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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
NYFW Hair how to: Moroccanoil for Veronica Beard Spring 2019
For the New York Fashion Week outing of the Spring 2019 collection, sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard or Veronica Beard presented another ode to a more-than-slightly 80’s style, but is was a sleek and elegant one that truly captured hearts. The most popular looks touched on the decade’s softer, sultrier side, and the hair look created by Moroccanoil Artistic Director Kevin Hughes was the perfect match.
“The hair look is inspired by a young lady who just returned from a tropical island vacation and is back in the concrete jungle,” said Hughes, “she’s strong and confident with that vacation glow.” It’s the perfect look for our own (hopefully) long, hot summer ahead, and I’ve got the lowdown on how to recreate it yourself at home.
To get the look:
1. On damp hair, use a dollar coin size amount of Moroccanoil Treatment – or Moroccanoil Treatment Light for finer tones — to provide the perfect foundation for styling.
2. Next, take sections of the hair, starting at the low crown, and apply Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse generously about two inches down. Diffuse using your hair dryer to hold the hair in place.
3. Then separate hair into one-inch sections and apply a generous amount of the Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse throughout each section.
4. Next, take pin curl clips and place in the hair to create movement, volume and separation throughout. Spray the entire top and sides of the hair with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong.
5. Diffuse the hair again with clips in place, then apply Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream throughout the rest hair all the way to the ends.
6. Once the hair is dry, remove the pin curl clips for final look.
Photo Credit: Jason Carter Rinaldi for Moroccanoil
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Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Love it: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Mattes
I have worn matte lipstick for as long as I can remember; even when it was devastatingly uncool for the average beauty nerd I was still all over it like a rash. I just like the way it feels and love the way it looks, and call me a little too fond of the nineties - many do! - but I have always been a flag flying fan of a seriously matte lip. I’ve been wearing one with pride since I first started slicking on lipstick (no gloss for me) and so when I heard about Lancôme’s heavenly looking new L’Absolu Rouge Drama Mattes formula I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
You could safely say that 2017 was definitely the year of the Return of the Matte Lip as a trend, and its power and popularity just continue to grow into 2018 and (hopefully) beyond. This new formula from one of the strongest brands in the lip category is an absolute winner, and the fact that it was created by Lancôme’s Creative Director of Makeup, the amazing Lisa Eldridge is no surprise.
L’Absolu Rouge Drama Mattes are ultra matte and clearly created for women who love playing with colour and extreme finishes, as it combines extreme matteness (is that a word? It is now) with bold, luminous colours and a highly comfortable texture. Since its creation, L’Absolu Rouge has been centered around three values: treating colour as an art, providing a sophisticated French touch, and combining luxury with pleasure. Does this new formula tick all of those boxes? You bet.
Incendiary reds, flamboyant oranges, supercharged pinks and piercing browns are amongst the 18 high impact shades on offer, and I love them all. Three of them that stand out are the orangey red 157 Obsessive Red, the magenta 388 Rose Lancôme and the purple 507 Dram’Atic, all of which I have been having a good old play with. All ultra matte and need little in the way of application for a serious pigment punch, and the comfort factor is next level. L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte is formulated based on a “soft complex” that combines spherical powders and silky oils; that’s what makes its texture rich, soft, and so easy to apply. Even better: the spherical powders smooth small wrinkles and fine lines as they go. The formula is enriched with emollient agents and nourishing oils - like jojoba oil – so lips don’t dry out, and you can guarantee that the colour will stay true hour after hour.
Actress and sublime beauty Penelope Cruz, Lancôme’s legendary ambassador, shows off L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte in the above shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Pigott. Her shade? Adoration 505 red, an echo of the Lancôme rose that she holds in her hand. Just perfection!
These beauties are available from today in 18 shades from selected pharmacies, Farmers and department stores for $64.00 each. The three hero shades I mentioned above are also offered in Limited Edition Drama Matte packaging, for the collectors out there. So what are you waiting for?
Monday, September 17, 2018
NYFW hair how to: Guido for Redken at Longchamp SS 19
The Longchamp SS 19 show at New York Fashion Week was definitely one of my favourite runway outings to have been unveiled in the last little while, and the hair look was to die for as much as the clothes.
Sophie Delafontaine, Longchamp’s creative director, described the collection an ode to the original rock chicks, iconic, free-spirited, leggy beauties from the 60’s and 70’s like the divinely wicked Anita Pallenberg and legendary Veruschka. Redken Global Creative Director Guido Palau was responsible for the hair look that accompanied the collection of tasselled minis and the like, saying he capitalised on “luxe individuality” at the Longchamp show.
“Every brand has a personality,” he said, “and to me, Longchamp is very French, rich, and cool, with a touch of individuality. This look is all about bringing out the best hair each girl has. I’m slightly blowing their hair out with a tiny bit of Redken Satinwear 04 to seal the cuticle, then I’m allowing it to dry on its own to look effortlessly chic. I’m using very light products at this show to keep the look slightly unfinished – if needed, I can always add more, but it’s harder to take product away if you use too much.”
To get the look at home, get started with the following steps:
1. Start with clean, freshly washed hair using Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner.
2. Towel dry the hair until just slightly damp and use your fingers to enhance the natural personality of your hair.
3. Apply a small amount of Redken Satinwear 04 to add polish to your blowout and heat protect your hair.
4. Blow-dry your hair using your fingers.
5. If needed, use a large barrel tong throughout your lengths to encourage a natural wave.
6. Add a few drops of Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry Oil throughout your mid-lengths and ends to calm down any flyaways and break up the texture to make it a little more rock n’ roll.
7. Run your fingers through your hair to add a bit of softness and you’re good to go!
** all images are courtesy of Redken **
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Beauty news: WE-AR welcomes award-winning nail brand NAILBERRY!
I have been a huge fan of super ethical – and beautiful - New Zealand fashion brand WE-AR since its inception, sporting their yoga-designed pieces and their everyday life-designed pieces on the regular. It makes sense that they only stock brands that are aligned in ethos, so when I arrived home from Europe I was pretty excited to hear that WE-AR is now UK award-winning, non-toxic nail care brand NAILBERRY’s New Zealand exclusive stockist.
Founded in 2012 by Sonia Hully, the NAILBERRY brand started life as a luxury Nail Bar based in Chelsea, London and swiftly transitioned into a range of multi-award winning premium polishes. When Sonia noted her high profile clientele were continuing to experience dry and damaged nails whether it was the result of lifestyle, pollution, or from the semi-permanent gel manicures, she went about developing her own range of polishes that would help combat their concerns. The result was the award winning L’Oxygéné range, and the rest as they say, is history.
The multi-award winning, luxury nail polish brand uses patented technology to “deliver a healthier nail care and colour option without compromise”, and their shades are as fashion-forward as their rather more toxic brethren. It’s no secret that many nail polish products contain an array of chemicals but NAILBERRY is proudly different, with polishes and specialty nailcare products formulated to be free from Phthalates including DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, Triphenyl Phosphate, Alcohol, Parabens, Animal Derivatives and Gluten. The L’Oxygéné range is also certified by PETA as Cruelty Free and Vegan, and uses the latest technology to deliver a colour film that allows air and water vapour to pass through it, ensuring your nails are able to breathe and stay at their healthiest.
Twenty of the brand’s pigment rich, beautiful shades (see, above) are available right now exclusively at the WE-AR Ponsonby store and online at we-ar.com, with an RRP of $42.00. Four nailcare products are also available at RRP $45.00 each. I for one am going to support this new endeavour by WE_AR wholeheartedly – here’s to many more kick ass, healthy beauty brands arriving in store soon.
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Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Love it: Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Rose Drop Night Peeling Concentrate
Apparently, that elusive state of amazing skin known as a "glow" is beauty's new holy grail. One of the most searched-for beauty terms online, it’s a goal we want to achieve at any age, and we’ll try pretty much any new hope in a jar – or in a palette – in the hope of getting it.
Being well rested is a great start when you’re looking to get glow-y, and optimal skin regeneration and cell renewal, in which the signs of fatigue are replaced with a glowing complexion, takes place between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. We all have the best intentions when it comes to sleeping soundly during that period but hey, life happens! As a result, your complexion can lose its glow.
This is where Lancôme’s Absolue Precious Cells Rose Drop Night Peeling Concentrate comes in, a stellar product that I haven’t been able to use until now due to all of my skin issues. After just a couple of applications I am all about it though – and can’t recommend it enough if you too want to get your glow back!
Absolue, the last Lancôme range created by the French House, Armand Petitjean, continues to advance its legendary reputation and that of its star ingredient, the rose, through incredibly sophisticated products that are adapted to the way women lead their lives today. To allow skin to regenerate itself no matter how well you sleep they developed Absolue Precious Cells Rose Drop, a concentrated peel designed for evening use that features a rose-based nourishing oil to leave skin glowing with health.
Rose Drop adds nourishing properties to the exfoliating power of a peel, which makes it a loss less scary and more effective than most. In true Lancôme style, Rose Drop even comes with its own gentle application method. Just add a few drops into the palm of your hand, and then spread it evenly across your entire face - avoiding eye contour and lips - with a circular movement, then pat the remaining product into your skin. The peel’s exfoliating effect is enriched by ingredients such as Glycolic acid, a powerful active often used by dermatologists and aesthetic doctors. Glycolic acid is able to penetrate the first superficial layers of the skin and is effective at evenly removing dead cells and supporting cellular renewal. The nourishing phase, which is made up of argan and rose oil, provides the skin with comfort and restores radiance. Love that.
You can also use the Rose Drop in some additional ways, by mixing a few drops of the peel with your night cream to amp up its effectiveness, or to your sheet mask before applying it to your face. You can even speed up the process of getting rid of blemishes by applying the peel with a cotton pad to target problem areas. Like all peels, it is important to apply a skincare with at least SPF 15 the next day.
So there you go – winter skin feeling a little dull? This baby comes highly recommended.
Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Rose Drop Overnight Peel is on counter now, with an RRP of $225.00.
Monday, July 30, 2018
What a steal: new Schwarzkopf Extra Care Oil Elixirs
A few weeks ago I took the plunge and lightened my hair – a lot. After years of being super blonde and then taking my hair as dark as it gets a few years ago, I was a little freaked – not about the colour (which I love) but about the shiny tresses I thought I’d waved bye-bye to after submitting to highlights. Turns out I was wrong – I can have my cake and eat it too, thanks to an arsenal of great products designed to keep hair in tip top shape, whatever you throw at it.
It’s safe to say that most of the products I’ve used that have been created specifically to treat damaged hair have been pretty pricey, and I’ve found that cheaper versions just don’t have the grunt to make any real change. Until now that is, and the arrival of Schwarzkopf’s brand new Extra Care Oil Elixirs.
Schwarzkopf – reportedly New Zealand’s must trusted hair care brand - has you covered with the sub-$20 little wonders known as Extra Care Oil Elixir Grape Seed and Extra Care Oil Elixir Rose Hip. Both offer a lightweight repair serum for any hair type, and despite the word “oil” in the name they won’t leave a greasy residue or weigh down your silky tresses. Simply apply a few pumps to wet or dry hair, massage gently, and leave in for beautiful soft locks.
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Rose Hip Oil Elixir has been my go-to since it came across my desk, winning me over with the small alone. Rose Hip Oil is known for its regenerative properties and the fact that it is packed full of antioxidants, and this non-greasy formula is easily absorbed and gives major shine. Designed for normal to damaged hair, it provides incredible nourishment and protection, and the vitamins A, C and E present in the bottle means it repairs in the long term too.
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Grape Seed Hip Oil Elixir is for normal to dry hair, and as Grape Seed Oil is known for its large vitamin E content it contains a fat-soluble antioxidant which helps to protect your cells from damage. Designed to help lock in moisture, prevent frizz, split ends and brittle hair, it is another great option if you’re looking for repair.
With an RRP of just $18.99, these beauties are available in all leading department stores, supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide right now.
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Wednesday, July 25, 2018
All about: Bondi Sands' new GLO collection
It’s THAT time of the year when holidays to warmer climes start being planned, so if you’re not working with some kind of tanning product now then I suggest you get to it – stat! I’m off to Europe in just over two weeks’ and my pasty skin needs all the help it can get, and I’m guessing that I’m not alone in needing a quick fix. Fast.
I’m a confessed connoisseur of the faux glow, and have tried pretty much every formulation out there - with varying degrees of success. It is still the safest tan out there for tanning at any time of year, and with New Zealand skin cancer rates constantly on the rise it’s time to pick a formula that works for you rather than baking under what are some pretty damn dangerous rays.
If you’re a fake tan newbie or just reticent about applying them yourself, rest assured there are some excellent new releases about to hit the shelves courtesy of those kind people at Bondi Sands.
Blurring the lines between self-tan and makeup, the Australia-based company’s brand-new GLO range (above) provides instant colour and texture with lasting effects – and it’s pretty much foolproof. Think skin perfecting shimmering colour and high shine luminosity that smooths out imperfections, and it’s easily customisable for the ultimate in bespoke tanning.
Bondi Sands co-founder, Blair James says GLO highlights the company’s pledge to “shakeup the perception” of sunless tanning, while delivering a fully rounded beauty experience to its fanbase. “Makeup provides an outlet for creativity and self-expression,” says James, “and with so many products and techniques to create abundant beauty looks, we thought why not apply the same to self-tan? Dipping our toes into the wider cosmetic category, GLO offers three multi-purpose, mix and match products that result in an instant colour boost, yet can be washed off at the end of day (or night).”
Each product in the GLO range has been designed to enhance a natural tan, work in conjunction with Bondi Sands’ existing range, or be worn alone. The line up is made up of:
GLO MATTE ONE DAY TAN: this provides instant lustre and matte colour to skin. The skin perfecting formula can be used to top up natural or self-tans, or to contour the face and body with a bronzing brush.
GLO SHIMMER ONE DAY TAN is designed for that lit from within glow, and is infused with innovative light reflecting particles to highlight, giving a glistening bronzed finish. It can be buffed across the collarbone, cheekbones, eyelids and more, and even mixed in with foundation to give an all over, super delicate sheen to skin.
GLO GLOSS FINISHING GLOW can be worn on top of GLO Shimmer, GLO Matte or alone, and delivers both colour and texture to create a bronzed dewy-look.
Thus far I’ve tried applying GLO on my legs and arms using my Bondi Sands Tanning Mitt to make sure I get an even, streak-free finish, but when used on the face, the formulas are best applied with a makeup brush (although I haven't tried a Beauty Blender as yet). And like any faux glow, be sure to allow a few minutes for the product to absorb into skin before getting dressed. To remove, simply wash off with soap and water. Pretty cool, huh?
Bondi Sands brand-new GLO Matte One Day Tan, Shimmer One Day Tan and Gloss Finishing Glow, have an RRP of $22.99, and will be available at Unichem, Life Pharmacy and Farmers stores from August 2018.
Friday, July 20, 2018
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