Cosmetics & Beauty News (September 2011)

Navigations through scent

With unisex fragrances becoming ever popular, it is no surprise that Molton Brown has capitalised on this trend with its Navigations Through Scent collection, which consists of five fragrances that can be equally enjoyed by men and women. As the brand's debut in the arena of artisanal fine fragrance, it was launched at Harrods in August and is now available in Molton Brown stores nationwide. Taking the consumer on a worldwide journey through perfume's history and heritage, it starts with the floriental-spicy scent of IUNU, which uses Egyptian white jasmine to create a sense of elegant opulence. LIJIANG leads to China, its floral-musky scent evoking silk and tea thanks to its lead ingredient, osmanthus absolute. SINGOSARI takes consumers to Indonesia thanks to its aroma of spices, patchouli and wood. The fourth scent, APLUDRE, is based on juniper berry, conjuring up English lawns and gin and tonics. The collection is completed with a Canada-inspired perfume, ROGART, which juxtaposes fire and ice thanks to balsam and maple. Molton Brown's principal perfumer, Jennifer, personally travelled to all of the destinations in question over the course of one year to intensify the creative process. All of the fragrances are priced at £55 for 50ml.

All I want for Christmas is...

Yep, it's the C-word! Despite it only being September, retailers are rushing out their Christmas collections to ensnare the most organised shoppers. Rhodes To Heaven allows consumers to select individual holiday treats from their All In One range to add to a black and fuschia gift bag, and starting from just £12, this makes an affordable yet opulent gift made from natural ingredients. From anise extract (nature's version of Botox, don't you know), juniper berries and wild sea fennel, to maca root and New Zealand wool, each All In One product is a fusion of goodness. Also available is the Santa Baby Christmas Special for the littlest members of the family - the £20 gift set contains three products, including Top to Toe Shampoo (containing rose, camomile, orange and lavender essential oils).

Think Skin Love Skin has also launched its range of new Christmas gift products to get us through what can at times be a stressful season. Its organic Serenity & Tranquility Gift Sets are designed for sensitive skin, use Dead Sea Salt, comfrey and calendula, contain bath oil and body oil to protect from the harsh effects of winter, and are priced from £13.99. The Balm Balm Bath Oil Set is favoured by celebrities, including KT Tunstall, for its blend of essential oils to help you detox, indulge, recover, refresh and relax. At £24.99, it also contains lavender, tea tree, frankincense and lemongrass to soothe skin.

For the festive season, Jane Iredale has also released a new edition of the brand's best-selling lip product, chocoholicks. Four chocolate-flavoured mineral petroleum-free lip glosses - Chocolate and Blood Orange, Chocolate and Espresso, Chocolate Very Berry and Chocolate Chili Pepper - are presented in a "chocolate box" that includes a retractable lip brush. The glosses contain peppermint oil and natural flavourings for taste and aromatherapeutic benefits, and the whole set of four glosses retails for £24.95. Tis the season to be jolly!

Happy Halloween

Celebrate All Hallows' Eve (an event a little closer to home than the big C, I think we'll all agree) with special Halloween products by Philosophy. Exclusive to Selfridges in London and Birmingham are the crispy marshmallow bar and caramel apple shampoos, shower gels and bubble baths made by Philosophy. The multitasking, 3-in-1 product costs £18 for the duo of bottles - and all in a cute Trick or Treat bag. Also launching from Philosophy, exclusive to Boots from November, is their Fruit Collection of bath and shower gels (pomegranate, tangerine, lime or grapefruit; £14), and, nationwide, their Keep The Peace range for sensitive skin (out now; prices from £30).

Crabtree and Evelyn at the Hilton

Crabtree and Evelyn's already popular Citron bath and body care product line is now being introduced to travellers at all nine DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels across the UK, as well as in more than 200 additional hotels across Europe and North America. Featuring natural extracts of lemon, honey and coriander, as well as orchard fruits and herbs, the products are botanically based. Shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, facial soap and body soap bars will be provided to travellers - and customers can sleep easy, assured that the products are also free from phthalates and mineral oil. Furthermore, the product packaging is also recyclable and biodegradable, meaning that the luxury guest is also a green guest. For those not travelling, the products are available via www.crabtree-evelyn.com (with the exception of Citron hair care products, which will be exclusive to the hotels until late 2011).

Top Tips For Girls

Ever wondered how to tackle a rogue eyebrow without losing half of it? TopTipsForGirls.com is a website that allows women and girls to give and receive advice on all subjects, from how to get approved for a home loan to reducing unwanted hair. The four-year-old site, founded by the editor of Tatler, has a 30,000-strong community, so questions can be answered quickly. In addition, a Top Tips For Girls blog has now also been launched, featuring creative ideas from around the web.

Long live the metrosexual
So is your guy one of the men who will spend 5105 hours grooming during his lifetime? According to new research, the average British male spends an average of 18 minutes every day getting ready. The research, conducted by QVC to celebrate the launch of new grooming range HIM, reveals that 54% of British men admit that their partners are the main reason they make an effort with their appearance. Just over a quarter of men admit to competing with male friends about who is more immaculately spruced, and 23% voted David Beckham as the man they most aspire to look like. He was followed (in order) by Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Will Young, Hugh Laurie, Jason Statham (qui?) and Robbie Williams. In addition, 45% of men say their biggest grooming problem is knowing how to shave properly, followed by hairstyling gripes, while 10% named dark circles as their greatest concern.

The Scent




To launch its first female fragrance, Bottega Veneta has created two films with the guidance of photographer and director Christian Weber (the second of these short films is above). Conjuring up leather and florals thanks to the magic of oak moss, bergamot, patchouli and jasmine, the collection for women comprises eau de parfum, eau de toilette, shower gel and body cream; prices start at £31.

Raise money with L'Occitane

Launching on October 12th are L'Occitane's Get On Board For Sight Limited Edition Soaps, which support ORBIS, an NGO committed to ending preventable blindness. Inspired by the ORBIS plane, also known as the Flying Hospital, these limited-edition charity soaps are crafted in the shape of a plane wearing glasses. Nourished with shea butter, they come in two varieties - floral and fruity pink, and verbena blue. 100% of the proceeds from sales will allow ORBIS to launch a large-scale project in Burkina Faso. At only £5 each (or £13 for the Honey Candle, which supports the same cause), what have you got to lose?