Ain't Them Bodies Saints After Party - Ciroc Vodka

AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS AFTER PARTY

HOSTED BY CÎROC ULTRA-PREMIUM VODKA 

  Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Harvey Weinstein and CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka hosted the glamorous after party for the premiere of the Ain’t Them Bodies Saints film at Nikki Beach.

To celebrate the launch of their new film in Cannes, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara flocked with friends to Nikki Beach to celebrate their international success and achievement on the film that is tipped to be nominated in the next year’s Academy Awards.

The film, set in the 1970s, which tells a romantic American story of three people on various sides of the law was a huge success at Sundance and Cannes this year, giving the cast members all the more reason to celebrate their achievements in the ultra-glamorous surroundings of Nikki Beach.

Partygoers were entertained by magicians and a wandering saxophonist while they enjoyed a range of innovative CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka cocktails and canapés. Casey showcased his hidden talents as he took over the magic show and wowed his fellow guests with intricate card tricks. Casey was the man of the hour, constantly surrounded by friends who had all come to support him in his latest feature film. 

Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara looked striking as always as she sipped a CÎROC Rocks cocktail with a slicked back up do and dramatic smokey eyes, wearing a white silk blouse and high-waisted black pencil skirt with peep-toe stilettos. Accompanied by a mystery man in a black cap who was on ‘handbag watch’, Rooney made her rounds graciously, socialising with the industry folk but always making sure to catch his attention from across the room.

In true Hollywood form, Harvey Weinstein made an appearance at the party for his new film and made a bee-line for the delicious sushi platters on offer before going to congratulate his stars on their huge success.

The CÎROC bash provided a haven from the torrential downpour that took over the French Riviera as guests basked in the warm glow that radiated from the stunning Nikki Beach venue while sipping CÎROCS, CÎROCAIPI, CÎROCOSMOS, CÎROC Cuban.

 Cannes, 18^th May 2013 

Idris Elba & Tanqueray Gin

Last Night Idris Elba and Tanqueray Gin saluted the revival of gin drinking in the UK by creating a “modern take” on the iconic London gin palace, originally inspired founder Charles Tanqueray back in the 1830s.

To celebrate Idris Elba and Tanqueray Gin welcomed Rosario Dawson, Jasmine Guinness, Camilla Rutherford, Olivia Inge, Hugo Taylor and Jade Parfitt to have an exclusive sneak preview at the new iconic Gin Palace situated in a shop setting in Covent Garden’s Floral Street.  The Gin Palace will be open its doors the public on the 27^th and 28^th March.

Irdris Elba 

Guests were welcomed by actor and man of the moment Idris Elba for a VIP launch evening of tasty Tanqueray® London Dry Gin cocktails. Once all attendees were in place, Idris toasted the night with a ‘lightning’ serve – the old slang term to describe a ‘dram’ of gin – before jumping behind the bar for an impromptu cocktail lesson from the world’s best bartenders who had united at the Gin Palace.

Idris or as some of his music fans may know him as DJ Big Driis  revealed that he had jetted in from Miami only this morning. He said that he is ‘hoping that the weather clears up quickly as he is planning to go white water rafting in Wales over the Easter weekend’.

Rosario Dawson, Idris Elba & Olivia Grant 

As the gin cocktails flowed model Olivia Inge took inspiration from the Tanqueray Gin Palace and took to the piano and started to sing into the microphone the official Tanqueray song ‘Tonight, Downtown’ recorded originally by Aloe Black before launching into ‘I’ve Got a Brand New Combine Harvester’.

Jasmin Guinness & Jade Parfitt 

Fashion model Jade Parfitt was seen drinking delicious gin cocktails with fellow fashion friend Jasmine Guinness who was keeping fashion in the family by sporting one of her sister’s iconic Lulu Guinness ‘Lip’ bags.

Lady Chartwell meets Grey Goose - by appointment

If taste is a science, then flavour is an art form and Grey Goose has exquisitely mastered both for its Taste by Appointment event. Chartwell were cordially invited to just one of the events being held across London at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, an understated venue that works a certain industrial chic. Greeted upon arrival by a Grey Goose Le Fizz concoction to cleanse the palette before the taste tests, also offered round were a selection of canapés to represent the five different areas of taste. Joe from Grey Goose, an enthused and passionate bartender spoke to the room in fantastic detail about the research that the brand have been doing with the Reading University Taste institute to really understand the experience of taste, aroma and flavour. Once the room had participated in a blind experiment to demonstrate taste, trolleys were brought out with Grey Goose Original, La Poire and L’Orange as well as a host of other popular and unusual mixers and guests were invited to experiment with different mixtures to find their taste. All these experiments culminated in the crown of the evening, the personal, bespoke Grey Goose cocktail. The dapper Joe who had spoken so passionately about the sensation of taste mixed each guest his or her own unique cocktail specifically taking into account their preferences and their usual drink of choice. The outcome for Chartwell was exquisite with Joe creating a Grey Goose and ginger ale cocktail with coriander, fresh ginger and ground black pepper muddled in as well as a dash of white grapefruit juice and a host of other finishing touches. A cocktail that suitably reflected the evening with Grey Goose: refreshing, unusual yet unsurprisingly refined.
Explore your own taste with GreyGoose Masterclasses here: http://www.greygoosetaste.com/

By Maddie Saunders - guest blogging for Chartwell Magazine.

Aromatherapy Associates Facial

It is difficult to describe the utter comfort and super-human results that come as standard with an Aromatherapy Associates treatment - you'd need the tactile equivalent of smelly telly just to get started. But I'll do my best… 

So, the nice thing about an AA treatment is that you're not backed into a corner when you book weeks in advance by having to specify your chosen ritual. Instead, you talk through exactly how your skin has been feeling and behaving over the past few days on arrival, highlighting areas of concern for your therapist to focus on. It means the treatment is totally bespoke and you don't waste time having a mask, massage or melt (tenuous, I know) that frankly your skin doesn't need. 

Obviously, the whole experience is simply divine. But what really tickled my fancy, darlings, is the magical bed. With its sumptuous duvet and squiggly mattress, it feels more like you might be going for a nap than a treatment. And it just keeps getting better. Inexplicably, the bed forms the perfect wiggle underneath you in the exact shape your body secretly craved without even telling you. You begin to wonder how you've ever before been comfortable without this robbo-bed. This is a see (or feel)-it-to-believe-it jobby. 

Aside from the genuinely results-driven treatment (my blemishes have literally packed their bags and left since my deep-clean facial yesterday), the whole experience is all about the details. You're treated to any number of upper-body massages, from head and shoulders to hands and arms, maximising your time as a treatment mask sets. And once in the post-treatment vanity room, there are ghds, hairdryers, and massive mirrors - it'd be rude not to preen! 

We tried out our technical expertise and booked through wahanda.com, which is an online interactive directory for where to go and what to do. Kind of like Facebook for beauty. Fabulous.

T: 020 7838 1117, www.wahanda.com.

What's in my beach bag?

I have arrived in sunny Spain darlings, and the weather is fabulous. But with a stonking 30 degrees of heat from 10am (phew!), I've been searching for the creme de la creme of sunscreen. Thus far, top of my list is Clarins Sun Control Stick SPF30, which is super handy and won't wreak havoc at the airport in your hand luggage. I'm also loving (read: slathering on) Ultrasun once-a-day SPF30. It's the easiest ever to apply, and re-application is VERY infrequent. And finally, for when I fancy a gentle jog with Mr C, I'm reaching for my Lancaster sweat, water and generally any nasties-resistant SPF20. The tan is progression nicely, sans burn. Stay tuned for other holiday must-haves...

Clarins Eau Dynamisante 25th anniversary

Legendary super-scent (read: fragrance that doubles as a body treatment – genius) Clarins Eau Dynamisante is 25 years young this year. 

And what better way to celebrate her quarter-centurian than with a bit of sparkle?

The signature blend of 14 derm-friendly aromatic essential oils is now available in limited edition 100ml sparkle bottle, £29.  

The multi-tasking scent inspired Clarins' original Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year Wards, which recognises exceptional British women who work with underprivilidged children around the world. 

Wholesome and sparkly? Now that’s our kind of anniversary. 

Mazel tov, Clarins!

ONCA trial results

Darlings, I promised I would tell you how I got on with ONCA. And since yours truly always delivers, here goes..

The thing with ONCA, though, is that it's very difficult to measure. I didn't loose inches, run a marathon, or grow my hair past my knees. What I did notice, however, was a feeling of extreme well-being. Things that I hadn't noticed before suddenly became noticable by their absense. I no longer felt the constant ache of fatigue, for example, My nails felt stronger (or was that just my imagination?!), and the inevitable 4pm bloat never came.

ONCA is the sort of supplement that could happily co-exist in your daily life, along-side any other supplements you choose to take. It is not as concentrated or as results-driven as a detox, but the anti-oxidant benefits are similar.

I really think seeing (or indeed feeling, in this case) is believing - give it a go, darlings. Think of it like Berocca, but without the fluorescent wee..

And if you don't see results, at least you can say you've been one of 3,000 try-ees..

REGAL arrives at Daniel Galvin

Uber-chic hair and beauty salon Daniel Galvin has announced that it is the exclusive new home for the latest generation of spray-tan know-how. 

LDN:SKINS introduced their tanning range earlier this year, and has built a well-deserved rep for delivering natural-looking colour, thanks to a delectable formula that is free of all the usual tanning pit-falls: it is organic, smell-less, and paraben-free.

The REGAL is is a sophisticated booth that delivers a soft mist of tanning spray, designed for optimum coverage and natural tone. And the best part? Like all LDN:SKINS products, the colour adapts to match your skin tone. So, no orange. No green. Just tan. 

Why did no-one think of this before?


We had a one-to-one with tanning guru Carole, who whipped our pasty pins into shape. Post-guide colour wash-off, the tan is natural - kind of like us but airbrushed. We like!

Conrad Hotels & Resorts personalised toiletries menu

Picture the scene. You retire to your bathroom to indulge aching limbs after a hideous day. You run a hot, indulgent bath (avec candles and sans man. Obviously.) You reach for the bubbles and *groan* - they've given you that frightful brand you just can’t stand. 

Sound familiar? 

Of course it does. Taste is a personal thing - there is many a brand on Lady C’s black list (although of course one would simply never divuldge the contents, darling). 

But fear not, hotel-goers - a solution has finally been offered by our friends at Conrad. The luxury Hotels and Resorts chain have announced a new service for the hotel guest who craves everything: personalised toiletries. 

Prior to check-in, guests will be able to choose from a pre-arrival menu, from the selection of Aromatherapy Associates, Shanghai Tang, and Tara Smith. 

So whether you have sensitive skin, have gone organic, or simply want the luxury of choice – this replaces the need to lug around a weighty vanity in your luggage. 

Happy bathing! 

Selfridges launch MAC on 3

Fashion hub Selfridges is launching a new fashion-cum-beauty experience with a sleek, urban MAC showcase space on the third floor. 

Breaking away from the traditional counter space on Selfridges’ ground floor Beauty Hall, the inivotive cosmetic brand will provide the perfect synergy between fashion and beauty shopping, taking you that bit closer to the high-octane atmosphere backstage at London Fashion Week. 

The space will offer fully interactive services, including eyelash application, tutorials, and make-up applications by appointment (choose from bridal, express or standard), as well as walk-in demos and product purchase. 

The aim is to really engage customers and get them involved in the process. MAC has always been the go-to brand for professional make-up artists (I defy you to find one that wouldn’t sell their soul for the quick-fix that is MAC Face & Body), and that world just became approachable. 

“MAC has always brought a cutting edge make-up service to the consumer straight from the runway” says MAC’s head Make-up Artist Terry B. “MAC’s heritage is firmly rooted in fashion and beauty and this new location is the perfect environment to give our customers an outstanding beauty offering”. 

It’s everything that make-up has been missing – bespoke, personal, and totally individual – all hail MAC on 3!

The Goring Hotel London Via The World menu

The phrase “keeping up with the Jonses” has gained a few extra syllables of late. There’s a new name on the block and you may even have heard of them: they’re called The Middletons. 

And as the Kate Effect gathers steam (you must have noticed the impromtue popularity of nude L. K. Bennetts and Reiss wrap dresses), we hear it has spread to even the hotelier world. 

Selected as the Duchess’ pre-nuptial bed, the quintessentially English Goring Hotel has been out firmly on-the-map by K-Middy’s stay. Think the Princess and the Pea: it is an accolade and a half. 

So it was only a matter of time before the historic 5-star-er (FYI it is the only one still owned by its founding family) capitalised on it. 

They’ve teamed up with uber-luxe bathing specialists Molton Brown, to create London Via The World. The menu is inspired by the brand’s new Global Heroes MMXII collection of five body washes, each based on an exotic location from China to Madagascar. 

From 15th July – 15th September, hotel guests can visit their destination au choix  (via their bathtub), thanks to the services of a Goring Bath Butler who will draw their decadent bubble bath avec special destination-themed cocktail, all by flickering candle-light.

And if you must leave the tub (although we simply cannot fathom why you would), take the travel-sized Global Heroes Collection, £36, with you. 

Maybe Mr. C can play Bath Butler?

Lara Bohinc unveils Lydia Hearst for new campaign

 Who on earth is qualified to front an international campaign for a brand so synonymous with luxury that Sam-Cam gifted it to the First Lady of the United States?

Why the international Crème de la crème supermodels, of course.

Lydia Hearst (crowned International Supermodel of 2008, no less) has been announced as the face of Lara Bohinc’s latest fine jewellery palladium collection.

In a pleasing urban-meets-rural collaboration, the super-luxe 5-piece collection (cuff, choker, earrings, ring and pendant) takes inspiration from both the architectural shapes of London’s skyline (the campaign’s backdrop) and natural constructions such as spider webs and trees.

The best part? The weightlessly strong palladium metal allows several hundred diamonds and luminous south sea pearls to be displayed on each piece.

Swoon – we’ll take all five, please.

The collection will be sold exclusively at Harrods and Lara Bohinc

Lady C talks to the pros

A vibrant pop of lip / cheek / eye colour may look like hard graft to perfect, but according to the NARS backstage stying team, statement make-up is a doddle compared to nailing the no-make-up make-up trend. A flawless face will never betray a high maintenance regime – your best compliment should be “who is your facialist”, not “who did your make-up”.

A look that screams au natural even if you’re wearing more slap than ever before? How on earth does one achieve that fabled “dewy” skin without straying into the dreaded “shine” territory?

Trust in your Lady C, darlings, for I have done my homework.

Backstage at Christopher Kane, the models had their face massaged to increase blood circulation for a natural glow. But if you don’t have a masseuse to hand (and why-ever not?) NARS’ International Lead Stylist, Jane Richardson, suggests a mega-hydrating over-night mask the before a big event. Or get the pros in and indulge in Crème de la Mer’s The Facial at Urban Retreat, £120 for 60mins.

Next, choose your cosmetics wisely. Opting for brand continuity is a good idea, since varying proportions of oil and water can cause make-up to slip or “fall off” as you layer-up, which does not a natural look create.

Burberry’s latest cosmetic collection references the effortless elegant of the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2012 ready-to-wear, with colour limited to wearable English countryside hues, and an emphasis on matte, velvety textures. Think lightweight foundation, rich velvety eye shades, gently contoured cheeks, and natural dusky pink lips. They’ve done it all for you, really.

Top tip? Wendy Rowe, Burberry Beauty Artistic Consultant suggests applying foundation from the centre of the face, blending outwards, for truly natural coverage. Lady C fully endorses getting your fingers dirty for this – the skin on skin contact warms foundation, allowing it to blend more seamlessly. 

The Burberry collection isn’t available til August, so bide your time and brush up on application skills. And woe betide the unprepared come Autumn - this look is going to be huge!

New Digital Protein Treatment

Anyone can recreate the soft, sexy waves all over the Spring / Summer’s catwalks right? 

Wrong. 

Hair shaft damage - courtesy of over-zealous styling, humble brushing, and a whole host of other styling sins - can put paid to dreams of flowing those sexy, beachy waves seen at the likes of Isabel Marant, Calvin Klein and Givenchy.

But all is not lost. Lady C’s over served locks were treated to protein boost on Wednesday, thanks to the New Digital Protein Treatment at Mayfair's Eleven hair, £60. The treatment infuses the hair with conditioning proteins and leaves hair set into waves or curls (the choice is yours), which last between 3 and 5 days.

And last it does…

Day one

Day two

Day three

It’s curl-tastic, darlings!

Royal Ascot's annual Fashion Show gets underway

 Handbags at the ready, ladies: drenvy [read: dress envy] just hit the big-time.

12 perfectly coiffed and impeccably clothed girls are being unleashed to trot down the runway with frightening regularity as the annual Royal Ascot fashion show gets underway.

And just incase your Mr. C needs a touch of inspiration, 2 male models have been thoughtfully thrown in too. Swoon.

Fabulous frocks and the most haute of hats are sitting pretty atop the work of Akgun Manisali’s RMK make-up team, and fashion week regulars Toni & Guy.

Lady C has been putting her Bolly quaffing time to good use, and snapping the hottest looks backstage.  Enjoy, darlings…!

Backstage at Royal Ascot fashion show

If you’re heading to Royal Ascot this weekend, look out for the annual Royal Ascot fashion show in the Bessborough Suite. Designers from Vivienne Westwood to Todd Lynn will be sending their girls down the runway with bespoke looks created by RMK make-up. 

 

 

 Akgun Manisali, head of RMK make-up artistry says the looks are “elegant and sophisticated, complimented by a silky, flawless finish to the skin”. Watch this space for all the backstage goss as Lady C goes behind the scenes..

Review: Eve Lom facial

As any facial fan will no doubt assert, the hallmark of an hour well spent is judged not by face-time itself, but by the satellite treatments encompassed into your time on the therapist's couch. Note to brands: the odd foot scrub / head rub / shoulder massage will never go a-miss.

At Eve Lom, this message has been clearly been received loud and clear: from a gentle earlobe massage to the application of lip-balm as I semi-dosed (a first EVER for me and surprisingly well-received for an area I considered the sole domain of Mr C's nashers), this treatment was all in the detail. AND there's not a plinky plonk sound in sight (if you catch my poorly described drift) - Eve Lom's violin soundtrack is simply calming.  

The neck, shoulder and decollete massage was firm and - quite unusually, actually - very results-driven. I can tell you this because of the dull ache (good pain - satisfying. A bit like poking a bruise) that ripped through my shoulders as she worked on my knots. Oh, and the fact that I heard her knuckles crack with strain of de-knotting me.  Love a therapist who's not afraid to get stuck in. But, just as the age old "beauty is pain" mantra was beginning to form on my tongue, it was over. Just as quickly as it had started. One stroke later and her hands simply glided up my shoulders  - the tension had totally and quite literally melted. Well I never: knots be gone! 

At the end, I asked what she thought my face type was. Far from the generic one word-ers we tend to associate with skintype, I received a brief but encompassing break-down of the individual parts of my face and their specific needs. Dry, oily, combo? Pah. That's so last decade..

On leaving, I was presented my very own posy in a jar. I felt like the Queen. Oh, and I left fresh faced rejuvenated, and totally sans redness. I felt no need for make-up, and in fact my skin felt so ludicrously clean that I quite specifically chose to avoid it (and wondered if I should re-learn some cleansing know-how..)

The facial was based around a new launch for the luxe skincare brand - watch this space. And in the meantime, head to the Sanderson's Agua spa for their latest treatments. 

Bioeffect goes sky-high with body serum launch

A super-dedicated following includes Jennifer Aniston, Una Therman and Kelly Preston; first production sold out in 10 days; and it is the latest to secure a place on the infamous mile high club. Well, sort of..

That’s right, jet-setters – celebrity favourite Bioeffect has hit the big time, and will now be available in the sky as you fly (aka on British Airways long-haul flights).

 Born from the challenging climes of Iceland, Bioeffect is a hard-working skincare range, sealed with the Derms’ stamp of approval – renowned Professor of Dermatology, Dr. Ronald L. Moy says, “best results I have seen during my 30 years of practice”. Well, if it’s good enough for the pros..

So what’s all the hype about? Well, darlings, yours truly has done her research and here is the low-down. [full disclosure: this is the science-y bit]

Bioeffect contains EGF cellular activator, an ingredient which naturally occurs in skin, where it activates biological processes involved in maintaining radiant looking skin.

While the skin is young, it produces enough of its own EGF to maintain its youthful radiance. As we age, the skin slows its natural production of EGF and begins to lose firmness and elasticity. This is when fine lines appear, skin grows thinner, and the surface epidermis becomes duller in appearance.

So by stimulating this natural process of cell renewal, the visible signs of ageing are reduced and skin appears plumper, firmer and more youthful.

The line-up (available at Bioeffect), comprises a serum, £125, cream, £55, and now… the body serum, £70. Following in the footsteps of Crème de la Mer’s The Body Crème, Bioeffect's body serum is super hydrating, to the extent that daily use may even be unnecessary…

You heard it here first!

24k Gold Facial

Your beauty girl-about-town has some juicy news for you, facial fans. Hot off the Japanese trend-wagon, we spy Victoria Beckham has been enjoying gold flake-enriched facials.

Finally: the secret to Vicky B’s age-defying success? We’ll take three…

Lucky ladies in NYC can head to The Spa @ Equinox for their iconic 24 Carat Gold Facial, but for the Londoners amongst us, there just isn’t a suitable alternative.

Unless you DIY it…

Jamela Skin Care have just launched 24k Gold Collagen Face & Neck Masks, £37.50, which use pure mineral gold infused with high-strength natural plant collagen and turbo-powered anti-oxygen. The result is a rapid collagen and elastin synthesis, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst firming and hydrating the skin.

The addition of gold means the plant collagen is absorbed at 10 times the rate of a traditional face mask. So our BFF metal is more than just a pretty face, then.

Jamela recommends wearing the mask for up to a whopping 5 hours – that’s our afternoon taken care of, then..

Biodroga launches new Golden Caviar Mask

If we may be so bold, the down-side of a fabulous facial (and yes, there truly is one), is that one must watch the inevitable decline of said fabulous results with every moment that goes by.

But all is not bleak, facial fans. Lady C was excited to learn that German skin-whizz brand Biodroga are launching a new Golden Cavier Mask, £34.80, to rival the results delivered at The May Fair’s treatment by the same name, £99 for 60 mins.

The rich cream mask contains precious caviar extract and vitamins that penetrate deep into the dermis to intensely nourish skin, boosting moisture levels and balancing skin’s lipids to fortify its barrier function. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed, and the subtlest deposits of shimmering pigments deflect light for a thoroughly flawless finish.

It’s not a facial, but it’ll tide you over until you can see you therapist. And who doesn’t love a bit of DIY?!