatic drainage too, so another way to combat cellulite.
My salt scrubs are formulated with a blend of wonderful oils that include: Jojoba oil - this nourishes and moisturises the skin. It can boost skin lipid content and improve skin barrier function against moisture loss. Apricot kernal oil - this protects the skin with vitamin E and is a powerful antioxidant. Grapeseed oil - again this helps nourish and feed the skin cells. Rosehip seed oil - this rejuvenates the skin and is a good source of vitamin A. It encourages cell division and collagen formation. Dead Sea salt has been blended with the oils to act as the exfoliating ingredient. By eliminating dead skin this encourages cell turn around, it stimulates micro circulation and improves oxygenation of skin and exchanges of nutrients.
We also need to remember that what we put on our skin goes straight into our bloodstream, for example just look at how cigarette patches work so all my products are certified organic so they are as kind to your skin, and also the environment as they can be, all the packaging is recyclable too. I’ve got 10 Langa Exfoliating Salt Scrubs to give away, Langa is a fresh citrus fragrance and uplifting for this time of year. I hope you enjoy have a good rub a dub dub with my wonderful scrub! Click here to enter the giveaway! http://www.the-beauty-pages.com/breakingnews.php
Organic love,
Jo
Tried & Tested: FLORAL FRAGRANCES (18.06.10)
Get in the mood for a long, hot summer with an uplifting floral fragrance.
LIZ EARLE BOTANICAL ESSENCE EAU DE PARFUM NO.1, £39.50 (http://uk.lizearle.com)
What they say: For our first ever bespoke fragrance, we’ve used the finest natural botanical ingredients from around the world and the expert skills of a distinguished perfumer from Grasse, France. We gave him the time to indulge in this age-old art, skilfully hand-crafting this complex scent with true passion to create this vibrant, sparkling fragrance translating into warmth and sensuality.
The Results: I wasn’t so sure about this fragrance when I first spritzed it onto my wrists – I generally opt for light, floral scents and this is more intense than I expected. It reminded me of walking into a greenhouse full of exotic plants. After a few minutes, however, the scent settled into my skin and became lighter – and I started to really, really like it. I would describe it as a lively scent, with sparkling, almost sherbetty notes that instantly boost spirits (and woke me up if I was flagging in energy). I still think this is quite a grown-up, sophisticated scent – teenagers would steer well clear – but that isn’t a bad thing at all. I’d recommend it – especially if you love green, botanical fragrances.
Best for: Sophisticated, grown-up notes
A SCENT BY ISSEY MIYAKE EAU DE PARFUM FLORALE, from £33 (Exclusively at John Lewis).
What they say: With even greater femininity and floral opulence, imparting a sensation of enveloping sweetness, "a scent by issey miyake" Eau de Parfum Florale reveals a more lavish generosity, offering a genuine alternative to the freshness of the Eau de Toilette.
The Results: I’m not usually a fan of floral fragrances, but I was pleased to be handed a bottle by Issey Miyake – the fresh, fashionable brand already features in my fragrance collection and I was looking forward to starting to spray. This new scent, which contains notes of jasmine, rose, and hyacinth, is light and very feminine. The woody notes in the base (including patchouli, ambrox and moss) give it a modern and youthful edge. As it’s an Eau de Parfum, it’s impressively long-lasting too – and I love the bottle. I’d wear this at a garden party or casual day spent outdoors – it’s laid back, pretty, and very stylish.
Best for: Modern and youthful
CLARINS EAU DES JARDINS TREATMENT, £27 (0800 0363558)
What they say: A treatment fragrance that combines essential oils and plant extracts. The fragrant thrill of a sparkling scent combination of grapefruit and orange zest. Let notes of rose and wood embrace you with their uplifting charm.
The Results: This scent smells very fresh and green in the bottle, but as soon as it settled on my skin it became warmer and more floral. It is a very sweet, feminine fragrance – and whilst the scent doesn’t last as long as some of my other bottles, it is a lot more affordable so I didn’t mind regularly re-applying. It is designed to be sprayed generously (containing organic bud extracts to soothe and hydrate skin) and that gave me permission to spritz it over every spare inch of skin before I got dressed in the morning. There was something very luxurious about being drenched in scent head-to-toe and it was very uplifting.
Best for: Boosting mood
EAU DE SISLEY 1, £92 (www.spacenk.co.uk)
What they say: Joyful, romantic, tender, eau de Sisley 1 has the sensuality of a summer garden. Its lively stimulating top note offers a gust of citrus interspersed with spices. The floral heart is powerful and sunny, fluid with a light, bitter layer. Its vibrant base note depicts elegant chypre softened by Musk.
The Results: I like strong, long-lasting perfumes – so this intense floral scent was the perfect match. It’s a really unique fragrance, which initially smells like you are walking into a heavily perfumed garden, but then starts to develop deep musky notes that cling to skin for hours. If you like delicate, light scents, this won’t be for you – but I love it and will be spritzing all summer. I have a few summer weddings to attend and it will work especially well. It’s a pricey scent – but you pay for quality and it is still detectable on the skin hours after you first apply.
Best for: Long-lasting
ANTONIA’S FLOWERS EAU DE TOILETTE, £71 (www.spacenk.co.uk)
What they say: Long Island florist Antonia Bellanca created this light, fresh floral fragrance to evoke the experience of entering her East Hampton flower store on a spring morning. This was the first fragrance to utilise 'living flower' technology, to bring the actual scent of freesia from nature to skin.
The Results: I’d heard about Antonia’s Flowers and how the scent was inspired, but had never had the pleasure of trying it – until now… I love flowers and would fill my house with them if I could afford to, so anything that promises to translate their scent to my skin would be very welcome. I wasn’t disappointed with this fragrance – it isn’t a predictable blend of jasmine or rose (like so many floral scents tend to be these days), but is a soft, powdery take on the scent of freesias. It is very pretty and easy to wear – and the only down side is that it quickly fades.
Best for: Versatility
L’OCCITANE PAEONIA EAU DE TOILETTE, £30 (http://uk.loccitane.com)
What they say: Paeonia Eau de Toilette captures the subtle aura of the peony flower in a rich floral fragrance with hints of green freshness. The feminine bottle evokes the delicate roundness of a peony as it comes into bloom.
The Results: It’s apt that the bottle is pink, as this fragrance is best described as pretty, ultra-feminine, and sugar-sweet. It is definitely a floral scent, but it has zingy, uplifting top notes (including grapefruit), which make it fun and really uplifting. For me, this is a weekend scent – and I’m already starting to associate the scent with laid-back summer days, spent in the garden or lunching with friends. I’ve never been a fan of sweet scents, but this breaks the mould. It’s also great value for money.
Best for: Laid-back weekends
Editor’s Letter (18.06.10)
An interesting debate took place at a family BBQ this weekend. My Dad – who admittedly isn’t the world’s greatest authority on beauty products – was talking about my Mum’s perfume collection. He approved of the collection, apparently – which I sarcastically remarked was lucky, as it wasn’t chosen for him. The debate that then ensued made it clear that my Dad – along with every other male around the garden table – believes that women wear perfume entirely for the benefit of men. Entirely for men! Not for ourselves! What folly! He was horrified to discover that women choose and wear scent because we like the smell and want to enjoy it – and not because we want to snare, trap, and hold onto members of the other sex. Until this weekend, I hadn’t even considered whether my other half liked my perfume collection… He’d probably approve of the Agent Provocateur and Coco Chanel but I really can’t see him sniffing his way towards my Jo Malone Orange Blossom or Antonia’s Flowers. Will that stop me wearing it? You have to be kidding. I find it hard enough to decide which scent to apply each morning, without having to take him into account – heavens above…
Elemis. I’m not heading to any festivals this summer (the idea of two nights under canvas and unpredictable weather is enough to scare me off every year), but if I did have tickets, I would definitely be investing in Elemis’ Festival Survival Kit (£15 each). The handy over-body bag contains everything you’ll need for the weekend – including Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (15ml), Toothbrush and Toothpaste, Soothing Apricot Toner Wipes, Eye Shades, Ear Plugs, and much more. In fact, it works equally well for long-haul flights and holidays, with enough products to last a full two-weeks. Fantastic value for money! www.timetospa.co.uk
All For Eve. Have you discovered the brilliant new brand All For Eve yet? The range was created by The Urban Retreat Group, with the soul purpose of raising funds and awareness of gynaecological cancer by donating all net profits to The Eve Appeal. The brand’s latest product – Nail Polish created by leading nail technician Sophy Robson (£10) - has just hit shelves and is well worth getting your mitts on. The red polish was designed to be ‘bright and brave’, with a strong, confident woman in mind. It provides long lasting glossy colour without chipping. It works perfectly with the brand’s Swarovski Crystal Nail File (£12.50) and Hand Cream (£6.95). www.allforeve.co.uk
MoviePeg. If you like watching makeup tutorials on your iphone, you probably find it fiddly to watch and apply at the same time. I have just discovered the solution – the MoviePeg (£4.99); a simple, yet elegant device that allows you to stand up the iphone for easy viewing. It is available in six colours – pink, black, yellow, red, blue, and green – and is made from recyclable material. It’s a genius idea – and would work equally well for following recipes, using the iphone as a bedside alarm clock, or acting as a tripod when you take photographs. www.movie-peg.com
Comfort Zone. Suffer from tired, heavy legs or swollen ankles during the summer months? One of my favourite luxury bodycare brands – Comfort Zone – have come to the rescue with the launch of Vital Leg Spray (£24.95). The spray contains ingredients to reduce swelling, detoxify the skin, and provide an instant feeling of refreshment and relief – and it can even be sprayed over tights! I think it’d be the perfect tool for pregnancy too – especially if we get the long, hot summer that we are all hoping for. 01827 280080.
Little Me. Talking of pregnancy, one of my best friends has just announced that she is expecting her first baby in December – so I will be telling her about the gorgeous Little Me Organics range of baby products (from £3.99). The range uses Essential Oils, rather than synthetic fragrances, and work with baby’s mood. Highlights include Playtime Bath Bubbles, Sleepy Head Hair and Body Wash, and the gorgeous Little Me Sweet Dreams Gift Set. www.boots.com,
Salon Review: ALDO COPPOLA, LONDON (18.06.10)
Location: Aldo Coppola, 70 Sloane Avenue, South Kensington, London SW3 3DD. 0207 0520709. www.aldocoppola.co.uk
The Salon: Until this swanky salon opened in Kensington, those of us craving an appointment with hair genius Aldo Coppola would have to jump on a flight to Italy. Now, thankfully, we can enjoy his signature combination of creative artistry and technical expertise on home soil – and the experience is well worth the wait.
The surroundings are as exciting as his flamboyant hairdressing style. Highlights include a quirky front desk and red quartz coffee table designed by acclaimed designer Brodie Neill, colour-changing lights in the hair washing area, spotlights framing the floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and ultra-comfortable chairs designed by Phillippe Stark. And that is just the décor…
When it comes to hair, things get even more impressive. Aldo Coppola and his talented team of London-based stylists make hair cuts, colouring, and styling into an art form. Colouring is achieved through a method called Shatush, rather than foils, which involves backbrushing to achieve a more natural result. Cutting is even more unique – so cancel that theatre booking and head here instead, as hair is twisted, pulled, chopped, and trimmed into the perfect style.
The service might be quicker and more theatrical than you have experienced before, but we guarantee that you will step out of the salon with the best cut, the most vibrant colour, and the swishiest blow-dry you have ever experienced.
Services: Cuts, colours, blow-dries, and styling – with prices starting at £55.
Tried & Tested: BODY SCRUBS (11.06.10)
Prepare your skin for summer with our round-up of body scrubs.
JO MALONE VITAMIN E BODY TREATMENT SCRUB, £68 for 600g (www.jomalone.co.uk)
What they say: This gentle body scrub is a luxuriously revitalising, non-abrasive treatment that sloughs away dry surface skin cells to reveal the radiant-looking new skin beneath. Vitamin E is a beneficial antioxidant that helps protect the skin. Ideal for use on all skin types, this scrub will give a soft feel and a clearer look to your skin, encouraging an all-over youthfulness and glow.
The Results: When I received the weighty tub of this scrub, my immediate impression was one of luxury. The signature Jo Malone black and cream packaging is understated and chic – this is definitely a product I will be proud to have on display in my bathroom! Knowing Jo Malone for my favourite perfume, Lime Basil and Mandarin, I had high expectations and was not disappointed. The scrub boasts an exotic, fruity fragrance with grown-up notes. The balm style formula is almost wax-like, melting into skin whilst the salt crystals gently exfoliate, which left my dry skin feeling conditioned. The price is high, but the large size justifies it – it will last for ages!
Best for: The luxury buy
PETER THOMAS ROTH ANTI-AGEING BUFFING BEADS, £23.50 for 250ml (www.beautyexpert.co.uk)
What they say: This ultra gentle buffing exfoliator, for the face and body, contains powerful botanical extracts like jojoba beads, lemon peel extract, aloe vera leaf juice, glycolic acid complex and salicylic acid that work effectively to remove dead skin cells and refine the skin’s texture to smooth out fine lines and allow active anti-ageing treatment products to penetrate better, leaving your skin smooth, refined and younger looking.
The Results: I don’t usually bother to exfoliate my skin, but this product was very easy to use. The packaging is great, allowing me to control how much was dispensed and avoid mess and wastage - and I loved the bold, graphic text on the bottle. The scrub has a clean soapy scent, which didn’t overpower or interfere with my other beauty products. The bright orange colour adds a summery element to the scrub, which has a high concentration of gently exfoliating grains, combined with chemical exfoliants. The instructions state that this can also be used on the face and although I’m personally wary of multi-targeted products, it is evidence as to just how gentle the scrub is. As my skin is mature and naturally dehydrated, I found that I still needed to moisturise after using this - it didn’t seem to add any hydrating benefits, but my rich body cream definitely absorbed more effectively after use.
Best for: Mature skin
THE SANCTUARY KYPHI NOURISHING HOT SUGAR SCRUB, £1.39 for 20ml sachet (www.boots.com)
What they say: Our award winning, self-heating Hot Sugar Scrub contains natural sugar to exfoliate and smooth the skin, whilst moisturising Argan oil, smoothing Sacred Lotus Oil, fragrant Sandalwood and Vanilla work to soften and hydrate.
The Results: I travel a lot, so I’m constantly on the look-out for miniature versions of my key essentials as I hate being at the mercy of hotel bathroom supplies. I swear by exfoliating, but struggle to incorporate it into my routine when abroad - scrubs tend to be heavy or bulky, whereas gloves aren’t ideal for packing when damp. This sachet was a wonderful little discovery. It perfectly measures one usage and is slimline enough to slip into my washbag. One difficulty that I had was that the sachet made dispensing a little difficult - it was fiddly to open once my hands were damp, but the benefits far outweigh this. The scrub is a clay-based formula, which added an indulgent element and wasn’t nearly as messy as I anticipated. It heats upon application, which makes it feel as though it is doubling up as a detoxifying mask. The exfoliant is made from sugar granules, which means that it’s not an abrasive scrub and skin was left feeling softened. What’s more, the scrub has an exotic, warm scent that delicately lingered on my skin afterwards - if pushed for luggage space, I could happily forego perfume in favour of this!
Best for: Travel
SOAP & GLORY SCRUB ACTUALLY, £6.50 for 200ml (www.boots.com)
What they say: The award winning Scrub, Actually is an absolute smash of a body buffer, with smoothing brown sugar, white sugar and natural apricot kernel oil. All you need is scrub (arguably, you might often also need soap and a tube of moisturiser). Work a big handful of Scrub, Actually body scrub onto damp skin, scrubbing in circles for sixty-ish seconds (longer on areas that are more tough than tender) then rinse well, towel dry and moisturise.
The Results: I like fun, value for money products and get bored easily - so I find myself constantly experimenting and switching to new products. Soap & Glory is just the sort of brand that appeals to me - I love the retro inspired packaging and tongue-in-cheek slogans. I’ve tried quite a few of their products before, but never this scrub. I really liked that it is packaged in a convenient tube so that I could control how much was squeezed out without getting annoying mess under my nails. The best thing about this product is that it is unapologetically girly - from the name that hints at a well-loved chick flick, to the pink colour of the gel, to the deliciously sweet fragrance, which instantly transported me back to the Pick & Mix counter. In line with this, the sugar-based scrub is super gentle on skin - I wouldn’t be afraid to use it regularly and don’t worry, the scent doesn’t linger so there’s no nagging temptation to hit the sweet shop!
Best for: Value for money
ERB SPICE & SHINE GEL BODY SCRUB, £34.95 for 240g (www.erbasia.co.uk)
What they say: Erb Spice & Shine Gel Body Scrub is a richly coloured scrub containing Turmeric, high in Vitamin C, to brighten the skin... a real skin food experience! Ginger will stimulate as Tamarind exfoliates, making this the ultimate scrub to leave skin fresh and radiant - and good enough to eat!
The Results: I’d never heard of Erb before, but when I received the tub to trial, it was immediately apparent that it is a Thai spa-inspired brand. I tend to view exfoliating as a summer chore, so this pampering element really appealed to me. I thought that the combination of key ingredients was unusual, but far from smelling of a spicy curry, when I opened the tub, the fragrance was refreshing and citrusy. The scrub is a dark, caramel shade, which made me a bit concerned that it would be messy - however, the formula is a lightweight gel, which means that it is easy to apply and rinse away without unsightly residue in the shower. My favourite aspect of the scrub is that the granules are very gentle, so I’ll be using it throughout the summer to ensure my skin remains healthy and smooth, whilst maximising my tan.
Best for: Home spa experience
JO WOOD ORGANICS LANGA EXFOLIATING SALT SCRUB, £24 for 200ml (www.jowoodorganics.com)
What they say: Langa- meaning sunshine in Xhosa- combines fresh top notes of oranges and Sicilian lemon on a base of cedarwood and vanilla, with a floral heart of neroli. Bursting with vitamins to protect and rejuvenate the skin, this non-abrasive scrub will remove all dead skin cells whilst moisturising and smoothing skin.
The Results: I have a natural approach to beauty and whilst I enjoy pampering as much as the next person, I like to avoid synthetic ingredients and regularly whip up my own products such as hair & face masks and sugar and oil scrubs in my kitchen. However, I’ve long admired Jo Wood’s cool approach to life and when I heard that this product is a favourite of Kate Moss, I jumped at the opportunity to try it. The scrub arrived, suitably presented in recyclable packaging and decorated with a whimsical design. The scrub can be applied either to dry or damp skin, depending upon the intensity of exfoliation required. I liked the diversity that this offered and opted to massage it into dry skin before my shower, as per salon treatments. I was surprised at the oily consistency of the scrub as I had anticipated a thicker balm, but this wasn’t a negative - my skin felt nourished and I found the blend of pure essential oils uplifting. The salt effectively sloughed off dead skin cells, yet feels gentle. My only tip? If you’re applying this to dry skin, it’s worth standing in the shower or on a bath mat to make clean up easier. I will definitely be investing in this again when the tub runs out.
Best for: Organic option
Blog: GROOMING EDITOR JAMES YORK REVIEWS SOAP & GLORY’S NEW GROOMING RANGE (11.06.10)
Some of your fine gentlemen out there may have come across Soap & Glory products in your shower room. You’ll already know that these guys are pretty sharp customers operating with a great sense of humour.
Soap & Glory have now turned their attention, naturally, to the growing male grooming market. We were lucky enough to get our hands and their range for a field test. As ever, I like to tell it how it is and rate them based on usage, rather than hot air and brand faff.
He won’t find serious “how it works” molecule diagrams on their promotions - no, this is all about keeping it simple. They just concentrated on making sure their products function well, are priced right and look sharp.
These are not expensive and top end, but you’ll see a place for some of this range on his man-shelf, nestled next to your own assortment of colourful goodies. You might cherry pick a couple of products where you see a gap - because these are really affordable for the market segment they are going up against [stocked in Boots at prices under a tenner].
DRY HARD – BRUTE FORCE ANTI PERSPIRANT, £3.49
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
This 200ml can of anti perspirant, with its cool name, is the star performer of the range. It has a good portion of manly smelling scent and actually manages to keep its word. It will keep him dry competently and add a lighter twist to his grooming regime.
He might even muster chuckle when reading about its “wet stop” anti sweat technology and “babe magnet” fragrance. That morning spray will now send him out with a smile.
Soap & Glory ‘Dry hard’ is worthy of the small price needed to acquire it. It’s not a can of juice that’s winning any luxury competitions - sure he can invest in a ‘special occasions’ deodorant, but this will do fine for the daily slog.
A MANS GOT TO DEW – FACIAL MOISTURE BALM, £5.99
3.5 STARS
If you like to keep his chops nicely softened, this is a decent product. It won’t and can’t win best of class - because its not been positioned to. It is affordable though and does a job - you could call it a utility moisturiser.
It doesn’t claim to reverse ageing or hold back the booze wrinkles. It does have anti-razor burn repairing technology though, which probably entails a hoard of tiny nano-robotic lap dancers dressed as clowns massaging his cheeks [wouldn’t put it past them].
It does soothe though and perked the face up after use, every time. Containing “gym god oil” [brilliant] and trusty Aloe Vera, this packs a neat cocktail of goodness. According to S&G, real men moisturise – well, this certainly ticks plenty of boxes. It could be a little bigger though, but then we men will always say that, wont we…
KNOCK YOUR SPOTS OFF – INSTANT SPOT FIGHTING GEL, £5.99
4.5 STARS
This apparently “puts the kung fu grip on zits”. I’d have to agree - this is a really good edition to the pack. It’s been a busy few weeks and needless to say, a few of the little blighter have started to pop up. This product dealt with them.
Containing Salicylic acid, aloe vera and antibacterial Cypress extract, he’ll feel the ingredients boiling away at those nasty man blemishes. Small and packing a punch, it features “Spotzap” technology, perhaps making it the most sci-fi of the range.
Anything that makes him a little more pleasant to look at in the morning can’t be a bad thing can it?
BILLY WILDHAIR – HAIR SCULPTING PUTTY, £5.99
3.5 STARS
This is not a future cast member for a western gunslinger movie. This is another big player in the Soap & Glory range. It has a high amount of hold, without the shiny hair issues of other wet putties out there.
Billy Wildhair gives great texture, especially to medium length cropped hair. Beeswax smells good, but helps hold the style in place. Unfortunately, the longer his hair gets, the more difficult it might be to coherently mould a quick style.
If he’s in a rush, he might blindly/lazily grab any old splodge of product and lump it in. Beware of that, as more than a pea size amount tends to cause “sticky-clump” [a newly invented technical term]. It isn’t really meant for use in huge handfuls though, so that’s not a massive issue.
His hair will smell great after daubing some of this on though. It features a brilliantly apt dose of “manketti oil”, which along with castor oil and acacia gum seems to create an almost edible smelling product.
He might be that little bit more irresistible with this keeping his quiff in check. Grab it for him if you see it - its worth testing, as it’s not far off the market lead [high street brand] of putty. Which we won’t plug here…
Check out a few of the Soap & Glory range in boots or other retail outlets. Other products we tested which we solid were; “Eau Man, body spray” & “A shave to love, shave gel”- but you’d be reading this all day…
Spa Review: HOTEL HACIENDA NA XAMENA, IBIZA (11.06.10)
Location: Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena, San Miguel, Ibiza, Spain. Tel: +34 971334500. www.hotelhacienda-ibiza.com
Facilities: Hotel Hacienda is a truly magical place. The scenic drive through the pine forest takes you to a coastal hotel hidden away in a beautiful Mediterranean nature reserve and situated 180 metres above sea level with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and stunning cliffs of Na Xemena. Only 20 minutes drive from the bustling nightlife of Ibiza Town, Hotel Hacienda is the perfect place to chill-out in five-star luxury. The 70 rooms and suites, most of them equipped with a stunning sea view Jacuzzi, feel luxurious and blissfully quiet. There are two indulgent spas on site: ‘La Posidonia’ for traditional beauty and wellness and ‘Las Cascadas Suspendidas’ an open-air Thalassotherapy treatment consisting of eight hydrotherapy pools. Using the natural power of saltwater, heated to 37 degrees, beneficial properties are transmitted to the body via a series of therapeutic jets and cascades. The pools and waterfalls for this 40-minute reviving treatment are located in a private area with stunning sea views. If complete relaxation isn’t your thing there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Fitness classes, a gym, tennis courts, and mountain bikes are available to guests during their stay. Personalised activities such as open-air cooking classes, wine tasting, excursions, and water sports can also be arranged. After watching the famous sunset of Ibiza from the terrace, guests can savour the sensational cuisine at Eden, one of four, five-star restaurants at Hotel Hacienda. Serving a wide menu of healthy Mediterranean dishes: pan fried meats, grilled fish, rices plus special dietary plates created to compliment your spa treatments, you wont be disappointed. The five-course gourmet meal is a sensation for the taste buds and is best washed down with a glass of crisp cava - the perfect end to a blissful day.
Ambience: Hotel Hacienda feels discreetly luxurious, sophisticated, and grown-up. The staff are warm, friendly and extremely helpful. From the moment you step through the door you know you have arrived at a truly unique place.
Treatments Tested: Relaxing Body Massage, 95 Euros for 50 minutes.
This relaxing massage was the perfect way to forget the stresses and strains of city life. After 20 minutes, I had completely relaxed as the talented therapist massaged an exotic blend of essential oils, paying special attention to my shoulders and back. I immediately felt the tension ease away from my upper back, whilst she lightly massaged my legs, feet, arms and hands. This treatment was pure bliss and is the ultimate way to refresh and revitalise tired and aching limbs.
Bath of music therapy, 55 Euros for 20 minutes. This is a truly unique experience, unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I was immersed in a bath of warm water, whilst beautiful music played through tiny under-water speakers. This spiritual relaxation works by relaxing the body and mind through the vibrations of music. The therapist left the room after 5 minutes, enabling me to completely switch-off in the peaceful surroundings. I’d highly recommend this treatment to de-stress and re-balance busy minds.
Hotel Hacienda is open from April – October. Standard double rooms start at 240 Euros per night.
Feature: FESTIVAL FEVER (11.06.10)
Heading to a festival this summer? There’s no excuse to abandon your beauty regime. Simply follow our festival beauty guide – and you can rock out and look glam at the same time.
FAKE IT
We all know that a real tan is bad for our skin – but that doesn’t stop us craving a sunkissed glow, especially when temperatures soar and hemlines rise.
Clinique’s Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion £15.50 (www.clinique.co.uk) provides instant colour, with a deeper tan developing within three hours. It is impressively streak-free, easy to apply, and oil free.
For body, Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Tinted Self Tan, £20.50 (www.esteelauder.co.uk) is a silky gel that smoothes easily over arms, legs and décolletage. The colour develops within an hour, leaving you with an even, non-streaky, shimmering glow. The colour also deepens with use – so if you like to look darker just repeat the application.
If you just don’t want to risk DIY, you’d be well advised to book a Fake Bake Spray Tan £22.50 (www.fakebake.co.uk) - the UK’s leading salon professional spray tan brand. Fake Bake expert Marina Lau explains: ‘It gives you an instant sun-kissed colour which develops into a deep tan. We combine naturally derived tanning agents DHA and Erythulose to guarantee a 50% longer lasting tan.’ Fake Bake also claims to use more natural ingredients than many other spray tans and have developed their product to remove parabens and artificial preservatives. To go one step further, you can even choose a tan with added benefits like anti-aging, anti-cellulite and antioxidants.
Marina goes on to say, ‘Before you have a spray tan, shave your legs, exfoliate and moisturise – this way your tan will develop deeper and last much longer. You can also prolong the colour by moisturising after each shower – and don’t feel shy standing in your paper pants – we do this everyday so won’t bat an eyelid!’
WAX AWAY
Short shorts and floaty dresses go hand in hand with festivals – and the last thing you want to worry about is stubbly legs. While shaving seems like the easiest option, the effects don’t last long enough to see you through a five-day festival, so beforehand invest a little time in de-fuzzing – you’ll be more than thankful that you made the effort.
Nair Exfoliating Hair Removal Cream £5.99 (www.boots.com) works in three ways to give you radiant, smooth skin. The 3-in-1 formula can be used like a normal hair removal cream on your underarms, bikini line and legs. Ten minutes after application simply wipe the cream off - the special formula will exfoliate skin, whilst effectively removing hair and moisturising your skin. The effects should last over a week – but bare in mind that a patch test is advised first.
If you hate using creams Veet’s Ready-to-Use Wax Strips £5.90 (www.veet.co.uk) will leave you smoother for longer. The Complete Body Kit comes with wax strips for legs, bikini and underarms – all in one handy, affordable pack.
If you’d rather leave waxing your delicate bits to a professional, Ministry Of Waxing, prices start from £12 (www.ministryofwaxing.com) comes highly recommended by every beauty bible, plus big name celebs like Cheryl Cole and Kate Moss. With a huge menu of treatments on offer, the ‘waxologists’ make you feel at ease and quickly set about giving you the smoothest skin possible. In fact, it feels more like a pampering experience than most waxing salons. Ministry Of Waxing is famous for the ‘Brazilian’ bikini wax and has created their own HSQ mantra: Hygiene, Speed and Quality with each customer receiving a personal hygiene wax pack. Treatments take between 15 and 30 minutes – perfect for a busy woman on the go and the effects will last up to a fortnight.
SWEET-SCENTED
You’d be forgiven for avoiding festivals for the lack of shower facilities. No matter how much pre-preparation you do, there’s no escaping the fact that after three days dancing in the sunshine, you won’t smell sweeter than sweet. They may not be the most glamorous of products, but Wet Ones Cooling Wipes, £1.50 (www.boots.com) are a must-have at any festival.
Rather than carting your favourite bottle of perfume to the middle of nowhere (and risk it smashing all over your new maxi-dress) invest in a Travalo £7.99 (www.theperfumeshop.com). The 8cm pocket-sized perfume spray bottle refills in seconds directly from the nozzle of a big fragrance spray bottle. Once full, the Travalo contains 50 sprays – so you can pump and go in seconds. The bottle is made from aluminium, meaning it’s super tough and wont smash in your bag – and it’s so small and lightweight that you’ll barely notice it’s there. Forward thinking Travalo has even designed a limited edition festival version, complete with a lanyard so your perfume is never far from hand.
If you want an excuse to invest in a new perfume, there are plenty of travel-size options on the market. Join the Sex and the City 2 hysteria and invest in SJP NYC £13.50 (www.theperfumeshop.com) – this deliciously fruity floral fragrance comes in a pocket size 15ml to keep you smelling fabulous on the move. Alternatively DKNY Be Delicious Eau De Parfum Roller Ball 6ml, £20 (the www.perfumeshop.com) is perfect for on-the-go application – simply take the lid off and glide the roller ball on, whenever and wherever.
HAPPY HAIR
Let’s be honest, by the end of the festival you’ll probably have to resort to wearing a cowboy hat or a bandana to hide your hair. But keeping the grease at bay can help you look gorgeous for longer. Start with protecting your locks from the sunshine with L’Oreal Elvive Damage Care Conditioning Repair Spray £3.29 (www.boots.com). This lightweight spray can be used on dry hair to tame it between washes and give it protection from everyday pollutions in the air. Once protected, your hair feels reinforced from the tips, leaving it silky, smooth and smelling fantastic.
The good people at Batiste £2.99, (www.boots.com) know that that every festival fanatic will be carrying a bottle of dry shampoo in their bag. You don’t need water to have clean, shiny hair if you’ve got a bottle of this stuff – a quick spray in, a brisk brush out and your locks will be good to go. Batiste have come a long way since their original product and now have a huge range - from on-the-go sizes, to fragranced flavours ‘Tropical’ and ‘Diva’, to coloured varieties for brunettes and red-heads. Most exciting though is their new range, launched just in time for festival fever, Batiste Shimmer. For the ultimate in Barbarella glamour, the new Shimmer range still fixes oily roots and gives oomph to the limpest locks, but also adds an alluring hint of gold or silver glamour pearl to your locks. The shimmer is subtle, rather than overpowering and lasts all day into evening without the need for a second coat.
STAY-PUT MAKEUP
When you’re miles from home and resorting to using your camera phone as a mirror, you need makeup that works hard and stays in place for the whole day. You won’t have the time (or the patience) for touch-ups throughout the day, so we’ve rounded up the top long-lasting products to keep you looking fresh faced for hours.
MAC LiquidLast Liner £13.50 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk) The richly coloured liquid eye liner combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line. It glides on effortlessly with the precision brush, creating the perfect festival flick. Go for classic black or go for a touch of glamour with one of the bright trend shades.
Givenchy Phenomen’eyes Waterproof Mascara £19.50 (www.parfumsgivenchy.com) Protect yourself from the elements with this revolutionary new mascara – the spiky-ball wand gets into the root of each eyelash, giving you solvent-free waterproof coverage that lasts for hours. The jet black colour is customised with golden and lilac flecks to give you intense, bewitching eyes.
Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows £16 (www.bobbibrown.co.uk) These brand new eye shadows come in glistening pastels from ocean blue to oyster pink. Perfect for a festival, they’re quick and easy to apply - for a sheer effect just blend on with your fingertips.
Benefit Pocket Pal £15.50 (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk) This product has been designed with on-the-go use in mind. Combining Benefits two bestselling products, the double-ended portable duo has Benetint – rose-tinted lip and cheek stain on one end - and a shiny clear lipgloss on the other. It is perfect for quick application and small enough to fit in your bag, so you can stay fresh-faced and glossy all night.
SUPER SKINCARE
Being out in the elements each day can leave your skin feeling dry and looking tired. Before you leave your tent, you’d be well advised to apply Crème de la Mer’s SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid £50 (www.cremedelamer.co.uk). The lightweight gel is an ideal makeup primer, providing a smooth, flawless finish as it conditions and helps care for your skin. The protecting fluid uses tourmaline and Brazilian malachite gemstones to enhance the formula’s anti-oxidant activity to give your skin a luminous and radiant appearance. You can wear this under your foundation or as a replacement, as it also provides SPF protection. The Smart Seaweed Ferment also attracts moisture to the skin, helping to protect your face from dehydration.
Throughout the day, give your skin a helping hand with Clinique’s SPF35 Targeted Protection Stick £15 (www.clinique.co.uk). The brand has stepped up protection against the ageing and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays for fragile areas. As your face will probably be in the sun for the majority of the festival, applying this to your eye-area, cheekbones, lips, nose and earlobes will guard against the sun as well as premature aging. This is small enough to fit in your festival bag and needs to be reapplied every 4 hours if you’re in direct sunlight.
At the end of each day, no matter how shattered you are, using Crème de la Mer’s The Mist £41 (www.cremedelamer.co.uk) will ensure you wake looking fresh-faced and gorgeous. When your skin has been submitted to undue stress (such as dancing in a festival field full of pollen, cigarette smoke and sun exposure) it needs to be revitalised, hydrated and soothed - or lines will start to show. The Mist has magnetically charged waters, enriched with marine and botanical extracts, vitamins and minerals to restore balance out the driest of complexions. Simply spritz the mist over your face and watch as your skin is visibly uplifted with fine lines smoothed.
Editor’s Letter (11.06.10)
If you haven’t already set eyes on Bobbi Brown’s fabulous new Beach Club collection (see our Breaking News story here), I can personally recommend it. It did, however, make me laugh to read Bobbi Brown’s quote when I was writing the piece. Asked about her inspiration for the range, she explains: “I’m always inspired by how happy and healthy people look on the beach. Nothing says summer to me like pretty, glowing skin and shimmering lids.” That vision really isn’t me… I might look happy on the beach, but I certainly don’t look healthy. My skin is drenched in high-factor SPF, which leaves it shiny – not in a pretty glowing sense, but in one that is unattractively heavy and oily. My hair, to prevent my scalp burning, will have been scraped back into a dull-as-dishwater ponytail – or soaked in sun cream, leaving it looking greasy and limp. Whilst my skin doesn’t burn easily, it does turn a pinkish shade as it heats up, leaving people around me to assume I am frazzling and requiring me to – frustratingly – have to repeatedly explain that I am simply hot and not neglecting to apply my SPF. When I walk off the beach, I am good for nowhere and nobody but an air-conditioned room and cold shower. Don’t get me wrong – I love spending afternoons sprawled on the sand, but the words ‘healthy’, ‘pretty’, and ‘glowing’ really don’t apply.
Lush. Pennies tight after booking your summer break? There’s no excuse to neglect the pre-holiday beauty regime, as Lush are launching a limited edition kit for summer, for the credit crunching price of just £10. The kit contains everything you need to scrub, buff, and moisturise skin before you show it off in a bikini and flip-flops – Ultralight Body and Facial Sunscreen (45g tin), Glorious Mud Body Mask, Stepping Stone Foot Scrub, Buffy Skin Conditioner, Fair Trade Foot Lotion (45g tin), and Token to the Forest Gods Sauna Tab. And, to make your pennies stretch even further, if you take one of the sample tins back to the store, you will get £1 off the purchase of the full-size product! www.lush.co.uk
Chanel. I’ve been itching to test Chanel’s new Rouge Noir Inimitable Intense Mascara (£21.50) since it launched – and last week, I finally got my mitts on a tube. I was a little disappointed at first, as it clumps quite badly – but after combing through, I realised what all the fuss is about. Don’t be put off by the word Rouge in the title – this is not a shocking red, but a subtle reddish brown, which gives a softer, more flattering look than jet black. I’m guessing that it would look even better on brown or hazel eyes – however, mine are blue and I still think it worked well. I’d recommend it – but keep that lash comb close to hand. Counters Nationwide.
Tweezerman. For me, nothing rivals the brand Tweezerman when it comes to precision plucking – so when I heard that the brand’s acclaimed Pro Lash Curler (£20) had finally arrived in the UK, I knew it was going to be a big seller. In fact, it’s so popular that I can’t get my hands on the curlers to test them, but I am confident that the ergonomically-designed tool will be the highest quality and ultra-efficient. The brand promises that every single lash – even those difficult to grasp, short ones – will be easily curled. The product is available now, exclusively at Harrods. 0207 7301234.
Urban Decay. I absolutely love Urban Decay’s new Summer of Love Nail Kit (£17.50), which contains seven of the brand’s most popular nail polish shades for summer in smaller, travel-friendly bottles. The colours are spot on for the season, with a rainbow of choices that include a sparkling bronze, neon pink, punchy orange, fashionable teal, bright red, metallic purple, and shimmering pale pink. The polishes are formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, or DBP, yet offer glossy textures and impressively long-lasting results. Available from selected Boots, Debenhams, and House of Fraser Stores Nationwide.
Liberty. I caught a glimpse of these beautiful Liberty-print knot watches (£55 each) on the Cult Beauty blog (click here http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/wordpress/) and now I simply HAVE TO HAVE ONE. The fabric straps can be knotted, twisted, and wrapped around wrist any way you like –and they come in a variety of different retro prints. They are the perfect compliment to floaty summer dresses – and I am strongly considering investing in more than one, as I think these are going to be big collectors items in the future. Totally beautiful – so it’s no wonder that lots of the designs are already out of stock. Keep eyes peeled on the website for new deliveries. www.liberty.co.uk
Breaking News: BOBBI BROWN LAUNCHES BEACH CLUB COLLECTION (11.06.10)
There’s no denying that shimmer looks fabulous on sunkissed skin – but it isn’t the easiest look to get right on a day-to-day basis. Things are set to sparkle this summer, as Bobbi Brown has launched the Beach Club collection – a limited edition Beach Shimmer Brick and new range of Glitter-infused Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows that are eye-catching, easy to apply, and impressively long-lasting.
Bobbi Brown’s famous Shimmer Bricks, £29.50, are made with finely-milled pigments to softly light up your face. The new Beach Shimmer Brick features five bars of warm, pearlised shimmer to create a beautiful seaside glow. For eyes, the brand’s new selection of award-winning Long-Wear Cream Shadows £16 each, come in a range of glistening pastels from ocean blue to oyster pink. For a sheer effect, the shadows can be blended onto lids with fingers – and for a more dramatic look, they can be layered on top of a bolder shadow.
Explaining her inspiration, brand creator Bobbi Brown says: “I’m always inspired by how happy and healthy people look on the beach. Nothing says summer to me like pretty, glowing skin and shimmering lids.”
The collection is available now at Bobbi Brown counters nationwide and online at www.bobbibrown.co.uk
Breaking News: YVES SAINT LAURENT LAUNCH SUMMER LOOK 2010 (04.06.10)
Looking for the perfect makeup collection for summer? Look no further than Yves Saint Laurent, as the brand’s Summer Look 2010 has just hit shelves – and it is flattering, sensual and exotic. The collection ties together three key summer looks – safari-inspired sand and flashes of gold for the complexion, splashes of Riviera blue for lashes and lids, and bursts of bright orange and fuchsia for lips and nails. Highlights include Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder, which is available in Sand, Copper Sand, or Golden Sand; Mascara Aquaresistant in new shade Riviera Blue, and Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick in new shades Pink Lychee and Blood Orange. The Summer Look 2010 collection is available at Yves Saint Laurent counters nationwide, with prices starting at £16.
Spa Review: TALISE SPA AT AL QASR HOTEL, DUBAI (04.06.10)
Location: PO BOX 75157, DUBAI, UAE. +971 4 3668888. http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Madinat-Jumeirah/Al-Qasr-Hotel/
Facilities: There’s nothing ordinary about Talise Spa. Based in the luxurious surroundings of Al Qasr, one of Dubai’s most exclusive hotels, even the approach to the spa is nothing short of spectacular. No dull hotel lift journeys here – instead, you quietly wind your way through the hotel’s sun-kissed waterways on an abra boat, before being greeted by a member of staff to lead you to the cool, stylish reception area. This is where the experience becomes even more unique – as those booking in for a Wellness experience will be lead upstairs to a team of medical experts, where height, weight, blood pressure, and a sample blood will be taken. The iris of each eye will be photographed, the body will be scanned, and you will be given a full lifestyle interview. This process takes a full hour – and afterwards, you will be lead downstairs to the tranquil surroundings of the spa to enjoy a truly indulgent full body massage as the team analyse your results. After time spent in the beautiful relaxation room, you will be taken back upstairs to hear the results of your assessment. You won’t simply leave Tailse Spa feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and pampered – but also with a unique insight into the state of your health.
Ambience: Talise Spa is off the scale when it comes to five star luxury – but the Wellness Centre gives it the feel of an exclusive private clinic. It is professional and serious, yet still highly relaxing. Whether you are a health-conscious gym bunny or a lazy coach-potato, a resident popping in at the weekend or a tourist enjoying the facilities between sunbathing sessions, you will be treated with the same respect and undivided attention by staff. And once you set eyes on the stunning palm-fringed spa facilities, you will be rushing to the front desk to book your next visit.
Treatments Tested: Talise Optimal Wellness Assessment, 1495 AED (roughly £280) for around 3.5 hours. I must confess to feeling a little anxious before my appointment, being told that I would have a blood test on arrival. However, my fears were completely unfounded. From the moment I arrived at the reception of Al Qasr, heading off on an abra to Talise Spa, I started to relax. The tests were fine – I hardly felt a pinch when the blood was taken – and I was downstairs enjoying the most incredible full-body massage before I knew it. I was tempted to wander off to explore after the treatment, but was so relaxed I could do nothing more than collapse in a chair in the relaxation room. My results were enlightening – and perhaps even life changing. This isn’t guesswork – it is based on conclusive tests, such as live blood analysis – and I found out that I have low blood pressure, mild anemia, and an intolerant to cow’s milk, amongst many more minor observations. Nothing was serious, but I doubt I’d ever have found it all out if I hadn’t visited Talise Spa on that Wednesday morning. I am truly impressed and have been recommending the spa to friends and family every since.
Tried & Tested: TINTED LIP BALM (04.06.10)
Smooth, hydrate, and add a hint of colour to your pout with a tinted lip balm.
TOPSHOP LIP POLISH, £6 (www.topshop.com)
What they say: Shiny lip polish with a shimmery finish.
Apply with fingers or a brush to give a colourful, shiny finish and leave lips feeling soft and moisturised.
The Results: I liked the simple, but stylish packaging. It’s a clever design, as the deep pot has a hinged lid, ensuring that it won’t be lost. The vanilla-scented balm melted on contact with my finger, making it very easy to smooth onto lips. I was expecting it to have a glossy, shiny texture, but the finish was matte and very natural. My lips felt supple and hydrated for about half an hour, before I needed to reapply. The only downside is that, just before reapplication, the colour had started to settle into the cracks in my lips, but they are admittedly very dry.
Best for: Natural, matte finish.
LIZ EARLE SHEER PINK LIP SHIMMER, £4.50 (http://uk.lizearle.com)
What they say: Lips have never looked so enticing than with our barely there shimmering lip salve. Ultra-conditioning and enriched with a softly sparkling rose sheen to make lips irresistible.
The Results: I usually stick to budget brands, so testing this product was a real treat. This balm smells of luxurious essential oils, so applying it felt very indulgent. I had to circle my finger in the pot for quite a long time to pick up enough for application, but afterwards my lips felt soft, soothed and nourished. The lightly tinted balm has a subtle sheen, which reflects the light and appears to plump lips. I was impressed when I saw the price – my perception of Liz Earle is that the products are quite pricey, so this is the perfect way to buy into her skincare range without breaking the bank.
Best for: Affordable luxury
BARRY M LIP BALM, £3.95 (www.barrym.com)
What they say: Give your lips a treat with our new lip balm, enriched with Vitamin E and Peppermint Oil for extra smoothness!
The Results: I haven’t used Barry M products for years – it’s a brand that my daughter has recently discovered, so I feel a bit too old! Being asked to test this product was a good way to rediscover the brand. The balm smells of strawberries and has a soft, thick texture. Although it has a pale pink tint, I didn’t really notice this when it was applied to lips – it did, however, give the skin a lovely shine. Best of all, I loved the feeling on my lips. I’m prone to very dry, cracked skin and this instantly softened and left lips feeling supple and highly moisturised. The price is very affordable and I would recommend it.
Best for: Adding shine
CLARINS INSTANT SMOOTH CRYSTAL LIP BALM, £15.50 (http://uk.clarins.com)
What they say: Combines the benefits of every type of lipstick - the same shape and glide as a traditional lipstick, as transparent as a lip gloss, the same subtle colour result of sheer lipstick and the comfort of a lip balm.
The Results: There’s something quite irresistible about this product. The balm itself looks and smells just like jelly sweets, whilst the packaging retains the signature sophistication of the brand. I wasn’t sure that the transparent balm would lend any colour to my lips – so I was impressed when I smoothed it over the skin and watched the tint instantly appear. The colour is noticeable and very long-lasting. It gives lips a slight shine and managed to plump and smooth skin at the same time. It’s not cheap, but for a luxury treat, I would really recommend it.
Best for: Long-lasting colour
INVISIBLE ZINC TINTED LIP & CHEEK BALM SPF30, £13.95 (www.cultbeauty.co.uk)
What they say: A handy, rose-tinted sun-stick for lips and cheeks that offers broad spectrum Zinc sun protection. Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm is a rich moisturiser that enhances the natural pink in lips and cheeks, whilst providing natural SPF30, UVA and UVB protection.
The Results: At first glance, this stick looks a bit like sunblock – but when you open the lid, the balm is tinted a rose shade of pink. It can be applied directly to lips, but I found it a bit too large and awkward, so I used my finger to apply it. I didn’t find the lightweight formula hugely moisturising – but I loved the incredibly natural-looking colour. My lips looked healthy and plumped – when in fact they are fairly thin and prone to dry, cracked skin. SPF30 is an added bonus. I really liked this product and will definitely continue to use it when I’m after a more natural look.
Best for: Natural-looking colour
LAURA MERCIER HYDRATINT SPF15, £16.50 (www.johnlewis.com)
What they say: Laura Mercier HydraTint SPF15 is a multi-purpose lip balm combining long-lasting moisture, SPF protection and sheer natural colour. Formulated with mint and orange breath freshening flavor, HydraTint SPF 15 adds a hint of color for the perfect flawless lip.
The Results: I loved the smooth, buttery texture of this balm. It felt very moisturising and instantly softened and smoothed my lips. The colour was rich and quite intense – so this is a great alternative for those who like to wear a colourful lipstick but want something a little more hydrating. The balm has a slight sheen and creates the effect of a plumper, smoother pout. This isn’t a cheap product, but I would highly recommend it for the luxe factor and also the results. It has good staying power – leaving lips tinted and feeling supple for longer, so it would be a good investment.
Best for: Softening lips
Feature: GOOD TO GO (04.06.10)
Looking for some expert advice on what to pack for your fortnight in the sun? We’ve asked six beauty experts to name the products, tips, and must-have items that make their holidays beautiful every time...
JO HANSFORD
Renowned as the ‘The First Lady of Colour’, Jo Hansford opened her eponymous specialist colour salon in 1993 with a team of just eight staff. Today, the salon boasts a team of over forty colourists, stylists and assistants and houses some of London’s most talented and industry-leading hairdressers. Jo has an extensive clientele, including high-profile personalities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Yasmin le Bon, Natasha McElhone and Nigella Lawson.
What’s your top travel tip?
I always take a couple of pashminas when I go away for both flying and the evenings. I love maxi dresses, as they are so easy to wear and hide a multitude of sins. They are also so easy to roll up and throw in your suitcase without creasing. I always have a toiletry bag with a second set of my essentials so I don’t need to pack them every time I go away. I love Crème De La Mer Body Lotion, £102 (www.cremedelamer.co.uk) instead of aftersun too, as it really stops my skin drying out.
What are your must-have holiday products?
SPF 50 and a big panama hat to protect my hair and face from the sun!
What do you take to the beach?
A pretty kaftan to wear when walking along the beach, a good book, and lots of drinking water.
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
My new Travel Kit. It contains Jo Hansford Everyday Shampoo and Everyday Conditioner, £14.50 & £16.50 (www.johansford.com) and both products contain moisturising ingredients and UV filters so are perfect for nourishing hair and protecting colour from the sun. The kit also comes with my Intensive Masque For Fine Hair, £25.75 (www.johansford.com) that enhances volume, texture and shine in minutes. The chic bag doubles up as my makeup bag in the evening! (Jo Hansford Travel Kit launches in John Lewis stores in July.)
LAWRENCE ANTHONY
Lawrence Anthony is the co-founder and resident expert of wantthelook.com, a site specialising in genuine salon-only products and professional advice online. Founded in 2005 as an extension of the Lawrence Anthony salon group, the website built on Lawrence’s success as a hairdresser – he is three-time winner of Midlands Hairdresser of the Year and a member of the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame, with a five star rating from The Good Salon Guide.
What’s your top travel tip?
Always take a hat or headscarf with you and try to keep your hair and scalp protected from the sun. Be sure to rinse your hair with water when you get out of the sea, as salt water can make hair dry and brittle.
What are your must-have holiday products?
Never leave home without a UV defence shampoo and conditioner. Redken Colour Extend Sun After-Sun Shampoo, £8.76 (www.lookfantastic.com) gently removes minerals and salt deposits, whilst repairing sun damaged hair. And the Redken Colour Extend Sun After-Sun Mask, £15.64 (www.lookfantastic.com) is ideal for sun stressed hair. Enriched with delicious mango oil, it really helps to reverse exiting damage and resurface sun-stressed strands.
What do you take to the beach?
Tigi’s Love, Peace and the Planet's Totally Beachin' Styling Mist, £8.49 (www.beautybay.com) is perfect for creating an effortless surfer chic look. And the tantalising coconut, mango and vanilla scent is irresistible!
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel, £34.80 (www.lookfantastic.com) is great for removing makeup and sunscreen. They also have some great skincare packs that contain travel size beauty products that are perfect for popping in your hand luggage or beach bag.
FARIDA DAOUD
Farida Daoud is Vice President of Lierac. Founded in 1975 by a physician, Lierac Laboratories have become the specialists of active phyto-cosmetics with physiological and restorative benefits for the skin – especially in the field of age-defense skin care – thanks to their extremely strict scientific approach.
What’s your top travel tip?
Make sure you have bought all your products in advance of your holiday and don’t leave beauty treatments until the last minute. Never travel with a product you haven’t tried before: try everything before you go. This minimises both disappointment and any reactions. Another great tip is to post full-size products to your hotel in advance of your holiday. This way you can travel with hand luggage only, which is quicker, easier and more practical – and you’ll still have all of your favourite beauty items to hand.
What are your must-have holiday products?
Suncream! You shouldn’t leave home without SPF 15-20. My favourites are Lierac Sun Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Brown Spots Cream SPF 15, £18 (www.lookfantastic.com) and Lierac Sun High Hydration Spray-on Aqua Lotion SPF 15, £18 (www.lookfantastic.com). I also take an Aftersun – essential to rehydrate the skin after a day in the sun. And I use and abuse waterproof makeup when I’m away! My favourite would be YSL Lipstick, £21 (www.boots.com) in a shade of red (red lipsticks have the highest concentration of pigments and therefore offer further protection against the sun). I also love Clinique for Men Face Bronzing Gel Tint, £15.50 (www.cliniqueformen.co.uk) – I use this as a blusher and once it is applied it won’t move, even after swimming.
What do you take to the beach?
As well as my Lierac sun products, I take Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, £12.50 (www.lookfantastic.com). This serum works well as a leave in conditioner, soothing, protecting and moisturising hair without making it greasy.
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
Lierac L’huille Sensorielle aux Trois Fleurs is a wonder product and I just can’t be without it! It combines olive, argan and grapeseed oils with three flower oils: jasmine, camellia and gardenia. Unfortunately, it is not available in the UK until Spring 2011. However, if you would like to get your hands on it before then you can buy it in pharmacies in France, Italy or Portugal.
SHARON HILDITCH
Beauty and cosmetic entrepreneur Sharon Hilditch founded Crystal Clear in 1995. Through intensive research and development, the company has grown to become one of the world's leading providers of hi-tech beauty treatments and skincare products – and a leading brand within the professional beauty industry, with us a string of famous fans, making Crystal Clear the favourite of celebrities too.
What’s your top travel tip?
To keep your skin and body hydrated on holiday, you need to ensure you drink plenty of water throughout your trip. Try drinking water as regularly as possible throughout the flight and don’t rely on getting enough water onboard – carry on a large bottle of water for yourself. Flying with a good moisturiser and re-apply regularly to reinvigorate your skin.
What are your must-have holiday products?
Crystal Clear Revitalising Tonic, £20 (http://crystalclear.co.uk) is essential for spritzing on the skin to help retain moisture and reduce dehydration while travelling and on the beach. I always take an intensive moisturiser to use after a day in the sun – Crystal Clear Intense Anti Ageing Serum, £60 (http://crystalclear.co.uk) is the perfect treatment cream. Other than that, a good quality facial sunscreen like Crystal Clear Protect & Repair SPF40, £35 (http://crystalclear.co.uk) and baby oil for my bath after a day in the sun and to splash on my skin after cleansing – perfect for keeping skin hydrated and silky smooth!
What do you take to the beach?
I always take wet wipes to keep my hands clean and freshen up after applying sunscreen, plus plenty of cool water and fruit – kept in a bag with frozen ice packs. I never forget a good book, a variety of sunscreens for face and body and a cool cotton kaftan to cover up at lunchtimes or when the sun is at its strongest.
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
Crystal Clear Protect & Repair SPF40, £35 (http://crystalclear.co.uk) – essential to prevent dehydration, pigmentation and fight the ageing rays of the sun.
LINDA PALCIC
Linda Palcic is a much-sought-after therapist at fashionable London salon Paul Edmonds Hair & Beauty. With 18 years experience, she advocates a holistic approach and loves blending her own oils. She is exceptionally passionate about her work, and in particular recommends the Environ treatments available at the salon.
What’s your top travel tip?
My advice would be to start looking after your skin even on the plane journey. Travel without makeup if you can – then, when on the plane, massage your face with a thick layer of moisturising mask for extra nourishment. My top tip is to book a facial for after your holiday, to restore your skin to its best condition. Don’t worry about losing your tan; your skin will thank you later!
What are your must-have holiday products?
Dermalogica also do amazing travel kits for all types of skin. I highly recommend the one for sensitive skin as it contains Ultracalming Cleanser, £22.10 (www.hqhair.com), perfect for taking off eye makeup too – so you can save on packing two products. The one product I won’t travel without is Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray, £22.70 (www.hqhair.com). It's a lifesaver for sunburn and also great for insect bites. You can also spray over the face to keep cool and calm in any location. Keep it in the fridge for maximum effect.
What do you take to the beach?
The one product I take to the beach is Environ RAD Antioxidant Sunscreen, £15.95 (020 8450 2020). As far as protection is concerned, it’s the best available. Rad is a total light deflector, as well as containing an abundance of antioxidants that help protect the skin from the ageing effects of sunlight.
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Mask, £27.90 (www.hqhair.com) as it is completely transparent, you can wear it on the plane and no-one will know!
GERALDINE HOWARD
Geraldine Howard is the co-founder of Aromatherapy Associates. She is considered to be a pioneer of modern aromatherapy and in 1985 established the company to share the benefits of aromatherapy through a range of therapeutic-grade products and treatments. Aromatherapy Associates has continued to develop and expand, and their products are now sold at exclusive hotels, spas and retail outlets in over 30 countries worldwide.
What’s your top travel tip?
Firstly, to ensure you land with glowing, radiant skin, always apply a mask on-board. Our new Overnight Repair Mask, £43 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) is very quickly absorbed and works as an intensive nourishment to stop skin looking tired and dry. Also, make sure you carry Aromatherapy Associates Breathe Inhalation Essence, £14.25 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) – its powerful antiseptic properties make it perfect for use in-flight to ward off dreaded bugs, as well as helping clear and refresh the mind.
Tell us your must-have holiday products...
Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender & Peppermint blend, £34.75 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) is a travel essential! This soothing and refreshing oil is perfect to use when you’re suffering with too much sun and heat, or have a sensitive tummy brought on by a change in diet. My other must-have holiday product is our Renew Rose Hydrating Body Gel, £25.75 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) that softens the skin and leaves it looking healthy and radiant, without being oily or sticky – ideal for when wearing silk or other delicate fabrics in the evening. It smells amazing too, so will leave skin beautifully scented!
What do you take to the beach?
I love to swim, so always a swimming costume and towel. To prevent my hair getting damaged, I keep it in top condition with an essential oil based hair treatment, such as our Enrich Hair Oil, £22.50 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com) that contains Patchouli, Rosemary and Geranium to add deep nourishment. Massage into the scalp and right through to the ends of dry hair and leave for 20 minutes, or overnight for a more intensive treatment. Wash out and hair will feel rejuvenated and look glossy, with a healthy shine. If you don’t have a specific hair oil, raid the kitchen. Olive oil will also do an excellent job of keeping hair in top condition.
And the beauty item you can't go away without?
It has to be the Breathe Inhalation Essence to prevent me picking up any nasty bugs and getting ill during precious holiday time!
Editor’s Letter (04.06.10)
I’ve spotted a bit of a trend emerging amongst the celebrity set… Botox, apparently, is a bit passé. Kylie Minogue’s face is now natural thanks to a pot of supermarket-own face cream that costs just a few pounds – so we hear, believe it if you will… Whilst Victoria Beckham has been reported to be shunning the face-freezing injections in favour a diet full of Goji Berries. The ‘superfood’ berries contain 500 times more Vitamin C than oranges - and are known to store the essential fat Linoleic Acid, which plumps up the skin and makes it appear more youthful. I jumped on the Goji Berry bandwagon a few years ago – and whilst they taste very nice, a bag costs a small fortune. Infact, I wouldn’t be surprised if botox was kinder on the pocket. Nevertheless, I think it’s refreshing that the stars are shunning the stuff – and I’m looking forward to the likes of Katie Price, Tom Cruise, and Madonna following suit…
Jo Malone. I adore the Sloane in Bloom competition. Now in its fifth year, retailers in the Chelsea area of London are invited to decorate their store windows with floral displays to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show. The entries are truly stunning and it is well worth spending a morning or afternoon strolling around the area just to have a nose. I was impressed, as always, by Jo Malone’s entry – which celebrated the launch of the brand’s new Limited Edition White Tie & Tiara Cologne (£75), which is raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The results aren’t yet in – but this is definitely my winner. www.jomalone.co.uk
Davines. Lucky enough to be escaping to the sunshine this summer? It is well worth investing in a bottle of Davines SU Moisturising Replenishing After Sun Shampoo (£13.60, which is perfect for cleansing hair that has been exposed to sun, chlorine or sea water. I was sent a bottle last week – just in time for the warm weather – and I loved the silky, moisture-rich formula, which gently lathered and left my hair feeling incredibly soft and silky. The secret ingredients are Sweet Almond Protein (for protecting and moisturising) and Hairsphere (a system of fatty acids that attaches to hair for long-lasting hydration). www.ukhairdressers.com
Crème de la Mer. There’s nothing new about the luxurious, highly-effective cream inside, but Crème de la Mer’s limited edition blue pot (£204) is still well worth the investment. The 100ml pot has been created by the brand to raise money for Oceana – an organisation who campaign and raise critical awareness on the plight of our seas and their precious resources. Crème de la Mer will make a $200,000 donation to Oceana with sales of the limited edition pot – so there is no better time to stock up on your favourite face cream. www.cremedelamer.co.uk
Delicious Teeth. If you’re bored with the usual choice between fresh mint or spearmint, you’ll love Dawood and Tanner’s range of flavoured toothpastes. Top of my list is the Brazilian Lime – which is just as fresh as mint, yet deliciously sweet. The flavour is remarkably accurate – you can taste the peel and the juicy flesh of the lime. It is also good for teeth, containing Sodium Flouride to strengthen tooth enamel, Xylitol to prevent tooth decay, and Sodium Bicarbonate to naturally whiten teeth. www.deliciousteeth.com
Priti NYC. Not only do Priti NYC’s Nail Polishes (£8.95 each) look fabulous from the outside – with funky bottles and a rainbow of different shades to pick from – but they are impressively natural on the inside. The range was developed by former model Kim D’Amato, who came up with the idea when she was pregnant with her daughter. She was eating organically and using green cleaning products, but struggled to find natural cosmetics that did the trick. Kim’s mission is to decrease the amount of chemicals poisoning people and the planet – one nail at a time. I’m definitely sold… www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Blog: ANDREA BALDWIN – HEAD FITTER AT BALLET SWIMWEAR – GIVES TIPS FOR PICKING SWIMWEAR TO FLATTER A CURVY FIGURE (04.06.10)
With summer approaching, women across the nation are starting to think about donning their first swimwear of the season. For many of us, it can be tricky to get swimwear that we feel confident in – but even more difficult for women with bigger busts or curvy figures.
Ballet Swimwear has just launched a new beach collection for women with bigger busts, available in D-cup – G-cup. It’s the swimwear Holy Grail for curvy women – designed with bouncing bosoms in mind, it is one of the few collections swimwear collections available which is sized by the cup size – ensuring the best possible fit and support for breasts.
So what should women with bigger busts and curvier figures be looking for in their swimwear?
Rule 1 – Cup Control
Ladies – if you have an ample chest make the most of it. The worst thing you can do with a bikini or swimsuit is to opt for a style that flattens and hides your chest. This goes against your natural shape and can create a ‘slouched’ posture. We all know how great it feels to wear sexy lingerie – well, the same principle applies to swimwear. Wear a gorgeous bikini or swimsuit that makes the most of your assets and you will immediately feel a confidence boost.
Treat swimwear shopping the same as you do lingerie shopping. So look for a bikini top or swimsuit that fully contains your breasts in the cups. The back strap should sit in a straight line across your back.
Another good idea is to choose a bikini or swimsuit that is sized by the cup size. If a woman is a size 14 for example, she might have much bigger breast that a ‘typical’ size 14 – so often swimwear may fit your body size, but not your breasts. The Ballet Swimwear is one of the few ranges that provides swimwear in cup sizes – ensuring the best possible shape for your breasts.
Rule 2 - Shapewear Solutions
Shapewear has definitely had a moment of ‘coming out of the closet’ as more celebrities happily admit they don shapewear to hide any unwanted lumps or bumps. It’s not just confined to underwear – more and more swimwear is being designed to embrace the same qualities as shapewear.
To ensure a smooth silhouette on the beach this year, choose swimwear that cinches you in at the waist, holds in your tummy and smoothes over your hips. The material choice can also make a difference – ruched material and detailing such as patterns or broaches will help draw the eye away from wobbly bits and to your best assets.
Rule 3 - Colour Matching
Choose swimwear that compliments your natural skin tone. Generally women fall under one of four categories: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter skin tones, for example, tend to be pale with blue or pink undertones. Sharp colours like black and blue tend to really compliment winter skin tones. If you’re unsure what skin tone category you fall under visit an in-store swimwear expert who will be able to help you.
Generally speaking, embrace colour when you’re swimwear shopping. It’s the time of year that you can really enjoy wearing bright, bold colours, floral designs and patterned prints. Bold, colourful pieces will give the impression you are comfortable in your own skin – and they tend to look great with a tan as well.
The Ballet Swimwear collection has five different sets in the range. Based on a bold colour palette the swimwear has ruched material, clever lines and broach detailing, so attention is drawn away from wobbly bits, creating a smooth, sleek silhouette figure.
Prices and sizes include: bikini bottoms, sizes 10-18, from £14; bikini tops, sizes 32-38 D-G, from £24; and swimsuits, sizes 30-40 D-G, from £38.
