Pure Beauty

Ren Photoactive Sun Veil SPF15

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:36 +0000

Ren Photoactive Sun Veil SPF15 protects skin from the harmful effects of the sun, fights free radicals, and harnesses beneficial light energy for a radiant, even-toned complexion. It contains fluorophores from noni extract that absorb harmful UV rays and turn them into red light, which boosts elastin to help firm and revitalise the skin. Meanwhile, zinc oxide protects from harmful UV radiation without the need for chemicals or nano particles, and anti-oxidants fight free radicals and reduce UV-induced inflammation.

Rsp £26

Distributor: Ren Clean Skincare

Website: www.renskincare.com

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Perfecting Daywear

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:47:42 +0000

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Perfecting Daywear is a hyaluronic acid-rich treatment that attracts and binds moisture to skin, helping to swell surface cells and plump fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. It also offers an illuminating sheer tint, while anti-oxidants shield skin from stress and environmental aggressors. Glycolic acid and licorice help to re-surface, brighten and refine pore size, while matrixyl 6 helps to optically diffuse the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections.

Rsp £39.95

Distributor: Alpha-H

Website: www.alpha-h.com

In the fast-paced fragrance world, what makes a scent have longevity?

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:43:51 +0000

Guillermo Rodriguez Jordan de Urries, Export manager, Alvarez Gómez Perfumes

Agua de Colonia Concentrada owes its success and longevity to a number of factors. There is the quality and personality of the fragrance itself, which has wide appeal because of its simplicity and unique character. But also the careful management of this family business – the same family that created it 100 years ago – has played a very important part in its continuation.Alvarez Gómez has succeeded in keeping Agua de Colonia Concentrada on the shelves of Spanish perfume stores every single day for the last 100 years. Today you could say it is part of the cultural landscape…part of Spain’s history. There are now so many fragrances on the market that choosing one can be a bewildering prospect. For this reason people are increasingly interested in a brand’s heritage. It is perhaps no surprise then that as word of Agua de Colonia spreads, so does its success around the world. Yet the brand remains true to its origins, remaining both affordable and accessible. Not for Agua de Colonia the cynical reinvention, repackaging and re-pricing approach of many others. Perhaps this is the key to the scent’s popularity.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:40:38 +0000

ONE TO WATCH

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge is the latest addition to Lacoste’s male fragrance collection inspired by the L.12.12 polo shirt. The masculine, spicy, fresh fragrance opens with top notes of iced red tea, spicy mandarin liqueur and mango. Heart notes of Madagascan black pepper, Indian jasmine and Guatemalan cardamom lead to base notes of acacia wood, Laos benzoin and labdanum. Not only is red one of the classic L.12.12 polo shirt colours, but it’s also seen as emotionally intense, alluring and tempting, and symbolises life and vitality, making it the perfect choice for the new range addition.

Rsp from £25

Distributor: P&G Prestige

Website: www.lacoste-parfums.co.uk

Truth or Dare by Madonna

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:34:41 +0000

Truth or Dare by Madonna, the first fragrance by the famous singer, actress and entrepreneur, is a contemporary and sexy reinvention of classic, a robust signature white floral. Top notes of gardenia, tuberose and neroli lead to heart notes of jasmine, benzoin and white lily petals. Base notes of vanilla absolute, caramelised amber and sensual musk aura complete the scent. Perfumer Stephen Nilsen of Givaudan worked closely with Madonna to create the fragrance. The bottle and carton feature a palette of rich gold and white, marrying elegance and sophistication with edginess.

Rsp from £25

Distributor: Coty Prestige

Website: www.coty.com

Ed Hardy Villain for Him and Her

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:31:23 +0000

Ed Hardy Villain for Him and Her encompass the brand’s artistic style and tattoo-inspired heritage. Ed Hardy Villain for Her opens with top notes of lychee, watermelon, blood orange and tangerine, leading to heart notes of freshwater lotus, magnolia petals and freesia, and base notes of crème brulee, sandalwood and orris. Meanwhile, Ed Hardy for Him blends top notes of Italian bergamot, French lavender, black pepper and cardamom with heart notes of Indonesian nutmeg oil, Egyptian basil, wild sage and blackcurrant buds, and base notes of amber, sandalwood, cedarwood and musk. The striking bottles feature tattoo-style illustrations – a mythical siren of the sea for Her and an exotic serpent for Him – and are topped with beautiful stopper-style caps.

Rsp from £27

Distributor: New Wave Fragrances

Website: www.edhardyfragrances.co.uk

Escada Limited Edition fragrances

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:24:31 +0000

Escada is celebrating 20 years of iconic Limited Edition fragrances by re-releasing three favourite editions. The three re-releases have updated and revamped packaging, featuring a pink ribbon, charm and flamboyant colouring. Sexy Graffiti features top notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit and mint, heart notes of lily of the valley, red peony and violet, and base notes of cashmere, vanilla and musks. Rockin’ Rio blends top notes of pineapple, coconut, tangerine and papaya with heart notes of sugar cane and peach, and base notes of sandalwood and musks. Finally, Island Kiss has top notes of orange, passion flower and mango, leading to heart notes of magnolia and peach, and a base of red fruits, sultry woods and musks.

Rsp from £22

Distributor: P&G Prestige

Website: www.escada-fragrances.com

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Dreaming in Portofino and Living Stromboli

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:20:12 +0000

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Dreaming in Portofino and Living Stromboli are Summer scents inspired by the design duo’s favourite destinations. Dreaming in Portofino (for her) features top notes of litchi and ambrette seed, leading to heart notes of iris and osmanthus, and base notes of amber and patchouli. The dazzling blue liquid is housed in a geometric column of clear glass topped with a frosted white cap. Living Stromboli (for him) blends top notes of citrus and pink pepper with a heart of geranium, and a base of amber, patchouli and vetyver. The clear glass bottle reveals the blue sparkling liquid within, topped with a frosted white cap. The outer cartons depict typical scenes from each destination.

Rsp from £32

Distributor: P&G Prestige

Website: www.dolcegabbanalightblue.com

Armani Code Luna

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:42:59 +0000

Armani Code Luna is a new interpretation of the classic Armani Code fragrance that is ‘the incarnation of a woman you think is yours, but who has already slipped away, leaving behind only the trace of her provocative perfume’. Top notes of bergamot, bitter orange essence and par lead to heart notes of orange blossom absolute and the rare and mysterious moonflower. Base notes of vanilla absolute, osmanthus, tonka bean and cedar complete the scent which, like much of Giorgio Armani’s work, is inspired by the moon.

Rsp from £34

Distributor: L’Oréal Prestige & Collections

Website: www.giorgioarmanibeauty.co.uk

I’m confused by make up products that claim to be natural/organic – how can I tell whether my products are truly natural?

Holly — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:32:31 +0000

Miranda Bond, CEO, INIKA

‘Natural’ is a somewhat vague term that refers to ingredients or products derived from plants, minerals and algae. A ‘natural’ cosmetic product would be one that has not been altered chemically or synthesized. However, natural is one of the most abused words used on product packaging today. This is due to a lack of industry standards – companies can brand a product as ‘natural’ even if it contains a very small percentage of natural ingredients, or sometimes none. When looking for a truly natural brand the smaller the ingredient list, the better. Remember the largest component of the ingredients list is listed first and the smallest last. Broadly, ‘certified organic’ refers to items produced, manufactured and handled using organic means as defined by certifying bodies. This means producing the products without conventional pesticides, irradiation, fertilizers, bioengineering or synthetic chemicals. The best way to ensure you are using a truly organic product is to look for a certification stamp. Be aware that some certification bodies make a product look like it is certified when just 10% of the ingredients are. So find out the certification body’s percentages on what constitutes a ‘certified organic’ product.