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Thursday, September 29, 2016
Beauty destination: Aesop opens its first New Zealand store
Legendary beauty name Aesop’s first New Zealand store
officially opened on Tuesday night in Newmarket, Auckland and good god she is
beautiful. I was unable to attend official proceedings due to being fresh out
of hospital, but a sneaky reccy I did prior to my surgery filled me with awe
and delight.
Aesop is not your regular high-end skincare company. There
are no big promises, no celebrity endorsements, no glossy packaging and no
advertising. As a brand, they are committed to celebrating science by
integrating both plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients, and the efficacy
of their product formulations is world renowned. An interview with Aesop
exec Suzanne Santos told us “you need a blend of well-chosen man-made
ingredients with exceptional botanical ingredients to make remarkable
products”, and I personally have never met an Aesop product I didn’t like. I
first encountered the brand many years ago on a trip to Sydney and after washing
my hands with their premier luxury soap, I was irrevocably hooked.
Aesop’s blend of science and nature slaps aside the
ridiculous hyperbole that defines much of the beauty industry. All of its
products are paraben-free and largely ‘botanical’, drawing heavily on
antioxidant-rich parsley-seed extract. Its trademark, apothecary-style
brown-glass bottles keep ingredients fresh for longer, and just feel so right
in my bathroom cabinet in the most understated way. The less-is-more approach
appeals to the type of consumer who doesn’t need fruity surroundings and
overbearing retail staff to tell them what is wrong with their skin, but those
who are happy to pay slightly higher prices for authentic top-quality products
that just make you feel good – and work.
Aesop’s founder Dennis Paphitis has famously been quoted as
saying: “Luxury is an attitude, a spirit, a celebration of the everyday; it is
certainly not an overpriced, monogrammed handbag that’s distributed as widely
as fast food,” and their stores around the world reflect this value.
Created in collaboration with Patterson Associates, the new
Newmarket retail space was inspired by the region’s architectural heritage and
is a haven in the madness that is the popular shopping precinct.
The interior echoes the raw simplicity of a traditional New
Zealand washroom or old school bach or holiday home. Recycled Rimu timber folds
up the walls, creating a refined version of the horizontal boards found in
early colonial washrooms. Similarly, large windows prompt an immediate
relationship with the exterior, allowing an abundance of natural light and
fresh air to filter through the space.
As an ode to the domestic ritual of washing that is integral
to Aesop’s philosophy, a large concrete tub sits as the centrepiece of the
interior. The shelving surfaces are reminiscent of oven trays, subtly paying
homage to the site’s original use as a commercial bakery.
Clients can explore and select from a complete range of
skin, hair and body care products, distinguished by botanical and
laboratory-generated ingredients of the highest quality. The store’s trained
consultants are able to offer advice about products best suited to individual
needs and like the brand, are intelligent, informed and delightfully
understated in their approach. In other words: the new Aesop space is a winner,
and I look forward to becoming a regular.
Aesop Newmarket
Shop 2, 2-8 Osborne Street
Newmarket 1023
+64 9 522 2774
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Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Beauty news: the Trilogy Body Range just got even better
I don’t need any excuse to give props to
New Zealand natural skincare company Trilogy, who were one of the first off the
block and are still creating beautiful new products today. They are also
consistently affordable too, giving those with smaller budgets the chance to
get super charged formulas as easily as the next woman.
Their latest releases are some of my
favourites yet, and are set to be on high rotate over the coming months due to
the layers being shed as the temperature rises. They come as part of the
recently re-launched Trilogy Body range, which has meant a sleek new look for
their existing body prods along with the introduction of a couple of killer
newbies.
NATRUE certified natural products, Trilogy
Pure Plant Body Oil and Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm are an absolute joy to
use, and by god I have given them a thrashing since they first came across my
desk a few weeks’ ago.
At just $29.99 for an 110ml bottle of
goodness, the new Pure Plant Body Oil is one of the most luxurious body oils I
have ever used – and I am a BIG user of body oils. Designed for every day,
all-over use, it is an unscented, silky as oil that glides on to hydrate,
nourish and improve skin health. With Trilogy’s signature rosehip oil to repair
and hydrate, sweet almond oil to stabilise the natural pH of the skin and
apricot oil to soothe inflammation, it is a simple formula but one that works. A
great natural alternative to the more common petrochemical-based body oils,
Trilogy Pure Plant Body Oil is ideal for use throughout pregnancy and on scars,
and the fact that it is fragrance-free makes it both perfect for those with
sensitive skin and a great option for regular perfume wearers as won’t mess
with any fragrance you apply before leaving home on top. I have found that it
absorbs super quickly on my post-surgery, super dry skin, and I think it will
be brilliant for using after days at the beach over the summer months too.
The second new release is Trilogy Exfoliating
Body Balm, which is a NATRUE certified natural body polisher that leaves skin
silky- smooth, hydrated and glowing. Buttery-textured and perfect for use in
the bath or shower (although be careful as it can make the surface of a bath a little
slippery), it uses finely ground rosehip seed powder as a natural exfoliant. A rich blend of rosehip oil, sweet almond oil and beeswax are also in there to nourish, soften and protect skin, while the seed powder gently buffs and refines skin texture without compromising the skin’s natural barrier function.
Another
brilliant example of an innovative, biodegradable, ocean-safe alternative to
plastic microbeads, the powder is ground from the solids which remain after the
seed oil extraction process, making good use of a by-product and thereby
reducing waste. Perfect! It is also delightfully un-messy to use, unlike some body scrubs etc which go everywhere no matter how carefully you use them.
I’ve been using this combo twice a week and have to say that my skin is really starting to turn up the glow –
bring on bare leg season I say!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Hair how to: Erdem SS17 at LFW, created by ghd
Last week at London Fashion Week Erdem took to the runway,
and the exquisitely whimsical label did not disappoint. Vogue’s Suzy Menkes
said the show “seemed to capture elements from the past that are relevant to
today. The clothes did not look antique or vintage; rather, they were saucy and
seductive. While using accoutrements from the past - no shorts or stretch
trousers here - the collection was modern.”
Designer Erdem Moralioglu trained at the prestigious Royal
College of Art in London and is known for his use of experimental textiles,
vibrant prints, and detailed craftsmanship. He has created a beautiful world of
the delicate mixed with the bold, and his latest collection – reportedly
inspired by a 17th-century dress found in a shipwreck and the free-spirited
1920s – was absolutely alluring, the stuff that dreams are made of.
Iconic hair styling brand ghd partnered with designer Erdem
and session stylist Anthony Turner to create a hair look to complement the S/S
2017 collection, and it was as beautiful as the clothes themselves. “The Erdem
girl is always on a journey and this season she’s from the 16th century and has
been at sea,” said Anthony Turner, “so she’s sporting wispy, shipwrecked
braids”.
Anthony first applied a salt spray to the hair to create a
matte texture before blow-drying hair using the ghd air hairdryer and fingers.
A beachy wave was then created by wrapping sections of hair
around the ghd curve classic curl tong, before pulling hair into two pigtails
at the base of the neck. Both pigtails were braided and loosely deconstructed
before being crossed over and secured flat around the nape of the neck.
A simple piece of matte black ribbon was tied around the
hair to form a bow at the side to finish the look.
“The hair has a soft, romantic feel; it is not too
considered or elaborate,” said Turner of the finished look, which he added
would “translate well into wedding hair”.
To get the look yourself, try these few simple steps:
1. Prep with a salt spray before blow-drying hair downwards
using a ghd air hairdyer and
fingers.
2. Loosely curl hair in different directions with the ghd
curve™ classic curl tong.
3. Use the ghd
tail comb to create a middle parting, then secure hair into two separate
ponytails at the nape of the neck. Tie with elastic.
4. Braid each ponytail and then loosely dishevel with hands
to give the braids a deconstructed texture.
5. Cross the braids over and pin flat against the nape of
the neck. They must stay flat to the head and not create a bulky silhouette.
6. Gently pull out sections around the hairline before
wrapping a matte black ribbon around the hair and underneath the braids,
securing in a bow at the side of the head.
Just beautiful, yeah?
Sunday, September 18, 2016
All about: the Kérastase Paris Nutritive Magistral collection
A haircare brand that has long treated hair
with the same reverance as the skin, it comes as no surprise that
Kérastase Paris has long created specific solutions to all manner hair
issues. I recently updated my own hair “prescription” to an all- Kérastase Paris
that consists of products cherry-picked from across their collections and by
golly, it has transformed my locks with its high performance exactitude!
The latest Kérastase Paris to hit New
Zealand salons is Nutritive Magistral, specifically created for hair that is brittle,
lacklustre, a downright hot mess. These are just some of the words that come to
mind when we think about severely damaged hair, which over the summer months
could be yours.
Since 1979, the iconic, dry hair expert Kérastase
Nutritive has stood the test of time, pioneering excellence to keep hair
nourished and radiant. It was one of the first salon-only products I used after
I began stripping the hell out of my hair during my “blonde years”, and was an
absolute lifesaver at the time. Fast forward to 2016 and to meet the haircare
needs of those who seek something a little extra, Kérastase has revealed the
most durable nourishment yet. Combining the power of Kérastase advanced
research and the science of dry hair, the Nutritive collection expands to
introduce Nutritive Magistral for severely dry hair.
Hair dryness results from alterations to the
surface of the hair. Due to natural reasons or exposure to external aggressors,
the hair cuticle scales become raised, producing the rough feel and a dull,
lifeless look. The driest of hair requires extra-special care, and the Nutritive
Magistral at-home ritual has been created to really give your hairback its long
lost bounce, making it more manageable along the way.
The collection comprises
Bain, Fondant, Masque and Crème variants, each offering restoring shine and
suppleness from within defpending on your needs. An offspring of the original
Nutritive Irisome formula, Magistral is at the highest Nutritive concentration
yet (4600 ppm), also enriched with gluco active, ceramic and xylose resin from
the benzoin tree to replenish the nutrients in the hair.
The Nutritive Magistral collection also sees
the introduction of a complete package redesign. To support L’Oréal’s goal of
Sustainability by 2020 the renovated packaging is lighter, with a new cap
designed to save an estimated 45 tons of plastic per year – which gets the big
tick from me. The new packaging is to be mirrored throughout all other
Kérastase collections too – exciting stuff.
If the Kérastase Paris Nutritive
Magistral collection sounds like a bit of you over the coming months – and
beyond – then pop into a Kérastase salon near you to update your own
prescription.
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Friday, September 16, 2016
Beauty news: industry leader essie nails it at NYFW
New York Fashion Week 2016 was a different beast to years past,
with fewer celeb sightings but more quality superstars in attendance, and some
more established brands like Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford really taking their turn
to once again shine.
It was a whirlwind of colour, next level street style and
heart-stopping design, and international nail brand essie took centre stage at
the event making lust-worthy appearances on the rag & bone, Oscar de la
Renta and Monique Lhuillier runways.
Each nail look perfectly complemented the collections;
whether tough and academic, modern and cool or edgy and elegant.
Rag & bone’s Spring 2017 collection was all about a girl
with just a bit of an attitude. While the collection had a fresh and ‘real’
feel to it, it also had a heavy academia influence and a slight toughness –
leading Julie Kandalac for essie to create a custom red manicure (above top) using a-list and
really red to perfectly match the pops of red in the collection. She also
interspersed a neutral nail (above below) and a black nail, opting for sand tropez and licorice,
on eight of the girls.
The Oscar de la Renta Spring 2017 collection was all about a
modern mix of cool and elegance – a wealthy girl who is high quality but not
uptight. Michelle Saunders for essie took that inspiration and wanted to keep
the nails very short, minimal and rounded – a departure from the typical Oscar
de la Renta show. She chose the classic mademoiselle with a high shine top coat
for a fresh and young take (above). For a unique twist on the pedicure, Michelle
layered spin the bottle and mademoiselle to create a neutral, pinky nude – the
perfect spring shade.
And last but not least Monique Lhuillier’s spring/summer
2017 collection was full of edgy elegance. To complement this, Julie Kandalac
for essie paired wicked on the fingernails with classic sheer on the toes
(think good to go top coat): “They’re feminine, fluid and timeless shades, and
not too sugary sweet – just like the collection,” she says.
Shades retail for $22.99 in select Farmers and pharmacy
stores throughout New Zealand. Care range from $24.99.
For more information on essie visit http://www.essie.com/
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Thursday, September 15, 2016
All about: Lancôme Visionnaire Yeux Advanced Multi-Correcting Eye Balm
I’ve always been cursed with dark under eye circles, which I think are at least
80 per cent genetic. I had them even as a toddler - which is well before I
started burning the candle at both ends – and as a teenager suffered the fools
gladly who asked if someone had bopped me one carefully in each eye. Add
genuine tiredness to the mix and I’m reaching for quite literally anything to
help cancel them out. They can be covered up with the right concealer, but I’m
always on the hunt for a great eye cream that will treat my dark circles
as well as the early signs of ageing such as fine lines, crêpiness and the
like.
This has always been quite elusive, perhaps until now. The
product that has been winning me over of late and just may be the answer to my
prayers is Lancôme’s Visionnaire Yeux - Eye On Correction Advanced
Multi-Correcting Eye Balm (a bit of a mouthful I know, but bear with me).
Given that Lancôme's original Visionnaire facial product was
such a hit, I knew it wouldn't be long before they launched a serious new
eye-area counterpart, and here it is.
The first 3-in-1 eye cream with the power of Jasmonates (a
small group of related molecules derived from linolenic acid), it targets all
manner of eye contour-related issue like wrinkles, dark circles and bags with
aplomb. In less than a minute, the area around your eyes are actually optically
whitened and given a delicately “rested” appearance no matter how many hours
you’ve had your head on the pillow. And, over time it has truly amazing
corrective properties to boot. The product contains key technologies like
Lancôme’s legendary hydra blur technology (think silky powders and soft focus
agents), the aforementioned Jasmonate and caffeine, which work together as
quite the clever cocktail. This means it works by diminishing the appearance of
dark circles, smoothing out eye wrinkles and refining the look and texture of
the eye contour over time – magic!
Also a super cooling eye balm that feels amazing when you
smooth it on in the morning, its lightweight texture blends seamlessly into the
skin, targeting fine lines, evening skin tone and reducing the appearance of
bags and dark circles. Makeup application over the top is a breeze, especially
given that hardly any is needed after this little magic balm smoothes
everything out.
So, there you have it. Amazing. And don’t just take my word
for it – this baby lands on counter on Monday (RRP $118.00) so get there to a Lancôme
expert and try it out for yourself.
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Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Love it: COOLA Guava Mango Sunscreen Spray SPF50
I just got back from a far-too-short holiday in the
beautiful Cook Islands, where Rarotonga most definitely turned on the sun. It
was exactly what I needed in the lead up to some pretty major surgery that I am
having on Monday, and I felt super thankful to have some time in the sea and
the sun with my family. Truly amazing!
It goes without saying that I came prepared by packing some
the COOLA brand’s consistently kick arse products, including a couple of new releases
that I can now confidently vouch for in the form of COOLA Guava Mango Sunscreen
Spray SPF50 and COOLA Rōsilliance SPF 30 BB+ Cream.
COOLA is the name that I recommend to anyone who asks me
advice on sun protection for their whole family, and that fact that their
products are a seemingly effortless mix of high performance and beautiful to
use formulas makes them loved by everyone who tries them. A beautifully
packaged collection of organic sun essentials produced out of Southern
California, the COOLA range includes a plethora of yummy products that are high
performance yet delicate and kind on the environment. It is produced in limited
quantity batches in California (where the company is based), meaning that the
range can be reformulated often, taking advantage of new developments in sun
science and labelling regulations almost as they happen.
The COOLA range has two distinct organic sunscreen
collections to choose from: Mineral, and Classic, each based on different
active ingredients. The Classic Sunscreens use organic active ingredients
(commonly referred to as “chemicals”), while the Mineral Sunscreens use mineral
(“physical”) active ingredients like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to scatter
and reflect UVA/UVB rays. The mineral sunscreens are effective right after
application, making them perfect for the whole family.
But back to my holiday. First up, I cannot rave enough about
the brand’s beautifully scented, high performance Guava Mango Sunscreen Spray
SPF50. It doesn’t get much easier than spritzing your sunscreen on the go, and
this clear, continuous spray in an all natural Guava Mango scent is one of the
most effective products I have ever used. Offering broad spectrum SPF 50
protection, the deluxe, eco-sized “Farm to Face” sourced spray nourishes and
hydrates the skin with more than 70 per cent certified organic ingredients like
Cucumber, Algae and Strawberry Extracts. I was mainly testing it whilst lying
prone in a lounger, cocktail in hand, but it’s actually formulated for the
rigorous demands of sport and is water resistant for 80 minutes. This means you
really can have your fun in the sun and then some! I love that it contains no
nano-sized particles and comes in a deluxe size, which for $59.00 will
definitely go a long way. This product lands in store on November 1 in New
Zealand and I can’t recommend it enough.
It’s also important to note while I’m at it that COOLA
doesn’t just do straight suncare – and one of their newest releases was also
packed in my bag after I first reviewed it a couple weeks' ago. It’s the really rather amazing COOLA Rōsilliance SPF 30 BB+
Cream, which is best described by the brand as a “skin perfecting tinted
moisturizer to help boost your naturally luminescent glow and support fresh,
healthy-looking skin”.
A mineral-centric, broad spectrum SPF 30 formula that
applies like a dream, it offers a barely-there feel but does a lot. The sheer,
tinted coverage blends and perfects your skin tone, whilst a proprietary
bouquet of Rose Stem Cells offers an advanced bio-complex to smooth, moisturise
and replenish your skin's natural resilience. Amazing, huh? It lasted in the
humid, Rarotonga heat with aplomb, and I can report not even the slightest hint
of sunburn crossed my face. Yep, you need.
For COOLA stockist enquiries head to www.beautycare.co.nz, there will
definitely be one near you.
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Monday, September 12, 2016
Beauty news: TOM FORD BEAUTY arrives in Auckland at last
His original collection of high-pigment lipsticks proved a
huge commercial success when they were launched many years ago, and despite
their higher-than-average price tag sold out all over the world.
Then in 2011 Mr. Tom Ford announced that he was expanding
his beauty offering to include a full range of cosmetics and skincare, and
naturally it was flawless – and an instant hit.
At the time of its release he told the press, “my intention
was to do colour cosmetics out of the gate, but not everyone else was convinced
that I had a voice in colour until the lipsticks started selling out again and
again…” How wrong they were! He added that a practical approach, leaning on his
years as an architecture student, formed the basis of the original collection.
“I don’t like B.S. and a lot of promises, and there are a lot of products out
there you don’t even need,” he told the lucky few at the big reveal. “You need
to understand the face and compensate for the architecture of the face. A nice
thick brow is the key to a youthful look.”
The perfect mix of this back-to-basics approach to bold
colour and some seriously luxe packaging, it has been making its way to New
Zealand via overseas trips for years now and finally, FINALLY it’s available
here. After a much-anticipated opening over the weekend at Smith &
Caughey’s Queen Street store the flagship counter has finally been revealed,
carrying the complete and highly coveted TOM FORD BEAUTY collection. Comprising
Private Blend and Signature Fragrances and the stunning Cosmetics Collection,
Smith & Caughey’s Queen Street will also be your destination for the highly
sought after foundation wardrobe and Mr Ford’s seasonal runway colour
collections.
The Auckland counter opened just days after TOM FORD’s AW16
showing at New York Fashion Week. The makeup featured at the show forms the
latest TOM FORD BEAUTY collection (see an example, above) and will be available
to purchase at Smith & Caughey’s later this month. This runway collection
debuts a permanent lineup of eight Lip Contour Duos (below) and two limited edition
shades of Cream Color for Eyes. “The AW16 beauty collection features luxurious
and elevated neutrals that complement the vision for the season,” said Ford, to
which I say: “bring it”.
Both Auckland and Wellington TOM FORD BEAUTY counters will also stock Ombre
Leather, a Private Blend Eau de Parfum directly inspired by the runway. Ombre
Leather invites you into Tom Ford’s complete vision of the AW16 season with a
definitive olfactive statement. “Ombre
Leather is an extremely textural scent that imprints you with a tactile
sensuality,” says the style maestro, “it makes one feel different, beautiful
and desired.” And who am I to argue with that?
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