Wednesday 27 August 2008

Cosmetics News - August 2008

Marie Claire and Lancome launch beauty channel
Two of the world's biggest beauty savants are coming together to provide the nation's women with authoritative beauty tips in the form of the Marie Claire Beauty Academy. Lancome has signed a 7-month partnership contract with Marie Claire so that the two together may provide in-depth tips and advice, allowing every woman to formulate her perfect beauty regime. This coincides with Marie Claire's 20th anniversary and the channel on their website (www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/academy.html) will include beauty product reviews, video masterclasses, a bespoke beauty diagnosis tool, and the chance to personally ask experts for exclusive tips.

Skincare brand Africology launches in the UK
The South African beauty brand is finally coming to Great Britain. Based in Essex, the brand focuses on Africa's spirit and majesty, healing, and responsibility towards oneself and others (both environmentally and in physical and spiritual terms). They're also big on not using harsh chemicals and on social responsibility, keeping the process of making and using their products therapeutic and ethical. The products focus on bath and body ranges, and hands and feet products, as well as on calming and health-boosting products akin to Bach's Rescue Remedy, such as their Tissue Oil and their infection-fighting Herbal Spray.

Elnett celebrates 50 years
L'Oreal's classic hairspray celebrates 50 years with the release of its brand new addition to the range, Diamond Hold and Shine. Designed to provide hold and shine while still remaining soft, it's easy to brush out and would be a valuable contribution to any girl's collection of hair essentials. Available in 200ml and 400ml sprays, at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's, and Asda.

Health and beauty cross over at Aveda
With Whittard's tea bags for feet providing an appropriate crossover between beauty and physical well-being, it is perhaps hardly surprising that Aveda, a well-renowned beauty brand, has taken the reverse crossover into teas. They now stock a frankly delicious peppermint and liquorice Comforting Tea to help detox and calm the body as well as satisfy a sweet tooth. It's caffeine-free, sugar-free, 100% organic, and is available in loose leaves (£12.50 for 140g) as well as normal tea bags (£8 for 20).

From Avon With Love
Don't tell anyone, but Avon's bringing out a new James Bond-themed fragrance this October. Coming in a suitably seductive bottle, with added edge in the form of a Bond gadget-style lid, the fragrance itself is pinky gold and packs a punch with its floral sensuality. Gemma Arterton, star of Quantum of Solace, is the face of Bond Girl 007, and says, “I’m thrilled to be working with two such iconic and established brands. The Bond Girl 007 fragrance embodies everything a Bond girl represents – intelligence, sexiness and confidence.”
Available from www.avonshop.co.uk; priced at £16 for 50ml.

Oriflame gets 60s styling
This Swedish brand doesn't get quite enough press, and I'm not really sure why, especially since it's brought out this retro 60s range, comprising an on-trend felt-tip eyeliner, an chunky eyeshadow pencil, a volumising mascara, and a sexy gloss. Get that Winehouse flick and a burst of colour for some ultra glamour. Order via www.oriflame.com





Revlon Custom Creations Foundation
Out on Sept 8, this appears to be the first foundation to solve the problem of what to do with your usual foundation when you have a tan but don't want to shell out for a separate foundation to languish in your makeup box for half the year. Its release date seems slightly untimely, but could still benefit those of you lucky enough to be taking winter hols to sunny destinations. Adjust the dial to customise your shade: paler for winter, darker for summer. The dial allows 5 different settings, and I just hope the packaging won't be too cumbersome. However, it contains SPF15, and I am really impressed by the innovation embodied in this product. Available in 6 shades (fair; light; light/medium; medium; medium/deep; deep), and will cost c.£13.99.

30 days of fashion and beauty
Boots has organised lots of fabulous offers, competitions, and events for us beauty-obsessives, from 'Win A Movie Star Makeup Bag' to a free body scrub from the Sanctuary Spa, with a series of unmissable events scattered throughout September, including a Swarovski Bridal Evening on Sept 18, Icecool's Fashion Lunch on Sept 12, and a Balance Me event at Boots Kingston from the 19-21 Sept. This is not forgetting, of course, the Best Beauty Awards 2008 on the 22 Sept (for which voting has now closed). You can win tickets to all of these events and more by signing up to the 30 days of fashion and beauty newsletter at http://www.30daysoffashionandbeauty.co.uk/

London Fashion Week
Runs from the 14-19 September, with catwalk appearances from Allegra Hicks, Luella, Aquascutum, Julien Macdonald, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, and Stella McCartney (to name but a few!), it's set to be exciting. Sadly, only big important press people can actually see all the catwalk stuff, but the good news is that the Exhibition (open from 15-18 Sept), next to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, should be easily accessible to all. Joyful :)

Sources
www.ipcmedia.com/press
www.fashionmonitor.co.uk
www.africology.co.za
Avon PR
www.cosmeticsbusiness.com
www.30daysoffashionandbeauty.co.uk
www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
www.timesonline.co.uk

Words by Bianca Summons

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Love The foundation )))