Beauty news: Meet your new beauty superhero…

Meet SpyGal, the first ever comic book heroine inspired by beauty! Comic book marvels Marvel have teamed up with Benefit to create SpyGal, a “pore-zapping, wise cracking” heroine, modelled on Benefit‘s best-selling pore refiner, The POREfessional.

Sporting a rather on trend aqua-blue trench and matching trilby, SpyGal‘s adventures feature in a 16-page comic strip where she uses her pore-zapping ray gun and touch-up pro case to ‘pow’, ‘pop’ and ‘bam’ her way to empower women across the world.

The SpyGal comic will be available from Benefit counters this month – make sure you go on a secret mission to nab your copy!

Free delivery or a free gift? You decide!

Who says you don’t get something for nothing? We asked, you spoke and we listened – we’re letting you choose which offer you would like to enjoy! Fancy a Brucie bonus with your Luxury Sample or Full Size order? Simply enter SURPRISEME at checkout! Or how about free delivery when you order 3 or more luxury samples? Heck, enter FEELINGFREE at checkout and your wish is our command. You’ve got until Wednesday May 23rd – shop, shop, SHOP!

Beauty news: YSL launches Touche Eclat Foundation, women everywhere rejoice

YSL’s Touche Éclat highlighter is, undoubtedly, a beauty icon. Ever since its launch in 1991, women the world over consider it an absolute make-up bag staple – so it is rather exciting that YSL have created its foundation equivalent in the form of Le Teint Touche Éclat.

Available in an impressive 22 shades, Le Teint Touche Éclat uses the same technology as the highlighter, targeting shadowy areas, illuminating and defining contours whilst incorporating oils and moisturising agents to nourish skin along the way. And with one Touche Éclat sold every 10 seconds, we imagine that women everywhere are marking the launch date of Le Teint Touche Éclat‘s in their diary in PEN!

Le Teint Touche Éclat is launching into Selfridges and Brown Thomas from 28 June and will be available nationwide from 9 July.

Beauty news: Schwarzkopf looks to Lindbergh for new ‘Angel Looks 2012′ hair trends

Working with renowned fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh and expert hair stylist Armin Morbach, Schwarzkopf have created four stunning trend looks for 2012.

Taking inspiration from the runway, pop culture and urban street style, the Angel Looks 2012 collection comprises of four expressive, exciting yet wearable concepts; Bedlam Almighty, Saint Econic, Newtral Goddess and Overculture Envy.
Shot by Peter Lindbergh, twelve iconic images showcase the Angel Looks collection. Synonymous with his creative and dynamic portraiture, Lindbergh is famed for shooting supermodels Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer; and his celebrated work has featured in many of the top global fashion magazines.

Bedlam Almighty (Model Hye Jung Lee)

Bedlam reunites differences. It represents discipline while the hair’s “undone” look symbolises the longing to just be. This unique styling gives the freedom to individually express both sides of a personality. “The young and untamed ‘new street warriors’ look is straightforward and quick and easy to style”, says Schwarzkopf’s expert hair-stylist Armin Morbach.

GET THE LOOK: Ideal for those with layered shoulder length or longer hair, hair should be twisted into thick strands and backcombed slightly – giving an unstructured style with a matte finish. Part in the middle or finish with a wild quiff. Dark colours are key – hair should be a deep brown or black shade. Complete the look with deep red lips.

Saint Econic (Model Hana J. Jitrickova)

This organic look is dedicated to the current day modern icons, who combine style and glamour with an air of innocence. “At the core of this look we have a rather unusual parting at places you wouldn’t expect one, complemented by lavishly designed asymmetric elements and volume at the back of the head”, explains Armin Morbach. “This creates a style that can look voluminous and opulent as well as futuristic and sophisticated.”

GET THE LOOK: This look works best on those with light to dark blonde hair. Hair should be split into front and back sections. Take the back section of the hair, backcomb for volume and pin lightly in the centre of the back of the head. With the front section, part directly in the middle, flatten down and pin at the sides – it doesn’t matter if a few hairs escape as it shouldn’t look too ‘done’. Keep make-up fresh and natural to compete this youthful look.

Newtral Goddess (Model Iris Strubegger)

The Newtral look is a celebration of androgyny, combining masculine and feminine characteristics for a gender-neutral effect.
“This is a highly individual look, perfect for women with a strong personality who are keen to try out new things and styles”, explains Armin Morbach.

GET THE LOOK: For those wanting to recreate this look, a beautifully-cut short crop with soft contours is key. Wear it straight and asymmetric, in an 80s style, with a cool blow-dried quiff or casually combed into the face. Hair shade should be dark and matte, complimented by nude make-up.

Overculture Envy (Model Elisa Sednaoui)

In fashion, the combination of materials, colours, patterns and cuts, as well as cultural backgrounds, creates a ‘hyper culture’, a reflection of our multicultural environment. This Overculture concept is reflected by the partially wavy, uncontained hair.
Describing this trend, Armin Morbach says, “The hair seems to float, trying to find its own way. Waves are shaped and then dissolve again, curls appear to be outgrown.”

GET THE LOOK: Embrace blonde and natural light brown shades to create this sun-kissed look. Make-up should be brave and experimental, with daring use of colour to define the eyes.

*WIN WIN WIN* Fancy trying these looks out for yourself? The lovely people at Schwarzkopf have given us 4 goody bags, each packed with Schwarzkopf products to recreate each look. To enter, simply comment on this blog post stating which look you would like to recreate the most and why by June 9th 2012. Be sure to leave an email address so we can contact you!

o celebrate this high fashion paring Schwarzkopf are giving ‘latest in beauty’ readers the chance to WIN yourself a ‘get the look’ goodie bag.

Jam-packed full of Schwarzkopf products these kits include everything you need to recreate these looks at home. Such as, a luxurious home hair colour, their New straightening kit and lots of styling goodies, a perfect way to add glamour to your look.

Wet weather heroes: Airbase Foundation

Anyone else slipped and slid their way into work this morning? Yep, me too – and whilst my hair couldn’t be saved (well, nothing a top knot can’t fix) my make-up can be. I’ve just discovered Airbase‘s rain-proof foundation, which contains silicone to stop it streaking like water-based foundations do.

Designed by Oscar nominated make-up artist Anni Buchanan to stay put through the elements, including perspiration, and created by St Tropez’s Judy Naake, this foundation is a handy little cover-up come rain or shine plus it doesn’t sink into pores so your skin can breathe. Available in seven blendable shades, Airbase foundation may be my new soggy saviour!

Available from www.airbasemakeup.com.

Treatment to try: Metrospa Hand Facial

We’re constantly told how important it is to have facials regularly and to give your skin that extra bit of attention from time to time, but what about your hands? They deserve a little TLC from time to time too, and the Metrospa Hand Facial at Richard Ward‘s Chelsea salon (yes, the very same one where Kate Middleton gets her locks bouncified) sounded ideal. Dubbed the ‘ultimate manicure’, this is as thorough a hand and nail treatment as I’ve ever had – and I’ve had quite a few! It began in the same way as any other manicure, with nail polish removal, shaping and buffing before my hands were placed in an effervescent soak, with orange blossom I was told, to remove stains and soften. This was followed by an invigorating natural sugar renewal scrub (with peach blossom again) to exfoliate my hands. As my therapist was working the scrub into my hands I realised I never exfoliate my hands alone; of course, they are exfoliated when I exfoliate my body but that’s about it! And after the way they looked and felt from this treatment, I’ve added it onto my weekly beauty maintenance list. After the scrub was removed, I was treated to a delightful hand massage before my cuticles were nipped and my nails painted – I chose OPI Suzi Takes The Wheel, a grey/green that had people stopping me in the street to ask what the shade was (below, whilst I enjoyed a cuppa).

At £42, it is quite pricey for a manicure but I think it’s a treatment that once you’ve had, you’ll find it hard to go back to the run of the mill mani. After all, if your hands look dry, aged or dull, your mani is going to look pretty rubbish too!

For more information or to book, visit Richard Ward

Beauty news: Ultimo founder Michelle Mone launches Ultimo Beauty

A self-tan that tans AND sculpts the body? Score!

That’s exactly what UTan, the fake tan range from new brand Ultimo Beauty, is designed to do. Developed over 3 years by Ultimo founder Michelle Mone OBE, this non-streak, non-smell fake tan is exactly what us beach-shy types have been looking for as it delivers a gorgeous, deep tan whilst shaping the contours of your body too. Gisele better watch out…

Available in seven key products, including two shades of self-tan mousse, two shades of self-tan lotion and gradual facial tan. The collection also includes a Diamond Dust Body Exfoliator, a must before using self-tan (and I love that it has diamond powder in too, bling!)

Michelle commented: “UTan has been really exciting not least because it is Ultimo’s first foray into the beauty market having made our name in lingerie and fashion. I knew from the outset that I wanted the colour to be unrivalled and deliver that perfect colour that wouldn’t have any of those tell tale fake tan smells. It’s taken three years of development and I’m really proud of the UTan range as there’s a tan for everyone.”

Available from Ultimo Beauty and selected retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, Boots and Debenhams, prices start from £15.

First Look: Lancôme’s very British collaboration with fashion designer Georgia Hardinge

Cue the National Anthem, these beautiful bottles are something to sing about! Cited as one of the UK’s hottest new fashion designers, Georgia Hardinge has turned her attention to beauty in the name of the Queen.

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next month, Lancôme invited Georgia to create Limited Edition customised Visionnaire 50ml and Génifique 75ml bottles inside unique designer boxes. Georgia will hand-paint each Visionnaire with the ‘Lancôme Sceptre’ and each Génifique with the ‘Lancôme Crown’, whilst the outer boxes feature one of four patriotic illustrations including Corgis and Union Jack dresses. Cute!

And as part of Selfridges‘ Big British Bang Event, Selfridges Oxford Street, London, are inviting customers to the store on May 31st and June 7th (between 6pm – 9.30pm) to not only meet Georgia, but to have their very own Visionnaire or Genifique bottle personalised. Customers can watch as Georgia hand-paints their chosen product with their name – we wonder whether her Royal Highness would ask for ‘Elizabeth’ or ‘Queenie’?

Limited Edition Visionnaire (50ml, £85) and Genifique (75ml, £95) will be available exclusively from Selfridges nationwide from May 31st.

Beauty news: Brad Pitt for Chanel No 5?

Let’s face it, he can make pretty much anything look sexy (even a walking cane) and if the rumours are anything to go by, Brad Pitt‘s next starring role could be his most historic and sexiest yet – as the face of iconic fragrance, Chanel No. 5.

If the rumours are true, this will make Brad the first ever male face in the legendary perfume’s 91-year long lifespan, plus he’ll receive a seven figure sum for the pleasure.

Shooting on the advert is mooted to start next week in London but we can’t help to wonder whether his fiance, Angelina Jolie, is a Chanel No.5 fan? If not, she’ll soon become one! What do you think of this partnership?

Beauty news: Dove launches Natural Touch

Thanks to an army of armpit sniffers (bonafide job), Dove’s latest offering not only combines the goodness of dead see minerals but is proven to protect against odour and moisture for over 48 hours too.

Natural Touch, available now in a roll on and deodrant, is the first deodrant in the UK to include these world-renowned moisturising properties. Add to that Dove‘s signature one quarter moisturising properties and you’ve got yourself one hell of a moisturising deodrant. What I love most is the fragrance, developed in the same way as a perfume would be; think fresh florals, citrus plus musk and amber. Who knew a deodrant could smell so good?

Natural Touch is available nationwide now, priced from £2.19.