Leather Effect Nails

Darlings, if you haven't heard of the leather nails trend yet, you are well-behind time. Nails Inc is launching their leather look polish in two shades (NoHo) and Tan (Soho Mews) as part of the new Bling it on Leather & Skulls kits. The kits will include a leather effect polish and skull embellishments to create a truly striking look. The polish applies glossy but dries to a chic leather look texture without the need for top coat.

This is definitely the most expected trend for next season, with a waiting list of more than 700 people. Nails Inc Leather & Skulls previews with Selfridges, Selfridges.com and nailsinc.com on 13th December and nationwide on 20th December. I have just joined their waiting list and so can you. It seems that 2013 will be rocking.

Jonathan Aston introduces Legacy

It truly became chilly in London now and since my entire wardrobe consists mostly of dresses, Jonathan Aston's stockings have been a life saver these last couple of days.  Jonathan's new collection 'Legacy' is coming to stores in January 2013 and is inspired by sports styling, urban architecture and the British street style. The ‘Legacy’ collection is powerful and colourful. Geometric colour blocking and contrast panels give the range a strong, dangerous edge. Wear yours with a structured black dress to make your hosiery the statement piece in your outfit or clash colours and prints for a daring yet stylish look. 
Cannot wait for January!

Spa Trends in the UK

Stress and ageing are revealed as our top concerns when visiting a spa, but when it comes to looking younger and keeping calm we can alleviate both by simply keeping our bodies hydrated.  So advise the UK’s leading spa managers and therapists as revealed in the 2013 UK Spa Trend Report compiled by luxury spa skincare house [ comfort zone ]. The Report identified the following areas of growth within UK spas.

Water-full Facials - UK spa therapists named dehydration as the biggest skincare problem they see and as a result there has been a surge in the number of professional treatments and skincare products delivering hydration.

The Energy Shot - Spas say their relaxation rooms are busier than they have ever been with many spa guests falling asleep for hours at a time.  This has lead to spas introducing more secluded sleep facilities that range from warming veiled tepidariums and therapeutic waterbeds to outdoor hanging pods in the fresh air. To counter tiredness, spas have been introducing more uplifting and revitalising body treatments incorporating energising ingredients such as spirulina (known as the algae of life) and essential oils to overcome anxiety such as ginger, lemon and eucalyptus.

DIY Spa - First it was express treatments, next is DIY Spa.  For a time poor, budget conscious generation we’re choosing to spa at our own pace.  ‘Use of facilities’ is included free of charge in most spa packages and many people are taking advantage of this by making full use of the heat and ice experiences on offer.

Luxury Organic - Organic products are voted as being big in spas for 2013.  However, we’re talking luxury organic products that not only deliver exceptional skincare results but can also compete with the top retail products on shelf.

Apothecary Spa - As we live longer, spa is playing its part in helping us to maintain healthier lives by becoming a complete lifestyle package.  With this comes the arrival of apothecary style brands to complement health, fitness and nutrition programmes.  These apothecary brands offer both dietary supplements and topical skincare treatments to improve body functions and healthy skin working from the inside out and outside in.

The Myth of Baobab

Baobab-Colada made by Shaka Zulu's Bar Manager , Tony Safqi (photo by George Torode)

I've been invited to a lovely event celebrating the Baobab tree - the source of natural wellbeing and general health. Aduna, an Africa-inspired premium health and beauty brand, is now bringing the vibrancy of Africa to the rest of the world. Its first ‘Feel Good Fruit’ range allows everyone to enjoy the benefits of baobab as part of their daily diet.  

At a fabulous London venue, Shaka Zulu, we discovered how Aduna has made this pure, nutritious fruit pulp available as a loose powder or as convenient single-serve stick packs; ideal for adding to foods such as smoothies, juices, yogurts or cereal. Capsules are also available for on-the-go.  

With one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any fruit in the world1, it’s easy to see why Africa’s iconic baobab is being hailed as the next big super fruit. It contains over twice the antioxidants per gram of goji berries and more than blueberries and pomegranates combined.

Aduna’s goal is to establish baobab as a world-famous superfruit and drive the creation of a new industry for rural Africa, which experts estimate at a potential $1 billion. Ten per cent of Aduna’s profits will be invested in social innovation projects via the Aduna Foundation.

If you are interested to know more about Baobab, see Aduna's co-founder Andrew Hunt's speech at IHT Luxury 2012:

Lingerie, Lingerie, Lingerie

"How to Marry a Millionaire" by Gilda and Pearl

They say it’s not what's on the outside but on the inside that counts and Lingerie PR have certainly taken this to heart. Lady Chartwell was thrilled to be invited to a press day at Lingerie PR's new showroom last week, mainly because one can never spend too much time with the lovely Sherece, Emily, Primrose and Emma but also because it meant a chance to get up close and personal with new and future lines of irresistible lingerie.

After the gorgeous Lingerie Française exhibition we got a taste for lace that was wholly satisfied by contemporary classic brand Gilda and Pearl. Dainty, delicate yet wearable designs in luxe fabrics this brand is perfectly suited for the lady who has perfected the art of class from top to toe. In particular the aptly named 'How to Marry a Millionaire' caught our eye with its demure blush pink silk but flirtatious contrast lace overlay, an understated but powerful player for the boudoir.

For adorable everyday lingerie that’s guaranteed to put a smile on tour face whenever you remember you've got it on, Affinitas and Parfait are the brands to look out for: candy colours and pretty little detailing combine to make these pieces oh so feminine and fun.

Retro glamour is always in style and two of Lingerie PR's brands have it down to a tee: Tatu Couture's alluring designs are made for unleashing your inner temptress and giving those of us less adventurous girls the chance to see their skin transformed by classic tattoo designs. Mesh, straps and lace - black of course - and body contouring cuts make for a truly tantalising collection from the fledgling brand; on the flip side of retro glamour, Dentelle emulates the cheeky pin-up that has come to be known as one of the most iconic images of femininity with longline bralets and high-waisted knickers, the secret weapons of hourglass girls looking to flaunt their best assets.

A few too many cupcakes, a lot of lingerie talk and a good few hours later and it was time to say goodbye to the gorgeous collections and girls at Lingerie PR - make sure to keep an eye out for their SS13 lines in the new year! You owe it to your inside image.

By Maddie Saunders

Ainhoa Pop-Up Beauty Spa

Fabulous news for all ladies in need of facials and in search for new beauty brands and christmas shopping ideas. Luxury skincare brand Ainhoa made its UK debut on 7 November 2012 when it opened a pop-up spa on the magnificent Grand Terrace at St.Pancras International. Ainhoa City Spa will be open from Monday to Saturday until the end of January 2013, and you can book yourself a free treatment anytime (see details below).

This is a UK first. The Spanish skincare brand is available at destination hotels in more than 30 countries worldwide, however the City Spa at St.Pancras International is the first time the skincare products will be sold direct to customers in the UK. On sale will be over 20 diverse ranges of Ainhoa’s award winning skincare, bodycare and make-up products, including the first CC Cream to launch in the UK.

To book a free treatment call Ahinoa City Spa: 0207 843 7683.

Juniper Sling by Penhaligon's London

Darlings, I have discovered the most intoxicating new fragrance inspired by none other than London Dry Gin. Created for Penhaligon's by master perfumer Olivier Cresp, Juniper Sling is a playful, chilled and mysterious homage to the bright young things of London's roaring twenties.

For enigmatic boys and girls, Juniper Sling is a crisp cocktail shot of gin with the freshness of juniper, cool measures of angelica and brandy and a beating libertine heart of black pepper, cardamom, soft leather and orris. A gourmand base of brown sugar, black cherry and amber add sensuality to the scent.

I advise you apply this one liberally and drink in.

Dr. Hauschka's Rose Oil from Ethiopia

With sustainability at the core of its business Dr. Hauschka has invested in another project, this time in Ethiopia, establishing a biodynamic resource for rose essential oil, the heart of its skincare line. 

Seven years ago, Ethiopian farmer Fekade Lakew joined forces with WALA (Dr. Hauschka's parent company) and began cultivating Damask roses in keeping with the principles of biodynamic agriculture. This year, Fekade distilled the first batch of essential rose oil, which was also the very first in Africa to achieve organic quality. 

The benefit of growing roses in Ethiopia, near the equator, is that the lifespan of the bloom increases sustainability, giving farmers twice the time to harvest and requiring fewer pickers, who can often still be employed after the usual season has finished. 

Every year, Dr. Hauschka sells over 1 million tubes of its famous Rose Day Cream. With more than one thousand single pink Damask Rose petals used to create each single product, Rose Day Crema has become a cult classic, famous for its brilliant results and as a hit with celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Imogen Poots and Georgie Jagger.

Get the Wavy Lady Look

Add a touch of 1930s glamour to your tresses with some vintage-style waves this season. This look is salon created by applying a setting lotion to freshly cleansed and conditioned hair, then setting on large rollers and drying under a hood drier. But it’s also a look which can be created at home by setting on large Velcro rollers, or if you are dextrous when using them – double-barrelled tongs. Lovely stylists at Haringtons Hairdressing shared their secret with me.

TO STYLE AT HOME

Step 1

Apply a setting agent (such as tecni.art pli) to day-old hair to give it ‘guts’ and help set the waves in place. If using hot rollers, use a heat protective spray too, followed by a setting agent of your choice.

Step 2

Using a Denman pin-tail comb, divide hair into sections (the finer the section, the greater the curl) and wind around Velcro or hot rollers.

Step 3

Once completely dry, brush hair through using the Denman Classic Brush, creating your favoured wave by moulding hair into shape using both the brush and your hands. Finish with a light hold spray.

Voila, all done and ready for fabulous Christmas parties.

Russie Blanche in K West Spa

Spa brand, Russie Blanche adored by Kirsten Dunst, has launched a beautiful Cranberry Banya Ritual at the K West Spa to boost the immune system and promote energy over the long dark winter months.

Prestigious spa brand, Russie Blanche introduces this specialist Banya ritual to boost the immune system, fight stress and increase energy whilst simultaneously providing a surge of comfort and hydration to rescue chaotic winter skin. This combines the NEW nourishing and anti-oxidant rich, Cranberry treatment with the signature adaptogeneous plant Russian remedies.    

Russie Blanche’s key ingredients, used at every stage, are powerful Adaptageneous Plants: Siberian Ginseng and Siberian Golden Root, used for centuries in Russian Medicine.  The potency and benefits were officially recognized by Russian Scientist Dr Lazarev, for their ability to increase the body’s resistance to stresses, from various illnesses through to everyday stress and tension.  It’s been unveiled as a secret medicine used by Russian astronauts and military.  Today, their usage has extended to leading politicians and Olympic Athletes …warding off stresses to maintain optimal performance.  

Russie Blanche has just been awarded prize of ‘Niche Brand Award’ at the Beauty Challenger Awards 2012, complementing the treatment and products for its creativity and originality.  Fans of Russie Blanche include Anna Kounrnakova and Catherine Jenkins.

Darlings, it sounds like the must have winter treatment!

Joy for the World - Heaven for Your Skin

For Christmas 2012, Carol Joy London has created two exclusive 'his and hers' luxury beauty sets. This range os skin and hair products is renowned for its anti-ageing properties. Made up of highly effective and luxurious ingredients including Micronised Diamond Dust, Golden Millet Seed Oil, Collagen Boosters and Cell Guard, all proven to leave the skin radiant, renewed and repaired.

Carol Joy London Christmas Stocking is beautifully packaged in a limited edition velvet stocking with a festive gold motif, this set contains five essential products from the range, infused with the IV Ever Complex, the camerstone ingredients of Carol Joy London, to cleanse, lift and pamper.

Christmas at Elemental Herbology

This lush gift set from Elemental Herbology is definitely going straight onto my Christmas Shopping list. We all like to indulge ourselves with great skin care products, and these two, Body Wash and Body Cream, will be the perfect gift for yourself or any of your friends.

Neroli & Rose Damask Body Wash is a SLS-free body wash infused with pure Orange Flower Water, Evening Primrose and Rose Oil and will gently cleanse, purify and nourish dry skin, while the Neroli & Rose Damask Body Cream is infused with pure Rose Damask Water and will restore optimum moisture and soothe sensitive skin. Isn't this a great combo!

Raw Gaia - Natural & Organic

Natural and organic food trends have been teaching us how to live healthier lives for years now. The same trend has been surging to the surface on the beauty industry. Raw Gaia is one of the natural and organic skin brands, which does wonders for your skin au naturel. I asked them what makes them special, and here are some of their unique points, which set them aside from others:

1. All products are luxuriously pre-wrapped with rose buds, paper fibres and folded into purple paper to make you feel special.
2. 95% of Raw Gaia products are raw and cold pressed/cold extracted to retain all essential compounds.
3. Raw Gaia products include just 100% pure and organic cold pressed oils, floral waters, natural butters, essential oils, etc.
4. All products are hand-made, vegan and cruelty free.
5. Raw Gaia products can be bought in trial sizes.

If you are new to organic beauty products or you have been using them for years, Raw Gaia is a must try - start with the trail size and see for yourself. 

ESPA in Monte-Carlo goes Greek

News from my favourite town - Monte-Carlo: on 15^th November 2012, Métropole ESPA Monte-Carlo, the only ESPA in France, will reopen its doors to guests and non-residents. The spa has been closed whilst the pool area and the new Joël Robuchon restaurant are being renovated by the world’s most renowned fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The spa below the first floor will reopen with a new selection of bespoke treatments inspired by the Ancient Greek Mythology theme chosen by Karl Lagerfeld to renovate the above premises.

The Métropole ESPA Monte-Carlo, designed by Jacques Garcia, will introduce in addition to the existing selection, a variety of treatments from a new Grecian inspired menu aimed at both men and women and designed to relax and rejuvenate. Using luxurious ingredients the range will present the perfect combination of personalisation, relaxation and long-lasting results. All treatments will be carried out within the spa’s beautifully appointed rooms, each designed to create a peaceful environment whilst ensuring guests’ absolute privacy.  

Four signature treatment packages await guests at Métropole ESPA Monte-Carlo: Eros, Hercules, Neptune, Hera (see their website for details).

Grossmith Black Label

I have been honoured to attend a fabulous launch of Grossmith new Black Label Collection of perfumes, consisting of 4 unisex fragrances: Floral Veil, Amelia, Golden Chypre and Saffron Rose. 

Each very different to the others, my favourite has to be the Floral Veil - a vibrant fragrance opening with citrus notes, providing an attractive contrast to the rich floral heart of Geranium, Rose, Ylan, Tuberose and Vanilla orchid. The composition of Floral Veil rests on a warm, smooth base of Casmeran, Amber and Musk. 

Golden Chypre has much more spice to it, with the notes of Cardamom and Nutmeg and a base in Woods, Amber and Musk, while Saffron Rose is the spiciest and most manly of all four with notes of exotic Myrrh, Oud Wood and Tabacco - very oriental. 

Amelia is the most feminine of the bunch, with Rose, Jasmine and Amber, which create an elegant and soft fragrance, dedicated to Amelia Brooke (born Grossmith), daughter of the founder of the Grossmith house.

The Black Label Collection is available in Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Les Senteurs and Bloom Perfumery in London. A truly amazing collection just in time for Christmas shopping. Hint: Search for their Christmas Black Label box of 3.

The Mindful Massage

It is getting darker earlier every day and as we work towards the end of this year, I do think we need to relax from our busy schedules in order to give our families and friends the best Us as possible during the holiday season. I came across an exciting new way of massage/meditation, which will increase your wellbeing and forget the stress. 

Soho’s exclusive fitness and lifestyle hub, TheThird Space Medicine is offering a treatment like no other, The Mindful Massage, based on the research of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Mark Williams. An hour-long treatment guiding your body into an ocean of physical and mental tranquility.

Unlike other massages, Mindful Massage gives you an added twist. You will be guided through progressive relaxation and awareness of breath into a deeply meditative state entering a blissful moment of presence.

Mindful Meditation is an evolving approach in reducing stress and stress related illness. It is also a way to increase our emotional stability, working smarter, be more creative, focused, and increases our wellbeing, happiness and resilience. It can be practised in everyday activities and allows us to reconnect with our body, our innate ability to relax, be calm and enjoy ourselves right now.

Be your own beautician with Tua Tre'nd

Tina Richards is a leading anti-ageing and skin care company that provides effective, anti-ageing products to the market backed by the company founder Tina Richards, who is one of the leading anti-ageing and skin care experts.

Latest trend in the beauty industry is make-it-yourself non-surgical treatments, where devices used in professionals salons are adapted for the use of the end consumer. Tua Tre’nd uses salon professional microcurrent technology to lift and tone the face and neck for a younger looking you.

Tua Tre’nd was inspired by professional luxury salon treatments and was developed with the intention of providing users with a professional grade beauty tool that can be used at home and which allows the user the flexibility to have professional facial treatments when they want.

Benefits of using Tua Tre'nd are lifted and toned face and neck, improved collagen and elastin stimulation, reduced lines, wrinkles and facial sagginess, reduced appearance in under eye bags, dark circle and eye puffiness, and many others.

For more information contact Tina Richards LTD. 

Pure Peel Mask

New Bakel Pure Peel Exfoiliating Mask contains a unique balance of 100% active ingredients to firm, lift and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Moisture drenched mask delivers effective and instant results allowing the skin to appear brighter and more luminous after a combination of fruit-acid exfoliation in a gel mask form. Fading out age spots and hyper-pigmentation the product also works to tame inflamed and acne prone skin. The treatmenr process saves hours in the doctors chair and regular visits to cosmetic surgeons, irs your very own natural skincare saviour peel in a bottle. 

Skin Health Spa

Skin Health Spa has been at the forefront of cosmetic treatments since 1999. With clinics based in Birmingham (Dorridge), Manchester, Leamington Spa, London (Marylebone and the City) and Cheshire (Nantwich), Skin Health Spa is the go-to destination for innovative beauty treatments. 

My favourite treatment, which makes me feel like a celebrity, is their Ultimate Facial package, including Microdermabrasion Treatment, Balancing Enzyme Facial Treatment, Transderm Treatment and finishes off with a light facial massage. This package is the perfect gift for your skin to rejuvenate it, treat lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and other skin problems you might face. 

Burberry Body Crystal Baccarat Edition

Burberry are launching a perfect collectors item, just in time for Christmas hint hint Mr Chartwell, launching  the Burberry Body Crystal Baccarat Edition - the ultimate embodiment of the sensual and feminine fragrance. What is even more precious is that the limited edition series of 156 individually numbered bottles, each celebrate a year of Burberry history since its foundation in 1856. The scent is rich and feminine with top note of rose essence to itensify the heart note of iris. 

This beauty gem of the year will be available exclusively in select Burberry stores from November 2012.