When it comes to those in the know on the East Coast of the USA, essie is the only nail brand to be sporting, and for a plethora of good reasons. As well as being free of nasties and available in around 250 colours, it is also a company dedicated to correcting rather than masking problems from the wrist down, and has a team dedicated to creating a raft of products to help fix whatever ails you. One of those products is their much-applauded Ridge Filler, which is the East Coast woman’s base coat of choice for acrylics, gels and wraps.
Now available worldwide, it’s what you reach for when you need a solution to ridge-ridden nails, which can be caused by everything from radiation therapy to pregnancy. Many women suffering from ridged nails put off having a manicure as they don’t see the point, but one coat of this and you’re ready to face even the richest of shades.
So what does it do? Fills in all imperfections, leaving the nail surface smooth and ready for polish. This unique formula is great for artificial nails as well, and leaves the nail bed super smooth.
Dsquared² – you know you really wood!
One of the loveliest women I’ve met in my beauty travels is the co-founder of eco-conscious beauty brand Trilogy, Catherine de Groot. She and her sister Sarah discovered the near-magical powers of Rosehip Oil many moons ago, then used it as the basis of their now internationally renowned skincare brand. Now many women wouldn’t be without essentials such as their skin rejuvenating Certified Organic Rosehip Oil (right) and truly incredible Everything Balm, and they have just launched their newest plant-powered line, Trilogy Sensitive Skin, which provides soothing relief for sensitive skin. Catherine recently explained to Vogue that the Sensitive Skin line came out of a realization that sensitivity is a concern affecting thousands of people, including herself. The team at Trilogy realised that while there was a multitude of mineral oil based options to treat the condition, there were no obvious natural skincare solutions for sensitive skin.
My new Cire Trudon... a scent to die for!
So... how green really is green? Stay vigilant.
Just landed in New Zealand is the newest collection for LA make up giants Smashbox, called Heartbreaker. It launched in the US rather appropraitely on Valentine’s Day, and has a super cute, ultra pretty retro-tastic feel about it that I think will be a huge hit with followers of the brand. My favourites are the Roller Gloss in Pink Sugar which is straight out of a John Hughes’ movie, and the brand’s first ever fragrance (pictured above), simply called Heartbreaker. It’s heady with just the right amount of sweet, with Top Notes that include fragrant cloud rose and blue violet balanced out with hints of nutmeg, mace and clove.
Beautiful hair that slays me right now!
If you're a frequent visitor to healthy and beauty spas around the globe, you will know very well that not all are created equal. Some are awash with the sound of whale music and patchouli scented candles, whilst others are akin to a doctor's surgery, with a focus on getting you in the treatment room with minimal fuss, and getting the job done. The newly opened Spa Ayurda on my local Ponsonby Road (based in a large, airy villa opposite Rocket Kitchen) is quite a different beast indeed, seeking to “redefine the concept of spa for those of us who just see them as a place for getting pampered with relaxing facials and other beauty treatments”. In the words of its director Rippan Sandhu, Spa Ayurda is based on “5000 year old traditions of wellness and the principle that what we see happening on the outside - as in our skin and body - is a direct reflection of our inner self”. This basic principle is based on the ancient Indian science known as Ayurvedic medicine, which is known for its holistic approach to wellness and the simple desire to correct the cause of an illness or imbalance, rather than merely masking symptoms.
The spa director is proud to say that Spa Ayurda is the first spa in New Zealand to be based around the true traditions of Ayurveda, under the guidance of Australasia's most experienced Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Ajit. Dr. Ajit has been running a very successful Ayurvedic wellness centre in the Central Auckland suburb of Mount Eden for over fifteen 15 years, and has seen the medical aspects of Ayurvedic medicine help thousands of New Zealanders who have been battling various physical, mental and emotional problems. Planet Ayurveda has become a popular destination for those who have exhausted many other avenues in the path to complete wellness, and for those seeking to try something different from traditional Western medicine. Also Dr. Ajit's wife, the lovely Rippan Sandhu is driving force behind Spa Ayurda and is passionate about the differences an Ayurvedic approach can make to your skin. She and her husband developed their (now well known and very popular) Ayurda skin care range over seven years ago, and then went on to create accompanying signature spa treatments based on Ayurvedic principles and using products from their own range. These will all be offered at Ponsonby's Spa Ayurda by a team of well trained Ayurvedic beauty therapists who will be carrying out their roles under the rigourous eyes of Dr Ajit. The spacious, relaxing spa will offer unique, customised Ayurvedic facials, body rituals, highly effective body wraps and hand and feet rituals, as well as a plethora of other treatments which will leave its clients not just feeling pampered, but also relaxed and rejuvenated. Spa Ayurda will also offer wellness packages especially tailored to each client's needs, in the true nurturing spirit of Ayurveda.
A great hair day every day? Yes you can!
Depending on your hair type, a well executed, professional blow wave will probably last you between two and three days, then after a wash your locks will return to their former frazzled glory. Some women who really battle with their hair will book in two a week just to keep their spirits up, whilst a lot of us just wish the end result of a blow out will last just that little bit longer.
It seems that as of this month, our prayers have been answered! It's called a Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment, and it is being offered exclusively at Stephen Marr salons. Brand new to Stephen Marr and to New Zealand, Senior Stylist Simone Lawry at the Ponsonby salon is the professional leading the charge, and she's the woman to talk to if you think silky smooth, shiny, manageable hair that lasts three to four months long is what you've always dreamed of. In addition, the real beauty of it is that - unlike chemical straightening procedures - the more you have the treatment done, the better it is for your hair.
So what exactly is this Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment, and how does it work? Designed by US hair stylist Peter Coppola, it is essentially an all natural, Keratin- based treatment that penetrates the outer cuticle layer of your hair. It is not permanent like chemical straightening, which grows out to reveal once-more frizzy roots. Instead, it slowly wears out, so your hair will slowly get more movement and curl over time. As an added bonus, it also reduces drying time and makes it easier for you to style your hair. The treatment is applied to dry, freshly shampooed hair and left to process for thirty minutes. Next, it is blow dried and carefully flat ironed, which takes the majority of the time that you're in the salon. You will leave looking damn near impeccable (like Miss Poly, above), and amazingly, will continue to do so for quite some time. All clients are given an After Care Program card to take home and follow, and it would be in your best interest to pick up some bottles of Lucy Marr's Sans range shampoo and conditioner, which are sulfate-free and therefore will prolong the life of the treatment yet again.
And then? Your time in the salon is only half the treatment's processing time. You cannot get your hair wet or let any moisture into it for 72 hours as it can effect the ongoing process of the keratin “attaching itself” to your hair. This means no getting caught in the rain, washing your hair or gym workouts. Once the 72 hours are up you are free to wash and style your now spectacular hair however you desire.
Massage: the benefits of, and how I love!
- Increased circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
- The it stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems ie. it improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.
- It reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level. Massge means a more comfortable workout, so you’re going to do it more.
- It releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
- It reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
A highly respected hair stylist and all round great lady, Louise Pilkington is the owner of Servilles salon on Ponsonby Road near my home. She has also been named as the Redken Creative Director at the upcoming iD Dunedin fashion event in the city of the same name, and recently returned from New York Fashion Week, where she worked on the Marc Jacobs show (pictured) as part of the Redken team. All of this makes her a great person to quiz about the upcoming hair trends going into the Southern Hemisphere Winter, as well as how the bejesus to fix that all-too-familiar post-Summer frazzle.
First up, going into winter the average person is going to have damaged hair. What is the quickest way to repair that damage? It is definitely too late for prevention!
An effective way to repair damaged hair is definitely with in-salon conditioning treatments as this process keeps hair healthy. A new, fresh style from your stylist is also a great idea going into Winter as this will get rid of unhealthy ends, give you a new look and will help to keep with the formal style of Winter fashion.
Summer was all about long, beachy, wavy, "mermaid" hair. Is long still a great option for winter?
It completely depends on the person. If you are a person who likes to change your style a lot and likes to evolve with fashion, I would suggest going back to or sticking with short hair as you can team shorter hair with the latest styles easier. However, if you do wear your hair long, long is always going to be in fashion – it will never go out! The look for long hair in Winter is more polished and groomed with tongs and hot rollers whereas long hair in summer was more casual. Therefore long hair is still hot for winter however the look is more groomed.
A skincare brand that has no exfoliants or night creams in its stable, but still gets incredible results? That'll be Dr. Hauschka, one of the world's most famous organic brands that has loyal followers all over the world despite its refusal to follow trends. It's fans talk about it with an almost cult-like reverence, and after over ten years in the business of writing about beauty it's a brand that I never stop hearing about as one of the best in its field.
Janet Southern is the New Zealand face of the brand, and has been with the company for over ten years. She is as passionate as it gets about the great work that their products do, not to mention a wealth of information about how to achieve - and hold on to - a skincare regime that actually works for your skin. The first thing I ask her is about this “no night cream” business - what is the thinking behind that? The manufacture of expensive night creams and serums is how many a brand makes its bread and butter! “While you sleep your skin is actually hard at work regenerating itself, balancing oil production and expelling impurities,” she explains, “but the constant application of night creams interferes with these important tasks, and over time skin becomes less able to care for itself.” She adds that layering on moisturiser 24 hours a day sends a signal to sebaceous glands to cut down on moisture production, resulting in even drier skin that becomes dependent on moisturising products just to appear “normal.” Hardly the ideal situation, but one that keeps many women out of pocket as they burn through one pot of gold after another.
“It is best to be taught properly how to use the range as a lot of its efficacy is down to the rituals involved with applying the product,” says Janet, who recommends a trip to a registered Hauschka spa for a thorough consultation before you buy. “So much of what makes it work is about technique,” she adds, “and getting your head around a different way of thinking about your skin.” Another example of the brand's unique approach is the presence of no harsh exfoliants in the range “that will disrupt the skin's protective outer layer or the pH of the skin. Our products leave the skin feeling comfortable after cleansing, and don't give you that tight feeling that so many people immediately assume is a good thing.” It's all about removing excess dirt, oil and makeup without disturbing the skin's natural line of defence. Soaps, scrubs and exfoliants can strip your face of this natural protection, resulting in dry, irritated skin and premature signs of ageing.