Spring Style - Florals? Check! ❀

Ciate SS14

Liberty London Bath Shop

M&S Exclusive

CHALK IT UP!

Unusually this Winter'13/14, a pastel element has been added to the usual dark plums and greens that are often brought out for this season.

Think 'Winter Wonderland': brilliant whites with dashes of shy colour that refuse to be as old as they were this Summer! - Enter the chalk make-up colour palette...

In just 4 short years, the trend of dip-dye has found a loyal following. However, for the remainder of us that feel more comfortable to admire from a safe distance a DIY chalking method may be the answer.

Commitment-phobes are able to use chalk instead of dye to inject colour into their locks, safe in the knowledge it will wash out again the next morning.

Why not try a few of the below techniques as suggested by 'Evening Standard's' Emma McCarthy;

EDGING (top image):

'If you’re too shy for a dip-dye or think ombre is over, why not try edging instead — the latest technique to get some colour to your tips? As coined by Charles Worthington — which has launched its first in-salon chalking service this month to let clients spice up their regular trim for £15 — edging lines the perimeter of the hair with colour that lasts between two and 10 washes. “By highlighting the edge of a strong hair cut all the way around the base, you emphasise the length and blunt edges of the cut,” says Marc Trinder, art team director at Charles Worthington and the brains behind the look. “It works particularly well on sharp shapes or bob-length hair.”'

STRIPES:

'When it comes to the new trends of the season, you can always count on the catwalks to produce the boldest of the bunch. For spring/summer 14, that came courtesy of Ali Pirzadeh, who created the vivid block stripes backstage at Ashish’s latest London Fashion Week showcase. Using the newly launched HAIRchalk by L’Oréal Professionnel  — a new temporary colour using water ink combined with micro-fibre polymers — Pirzadeh applied the colour to hair using a sponge, graduating tonal hues of brown at the root with bright coral or blue through the lengths. Feeling brave? Recreate the look at home using the chalks, available now in eight colours, to brighten your look for up to three shampoos — or one weekend, depending how you look at it.'

COLOUR-BLOCK BUN:

'If you fancy turning your topknot from I-couldn’t-be-bothered-to-wash-my-hair-today into a style statement, Bumble & Bumble has the solution — turn it pink. Or purple. Or green. The haircare brand has made its first foray into chalking with the launch of Spraychalks — a quick-dry, wash-out tint. To create this look, nicknamed the Colour Block Bun, Bumble & Bumble stylists suggest liberally coating the base of a wrapped bun with the Blush hue while protecting the crown from colouring with your hand or a sheet of card. What could be simpler? Apart from washing it out the next day, of course.'

TIPS:

• Use soft pastels rather than chalk pastels as the colour is easier to transfer and sticks better to the hair

• If you are blonde, DO NOT add water before chalking, this will cause the chalk to stain your hair and will not come out for a couple of washes.

• If you have darker hair, DO mist a little water onto your hair, this will help the colour to show up more.

• Twist the hair as you chalk to help the chalk to release more pigment as it rubs against the rough texture.

• Brush out excess powder after each section

Ciate Chalkboard manicure
Not brave enough to express the trend on your hair? Then why not get creative with your nails instead!

"Hate the sound of nails on a chalkboard? Why not try chalkboard on your nails? Release your inner child and decide what your nails will say about you today, literally."

Ciate's manicure set allows you to draw on a design and wash it off as many times as you want before fixing your finished design with their 'Mattnificent Matte Top Coat'.

The sets can be found in most department stores such as John Lewis as well as on their website: www.ciate.co.uk/chalkboard-manicure where it is currently just £17.50, down from the original price of £25 - for a limited time only!

Each set includes:

• 13.5ml3 Chalkboard Nail Polish
• 13.5ml Mattnificent Matte Top Coat
• 4 Coloured Chalk Pens

APIVITA

I fell in love with the holistic brand after seeing it for the very first time in the M&S Marble Arch Beauty Hall and then again on the tube home that same day in the Evening Standard Magazine (it only seemed right that I take a closer look into the world of 'APIVITA':

BEAUTY, Evening Standard Magazine

THE RANGE:

The full APIVITArange comprises a vast product assortment and covers virtually every beauty need you could have with the exception of colour cosmetics:

Face

Hair

Body

Aromatherapy

Men

Babies and Kids

Healthcare

Sun

Personal

The following products were found in the M&S, Marble Arch, range:

Face Masks in tubes (£13) or individual sachets (£3 for 2)

Wine elixir and anti-wrinkle face oils (£32-£39.50)

Lip balms (£6)

Natural soaps (£5)

Shampoo for  variety of conditions (£13)

Body relax cream (£13)

Containing barely any nasties (if any) the Greek born product uses only the finest and purest 100% certified organic essential oils. The brand is inspired by Hippocrates' philosophy for a holistic approach to beauty and claims:

APIVITA is the first company to insist on the use of organic essential oils recognizing the high value of their active ingredients:

To rejuvenate the skin

To tone spirit and mood 

To remove stress and tension in a holistic way

Although sold across Greece, Spain, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine and the USA, APIVITA has only just reached the UK and exclusive to M&S stores.


Stockists:

• Selected M&S stores across the UK (click for full list of stores)
• M&S Online www.marksandspencer.com/APIVITA-Skincare-Beauty/b/1727014031
• Apivita Online www.apivita.com

15 Gorgeous Gatsby manis

"That's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool"

As the 2013 3D film adaptation of F.Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel 'The Great Gatsby' hit screens in the UK this week, it is far from surprising that the romantic drama has sparked inspiration within almost every conceivable industry...including beauty.

The film follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby at the height of the Roaring Twenties, shrouding the audience in sophisticated opulence and Art Deco brilliance.

So if after watching the film you're raring to inject a little 20's decadence into your nails, grab your gold polish and masking tape and look no further:

Black and Gold - simple but iconic Art Deco (thenailasaurus.com)

Add a bit of glitz with a sparkly topcoat and striping tape (dressedupnails.com) 

Get into the line detail (nailside.blogspot.nl)

For an alternative to the gold finger, try a dash of silver (nailpolishwars.com)

Replace black with burgundy for a less harsh look (sonailicious.com)

Two tone not enough? Introduce a subtle third for a classic look (nailside.blogspot.nl)

Art Deco can be curvy too, just remember: repetitiveness is key  (pinterest.com)

For a bold look you can't go wrong with gold on a bright base and black border (juliannemonday.com)

If you don't want to go for a full hand, implement an Art Deco "accent nail" (nailside.blogspot.nl)

Subtle hints of glitter on a multi-tonal colour scheme adds endless interest (attackedastorianails.blogspot.co.uk)

Clean, repetitive lines evoke at instant image of Art Deco (nailside.blogspot.nl)

I love this combination of green and gold - perfect for the summer! (polishallthenails.com)

Perfect for the festival season; Art Deco elegance on an ombre base (beautylish.com)

Match Jay Gatsby's yellow Rolls Royce with this embellished look (sonailicious.com)

Make every nail different for a bit of variety but stick to a colour palette (10blankcanvases.com)

I hope that you have been inspired by this post to go forth and create your own geometric masterpieces! Please keep a look out for my upcoming Gatsby post on my sister blog "JUST Fashion", where you will discover the story behind the film's costumes and inspiration into creating your own 20's look.

Sophy Robson for Dansk Magazine

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Metrosexual Man

"The focus on men's beauty by both manufacturers and retailers has intensified with ranges expanding and new labels introduced", Verdict, 2012

It's true, the modern man is becoming increasingly concerned with his appearance and is becoming ever more adventurous with gender specific products snapping up shelf space!

Men's must-haves:

The above article from the Evening Standard features a few of the top buys for guys. Items include:

• Cream to banish in-growing facial hair, Malin+Goetz (£30)
• A peppermint, juniper and jojoba exfoliant, Grown (£29)
• All in one body and hair shampoo, 417 (£22)
• Ink Keeper for the illustrated man, Sol de Janeiro (£13.90)
• Revitalising muscle bath soak, Champneys (£6)
• Liquorice mud mask, Superdrug (99p)
• Youth activating concentrate, Lancome (£56)
• EDP spray, Comme des Garcons (£57)

Celebrity make-up artist Alex Byrne shared with the Guardian, the secret beauty weapons every man should have in his arsenal;

Allure Homme eau de toilette, £43,50ml

Combining the chic and the cool, this scent compliments those rugged good looks.

Chanel from selfridges.com

Brightening Instant Exfoliator, £24, 75ml

Use this scrub for 30 secs a couple of times a week, to get a smoother and more radiant look, allow the gel to sit on your skin before rinsing

loccitane.co.uk 

Anti-ageing balm SPF 15, £11.75, 50ml

A daily SPF is essential and this lightweight formula has sunscreen buried in an anti-ageing complex

No.7 from boots.com

Fatigue fighter, £29.50, 50ml

This male equivalent of Clarins' legendary beauty flash balm is great on clean skin or over a moisturiser

clarins.co.uk

Men Skincare Moisturising Aftersahve Cream, £27, 75ml

If prone to a few cuts and a portion of razorburn, apply this cream immediately after shaving as it is packed with essential oils that soothe, heal and protect

decleor.co.uk

Pocket Cow Bullocks for Men, £18.50

4x20ml tubes of bracing bodywash, refining facial scrub, shaving cream and soothing moisturiser which harness the healing properties of hemp seed oil

cowshedonline.com

Hydra Energetic Flash Bronzer, £9.99, 50ml

A must have for our British climate, add a few drops into your moisturiser or simply buff straight into your face or neck

lorealparis.co.uk

Neem Hair Oil, £22.95, 100ml

This bottle of intensive hair oil is an essential for sensitive skin, calming itchy, flaky scalps. Apply 10-15 minutes in advance, massage in, shampoo out in the shower and you will never scratch again

drhauschka.co.uk

Tatsu Shaper Styling Paste, £9.90, 75ml

Rituals have just launched a men's body collection inspired by the Japanese legend of the dragon. This matt, non-greasy styling paste is packed with ocean minerals

rituals.com

Turning to the traditional:

Penhaligons, a perfumery founded by William Penhaligon 135 years ago, recently launched a new men's fragrance line with an eccentric, quintessentially British campaign and quirky modern twist;

Sartorial : The Scent of Saville Row

sar-to-ri-al [sahr-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] adjective
1. of or pertaining to tailors or their trade: sartorial workmanship
2. of or pertaining to clothing or style or manner of dress: sartorial splendor

"Bringing together the great tradition of British perfumery and British bespoke tailoring, Sartorial is a fragrance for a new generation of gentlemen. The modern thread running through Sartorial is beeswax; echoing the blocks of wax each thread is run across before stitching. This sweet smudged note ties together the more traditional elements; the oiled flash of shears cutting cloth, the rub of fabric beneath fingers, tobacco tinted cabinetry, puffs of chalk in the air and old paper patterns vanilla with age"

This new men's fragrance line from Penhaligons is incredibly relevant at this time as interest in traditional male grooming continues to increase. A further relatively new product to reach the high street is "The Essentials Range" from The Gentry Grooming Company;

The "Essentials Range" is over 93% natural, PH balanced and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive! 

The range uses ingredients that complement the structure and function of healthy male skin, helping to reduce skin irritation and replenish natural defences to make skin all the more touchable.

I asked my boyfriend to try a sample I received and he fell for it immediately. It banished blemishes, left skin smooth and, to the ladies out there, I also found that the shaving cream is great for your legs!

Marketing to the males:

Male beauty marketing campaigns tend to pigeonhole men as the metrosexual man or uber-manly man, only reflecting one or the other polarity. Male grooming brands would benefit from helping men to negotiate the many roles they inhabit, offering products/role models that are both dad-friendly and professional.

Old Spice campaign:

Gently poking fun at unspoken stereotypes with a spot on understanding of the new definition of masculinity, this commercial has rejuvenated a tired brand.


Adventurous? Get advise:

Guidance for male beauty regimes can be hard to come by and many guys may feel embarrassed to ask for advise in large department store beauty halls, in answer to this problem, the creators of mankind.co.uk have incorporated 3 grooming guide sections titled: THE BASICS, THE ULTIMATE GUIDE and MASTERCLASS.

The Masterclass section allows you to browse topics and easily navigate the lessons:

Groominglounge.com is a further amazing source of male maintenance information. The site offers the widest selection of premium men's brands from Jack Black to Molton Brown to Aqua di Parma to Kiehl's, including their own award-winning shave & hair care solutions.

This site will help any guy that is either in need of a new skin care regime or just some grooming advise.