Evian launches first ever spa in Japan

Household name Evian have opened their first ever spa in Japan - only the second Evian spa outside of its European home.

Successfully combining Japanese minimalism with French savoir faire, the Palace Hotel Evian spa perfectly evokes serenity amidst the congestion of urban Tokyo - a metaphorical two fingers to those who doubted the original urban jungle’s ability to hop aboard spa culture.

And I really mean it when I say it’s a combination – think walls plastered with alpine-inspired scenes, clashed with origami bird ceiling instillation. Oh, and sauna-based LED light therapy technology that mirrors a 24-hour cycle of natural light in the French Alps - every 10 minutes.

Palace Hotel Tokyo’s spa debuted last month, with a treatment menu paying homage to the French theme - Paris-based Omnisens and Anne Semonin products are featured throughout.

Aside from the French references, the Hotel’s Executive Director Masaru Watanabe has also enforced the significance of the Evian collaboration with a design concept that evokes ‘journey of water’, from the water-source inspired loose stone garden, to the pool’s resemblance to a deep blue mountain pond. 

Masaru says, “The journey of Evian water through the French Alps, which leads to its purification and balance, is the same metaphorical journey we’re endeavouring to embark upon with our guests.”

Japanese heritage, however, is not forgotten. One of the spa’s signature experiences - the Vitalizing Signature is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of seitai, whereby pressure is meticulously applied to ‘master’ trigger points using fingers, thumbs and elbows to intensely stimulate and improve the flow of energy throughout.

And the panoramic views of the Imperial Palace Gardens and mystical Mt. Fuji in the distance are perhaps the most Japanese of all backdrops.

We think Japan might just be an explosive player on the spa-lovers map – watch this space, darlings! 

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

Noble Isle's Glorious Greens

 

If you don't fancy braving the elements for the inevitable disappointment of Wimbledon this year (and frankly, who would blame you?), here's another way to get your green fix. 

Seeped in historic English heritage, Noble Isle's Glorious Greens collection showcases oak, bark and water lilly extract from the far reaches of the English countryside. 

The candles, lotions and shower gels start from £18, available from Fortnum & Mason, Liberty, and Fenwick of Tunbridge Wells

Game, set, match, we think!

Merder Beauty launches Jamaican Voyage Spa Ritual

To hell with this topsy-turvey weather, darlings! Lady C has found a way to stay looking hot and feeling divine – and all with a little culture thrown in. The best part, though? Unlike other warmth and relaxation options, this one is - quite wonderfully - 100% jet-lag free.

Meder Beauty at Harrods’ Urban Retreat has just launched its Jamaican Voyage Spa Ritual, celebrating all the best that the sun-seekers’ destination au choix has to offer And no, it’s not just the rum, darlings (although we wouldn’t turn down a Mojito right now..) – we’re talking coffee, sugar cane and precious spices..

Meder’s signature Jamaican Voyage Body Potion begins the process with a double-pronged attack: it physically exfoliates, stimulates and energises the skin, whilst the powderful ingredients (remember: not rum) deeply penetrate the skin, creating an intense warming sensation. The result is boosted circulation and metabolism, which instantly revive dull, lifeless skin – and that’s before you’ve even got started.

The ritual proper then commences with cellulite-busting massage using Jamaican Voyage Massage Honey (sans sucrose, you’ll be pleased to hear – no-one likes a sticky masseuse) and classic ayurvedic teachings, renowned for their ability to stimulate weight loss. You’re then cocooned in an Aqua Capsule wrap, which is basically a heated glycerine gel containing skin-saturating micro-capsules bursting with active ingredients (such as extract of coffee beans, would you believe?!).

The full spa ritual is £155 for 1hr20mins, and can even be re-lived from the comfort of your own bath tub should you choose to DIY it (Body Potion, £69) – just maybe enlist the assistance of your own Mr C, first…

Caudalie to launch Urban Spas

If the month-long pop-up at Harrods simply isn't long enough, you’ll be pleased to know that luxury skincare brand Caudalie have just announced that they will be landing at a city near you, as they launch their Urban Spas across the UK.

CAUDALIE POP-UP AT HARRODS

Offering a capsule collection of four facial and one body treatment, the spas will initially launch in London, Liverpool and Dorset, before rolling-out to locations including Essex, Cambridge, and Lancashire.

This is the first time the luxe Français brand has ventured into our urban cities - we think we'll put their anti-oxidant know-how to excellent use..

If you can’t take the girl out the city, at least give her a good spa – thanks, Caudalie!

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!