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Archive for the ‘5min Beauty Chat’ Category
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Despite having signed the biggest ever endorsement deal in Russian history as the new brand ambassador for organic Swedish beauty brand Oriflame, Tina Kandelaki is surprisingly down to earth. Taking over the reins from previous Oriflame ambassadors Monica Belluci and supermodel Natalia Vodyanova, Tina is one of Russia’s most famous faces where she is known as a TV presenter, journalist, media owner, model, charity founder (she is donating her fee from this deal to public initiatives focusing on education, including the national education project she founded, ‘Smart School’) and political campaigner – but hey, she still makes time for regular visits to the spa. A girl after our own heart! So what goes into being Russia’s girl of the moment? We caught up with Tina to find out…
You are now the biggest beauty brand ambassador in Russia for Oriflame– what on earth does that feel like?
When I was in school I was never particularly popular with the boys. Where I come from blue-eyed blondes were far more popular. As a result I was never self-conscious of my beauty and neverfixated on it. I still don’t – I believe that a woman’s beauty depends more on her ability to charm people. But I must admit that it feels great to be chosen by such an auspicious company as Oriflame.
How do you feel when you see billboards of yourself or adverts in magazines?
It’s very flattering. I really enjoyed working with the Oriflame team – they are true professionals. It was fantastic working with the famous director Alexander Krause who has created music videos for Robbie Williams, Katy Perry and The Pussycat Dolls.
What do you love most about Oriflame?
I think the company’s philosophy is really appealing – the company not only creates and distributes affordable products, but also grants a large amount of business opportunities to people around the world. Working as an Oriflame beauty consultant can really help women achieve financial independence.
As one of Russia’s most beautiful women, how do you deal with the constant pressure to look good?
Beauty and harmony are inseparable in my opinion. I have always thought that real beauty comes from within, and not from a flat stomach. But I am a public figure and so I must adhere to certain standards. My figure isn’t perfect and that’s why I have to follow certain rules. I never diet, but I also don’t eat after six o’clock, which really helps. As well as that, I always find time for dance lessons and fitness. Recently I found a real passion for latin dance: salsa, bachata, merengue. I get such a great feeling from them. Plus I can’t resist visiting beauty salons.
Talk us through some Russian beauty secrets…
I could tell you a Georgian secret. When I was at school the older girls would rub their lips with fresh walnut crest,which made their lips swell and that was all the make-up they needed!
What beauty products would we find in your make-up bag?
My make-up bag is pretty simple – blush and mascara and I try to look as natural as possible. I am also very fond of thermal water and lip gloss.
Were you passed down any beauty tips from your mother?
In the city where I grew up in, there was a fad for cosmetics and every woman I knew was obsessed by her looks. I still remember the first time I went to a beautician with my mother – I guess she taught me the importance of constant skin-care.
Who is your beauty icon?
I would have to say Sophie Loren and Anne Magnani. I think women should look bold and daring.
Click here to browse the Oriflame range.
Tags: beauty, makeup, Organic, oriflame, russian, skin care, tina k, Tina Kandelaki
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Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
As one of the UK’s leading hair colourists, Jo Hansford is a name that’s synonymous with luxe, rich looking colour. So much so that she was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to the hair industry – quite the recognition, wouldn’t you agree? We caught up with Jo, who’s fantastic products you can sample through our Luxury Sample shop, for a chat on Kate Middleton, her MBE and why she won’t be dying her hair pink anytime soon…
Talk us through your path into becoming ‘the first lady of colour’
I originally wanted to be a make-up artist. I won a competition to train with the BBC but, at 15, I was too young to join the scheme and they suggested that I take up an apprenticeship in hairdressing to fill the time. Within weeks, I found myself training in a Mayfair salon. I spent the first two weeks sweeping the floors and remember looking at back-combed hair and thinking, “I cannot do this for four years!”. That was until I was sent to the colouring room and discovered my real passion. Three years later, I qualified and became one of the youngest female hair colourists working in Mayfair. At 19, I was headhunted to work at Vidal Sassoon where I stayed for several years. In 1993, I realised that the time had come to start my own business, specialising in hair colour. I was the first woman to put colour in the front of the salon rather than behind the scenes and was instrumental in raising the profile of hair colouring throughout the industry. Fast forward nearly 20 years and I have a team of more than 40 highly skilled colourists, stylists and assistants in a stunning 4,500 sq ft salon in the most prestigious location in London.
Did you experiment with your own hair colour as a teenager?
I had every hair colour under the sun including a black bouffant!
You’ve had so many amazing moments in your career so far, including being an awarded an MBE, but what’s been your highlight?
Receiving my MBE was an unbelievable experience; I am so honoured to have been recognised with this award. Opening my first salon in Mount Street in 1993 and then relocating to my new salon in South Audley Street are also incredible highlights of my career. We had been in our Mount Street salon for 18 years but had unfortunately outgrown the premises and needed to find a bigger space in the same area. We were fortunate enough to find a fabulous location in South Audley Street and within three months, had completed building works and moved into our new, luxury salon.
What spurred you on to create your own product line?
Demand from my clients! They wanted an uncomplicated, luxurious range that protected their colour between salon visits and left their hair feeling nourished, healthy and shiny. The Jo Hansford Expert Colour Care Range is perfect for this and is adored by all of our clients, including a number of loyal celebrity fans such as Elizabeth Hurley and Erin O’Connor.
What do you forecast as the big hair story of the year?
We will continue to see Kate Middleton dominating the hair headlines this year. Her hair always looks glossy, shiny and professionally finished, definitely an overall look to aspire to.
And what do you see as the next big breakthrough in haircare?
Oils have been incredibly popular recently and we have introduced our new product ‘Illuminoil’ to meet the demand for oil products. It contains a blend of Argan, Jojoba, Pomegranate and Almond oils to repair, restore, add moisture and bring back shine to lacklustre hair. It can also act as an intensive treatment or an overnight scalp treatment to soothe after colour processes, plus it fits in your handbag so a perfect quick fix for those bad hair day moments.
What’s been your favourite hair colour trend over the past few years?
Eclipse or ombre colour was a huge trend last year and is still very much favoured by celebrities. It’s a fabulous, natural looking technique that can easily be adapted to suit different base colours, and is low maintenance too.
Which celebrity gets it right and which gets it wrong?
Gwen Stefani always gets it right. It isn’t easy carrying off such a bold shade but you never see her with roots and she is always immaculate. I don’t like to say negative things about anyone’s colour, however, I wasn’t keen on the grey trend that was worn by the likes of Pink and Kelly Osbourne last year. They can both pull off almost any shade but I don’t think grey was flattering for either of them.
Is there a colour you’ll never do?
I’m not a fan of avant garde colours and very unnatural shades. Most recently – the pink craze that has been becoming popular – you have to be very careful that you suit this shade and so many people get it wrong.
What’s next for Jo Hansford?
We have just re-released our product range after re-formulating with a new, unbeatable Anti Fade Formula and will now continue to grow the brand and develop new products, expanding our distribution overseas.
Tags: 5 minutes with, beauty, hair, hair colour, hairstyle, Jo Hansford, salon
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Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
She’s known as the sexy Italian with a body so fit it’s practically illegal, but Strictly’s Flavia Cacace (pictured above) is just like you and me. From fat days to facial sprays, we caught up with Flavia, an ambassador for Maxitone, a protein weight loss and slimming solution for women, for a quick chat about her beauty routine. Plus, read on for details on how to WIN one of two boxes of Maxitone Sculptress Diet Caramel Crunch bars (worth £23.99) which are rich in high quality protein and provides 30% RDA for 22 vitamins and minerals (and Flavia swears by them!)
Dancing must keep you fit and in shape, but how else do you stay healthy?
I lead a very active lifestyle and stay fit by eating healthy food and by being out and about. I have a high protein diet, allowing my muscles to recover from dancing but protein is good for healthy looking hair, skin and nails.
What tips do you for our readers in maintaining a balanced diet?
I make sure that I eat healthy meals and look to eat different types of food and I believe variety in your diet is key to maintaining it. I lead a busy life and I’m always on the go to and from the gym and dance studio so supplements really help me. Maxitone’s Sculptress Diet caramel crunch bars are perfect for women on the go as they are high in protein, keeping me fuller for longer but also a third of my recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals giving me energy for my training and performances.
Do you ever have days you don’t feel like putting on the skimpy dresses and costumes?
Oh god absolutely- yes definitely! Dancers are the same as everyone else and would love to wear comfortable baggy clothes. However the costumes are more about the performance and the dresses help tell the story of the dance.
With your costumes, your skin has to be in top condition on both your face and your body– what is your daily routine?
Dermalogica products leave my skin in good condition, but I am also a firm believer in removing your make up with good quality cleansers. I am in make up from 10am whilst at Strictly Come Dancing so I have to be strict with my routine.
Do you have any backstage beauty secrets you can share with us from Strictly?
Whilst on Strictly I use translucent powder over my makeup, as it acts as a barrier and keeps my make up in place. Also using facial refreshing sprays helps my make up feel fresh.
Which beauty products can you not live without?
Bellapierre do a really nice range of mineral foundation and I can’t live without my mascara.
Were you passed down any beauty tips from your mother?
I’ve been performing and using make up from a young age so I have probably passed on any tricks and tips I have learnt onto my mum!
Who is your beauty icon?
I love Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, they are both very feminine and I would have loved to be in that era.
Finally, what does the rest of 2012 have in store for you?
At the beginning of 2012 I started with an amazing West End experience, then embarking on a 10 week tour until July. In autumn as always there is Strictly Come Dancing and for 2013, I’d love to be back at the West End performing.
*WIN* For your chance to win one of two boxes of Maxitone Sculptress Diet Caramel Crunch bars (Flavia’s fave, pictured below), simply comment on this blog post by April 30th 2012; please leave an email address so we can contact you if you are a winner!
Tags: beauty, bellapierre, competition, dermologica, flavia cacace, freebie, makeup, maxitone, strictly, strictly come dancing, win
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Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Dr.Lipp has been a secret favourite amongst the beauty elite for ages, and is a handbag and kit essential amongst many top stylists, make-up artists and editors. We love it so much we even had it for sale on our site! We caught up with its founder, Pontine Paus, below, to find out more…
What is the ethos behind Dr.Lipp?
A medically proven product, that’s 100% natural, flirtatious and sexy.
What spurred you on to create the brand?
After years of struggling with chapped lips and dry skin, I finally found something that really works, so I wanted let people know. Essentially I took something out of the maternity market and put it into the cosmetics market and made it fun and sexy. You can’t measure the benefits a good smile or a giggle but am certain that its huge! So I wanted to give that feeling to people too.
Dr Lipp is more than a super moisturising lip balm, right?
Yes, it has so many different applications and uses. You can use it on practically any type of dry skin including: fine lines under the eye, dry cuticles, feet & elbows, dry skin patches, itchy skin, calluses, split ends, diaper rash, chapped lips and sore and cracked nipples from breastfeeding.
And it must be a great feeling to know that top make-up artists consider it to be their secret weapon?
Yes, they loooove it. I didn’t realise until I noticed that so many of them were carrying it in their make-up kits when I was being shot for interviews, that’s when I realised so many stylists just loved Dr.Lipp. They all had different and innovative ways of using but in common they all said it stays on much longer than anything else and doesn’t evaporate under the warm lights, it really smoothes over and heals any dry skin strait away, and the glossiness of Dr.Lipp means they can also use it for cheek shine or to get that dewy look. And the best part, it comes in a small travel friendly tube, and a tiny bit goes a long way.
What’s your typical skincare routine?
I wash my face with an Ayurvedic cleanser once a day, before I go to bed, then I use Moroccan Oil which I massage into my face every night and morning, I try to do the massage long enough to stimulate the skin. Then I use Dr.Lipp on my lips and pat in the remainder around my eyes. And that’s it!
What do you predict as the big skincare stories this year?
Aaah, that’s a good question. If only I knew what that would be…
When it comes to beauty, who do you think gets it right and who gets it wrong?
I think the natural beauties such as Grace Kelly and Gisele Bunchen, who wore just enough make-up to enhance your natural features and with a healthy glow get it right!
What’s next for Dr Lipp?
Dr.Lipp is launching into Sephora in the USA and Canada – this is a big deal for us. Otherwise for the moment I am looking to do many more fun things on the net with Dr.Lipp. I have a flirtatious app coming out later this year which I think everybody from teenagers to my grandmother will enjoy, men included. I noticed people have so much fun with Dr.Lipp because of its sexy and it entices people to use their imagination and be a little daring and flirtatious so I really wanted to encourage this. I believe there is nothing better than having fun in life.
For more information on Dr.Lipp, including stockists, visit the website now.
Tags: beauty, dr.lipp, lip balm, lips, nipple balm, pontine paus, skin care
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Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
With the UK’s first ever natural make-up range under their belts, Essential Care is an ever-growing organic and natural skincare brand who pride themselves on making the purest skincare on earth. We caught up with the brand’s Abi to discover more…
What is the ethos behind Essential Care?
Essential Care is on a mission to create the purest skincare on earth. But at the same time, we aim to create products that are a joy to use and are effective. We avoid artificial preservatives or fragrances, petrochemicals, sulphates or any other potentially unhealthy ingredients. Instead we use only the highest quality organic herbs and essential oils in therapeutic concentrations for optimum benefit. We source only virgin cold-pressed oils that have their full antioxidant vitamin-content intact to actively nourish the skin and protect it from premature ageing. And we have an active commitment to the care of the environment which includes supporting organic farming methods, choosing raw materials which are locally-sourced where possible, fairly traded otherwise, and are from sustainable and renewable resources. For example, many of our jars and bottles are made in the UK from 100% recycled materials.
What spurred you on to create the brand?
My mother, Margaret – a herbalist and aromatherapist – began making natural skincare over 25 years ago as a remedy for her allergy-prone skin and my eczema. I grew up with her making various lotions and potions. Then about 10 years ago when I was working in America, my skin got in a bad state and the only thing that helped was my mother’s products. They were just so good I thought that they deserved to be brought to a wider audience. Nothing was on the market at the time that was as natural. So in 2003, Essential Care was launched as one of the UK’s first ever certified organic brands.
Who do you see as the typical Essential Care customer?
We have a very diverse customer base. Originally we began as a brand for people with allergy-prone skin, but a recent survey showed that actually only half of our customers have sensitive skin and the rest buy Essential Care because they trust our environmental ethics and or just enjoy the products because they work.
How difficult was it to create the UK’s first organic and natural make-up range?
It was 3 years of hard work. Using mineral colours is the relatively easier bit, but creating makeup without any artificial ingredients (silicones, petroleum oils, synthetic preservatives) or even potentially problematic things like talc, is really difficult. It’s harder than making a natural moisturiser because you need to ensure good colour payoff and lasting performance. In addition we gave ourselves the challenge of using the most eco-friendly packaging ever. It was so hard to find good quality non-petrochemical packaging that wasn’t made in the Far East. But we did it – our lipsticks and eyeshadow applicators for example are made from vegetable plastic. And the makeup itself gets great feedback and has won awards.
Do you see more cosmetics company going down the organic and natural route?
It’s a growth market and there is a certain amount of jumping on the bandwagon. My hope is that companies have their whole products certified as organic (at the moment this is voluntary rather than compulsory) so that consumers are not duped by green-washing. – Very often one or two organic or natural ingredients are put in an otherwise synthetic product to pass the whole product off as organic. Consumers should always look for a proper certification mark like the Soil Association’s to be sure.
And what extra benefits do organic products have over their less pure contemporaries?
Genuine (certified) organic skincare and makeup bring real skin benefits. Essential Care for example uses virgin plant oils like olive and coconut that both moisturise the skin and replenish it with antioxidant vitamins. This is so much more beneficial than a ‘dead’ mineral oil or petroleum-based cream which offers no nutritional value to the skin. Organic products also use ingredients that are most akin to the human body – the body is most likely to react to a synthetic chemical that it can’t recognise. More and more scientific studies are showing the problems associated with synthetic cosmetic ingredients – like the paraben preservatives.
Which product are you most proud of and why?
I’d have to pick two! Our Gentle Herb Shampoo is amazing – it was the UK’s first ever organically certified shampoo (in 2004) and still is about the purest shampoo I’ve ever seen (and it makes your hair look and feel amazing!). I remember my mother trying to formulate it many years ago for a friend with psoriasis – it took a long time; she used to grate bars of olive oil soap and mix them with a stew of herbs from the garden. Then there’s our Organic Repair Lotion which has helped so many people overcome skin problems like eczema. When customers send in such good testimonials about it, it gives such a good sense of purpose to what we do.
Which is your favourite product and why?
Again I have two! I love our new black eyeliner, made with Fairtrade certified shea butter, which just feels wonderful and performs as well as any conventional eye pencil. Also our Rose Moisturiser which gives instant radiance, but its powerpack of 3 organic rose extracts is also very uplifting.
What’s next for Essential Care?
2012 will be an exciting year. We’re about to launch a new look for our body-washes and best-selling shampoo, but this year’s biggest project is to build our new super eco-friendly HQ. We’re trying to find land at the moment and get some drawings done. The aim is for the building is to be ‘zero carbon’, so it will create its own energy, recycle all water and be built from sustainable (re-used, recycled and local) materials. It’ll also have its own herb garden. I’d like it to be a great venue where we can promote sustainable architecture and organic living to schools, companies and other groups, as well as being the place where Essential Care’s products are made.
Tags: essential care, eyeliner, lipstick, make up, makeup, Natural, Organic, Skin care
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Thursday, March 15th, 2012
When Lilli Gordon found that the beauty market had nothing to offer her sensitive skin, she didn’t sit back and hope for a miracle – she created her own skincare range instead. First Aid Beauty (known as FAB, because it is), is a comprehensive range of effective, purse-friendly skincare that actually works – from the Detox Eye Roller to the Anti Redness Serum. Plus, they’re purse friendly and easy on the eye too.
We caught up with Lilli to find out more about the brand…
What is the ethos behind FAB?
It is very simple – if you have sensitive skin you need First Aid Beauty, which offers daily essentials, targeted solutions, intense therapy and anti-aging properties through formulations that are luxurious and irritant free. At FAB we like to keep it simple. The packaging says what the products do, and the products do what they say. And by keeping our packaging simple, you can be assured that our resources and yours are spent on what matters: what goes in the bottle. FAB products blend serious therapeutic action with luxurious textures, so individuals with tough skin conditions no longer have to sacrifice luxury nor tolerate greasy creams and bland formulas.
What spurred you on to create the brand?
As someone who has suffered with sensitive skin, I was frustrated at the limited options that existed outside of the mass products, which were often basic and lacked that luxurious feel and appeal. I learned that there were many others who felt the same as me. I wanted to offer a great skincare range that treats the skin with respect, is uncomplicated and easy to use on a daily basis. This inspired me to develop First Aid Beauty, which is a luxurious yet affordable skincare collection for people with challenged, stressed or sensitive skin.
Who do you see as a typical FAB customer?
I don’t think there is a typical FAB customer as our range could benefit anyone from 13 to 93! FAB is for those who crave skincare products that have integrity in terms of the quality and ethics of the ingredients, and that have been proven by dermatologists to work. I suppose the ‘typical’ FAB customer could be someone who like me has sensitive skin, which again covers a huge range of people as we all tend to suffer with stressed skin at some point. FAB is for people who care for and respect their skin and want an effective skincare product that is luxurious, yet simple to use.
With so many different brands on the market, how does FAB stand out on the shelves?
I hope that the look of the product, with its uplifting and positive rays, and soothing colours helps to draw the eye – I’ve had great positive feedback on the way the product is presented, which is always fantastic. I believe the branding has a hint of the ‘life preserver’ about it, which is pretty much what FAB is all about: First Aid Beauty is on a rescue mission for sensitive skin!
Which product is your favourite and why?
Hmmm that is a tricky one as I love them all. I would say that our hero product, the FAB Ultra Repair Cream, is in my top three as it really personifies what First Aid Beauty is about. It is incredibly effective, yet so luxurious. It is becoming a bit of a cult favourite in the US, including some celebrity fans, and soon to achieve the same status in the UK I hope. Ultra Repair Cream contains our famous FAB Antioxidant Booster, which is a blend of the three most powerful botanical anti-oxidants: White Tea, Fever Few and Licorice Root. This blend is included in all of our formulas to combat free radicals and oxidative damage that is done to the skin over time. Ultra Repair is my multi-tasker miracle cream – you can use it on the face and body as a moisturiser and it gives you immediate and lasting relief from even the driest of skin. It’s a rich yet light formula for the face, although it’s fantastic on those problem areas: elbows and knees. It could also provide relief from the symptoms of dry skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczma.
What is your skincare routine?
I like to keep it simple. Morning: Cleanse with FAB Face Cleanser, followed by Facial Radiance Pads and Detox Eye. Swipe my neck and face with Uplifing Serum and finish with 5 In 1 Face Cream with the all important SPF 30. Evening: Cleanse with FAB Face Cleanser, followed by Uplifting Serum. Finish with 5 In 1 Eye Cream and 5 In 1 Restore Cream. Post shower: I am addicted to Ultra Repair Cream as my post shower moisturising treatment. I literally slather it all over! And a little tip, I use the FAB Facial Radiance Pads along with 5 In 1 Face Cream with SPF30 on my hands to keep them youthful and soft and the FAB Ultra Repair Lip Therapy is gorgeous for the lips, but also is great when you rub a little along your brows to give them a smoother shape and sheen!
Finally, what’s next in store for FAB?
We have some great new products coming to the UK in 2012 to expand and improve the choice and range even further. I can’t reveal too much about it just yet, however one will be a highly effective anti-aging product, with a very innovative method of delivering just the right level of treatment. And we have some incredibly exciting products under development for 2013.
Tags: beauty, cleanser, FAB, First Aid Beauty, Lilli Gordon, Moisturiser, skin, skin care
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012
Celebrity colourist Louise Galvin has been firmly on our radar for a while, but ever since we tried the Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment for Fine Hair (for sale through the Luxury Shop for £8) we’ve become massive fans. So we caught up with her for a quick chat to talk famous Dad’s, experimenting as a teenager and why Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie aren’t that different after all…
With one of the most famous colourists as a father, was it inevitable that you’d end up following in his footsteps?
After starting with Lynne Franks in PR, I joined my father’s product company, working from a small office. However I missed the excitement of working with other people so set about training as a colourist in his George Street salon. I was inspired by what my father had achieved through his creativity and loved the glamorous environment of the salon. The salon was full of pictures of iconic beauties of the era including Cheryl Ladd and Lauren Bacall who were all fans of his colouring techniques
Did you experiment with hair colour as a teenager?
At the age of thirteen I was desperate to experiment with colour as all my friends were doing at school. I was absolutely forbidden to ‘play’ with my own colour but my father allowed me to have my first set of sunkissed highlights, that enhanced my natural colour
What made you want to create your own hair care range?
Frustration at the lack of good products on the market and also an ongoing battle with silicone, which coats the hair, leaving it dull and weighed down. Discovering the ingredient that was causing me so many problems sparked in me a real interest in what went into the formulations of other haircare products. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, (SLS), the detergent found in most other shampoos is harsh on the hair, stripping both colour and also natural oils from the hair. SLS is found in household cleaners and has an impact not only on our own wellbeing but also on the environment. I have replaced SLS with a coconut-derived cleanser that is less harmful. Parabens, which are the preservatives found in many cosmetics are thought to be carcinogenic – whilst this is yet to be proved I felt that if we think something may be harmful and you can remove the ingredient from a formulation it is better to err on the cautious side and replace with something that is more natural. In my products the parabens have been replaced with natural citrus aromatherapy oils that not only preserve the products but also add shine to hair as well as giving the most wonderful, fresh fragrance.
What do you forecast as the big hair colour story of the year?
The coming season seems to be all about glamorous hair, this can so easily be achieved using gentle products that keeps hair looking glossy and healthy. Yves Saint Laurent said fashions come and go but style lasts forever; this is true even for hair.
And what do you see as the next big breakthrough in haircare?
I hope that products will become ever more natural and companies will start to look more responsibly at the ingredients they are using and their effect on our health and environment. However this is something that will need to be consumer lead. Fortunately the customer is becoming more knowledgeable and more discerning. Within the industry I would like to see higher standards and recognised qualifications for stylists and colourists to ensure top quality work
What’s been your favourite hair colour trend over the past 10 years?
I think one of the best trends recently is that women have been able to embrace their natural brunette, for years there was a trend for everyone to be a blonde. I think with great brunette ambassadors including Kate Middleton and Samantha Cameron women are happier to work and enhance their natural colour.
Which celebrity gets it right and which gets it wrong?
Jennifer Aniston always seems to get her hair colour right, never moving to far from her natural blonde but varying the tones, sometimes caramel and sometimes honey but always perfect. Angelina Jolie is a fabulous brunette, her hair always looks glossy and healthy. Kate Winslet is another gorgeous blonde who retains a natural sun-kissed, mutlitonal colour however there was a time last year when I felt her colour moved towards being too light which left the hair looking a little dry and solid. She has now returned to the streaky blonde that suits her so well, lifting her skintone and enhancing her eyecolour.
Is there a colour you’ll never do?
I would never do a peroxide blonde on long hair, long hair has to be treated gently and nourished to keep it looking healthy and glamorous. Dry, damaged hair is so aging.
What’s next for Louise Galvin?
I would like to continue to spread the word that good haircare is as important as good skincare. My father has a great little saying that no-one would think about washing their best cashmere in standard household detergent. We should pay the same respect to our hair, its not called our crowning glory for nothing!
Discover more about Louise Galvin and her product range at Louisegalvin.com.
Tags: blonde, colouring, condition, hair, haircare, louise galvin, shampoo
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Dr Barbara Olioso is the founder of Forest Secrets, a personalised skincare system that allows you to decide what is best for your skin – after all, you know it better than anyone else. We caught up with Dr Olioso to chat skincare, diets and why reading an ingredient list can be the key to your skincare…
What are the simplest ways in which to get your skin back on track?
Firstly, prevention is better rather than cure, so I take herbal supplements to help compensate for a modern diet, so that my skin has the right nutrients; for example I take Milk Thistle and Burdock root. To help the skin to detox even further I exfoliate it gently and then apply face oil to prevent any irritation from the cold weather. This should be done at night with no makeup, so that the skin is free to breathe.
What skincare is best to use during the colder months?
Face oils generally are very good; they strengthen the skin barrier so that you do not end up looking like a bright red tomato in the middle of winter! I have a client in Lincolnshire who used to get a red face before starting using iRejuvenate; she has been using the Elixir for a few years now, and does not suffer from the condition. When choosing an oil, test it first, to make sure that it absorbs well into the skin, and then check the ingredients list so that it does not contain comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil (cocos nucifera) or cocoa butter (theobroma cacao), as – used on the face – these can clog the pores and cause spots.
What are the key mistakes we make when choosing skincare?
A key mistake is not reading the ingredients list, to check that the product is really natural. Do not simply rely on the look and smell of the product. ALWAYS check the ingredients list! For example from reading the ingredients you can avoid products with parabens, and silicones such as Dimethicone. The long term effects of Parabens need to be investigated as they mimic female hormones and may promote breast cancer. Silicones suffocate the skin and do not biodegrade once in the environment
What piqued your interest in natural skincare?
As a child I used to spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer months and I used to play with flowers, roses and hydrangeas, making water potions, to try to capture their scent and beauty. I really enjoyed doing that and eventually that led me to skincare where I can use my scientific background and my passion for naturals to really capture the essence and power of natural ingredients. Essentially we feel good when we are in nature, as natural beings we take nature to use for food but also to apply to our skin to preserve and nourish it.
How important is it to use organic and natural skincare?
I believe that if we care about our long term health then use of natural skincare is very important. Our body is natural not synthetic. Your body is not an internal combustion engine – so why would you want to apply mineral oil or synthetics on the skin? It does not make any sense! I also believe that there are long term health implications for the skin and the body, as well as for the environment, with the use of mineral oils and synthetic chemicals.
What are the benefits?
The benefits in the use of naturals are for the skin and general health as well as for the environment. The skin is alive, a breathing organ, it protects us from the outer elements but it also absorbs what is put upon it. It has to cope with UV damage, air pollutants and poor diet. We should not then add to its woes by smearing more chemicals upon it. We need to feed the skin with the natural nutrients that it needs. Added to this, manufacturers of natural products are more likely to design with sustainable principles in mind, and have a more genuine care for the environment, rather than the general green-wash put out by many large manufacturers in the beauty trade.
How do you see skincare evolving over the next few years?
I believe that it will definitely evolve moretowards naturals, not only out of a growing trend of consumer awareness and demand but also out necessity because mineral oil is running out. Petroleum derivatives will become increasingly rarer and more expensive. These two pressures will also create the need to work in a much more sustainable way so that nature will be able to sustain the higher demand for natural ingredients. One of my favourite Italian expressions is “you can not milk the cow without feeding it”.
To find out more about Forest Secrets, visit the website here.
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
With dewy, flawless skin being the look de rigeur, we asked Louise Stewart, Nakedhealth MediSpa founder and all round skincare genius for a few tips on how to achieve – and maintain – beautiful skin this winter. No photoshopping necessary…
The festive season often leaves us with terrible skin – what are the simple ways in which we can get it back on track?
The Christmas party season can leave us with skin that is not only congested due to overindulgence, but skin that also lacks hydration as a result of too much alcohol and the drying effects of central heating combined with the harsh winter elements. We can start by making simple changes to our daily routine such as drinking hot water with fresh lemon each morning to kick start our digestive system, drinking our 2.5 litres of water a day, keeping active, eating a more simple and fresh diet excluding sugar and refined foods, and dry body brushing in the shower to help stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.
But sometimes we need a little help to kick start our efforts to get back on track. At Nakedhealth we have the high-performance SkinCeuticals Anti-Oxidant Facial to provide immediate results. This vitamin C-based antioxidant facial helps to detoxify the skin as well as reduce damage from free radicals, repairing, strengthening and protecting the skin cells to achieve healthy, youthful skin results. This treatment gets to work above and below the skin’s surface to prevent the premature signs of ageing and stimulate collagen production, revealing newer, youthful skin under the surface.
What treatments are best for the colder months?
Try the CACI Ultimate Treatment for immediate rehydration with added firming results. This includes microdermabrasion to remove the dull, dead layer of skin that once removed, will improve the penetration of the powerful hydrating properties of the Hydratone mask. The treatment combines active microcurrent rollers with the unique, electrically conductive Hydratone gel mask that has been infused with Vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid and collagen. The muscle toning effects of the microcurrent rollers will help firm ageing skin delivering a serious skin rejuvenating treatment. Also try to use products that contain lactic acid, a magnet for moisture, as they will help plump up the water cells beneath the skin’s surface. Lactic acid will also increase skin cell turnover on the surface of the skin, revealing smoother-looking and radiant looking skin. You could try Priori Skin Renewal Cream that contains lactic acid. For parched skin, I would also recommend SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel that contains hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator, to bind moisture to the skin and attracts more than 1,000 times its own weight in water. Add a few drops to your daily moisturiser to maximise the moisturising benefits.
What are the key mistakes made when choosing skincare and treatments?
Not recognising your correct skin type. For example, many people think that they have sensitive skin and as a result end up not using the correct products for their actual skin type. Correct diagnosis will mean that you get the best results out of the products you use. At Nakedhealth we pride ourselves on the fact that many of our staff have been with us for many years. Our philosophy is that clients will build a relationship with their therapist and in turn the therapist will develop a detailed understanding of the clients’ skin and its varying needs at different times of the year, and life stage. A therapist who knows your skin is better positioned to suggest the best treatments and products for you.
How important is it to maintain a routine with not only skincare at home, but professional treatments too?
Having spent over 30 years in the beauty industry, I have clients I’ve been treating since they’ve been in their teens and you can tell the ones who started looking after their skin from an early age. I certainly believe that a good skincare routine that begins at an early age will pay dividends later on. Everyone can benefit from a daily skin care routine that is selected for their skin type. Start by cleansing and applying a toner to the skin. Applying an antioxidant serum will help protect the skin from free radical damage from pollutants, sunlight, stress and smoking. If left untreated, free radicals damage healthy cells, break down collagen and accelerate ageing. Follow this with a moisturiser and a broad spectrum Sun Protection Factor. Professional treatments are great at achieving that ‘deep’ clean that our skin needs every so often to function healthily. This includes extraction of congested pores that is best left to the experts as it needs to be carried out in a sterile environment to ensure the skin does not get infected or left scarred, but is left clear and radiant.
What do you predict as this year’s big skincare trend?
A complexion marked with hyperpigmentation can be every bit as ageing as lines and wrinkles. Treating pigmentation, sun spots, brown spots and rosacea is moving higher up the skincare agenda for women wanting to achieve a more uniform and luminous skin tone. IPL laser treatment is a very effective solution in the treatment of uneven skin tone, patchy pigmentation, redness and facial capillaries plus an overall improvement in skin texture and quality. When it comes to anti-ageing, women are realising that there are some incredibly clever technologies that can help them hold back the years without taking drastic steps such as going under the knife.
How do you see skincare and skin treatments evolving over the next few years?
The technology with current treatments will only get better. For example, laser hair removal will get faster as the spot sizes you can treat get larger. The ability to treat the skin by mesotherapy (injecting just under the surface) to improve health will become more sophisticated, prescribed skin care by professionals will become more scientific with better results as products improve all the time plus skin conditions such as rosacea will have more of a platform with better treatments.
Tags: complexion, flawless skin, louise stewart, nakedhealth medispa, Skin care
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Monday, December 19th, 2011
Permanent make-up specialist Tracie Giles has over 20 years professional aesthetic makeup experience and is widely recognised as an established leader in permanent make-up cosmetics. What Tracie doesn’t know about permanent make-up isn’t worth knowing – and with big celebrity fans, we caught up with Tracie to find out more.
Permanent and semi-permanent make-up – it sounds scary. Is it?
It’s a luxury beauty treatment that enables women to look the best they can every day. It’s an enhancing anti ageing makeup effect using only soft pure mineral pigments gently placed to professionally define eyebrows, eyes and lips. Our clinic is regarded as a global centre of excellence leading the way in bespoke permanent makeup application. There is nothing scary about the beautiful results we deliver on a daily basis. We make people’s lives better because they can get up in the morning looking beautiful
How long does it last?
It depends on the colour selected, the area of the face treated and the clients individual skin type and lifestyle. Generally it should be refreshed annually so although it is relatively ‘low maintenance’ , it is not ‘no maintenance’. I think because it is a form or cosmetic tattooing people assume that it lasts forever. Strictly speaking it is known as “micro pigmentation”. This is because only micro molecules of natural mineral pigment is used and only micro insertions of colour application is applied. Without maintenance the pigment will eventually disappear.
What are the benefits of having this done?
Looking well groomed 24/7. Anti ageing eyebrow and lip lift possible. No more eyebrow pencils. Great when eyesight becomes weak and applying makeup difficult. A lifestyle choice that works for all women of today in all situations.
How do you work with the client to determine the best make-up look for them?
We are all experienced makeup artists with international experience. We spend a long time with each client to explain and draw on the makeup in conventional makeup first. We work over two sessions spaced a month apart to allow for a gradual buildup of colour and to allow the client to experience a soft look first before adjusting the colour and shape at the second appointment. All of our clients receive the same bespoke expert service with our attention to detail focused purely on them, their looks, expectations and lifestyle
Is it suitable for someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make-up?
It’s perfect for someone who is afraid of makeup as the latest technology and pigments allows for even a hint of colour to be applied in exactly the right place
What if a client finds they don’t like the end result?
We never experience this because of the pre drawing and detailed consultation we provide. If a client is unsure or unsuitable we don’t begin the treatment
What are some of the most common requests?
Eyebrows are always first and then usually the lips and eyes
What are the big trends for 2012 for you?
Brows, brows and more brows! And then some lips…
For more information on Tracie and the London Permanent Makeup Centre, visit traciegiles.co.uk.
Tags: cosmetics, make up, makeup, semi-permanent make-up, tracie giles
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