Following the success of its New Age Traveller beauty kits - used by Cameron Diaz and Angelina Jolie, among others - Molton Brown’s new Micro-light Portable make-up compact in Cote D’ Azur is seriously smart. A limited edition, it comes in a chocolate brown leather case and is filled with four summery, wearable eyeshadows, a bronze-coloured blush, plus brushes. (Note to Molton Brown: a lip gloss or two wouldn’t go amiss). It also has an exceptionally large mirror, which would be very handy while travelling and at your destination. (Available at Molton Brown emporiums, and by mail order. Tel: 020 7625 6550, or visit moltonbrown.co.uk).
When deciding what to pack and what to leave behind, American Vogue’s advice is to “think impact for ounce” with clothes. The rule can also be applied to beauty products: a holiday-bright lip gloss, splash-proof mascara and shimmer bronzer will take you anywhere, day or night. A new addition to Pixi’s POP range for Top Shop, Glam Jam in Beachtime - a golden highlighter - works on even the palest complexions, and can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips. (Available from this week at Top Shop, Oxford Circus, followed by stores nationwide). More good news for Pixi fans: a website is coming soon, where you will be able to shop on-line and pick up beauty tips from Swedish founders (and sisters) Petra, Sofia and Sara Strand. Watch this space.
The “multi-tasking” make-up principle extends to lotions and potions. Nirvana Natural’s gorgeous Orange Blossom and Chamomile Conditioner can also be used as a leave-in hair treatment and sunscreen, shaving cream and after-sun skin soother. (Stockists, tel: 01494- 880885). Another natural treat, Seven Wonders’ Miracle Lotion - based on a cocktail of herbs and oils, such as olive, sweet almond and sesame - nourishes and smoothes dry skin anywhere, making it ideal for use on holiday and when you get back and want to prolong your precious glow. Sheba Ronay and Guynel Boateng (wife of Oswald) both swear by it. (Stockists and mail order, tel: 020 8421 9877).
Lavishly scented body creams and lotions can double up as fragrances on holiday, scenting and softening the skin in one lazy go (isn’t that what holidays are all about?). Chantecaille’s ultra-luxurious Perfumed Body Creams, loved by Julia Roberts, Madonna and Helena Christensen, are available in an indulgent Travel Set. You get a generous, 50 ml jar of each of the four delicious fragrances: Darby Rose, Frangipane, Tiare and Wisteria. Another great summer choice is Isabella Rossellini’s wonderfully fresh and uplifting Manifesto Body Lotion.
Speaking of perfume, we’ll have to wait until autumn for Jennifer Lopez’s fragrance debut: Glow by J.Lo. The scent, which will be launched simultaneously here and in America, is tipped to be “pretty and wearable”, as opposed to full-on sexy. Lopez, who worked very closely with the “nose” behind it, recently hosted a glitzy bash in New York to celebrate the fruits of her labours. The result will be unveiled to the British beauty pack later this week.
]]>Cruz and her distinctly modest entourage - her publicist and two representatives from Ralph Lauren fragrances, for whom she is the “face” of the fresh, sexy Glamorous scent - are gathered in the “Terrasse des Ambassadeurs” on the top floor of the Palais de Festival. It is here that Luc Besson’s film Fanfan La Tulipe, in which Cruz stars with Vincent Perez, opened this year’s Festival. There is no sign of the other Cruise, since - as Cruz made clear at a press conference, in no uncertain terms - Tom couldn’t make it because he is working (filming The Last Samurai in New Zealand) and questions about their endlessly documented relationship will get short shrift.
Cruz’s rooftop press camp is well insulated against the buzz and bustle of the packed promenade below, where the Pink Panther film soundtrack is being piped through open-air speakers, the most serious yachts are moored off-shore (the biggest, with a helicopter on board, is rumoured to belong to Will Smith), hotel facades are emblazoned with movie billboards and the lifts are sponsored by Nokia.
Lunch break over, Cruz is ready to talk. By her own admission, she is ‘very lucky’ that she does not have to follow a particularly strict diet - although she tried being a vegetarian for three years - in order to maintain her petite-but-curvy, ballet dancer’s physique (Cruz trained for nine years at the National Conservatory in Spain, before taking up drama, and her younger sister, Monica, is a professional flamenco dancer who has toured with Joaquin Cortés). ‘I try to eat healthy food, because I love fried food and bad things,’ she says. ‘And I love oil. You give me a plate of bread, some oil and salt and I’m happy. But, of course, you can’t eat like that all the time.’ Such endearingly candid revelations are typical of Cruz, who won over sleep-deprived women everywhere when she went on record as saying she needs her beauty sleep - lots of it. ‘Sleep makes me feel good,’ she admits. ‘When I don’t sleep, I’m a mess.’
Needless to say, Cruz looks anything but a mess. Just as it appears on-screen, her beauty is - forgive the unoriginal comparisons - part Sophia Loren-sultry, part Audrey Hepburn-fragile. She is wearing a floaty, caramel-gold silk dress and a simple knitted cardigan - both from Ralph Lauren’s autumn/winter 2003 collection. It couldn’t be a more different look from the dramatic John Galliano gown Cruz wore two days earlier when she sashayed down the red carpet for the screening of Fanfan. The film is a remake of a 1950s, Three Muskateers-style romantic adventure starring Gina Lollabrigida.
‘John Galliano offered to create a dress for me. I admire him very much,’ says Cruz. ‘He did all the sketches, and they were amazing. He made this beautiful dress himself, and the necklace, too.’
Cruz wore her hair swept into a shiny, very Spanish, centre-parted chignon, complemented by stunning, smoky-eyed make-up. ‘My make-up artist, Whitney James, did it for me. She’s one of my best friends. We always travel together and we have a lot of fun.’ As for indulging in any pre-red carpet beauty treatments, forget it. ‘That’s not realistic. You think “oh, I want to do it this time”, and then you get there and there’s no time,’ says Cruz. ‘For the Fanfan screening, I had a half-hour massage and then it was time to get my make-up done. But massage helps me a lot when I’m doing so much travelling.’
Today, Cruz’s look is understated but “finished”. Her impossibly dark brown eyes are enhanced with a simple slick of eyeliner, and her hair falls in shoulder-skimming, raven ringlets. Her trademark mane was cut - Cruz’s suggestion - for her role as a Spanish refugee in the film Head In The Clouds.
Due for release early next year, the romantic drama, set in England during the 1930s, also stars Charlize Theron. Rather than opt for a wig, Cruz felt that going for the chop would be better. ‘I wear my hair to favour the character - can you say “favour” the character?’ Whatever I feel the character needs. I’m lucky, because my hair is really strong and I can do a lot of things to it and it stands it. But, because I spend so many hours in the hair and make-up chair, I don’t really wear any make-up when I’m not working. And I love my jeans - I wear them almost every day.’
The filming of Head In The Clouds overlapped with the shooting of Gothica, a contemporary horror/thriller in which Cruz appears alongside Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jr. Directed by Amélie star Matthieu Kassowitz, the film is set in a mental institution and is also due for release next year. ‘I like to take risks. I don’t want to feel like I’m doing something I’ve done before,’ says Cruz. ‘Now I’m shooting two movies at the same time, with very different characters, and I’m happy about that. People are giving me that trust. But I fight for that. You have to say no to a lot of things, but it’s worth it.’
It’s easy to forget that Cruz was a household name in Spain long before Cruise and director Cameron Crowe cast her in Vanilla Sky, having visited her on the set of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, after which she took Tinseltown by storm. Since making her film debut in Jamon, Jamon, at the age of seventeen, Cruz has appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Pedro Almodovar’s All About My Mother, Live Flesh and Woman On Top (Cruz’s childhood heroine was fellow Almodovar muse, Victoria Abril), and she scooped the equivalent of a Spanish oscar for her role in Fernando Trueba’s The Girl Of Your Dreams.
Although home is now Beverly Hills, Cruz is extremely close to her friends and family in Spain. ‘I go to see them a lot, and they come to visit me. When I go there, we make very long dinners, for five or six hours, and we sit at the table talking, talking, talking,’ she says wistfully. ‘For me, that’s going out. I don’t like going to discos or parties. I don’t like the noise. I like being at a table when I can hear people. I’m trying to create that in L.A., because it’s one of the things I miss the most: long, late dinners with friends.’
Has she found that Hollywood attitudes to health and beauty and glamour differ hugely to those back home? ‘It very much depends on the person,’ she says frankly. ‘Only that in L.A., everybody exercises and that makes it easier to go to the gym. Because everyone’s doing it, it’s like there’s an energy ...’ That said, Cruz prefers the slow, controlled pace of Pilates. ‘I love Pilates. It was created for dancers, and it works all the muscles that you don’t work as a dancer. It makes these muscles stronger and it’s a really good, complete (form of) exercise. And I love yoga, but I haven’t done it for a while.’
According to Cruz, the years she spent at the ballet barré have left her with more than that immediately recognisable, ballerina’s poise. ‘It’s also given me a lot of discipline,’ she says. ‘It was really hard to train - much harder than making movies. I remember once my feet were bleeding, and I said “no, I can’t” (go on), and the teacher said “keep going - and smile”. You can’t make it as a professional dancer unless you learn how to dance when your feet are bleeding. Also, when you are making movies, you have to do a happy scene when you are sad, and the opposite. You can’t change it.’
Despite her relentless schedule, Cruz makes time for charity work. She donated her entire fee for her role in Stephen Frears’s The Hi-Lo Country - her first English-speaking film - to Mother Teresa’s Calcutta Sanctuary, having spent a week at the children’s home as a volunteer. She also works closely with the Madrid-based Sabena Foundation, which rescues homeless girls in Calcutta.
‘I was very lucky to meet Mother Teresa,’ says Cruz. ‘She put me to work immediately, and I felt very privileged that I could see with my own eyes situations that unfortunately are there. I don’t feel I did anything for her. But, thanks to my work as an actress, I get asked to do things like that. If, by going somewhere, it means that someone’s going to build a hospital for those kids .... if it helps one person, it’s worth it.’
While Cruz is the perfect “spokesmodel” for Glamorous - a lighter, subtly sparkly version of the scent will launch this autumn - she comes across as a star who is keeping her (unbloodied) feet firmly on the ground. You get the feeling that she can’t wait to get back into her favourite jeans, and sit down to a long, lazy dinner with her nearest and dearest. And a very big basket of bread.
• Ralph Lauren’s Glamorous Shimmer will be available from September.
]]>America, home of the celebrity hairdresser, make-up artist, yoga instructor et al, is not short of tress-teasers to the stars. Yet one name that’s currently making (glamorous) waves Stateside is British: A-list super-stylist, Charles Worthington.
]]> These days, whenever a crucial red carpet is being rolled out, you can be sure that Charles won’t be far away, wielding his blow dryer and calming celebrity nerves with his infectious enthusiasm and wicked sense of humour (and a glass or two of bubbly, which flows as freely as the Earl Grey at Charles’s London salons, and his exclusive New York atelier - more about that later).This year, Charles coiffed the stars for the Golden Globes and the Oscars, and was invited by Joan Rivers to co-host an American TV style show from the Cannes Film Festival. Whilst there, he got together with Stateside clients Rosanna and Patricia Arquette, and Keely Brosnan.
‘Everyone at Heathrow knows me by name,’ laughs Charles, who hops on a plane to America every few weeks. ‘I always sleep on flights - I could probably sleep on the wing.’
Charles wants every woman to be able to get glamorous, red carpet-ready hair. His ever-expanding salon and product empire is dedicated to achieving this aim. ‘Yes, a product has got to look and smell great, but it has to deliver, too,’ he stresses. ‘Women don’t want a science lesson on the bottle. They just want to know what something is for, and for it do it.’
The five London salons, which attract a fashionable crowd - regulars include Sophie Dahl, Jemma and Jodie Kidd, Jamie and Jules Oliver, Lady Victoria Hervey, Gail Hipgrave and Ulrika Jonsson - are ‘the ultimate testing ground’ for Charles’s products.
The line-up includes the hugely successful Results, Big Hair, Dream Hair and In Fashion ranges (seasonal limited editions are due to hit the shelves this autumn), along with the Outer Body Experience bodycare collection and the just-launched Dream Colour line - Charles’s first, long-awaited venture into home hair colour.
‘We wanted to turn the whole process into a pampering session, and something to get excited about,’ says Charles, who created the permanent formulas with his Colour Director, Carolyn Newman. Carolyn is based at the ultra-luxe, flagship salon and spa and frequently accompanies Charles on his trips to America. ‘We’ve gone for a really good, classic range of natural shades,’ continues Charles. ‘And we’ve really focused on condition, so that the hair feels even better when it has been coloured.’
This autumn sees the launch of another, all-new range: Total Frizz Control. ‘Frizzy hair is one of the most difficult types to work with, but these formulations are amazing - they make the hair radically different,’ enthuses Charles. ‘It’s a complete regime which nourishes and softens the hair and makes it more malleable - whether you want to define curls or straighten them.’ Formulas divide into two categories: for medium frizzy and thick frizzy hair.
Charles has road-tested Total Frizz Control on the impeccably groomed American fashion and beauty pack. His products already go down a storm Stateside, where they debuted four years ago. Last year, Charles bought two Manhattan penthouse apartments and knocked them into one to create a stunning private atelier. Here, clients are treated to cuts, colour - and manicures, pedicures or eyebrow shaping - on a complimentary, invitation-only basis (Charles welcomes donations to the Look Good, Feel Better charity). ‘We collect them from their office or home in a limo, which takes them back again, and there is a full-time chef, to cater to all dietary needs.’
Among those to have sampled the star treatment are the Arquette sisters (Charles met Rosanna at a Los Angeles film premiere, where he found himself sitting between her and Jennifer Aniston - ‘Brad was away filming, so I had his seat!’); Plum Sykes (of American Vogue); Linda Wells, editor of Allure magazine, China Chow, Kirsty Hume and Donavan Leitch.
The light, airy space affords a panoramic view of the city skyline (Charles originally trained as an architect). ‘Even New Yorkers can’t believe it when they see it,’ he says. ‘It’s unusual to get such clear, unobstructed views and the light is incredible. It feels like you are floating up on the clouds.’
Besides throwing a few himself - ‘in New York, nobody needs to be asked to a party twice,’ he laughs - Charles gets invited to glitzy gatherings, such as a private party for the cast members of the Sex and the City, where he met Sarah Jessica Parker. ‘She looked fantastic,’ says Charles (watch out Carrie - someone has designs on your curls).
A New York salon is in the pipeline - ‘we’re looking at a really great location, and it could happen sooner rather than later,’ reveals Charles - and Tinseltown, too, is beckoning. ‘L.A. is definitely part of the plan, after New York.’
Prior to both the Golden Globes and the Oscars, Charles set up a temporary, no-expense-spared suite-cum-salon at the Beverly Hills hotel L’Ermitage.
‘This was my second year at the Globes,’ says Charles. ‘It’s a slightly toned-down version of the Oscars, more casual. But L.A. becomes a celebrity magnet - you can’t pop into a coffee shop without seeing, say, Pierce Brosnan or Sting. And there’s a fantastic vibe, everyone is really excited.’
For the Globes, Charles had Alex Kingston, Donovan Leitch and China Chow in his hot seat, among others, and everyone left with a giant gift box filled with Dream Hair goodies.
‘The Oscars were fantastic, it was the first time I’ve been,’ says Charles, who coiffed Daryl Hannah, in addition to the Arquette sisters, Kirsty Hume et al. ‘There is such an energy and excitement in the run up to the ceremony. Everything is left to the last minute - including the dress, because everyone is terrified that someone else might be wearing the same thing. When it comes to the hair, actors and actresses are used to being advised all the time, so they tend to put themselves in my hands. I might experiment beforehand, but suddenly get a flash of inspiration on the day, and go for something completely different.’
Even off the red carpet, Charles’s US clients live up to their perfectly polished reputation. ‘American women in general are more high-maintenance, but they are not as cutting-edge as the Brits,’ he says. ‘They are a bit more conservative - they pull off that clean, classical look brilliantly. They don’t think anything of going to the salon for their weekly “blow-outs”, as they call them. If a style is difficult to blow-dry, it doesn’t matter because, the chances are, they aren’t going to be doing it themselves.’
One question that Charles gets asked a lot Stateside has nothing to do with how to use serum, or the best way blow-dry. ‘In America, people often ask me who came up with my trade name,’ says Charles. ‘I tell them “my mother”, but they won’t believe me. They think it’s made up.’ Much laughter. He might spend a lot of time 35,000 feet above the Atlantic, or grooming the glamorous up in the clouds above Manhattan, but Charles Worthington (his real name) is keeping both feet firmly on the ground.
Charles Worthington’s new Dream Colour and Total Frizz Control products are available at Boots and Pure Beauty stores nationwide. All inquiries, tel: 08450 708090, or visit cwlondon.com.
]]>A little pre-holiday pampering goes a long way. Ready, get set, glow ...
Buff your body Supermodel-smooth, with The Sanctuary's Hot Sugar Body Polish. Fresh from London’s famous day spa, this self-heating scrub leaves skin soft and gleaming.
]]> Get a golden glow to rival Gisele's, with Soltan's new Self-Tan Shimmering Lotion. The instant tint ensures seamless, did-she-fake-it? results.For fabulously soft, sandal-ready feet, reach for Boots’ Smoothing Foot Scrub. Follow with lashings of moisturiser - any body lotion will do - and remember to keep up the good work.
A girl’s best friend this summer? Boots’ new Triple Blade System Razor gives a close, curve-friendly, shave.
Whether super-sleek (as seen at Louis Vuitton and YSL) or big and curly (à la Gucci and Missoni), soft, healthy-looking hair shone on the summer catwalks. Trevor Sorbie’s Deep Intensive Conditioning Treatment transforms lacklustre locks, and - used regularly - will help to limit seasonal damage.
Save face: before heading for the sun, prime skin with No 7’s Summer Skin Pre-Holiday Conditioning Face Serum.
Great for backs, bottoms and other neglected areas, Fresh!’s China In Your Hands Body Mask contains pore-purifying white china clay and seaweed extracts.
Boost your summer body confidence with Christian Dior’s new Bikini Revitalisation Body-Contouring Revitalizing Creme. A potent, plant-based cocktail of firming and toning helps skin to shape-up.
French women give their tans a head start, with Oenobiol’s Solaire Intensif Hydratant nutritional supplements. Now you can, too - the melanin-activating, skin-conditioning capsules have crossed the Channel, and are available at Boots.
Spa gurus swear by daily body brushing, to aid detoxification and keep skin smooth and glowing. Use Boots’ Body Massage Brush - with natural bristles - on dry skin, or over a dry body oil.
TRADE SECRET: For the ultimate, spa-style experience, slather on an all-over body mask before exfoliating.
Join the jet-set, with products to keep you looking and feeling great.
At home or away, use Boots’ Insect Repellent Lotion Natural - with gentle citronella - as your portable bug patrol. Reapply every two hours, and always after a dip.
Summer’s sheer make-up calls for clear, glowing skin. Make a clean sweep, at any time, with No 7’s super-refreshing V 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes.
Stripes are big news this season (very Marni), so stash your toiletries in style, with Boots’ Stripe Bathroom Basics Beauty Bag. Admiring glances guaranteed.
Globe-trotting Supermodels, actresses et al love a good multi-purpose balm. Keep Boots’ Mediterranean Wonderbalm handy, to nourish dry spots - from elbows to heels.
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In hot, sunny climes, the ground almonds in Boots’ Mediterranean Face Polish will whisk away breakout-triggering excess oil and brighten your complexion. Focus on problem areas, like the oily T-zone.
On long-haul journies, Scholl’s circulation-boosting Flight Socks are a smart idea.
Ideal for planes, trains and automobiles - and boats - Boots’ Travel Calm Tablets will help to keep motion sickness at bay.
Don’t leave home without Boots’ Alternatives Antiseptic Cream, based on Australian tea tree oil - nature’s multi-tasking skin soother.
Make-up artists swear by facial sprays like Botanics’ Revitalizing Face Spritz, to revive models’ travel-weary skin on shoots. Store it in a fridge, to boost the chill factor.
Give tired skin a wake-up call, with Botanics’ Radiance Beauty Balm. Use this fantastic beauty cheat after a flight (on its own, or before make-up), to ensure a glowing arrival.
TRADE SECRET: It’s not just skin that suffers at 35, 000 feet: a leave-in conditioner will keep hair calm, groomed and glossy.
Everything you need to play it safe and enjoy the rays - wherever you are.
For portable, skin-pampering protection, carry Clarins’ Sun Control Stick SPF 30 from beach to bar. The twist-up tube is perfect for touch-ups, and sensitive spots like the nose, lips, earlobes and delicate eye area.
Get snap-happy and capture all your summer memories - from back garden barbies to beach parties - with Boots’ Translucent Single Use Camera.
Boldy-coloured swimwear stole the show on this year’s catwalks, and who wants to be in the (boring) black, anyway? Show off your newly-buffed summer body in this sporty, underwired Bikini.
No in-the-sun kit is complete without a pair of cool shades. Take cover in style, with these fab sunglasses by Dial - exclusive to Boots.
For a city or beach break, Clinique’s UV Response Face Gel Lotion SPF 15 will shield your skin, without leaving it feeling greasy. And the science bit? Along with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters, this new, advanced formula boasts “Solar-Activated technology”.
Go for a golden oldie: slather yourself with a suncare classic, Coppertone’s Sun Block Lotion SPF 15.
Part of a mineral-rich, French spa-based range, Avene’s 20 Sunblock Cream Gel is quickly absorbed and ideal for more sensitive skin types.
Give reluctant little ones an incentive to get protected, with Soltan’s fab new Orange Trigger Spray, SPF 30. The fun tint means you won’t miss a bit - however fast they move.
Sun, sea and chlorine all play havoc with hair. And, let’s face it, green highlights aren’t a good look. Prevention is better than cure, so use Boots’ Sun & Swim Shampoo post-dip in the pool or sea. No more summer-trashed tresses.
Be a California girl: Renée Zellweger, Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Pfeiffer are all John Frieda Beach Blonde babes. The new, coconut-scented Life Preserver oil both conditions and protects hair in the sun.
TRADE SECRET: After applying a protective conditioner, finger-twist hair into loose, chunky ringlets and secure in a ponytail or with grips. At the end of the day, release and shake out your shiny, summer-sexy waves.
Soothing treats to leave you looking - not feeling - hot, hot, hot.
Add it to your collection or try it for the first time: Jean Paul Gaultier’s fresh and breezy Classique summer fragrance comes in a new, limited edition “basque” bottle .
Enjoy a long, dry summer with Almay’s Strength solid anti-perspirant deodorant. This new, unscented formula won’t clash with your fragrance or sting - even post-shave.
Like a lime smoothie for your body, Ted Baker's new Bodywear Refreshingly Fruited Showergel is a zingy, summer shower caddy must-have.
The best summer refresher, bar none: revive your body and spirits with the Barefoot Doctor’s Body Booster Soap.
After sundown, give your skin an instant cool-down with a difference: reach for Natural Collection’s Ocean Deep Crackling Body Spray.
Catch it while you can: Clinique’s Happy Cooling Shimmer Gel is a limited edition skin-soother that leaves arms, legs - anywhere - gleaming, and laced with the uplifting fragrance.
A deliciously refreshing gloss that will look great on its own or slicked on top of your favourite lippy, Estée Lauder’s Liquid Summer Transparent Lip Lacquer comes in cool blue, compact form. Dive in ...
A favourite with beauty insiders, Clarins’ After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care nourishes the face, neck and décolleté after sun exposure. It helps to prolong a tan, and the fresh smell is addictive, too.
Aloe vera and chamomile are two of nature’s most effective skin-coolers and soothers. Soltan’s Sun Sensitive Cooling Aftersun Gel contains both.
TRADE SECRET: Splashing your face with icy-cold water (empty an ice cube tray into a sink of cold water) will instantly refresh and revive your complexion.
Sheer, sexy make-up to keep you glowing - all summer long.
An all-over, shimmering bronzer is this season’s make-up must-have - models sported sultry, sunkissed looks at Gucci, YSL and Ralph Lauren. Get the look - safely - with No 7’s Instant-Tan Skin Shimmer Bronze. This new, glide-on tint can be used on the face, too, for a touch of glowing definition.
Golden girls Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Minogue are already fans of Lancome’s self-tanners. The stunning new Star Bronzer Pure Gold Liquid Gold Body Highlighter will add A-list sparkle to your summer glow. Don’t miss it.
A new, barely-there base with moderate sunscreen protection, Bourjois’ Bulles d’éclat SPF 10 foundation comes in modern, single-dose capsules. Choose from 6, radiance-boosting shades.
Courtney Cox-Arquette is among the stars who love L’ Oreal’s luxe, lash-enhancing mascaras. Make a splash at the beach or poolside, sans “panda eyes”, with the new Intensifique Waterproof Mascara.
Almost too pretty too use, Estée Lauder’s Re-Nutriv Lipstick in new Mochaccino (great for this summer’s ultra-polished nude look) and Grenadine are shot with a summery “wave” pattern. (It’s done with a laser, in case you’re wondering).
For a sexy lick of see-through gloss or a shot of shiny, pretty-in-pink colour (teamed with kohl-rimmed eyes, à la Bridget Bardot), slip No 7’s Liquid Lips in Clear 05 or Candy Shimmer 10 in your pocket, beach bag, or itsy-bitsy bikini. Think Riviera goddess.
Freshly flushed cheeks were seen on all the summer catwalks. A favourite with Jade Jagger and Kate Moss, Ruby & Millie's Face Gloss in Wine 50 provides a wash of fresh, oh-so-now colour.
You’ve gotta have it: Hard Candy’s nail polishes grace the nails of Drew Barrymore, Liv Tyler and Julianne Moore, among others. The new Flicker is this season’s essential, shimmering nude. It’s great for summer toes, and the funky, bejeweled ring is perfect for the beach or poolside.
There are two main beauty trends this summer: the fresh, super-nude face (à la Valentino, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs) and the more colourful, hippy-chic looks (seen at Versace and Céline). Mary Astor’s new, cool-touch Fresh Eye Shadows in Cool Blue 07 and Frosted Pink 05 can be used to build up colour. Ice White 01 can be applied as a highlighter, even as part of the nude look - try it just below the browbone.
Pure retro cool, Boots’ Starlet Shimmer Powder will look as good on your dressing table as it will on your body. Dust the super-soft pink puff over bare shoulders (in this season’s peasant tops), arms and legs - wherever you fancy a touch of star-like sparkle, and fresh, subtle scent.
TRADE SECRET: Apply your bronzing shimmer or powder to the tops of your feet, too, for an alluring, sunkissed sheen.
For glamour to go, snap up summer's perfectly portable beauty essentials.
Goodbye excess baggage: on-the-move beauty is all about downsizing. These irresistibly cute, must-have minis make packing a (summer) breeze.
Seen here, some great things for top-to-toe pampering, in small packages: Boots’ Natural Collection Dewberry Body Lotion, Boots’ Essential Aromatherapy Sensuous Bath Essence; The Sanctuary’s Footcare Pamper Kit; Boots’ The Spa Toning & Moisturising Firming Cream; Charles Worthington’s Takeaways Healer Intensive Leave-In Conditioner and Sweet Dreams Perfect Reflection Texturising Wax; Fresh!’s Morning Miracle Hair Mask, and Boots’ Botanics Wake Up Body Wash.
When temperatures rise, check unwanted shine with Liz Collinge’s Finishing Tissues. Use them to help “melt-proof” your make-up, too.
Banish bad hair days on holiday. Remington's Big Shot Travel Kit comprises a dual-voltage, lightweight dryer (with US and European adaptors) and crucial styling accessories. The compact dryer boasts an air concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment, so you can play it straight or go for this season’s gypsy waves.
Pack Boots’ Tea Tree Oil Mini, to dab neat onto cuts, grazes and hot weather blemishes. After a day of sightseeing, add a few drops to a bowl of warm water, for a soothing, antiseptic foot soak.
Lighten up your make-up bag with a does-everything shimmer stick like Karen Millen’s Eyes Cheeks Lips, seen here in Silver.
Cover all your lip colour options this summer, with Rimmel London’s Sugababes Colour To Go Lipsticks. This limited edition set includes 6 mini-tubes of creamy colour, from barely-there beige to summer’s prettiest pastels. Pucker up ...
TRADE SECRET: Many companies offer complimentary trial-sizes of new or favourite products, from face creams to body-buffers, which are ideal for travel. Just ask at the counter.
]]>Beauty is growing up. With recent research identifying women over forty as the industry’s biggest spenders, it’s not surprising that there has never been more choice for the so-called “mature woman” (suddenly, the very term sounds old-fashioned) - or the range of role models more inspiring. It’s enough to make a twentysomething furrow her peerlessly smooth brow with envy.
]]> Veteran British hairdresser and trendsetter Trevor Sorbie is the latest industry pro to be tapping into the trend. His super-luxe new Rejuvenate haircare range is the latest to join the new generation (literally) of exciting lines which target the sophisticated, dynamic fortysomething-plus woman. Everything in the expertly-edited collection is designed to address the specific needs of mature hair - namely the problem of thinning, loss of lustre, dryness and what to do with those notoriously tricky, sticky-up grey bits. Think smoothing, soothing and replenishing.But Sorbie’s new line is not just about hi-tech trouble-shooting, but the feel-fabulous factor, too. Key ingredients, such as cashmere and silk proteins, are included in the mix in order to appeal to women who appreciate such things - and, crucially, have the disposal income to indulge in them.
‘The spending power is certainly there,’ says Martin Hayward, chairman of leading UK strategic marketing consultancy The Henley Centre. ‘Fortysomethings, like everybody, have more money to spend these days. And, as they get better off, less of the household budget is eaten up on basics and hence they are spending a greater proportion of their money on “non-essentials”. And they’re not lusting after a new washing machine or whatever anymore, because they’ve got all that. They’re looking now for other ways to spend their money. It’s more about “how shall I treat myself today?”.’
Enter lines like Sorbie’s. ‘Women of today are definitely looking younger, sassier and trendier for longer,’ says the man who should know. Born in Scotland (his father was a barber), Sorbie has been at the forefront of British hairdressing since the early Seventies, when he created “The Wedge”. A respected Super-stylist with his finger on the style pulse but with decades of experience behind him, Sorbie isn’t the sort to launch a line based on a fad likely to be “out” again within the flick of a razored fringe.
‘There are so many products for younger women, I thought it was about time a classy, upmarket range was designed that addressed the needs of more mature hair. A range that would give volume, smoothness and shine.’
Discussing the line, Sorbie uses words like “chic” and “trendy” a lot. The idea of a woman hitting forty and, simultaneously, “frumpdom” doesn’t even enter into it. Attitudes towards facing the (not so) “big 40” are changing, and resignation replaced with excitement about entering what has been dubbed “middle-youth”.
‘The old “life stages” really don’t work anymore,’ agrees Hayward. ‘And there are a lot of thirty and fortysomethings who haven’t got married or started a family yet and are still leading the lifestyle of a teenager.’
Recently-coined buzz-phrases such as “the fabulous fifties” and “fifty is the new forty” are supported by facts and figures. According to Barclays, for example, ten per cent more of the over-fifties are setting up their own businesses compared with ten years ago.
Sorbie, too, has done his research. The Rejevunate formulas fall into two, clearly defined categories - for Fine or thinning or Dry, coarse or permed - and all contain a protective antioxidant complex, along with UV filters to shield against the detrimental effects of sun and pollution (the luxurious cocktail also helps protect already-dehydrated tresses against damage caused by heated appliances). Star products include the Rejuvenate Shampoo and Conditioner (£3.99 each), Replenishing Treatment (£4.99), Instant Body Boost Mousse (£3.99), Cream Serum (£6.49) and Smoothing Balm (£4.99).
The timely launch of Rejuvenate is only part of a fast-growing, bigger picture. Companies can’t afford not to sit up and take notice of recent findings: a report by JWT revealed that by 2020, every second European adult will be over fifty, and that there are already nearly twice as many over-fifties as there are under-sixes in the UK.
Working along much the same lines as Sorbie, L’ Oreal’s Elvive Regenium “age-defying” haircare range has been a big success. Having the ever-stunning Catherine Denueve as its “spokesmodel” certainly hasn’t hurt sales of this advanced, specialist range aimed at women in their mid-forties and above whose tresses are fine and dry. In the television commercial, Deneuve delivers the immortal line “because I’m worth it” with the sort of sexy gravitas which only comes with age (and being French, you could argue).
Stateside, fellow L’ Oreal “faces” Dayle Haddon and Andie MacDowell are both busy models-cum-actresses (Haddon is an author, to boot) and dedicated mothers who front “mature” product ranges yet only seem to get more radiant as the years go by. The same can be said of Revlon model Julianne Moore. The couldn’t-be-hotter Oscar nominee and fortysomething mother of two represents the company’s Age Defying Make Up range and Lash Tint long-lasting mascara.
‘Julianne is the perfect example of today’s modern woman,’ says Revlon president Jeff Nugent, who goes on to praise the ‘respected actress and dedicated mother ... Julianne knows what’s important in life and pursues it with confidence and integrity.’ Before Moore, Melanie Griffiths was Revlon’s Age Defying “face”, and actress Cybill Shepherd successfully represented Ultima II’s popular Glowtion line in the Nineties.
Beauty companies know that it’s not simply a famous face that sells products, but one which is relevant to its target customer in terms of age and life experience (if not the million dollar lifestyle). ‘She becomes more than a pretty face. She seems to be a rich, three-dimensional character,’ says Linda Wells, editor of American beauty magazine Allure, of today’s famous “face”. ‘In these advertisements, the celebrity talks to the viewer, taking her into her confidence. The viewer thinks “Hey, actress X is just like me!” And that sense of identification is tantalising.’
The fact that many of the beauty pros behind the most successful ranges are getting older themselves inevitably influences the sort of products they are inclined to create. Make-up artist Bobbi Brown admits that she developed her delicious-smelling, mature skin-cosseting Extra skincare line (available at Pure Beauty stores) primarily for selfish reasons. ‘It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself,’ she admits. ‘The products are balm-based, and act as an instant pick-me-up. They’re ideal if you’re noticing that your skin is getting drier as you get older, as I did.’
Indeed, many of the richer “wonder creams” are best suited to more mature complexions. ‘They tend to be more intensive, which is fine for mature skins, but can be just too heavy for younger complexions,’ agrees A-list London facialist Vaishaly Patel, who helps Nigella Lawson to keep glowing. ‘I see a lot of younger women using these creams which they don’t truly need.’
Treatments geared towards the sophisticated, forty-plus woman certainly set the cash tills ringing. It is telling that Lancome’s superb Absolue Absolute Replenishing Cream (£70), which targets the hormonal effects of aging, became the bestselling prestige skincare product in France shortly after its launch. It has proved hugely popular on this side of the Channel, too, as has Chanel’s indulgent, very chic Ultra Correction Anti-Wrinkle Restructuring Night Cream (£47, at selected Boots and Pure Beauty stores).
The “baby boomer” (and beyond) beauty trend doesn’t stop with shampoo and skincare. McCleans’ 40 + (£2.49) toothpaste tackles problems such as sensitivity with low-abrasive ingredients, and contains more flouride than standard toothpastes.
Meanwhile, in fragrance, a previous proliferation of young, fresh but hardly statement-making scents has been superseded by a craving for more potent, “grown-up” classics such as Chanel’s No 5 (£36.50, 35 ml eau de parfum), Guerlain’s bestselling Samsara (£26, 30 ml eau de toilette) and, more recently, the addictively sensual Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan (£27, 30 ml eau de parfum). With her unstoppable energy and drive, the fiftysomething New York fashion designer herself shows no signs of slowing down (other than in her daily dawn yoga class) anytime soon.
You get the sense this is just the beginning, and that there’s a booming business to be made in pampering the fortysomethings (and over) who aren’t just happy to act their age, they want to celebrate it. They’re a force to be reckoned with. Clever Trevor.
Michelle Pfeiffer gets more gorgeous as the years go by. Refreshing in her reluctance to hold back the years with cosmetic surgery, the Hollywood wife, actress and mother of two prefers to pamper herself with organic lotions and potions.
Kristin Scott Thomas was recruited by Giorgio Armani to star in his latest advertising campaign. The fact that this very English beauty is based in Paris with her French husband injects her style with a certain, je ne sais quoi allure.
Isabella Rossellini is inspiring in her refusal to act anything less than her age when she entered her forties. As an actress and model, she is all the more beautiful for it.
Lulu is as radiant and impossibly energetic as ever. The singer and yoga devotee proves that a fashion-concious wardrobe and fab, funky haircuts are not just for twenty and thirtysomethings.
Diane Keaton has a just as much wit and irresistible, kooky allure today as she did as Annie Hall. If not more.
]]>Coveted almost as much as the clothes on the catwalk, supermodel hair looks enviably sexy, shiny and bouncy. Despite being heat-styled, dyed, twisted and teased to distraction, it gleams with vitality. So, what do Linda and Nadja know that we don’t?
]]> The answer, of course, is simple: they always have at hand a team of stylists with the tricks, techniques and equipment to coax wayward hair into place and add volume and gloss. We asked three top hairdressers from the international shows to share their styling secrets.Thanks to all that chemical processing and daily styling, lacklustre locks are an occupational hazard when you’re a supermodel.To gloss over dullness, Orlando Pita, international creative director at John Frieda, uses John Frieda’s Shampoo and Polisher for Dry/Chemically Treated hair, £2.99.
‘It contains silicones to improve the texture of the hair, makes styling easy and gives an incredible gloss,’ says Pita. For an instant sheen on dry hair, he relies on hair wax or John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Serum Finishing Spray, £4.95. ‘Worked evenly through the hair with the fingers, it gives a separated, textured look and adds shine. But be careful not to use too much,’ he advises.
Guido Palau, creative director at Toni & Guy, warns against too much mousse. ‘It takes the sheen off hair when styling.’ Dry shampoo is another no-no if it’s shine you’re after. Like Pita, Palau uses products formulated by his own salon. In this case, it’s Pure Gloss, £9.90, from Toni & Guy’s Tigi haircare range. ‘I rub a coin-sized amount into my palms and then lightly smooth them over the hair.’
Pita also advises against extra strong-hold products. ‘Sometimes ingredients are included solely to give a firm hold, but they make the hair look dull and lifeless,’ he warns. His motto is: ‘Prevention rather than cure. Frequent, minimal cutting will ensure hair stays looking strong and healthy. Using effective conditioners regularly, together with an occasional deep treatment, will also help.’
Why does Linda’s hair always look so healthy, despite the fact that she has gone through so many colour changes? ‘You’ll notice that Linda always has her hair short,’ says Scottish stylist Sam McKnight. ‘Once hair is long and colour-treated, so the ends are old, then problems arise. It starts to break, for instance. That’s why Nadja had to have her hair cut off. Most models have short to mid-length hair. Amber Valletta’s is long, but she colours it extremely gently. It’s not a full-head bleach job.’
According to Palau, Linda is only too aware of the importance of gentle treatment. ‘She’s kind of careful when you work with her that you don’t keep applying heat to her hair.’
McKnight also believes that gentle treatment is the key to preventing further damage. ‘I developed my own styling products because I wanted to make some that don’t harm your hair, so it still feels like hair,’ he says. ‘The models are always trying out my products. The Styling Base, £2.95, is a particularly good protective product and the Thermal Atomised Gel, £2.95, is specifically formulated for use with heated appliances. I spray Extreme Spray, £2.95, on all my brushes because it makes hair so shiny it looks like a mirror.’
Ironically, chemically treated hair is considered to be a bonus backstage. ‘It makes styling much easier,’ reports Guido Palau. ‘Overprocessed hair is easier to put up and straighten. Virgin hair is terrible to work with because it’s fine and slippery.’
For the same reason, product build-up is viewed as a styling advantage. ‘When I’m creating a style that is more static or moulded, it is actually easier to work with hair that is not in pristine condition,’ says Orlando Pita. ‘Hair that has been freshly washed and conditioned can be particularly difficult to work with.’
According to the superstylists, Cindy, Christy, Claudia, Niki Taylor, Karen Mulder and Kirsty Hume are all blessed with naturally full-bodied hair. ‘Kirsty’s sometimes needs to be plastered into a small knot just to get rid of the volume,’ says McKnight. ‘On a recent trip for American Vogue, I thinned it out a lot.’
Those whose tresses need more coaxing include Kate, Nadja and Amber. ‘They have beautiful hair, but it’s much thinner and benefits from the use of thickening products for extra volume,’ says Pita, who recommends John Frieda’s Thickening Lotion, £3.75. ‘Apply it first to wet hair close to the roots, then spray lightly through the rest of the hair. For best results, apply it repeatedly, in several coats, throughout styling.’ When blow-dryinh, he advises against pulling the brush through the hair. ‘Too much tension greatly reduced body,’ he says.
To give Nadja’s locks more oomph, McKnight applies his Big Spray, £2.95, and sets hair on thick Velcro rollers. ‘After ten minutes under the drier, I brush it out. A little bit of backcombing never hurt anyone.’ For more instant results, Palau has the following tip: ‘Spray hair with dry shampoo, put your head upside down and then toss it back. It’s the quickest, easiest way to give it some guts.’ If you’ve got time for rollers, he recommends applying Tigi’s Enviro-Fixx, £7.10, and using six or seven normal or three or four big rollers. ‘Getting volume is just about lifting the hair away from your scalp - always keep that in mind when you’re styling.’
Grease is a volume-killer, according to Palau. ‘You’re not going to get any volume if your hair is greasy, so don’t put loads of oil on it. Spray shine products, for example, when the style is finished,’ he advises. ‘Also, if you over-condition your hair, it will be lank. Avoid the root area and use conditoner only on the ends of your hair where it’s damaged. Comb it through and wash it straight out.’
Split ends and catwalk hair do not go hand in hand. According to Sam McKnight, frequent trims mean model’s haircuts always look neat. ‘It doesn’t get a chance to look old at the ends because it’s always been freshly cut,’ he explains. ‘Even it’s a messy, razored look, it’s trimmed by a fraction of an inch at the least once a week, either backstage or on shoots. I always razor-cut Kirsty Hume’s hair around the bottom, so it’s new-looking.
‘Usually models have layered hair, which allows more versatility when styling. It’s very rare that a model’s hair will be blunt-cut, what I call “schoolgirl hair”. Layers around the face also give hair extra body and height, which is a help.’
We always want what we weren’t born with. If, in your case, that’s straight, sleek hair, then you and Linda have something in common. ‘Linda’s hair is naturally curly, you have to give it a good blow-dry and get the straightening irons over it,’ says Palau.
Depending on how unruly hair is, Palau employs different techniques to make it supersleek. ‘If it’s really curly or wavy, there’s no quick way,’ he admits. ‘When you’re blow-drying, use the largest brush you can find because you don’t want to wrap the hair around it so it curls. Work through the hair in sections, starting at the bottom and drying the underneath sections first, moving up. If you don’t want any volume, push the brush down on the top of the roots, against the scalp, for a sleek look. If you want volume, put the brush underneath your hair and lift it up at the roots while drying.’
If necessary, use straightening irons after blow-drying. ‘Run them through the hair very quickly; they should be used just as a finishing tool,’ explains Palau. To combat the frizzies, he applies a small amount of Tigi’s Pure Gloss, £9.90, or a heavier wax, used sparingly, around the hairline.
Pita agrees that straightenining irons shouldn’t be over-used. ‘They are by far the most effective way to achieve that sleek look, but you must be careful not to overdo it as regular use can damage the hair.’ He always primes wet hair with John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Hair Serum, £5.95. After styling, he applies Serum Finishing Spray, £4.95, to seal in moisture and protect hair from the hot catwalk lights.
Superstylists favour loose, natural-looking curls on the catwalk. To achieve them, McKnight favours hot rollers on hair that has been set with his Thermal Atomised Gel, £2.95. ‘I’m very fast with hot rollers; they’re great. Remington Steam Setter rollers (£29.99), which are pastel-coloured but turn white when they’re ready to use. You can whip them in and out. I usually have about ten sets ready, just in case.’
For full, soft curls, says Pita, choose large Velcro rollers, or curling tongs if you want the curls to be tighter and more defined. He always primes hair with John Frieda’s Thickening Lotion, £3.75, to add weight and body, and sets it with Controlling Spray, £2.99, for maximum hold.
If you’re using tongs but don’t want a contrived look, try this trick from Palau: ‘I never take the tongs right up to the roots or put the ends in, as hair tends to go into ringlets and looks too romantic. For sexier curls, I always leave the ends of the hair sticking out.’ For full-bodied, healthy-looking curls, he suggests using Tigi’s Extra Strong Mousse, £4.25, before you start styling.
According to Palau, we shouldn’t try to emulate complicated catwalk up-dos. ‘The way I put hair up is very much about keeping it simple. You can literally just put hair into a ponytail, twist it round and use a covered black elastic band to hold it in place, leaving a bit hanging out. You can glamorise it with cheap black clips, slides or bands. Keep it plain.’
If you want a more intricate style, Pita advises going for maximum root lift. ‘Hair should be blow-dried upwards to counter the effects of gravity. In the morning, put your hair in a ponytail or topknot, so it sets upwards. When you untie it later, to put your hair up, the roots should be shooting upwards.’
Instead of trying to handle all your hair at once, Pita suggests parting it from ear to ear and dividing hair into a front and back section. ‘Pin the front out of the way, then take the back section and twist it into a knot or pleat, securing it with pins. Then separate the front section into a further two sections. Decide which shape will suit your face, then either smooth the hair round, blending it into the know or pleat at the back, or dress it on soft curls to frame the face.’
McKnight’s solution is simple: ‘Do yourself a favour. Give yourself a really tight, high ponytail - and a face-lift at the same time. You can backcomb the ponytail and pin it under like a topknot, using a chignon pin as they’re stronger than hairpins. Or put a couple of heated rollers in your ponytail and leave it loose. Have it as smooth or as messy as you like.’
Is she or isn’t she ... dark, blonde, two-tone? The chances are, those streaks aren’t for real and her roots were sprayed on backstage. ‘At the Ghost show last year, I used a water-based stage make-up called Kryolan Aquacolour, £5.35 from Screenface, and painted it straight on to the hair,’ recalls McKnight. ‘You can get it in any colour, such as blue, orange and purple. Or you can get “wefts” (prices start at £19.90 at Hairaisers) which are piece of real hair, dyed and fixed into placed with eyelash glue.’
Palau uses the same trick, using dark hair on blonde and vice-versa, to create dramatic streaks. ‘The trick is to lift up your own hair and clip it underneath. They’re great for thickening hair.’ He also likes coloured mousses, especially on lighter hair, for stronger looks. ‘But if your hair is processed, you’ve got to be careful. Bleached hair grabs any colour. If you’re going to mess about with colour, it’s best to go to the salon.’
]]>The first course of action after a winter of cold weather and layers of woollies is to restore a healthy glow to grey-looking skin. Toptotoe skin brushing is the cheapest, most effective way. It not only sloughs away dead skin cells and wakes up the circulation, but is also thought to stimulate lymphatic drainage, assisting the body's detoxification process.
]]> Dip a natural bristle brush, loofah or hemp mitt in cool water, then brush dry skin in long, sweeping movements, working from the feet upwards. Don't be too vigorous and be gentle on delicate areas such as the chest. Exfoliating scrubs also make great body buffers. Before a bath or shower, dampen skin slightly then apply Clinique Body Exfoliating Cream, £ 11.50, The Body Shop Rice Bran Scrub, £5.25, or Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub £17.75, all over.For sensitive skins, try Aveda Smoothing Body Polish, £15, or Montagne jeunesse Seaweed & Mineral Shower Gel, £2.29.
Oily, blemished areas will benefit from a deep-cleansing body
mask. Princess Marcella Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face & Body, £28, is rich in natural mineral salts, while Marks & Spencer's spastyle From the Sea Purifying Mud Treatment, £6, contains therapeutic Dead Sea salts. Or book a professional treatment, such as the Micronized Marine Algae Envelopment, £45, at The Sanctuary (0171 240 9635). Your body is covered in a mineral-rich seaweed paste and wrapped in a heated blanket. The Inch Wrap, half-body from £32.90, at Bharti Vyas Holistic & Beauty Centre, uses Dead Sea mud and leaves skin polished (0171935 5312). Slough away rough skin on elbows, knees and heels with a deepcleansing mask. Rinse off to reveal velvety, soft skin. For hard-to-reach areas like the back, put yourself in professional hands and book a part-body treatment. Aveda's Back Spa Treatment, from £15 (salons: 0171 636 7911), or The Green Room's Back Cleansing, £17.50 (0171379 9600), will leave your back silky smooth and ready for exposure.
Even if you wear less make-up in summer, you don’t want what’s there to slide or smudge when the office is sweltering. Revlon’s new Colourstay Makeup, £11.50, stays put due to its blend of special polymers in a water-resistant, silicon-based emulsion. Likewise, Clinique Workout Makeup, £15.50, and Estée Lauder Maximum Cover Lightweight Creme Makeup, £16, won’t be shifted by heat or water. No7’s Continuous Cover Collection comprises waterproof, smudge-proof basics with UV filters, such as Continuous Cover Make-Up, £4.75, Continuous Shadow, £4.15, and Protective Waterproof Mascara, £4.25. Other reliable waterproof mascaras are Lancome’s new �ternicils, £13.50, and Bourjois Cil Waterproof Mascara, £4.75. Give lips long-lasting colour with Clinique Long Last Lipstick, £10, with silicia beans for greater staying power. L’Oréal Perfection Colour Endue, £4.99, or Shiseido Staying Power Lipstick, £16.
Try waxing and sugaring which can remove hair at the root, keeping it away for up to five weeks. Book a salon treatment before your holiday, or do it yourself at home. Prewaxed strips, such as Louis Marcell’s Wax Strips, £4.89, are quick to use as they don't need heating up.
The jury is out on which is the least painful - waxing or sugaring, but many women swear by sugaring. It can be done on all areas, including the bikini line and stomach. Like waxing, sugaring is not for the fainthearted as hair is ripped out from the roots by cotton strips covered with thick sticky sugar. Try The Body Shop Sugaring Solution, £4.95, with Cotton Strips, £2.50. Avoid these treatments just before a period, as your pain threshold tends to be lower then.
If you can't face the pain, depilatory creams dissolve hair just below the surface of the skin but have a regrowth rate of about two to three days. As these creams can irritate some skins, particularly sensitive types, don't use them just before going into the sun. Boots Hair Removing Cream Sensitive Skin Formula, £1.89, is one to try. Similarly, avoid shaving right before applying sun protection products to avoid irritation.
The sun lightens facial hair, or you con get the same effect with a cream bleach such as Jolen's new, milder Creme Bleach With Aloe Vera, £3.70. Rinse the product off thoroughly, and wait a few hours before going into the sun to avoid irritation.
Counteract summer dryness and keep skin smooth and soft with lashings of pampering body lotion. Slather on The Body Shop's non-greasy Vitamin E Body Lotion, £3.80, or Lanc6me R6flexe Caresse Hydrating Renewing Body Gel, £20. Look out for the lightly perfumed lotions, such as Clinique's new Wrappings Body Smoother, £18, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Perfumed Body Lotion, £15. or Donna Karan Cashmere Body Lotion, £38.
The sun is not the only enemy of healthy hair. It’s important to shield locks against dehydration and discolouration when you’re swimming in the sea or pool. Sea water is notoriously drying, ruffling the outer cuticles of the hair shaft and making hair coarse,dry and unmanageable. Even if you can’t shampoo your hair on the beach, put your head under a fresh-water shower if at all possible.
The chlorine and other chemicals present in pool water pose a special threat to bleached or highlighted hair. Comb through a barrier product, such as Kiehl’s Leave-In Conditioner with Sunscreen, £13.95, or Jo Hansford Cream Therapy Conditioner, £5.95. Wash hair immediately after swimming with Ultra Swim Protective Shampoo, £2.99, and restore lost strength and moisture with Paul Mitchell’s new Creatives Herbal Complex Series Revitalizing Hair Masque, £12.25.
These days it's easy to fake a golden glow and this summer's citrus clothes look stunning against lightly bronzed skin.
Clarins has made the Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) molecule (the agent, derived from grapes, which reacts with the skin's natural protein to produce the 'tan') more stable by combining it with bisulphate, ensuring a more even application of Clarins Self Tanning Milk, £12.50, and Gel, £12.50. Origins Summer Vacation, £12.50, meanwhile, contains alpha hydroxy fruit acids to help control the pH balance of the skin so that colour is not orangey.
As different skin types 'take' colour differently, Clinique's new Self-Tanning Face Formula, £12.50, comes in two variations: dry/normal and oily. Lancaster Precise Self-Tan for Face, SPF16, £13.50, is available in Light Golden, Medium/Deep Terra Bronze and Medium/ Deep Golden Bronze, or try Estée Lauder Self-Action Supertan Spray in Medium, £17, or Supertan Lotion, £17, in Medium or Dark.
For best results, exfoliate skin first. Try Lancaster Body Refining Creme, £10, and rub body lotion on to knees, elbows and heels. Protect nails and hairline from stains with a barrier cream such as Vaseline. When applying fake tan, start from your feet and work up, blending well around ankles, between toes and not missing out the back of the neck. Work quickly and wash hands immediately afterwards. Wait 15 minutes before dressing or going to bed.
For first-time fakers, a professional self-tanning treatment ensures streak-free results. Highly recommended is Decleor Self-Tanning Treatment, from £30 (salons: 0 171.262 0403). Others to try: Clarins TopTo Toe Bronzing Treatment, from £25 (studios: 0171629 2979); The Green Room Natural Tanning, £29 full body, £ 17.50 half body (0 1713 79 9600), and Selfridges Spa Auto Bronze Tanning Treatment, £35 (0171318 3389).
Not to be confused with tinted moisturisers, wash-off temporary 'tans', like Ambre Solaire Duo Tan Instant Tan, £3.49, give skin an instant veil of colour that washes off with soap and water. Tinted moisturisers can smudge, but these non-greasy formulas are quickly absorbed and leave no residue on the skin.
The abundance of manmade fibres this season means that skin is prone to overheating when temperatures rise. Wearing natural fibres next to the skin helps reduce irritation.
A new generation of dusting powders is emerging to help keep skin fresh. Nina Ricci Deci Dela Perfumed Dusting Powder, £38, has peach blossom to absorb moisture.
At work, cool down with a squirt of scent like the latest unisex, no-nonsense Paco, £28. The aluminium eau de toilette spray will add a bit of class to your intray. And keep a tray of ice cubes in the office fridge to melt over pulse points.
Calamine lotion, such as Lacto Calamine Lotion, £3.45, is the best skin soother.
To prevent bites and stings, try Boots Repel Plus, £3.69, or apply essential oil of citronella neat to your clothes. Neal's Yard Remedies Lemon Gross Sun Oil, £5.60, or Lotion, £5.75, naturally repel insects. Treat bites and stings with Tisserand Natural Antiseptic Cream, £3.99, After Bite, £2.69, or Waspeze, £3.99. Refresh hot, tired legs with Clarins Energizing Emulsion For Tired Legs, £14, Elemis Aromatic Refreshing Gel, £16.05 or JF Lazartigue Institut des jambes Revitalising Spray, £14. Apply to bare legs or through tights for instant relief.
This summer’s thong sandals leave nowhere to hide for less-than-pretty feet, so polish them up with a pedicure.
Soak feet for ten minutes in a bowl of warm soapy water. Dry, then smooth with a foot file or pumice stone. Or try Newtons Foot Therapy Pumice Foot Scrub, £t.89. Trim nails straight across with clippers and shape with in emery board. Massage feet with Tisserand Refreshing Foot Lotion, £3.80, or Lush Pied De Pepper Foot Cream, £5.75 (mail order. 0 1202668545). Use an orange stick wrapped in cotton wool to gently push back cuticles, then apply a base coat to nails. Follow with two coats of polish and finish with a top coat. Whether you fall for pearly pink or cyber blue, this season’s nail colours call for well-manicures hands. Take off old polish with a non-drying remover such as Boots Conditioning Nail Polish Remover, £ 1.49, and soak hands in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of lemon juice. Dry and massage with a hand cream such as Neal’s Yard Remedies Almond Hand Cream, £5, and with a cuticle cream, such as Barielle Extra Gentle Cuticle Minimizer, £5.95. Buff with a chamois buffer, then apply a base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat.
]]>When I'm working, I love to pile on the make-up, but in real life I like to look 'natural but enhanced'. I believe in enhancement! It's like my mother always said, you just need a little blush, a little lipstick and a little shimmer. That's how I feel happiest in real life. Occasionally, I won't wear make-up when I'm at home, but when I'm out, I do feel the need to put a little something on.
I use concealer and a little bit of powder, but not a lot because I like my skin to have a sheen. I always carry my tweezers with me, and I have a choice of different ones. I wear a nude lip liner all the time, just to help fill them out. I also have this clear SPF15 lip gloss that Yardley makes - I'm obsessed with it. I know I'm their 'face', but it's the truth, you can look in my make-up bag! It's not at all waxy and has the best texture I've ever seen. I can't live without it.
My skincare regime is actually really basic. I don't mess with expensive high-tech creams or any of that stuff. Maybe I should start! I stick to soap and water, a good moisturiser and a sunscreen. Sun protection is the best thing you can do for your skin. I don't stay out of the sun completely, because I like to have a bit of colour, but I don't like to fry myself in the sun. I never spend more than half an hour in low sun and never go out in high sun. You have to protect your lips, too. I'm sorry, but there's nothing worse than a vertical lip line. Like everyone, I get a pimple every month, and usually one on my chin, but it's the pimple of the month. It looks more like a tumour!
My hair is naturally curly-to-wavy. I can make my hair do whatever I want it to, which is great, but it’s not the hair I wish I'd been born with. You always want what you don't have. I love poker-straight, swingy, shiny hair. It's a lot of work to get it looking straight and sleek. Otherwise, I'd like that really tight, curly corkscrew hair.
I'm always changing my hair colour, and I'm lucky because I have good quality hair. I have it coloured in New York by Louis Licari and Garren. Sometimes I just do it myself at home with a semi-permanent. It's really no big deal.
I'm a perfume fanatic. I fall for everything, from the fragrance the packaging to the bottle. Sometimes, I’ll go on binges and wear the same perfume all time, and other times I want to change it everyday.
A lot of people dream about vacations on the beach, but for me that's not a break. A holiday fo me is staying home, because I'm never there. I just love it. I enjoy cooking at home, and make pasta with a nice plain tomato sauce. Pasta is in low fat, about 400 calories a cup and, I'm sorry, but I eat two or three cups. I never go to spas, althoughI went to Canyon Ranch in Arizona and hiked. I went to bed at 6pm, after walking for nine hours.
When I first started modelling, I used to buy 10 issues of every cover I was on. I'd have a friend take a picture of me standing at the kiosk in front of a row of about 12 magazines. Now I only buy one copy, so I'm kind of over it. But my mum still puts them on her coffee table! To be honest, I'm always amazed how bad my covers are. I can't believe they choose the best shot of me. I'd like to edit the film myself on the shoot. It's really an accomplishment to have a beautiful cover.
The last few times I've been in London, I didn't have time to shop. When Ido, I love going to Neal's Yard Remedies, Czech & Speake and Voyage for clothes - I can spend so much money in that shop!
]]>Moss is sensitive to the emotional pressures involved in an industry obsessed with body image. 'To some extent, 1 think all women have a distorted body image, but models tend to be more critical,' he says. 'The issues are the same but amplified.'
And according to Moss, a healthy body has nothing to do with weight. 'People are still very numberconscious,' he says. 'I have to show them that it isn't all about scales. The term "overweight" is meaningless; it's antiquated. Research now shows that muscle is a very active tissue, and if you have lean muscle mass on your body, you can increase your metabolic rate. You can actually burn calories indirectly through having muscle. Not only that, but weight training helps to maintain bone density.' The Moss 'Quiet Muscle Workout', originally developed for his Elite clients and designed to build long, lean muscles while burning fat, includes a variety of cardiovascular exercises, from swimming to Step, together with a made-to-measure, low-weight workout.
'I consider myself an educator,' Moss reflects. 'I'm really into the reasons why you should do something. Once you understand why it's important to improve your muscle tone, then you're willing to accept the weight increase that goes with it.' To demonstrate to his clients how different foods affect the body in different ways, Moss gets them to keep a daily food diary. 'We do a weekly check and try to knock out all the empty calories those that don't do the body any good.' It's all about learning the power of food positive and negative, he says. 'It's about your whole life, not just now.'
]]>The latest adaptation of this ancient discipline is Power Yoga, championed by Beryl Bender Birch, American yoga teacher and author of Power Yoga The Total Strength And Flexibility Workout (Prion, £8.99). A highenergy workout comprising focused breathing and strong, fluid, seamless movements, Power Yoga is based on the ancient system of Ashtanga yoga, which dates back to before 200BC.
'In Power Yoga, you are training your body to build physical endurance in order to flow through the form without stopping,' explains Birch.'But, more importantly, you are training the mind to remain focused and to not break concentration.'
All the positions, or asanas, are linked in sequence by a connecting movement called a vinyasa, making for a nonstop workout that heats up the body. 'Not only do you have to warm up to stretch, you have to be warm while stretching,' says Birch. 'And not just warm, but hot and sweating.' This is accomplished by doing strength work concurrently and continuously with the stretch. Weights aren't needed, as muscles are worked and strengthened by using the body's natural resistance. Using the correct breathing technique through the nose helps, too. It warms the body faster and increases the power of the lungs.
Beginners to Power Yoga should work within their limitations. An approximation of the positions is sufficient for those who are new to the discipline. Avoid forcing your body into any position which feels uncomfortable. If you have a specific medical condition, or have recently undergone surgery, you are advised against certain Power Yoga moves (contraindications are listed in Birch's book). If in doubt, check with your doctor or physician before starting any exercise programme.
Each Power Yoga workout begins with Sun Salutations, a series of linked movements that will be familiar to those who already practise yoga. The The tadasana, or starting posture
Bring your feet together, big toes touching, with arms at your sides. Relax your shoulders and roll them backwards, pressing shoulder blades towards one another. Tuck your chin in slightly towards your chest and gaze straight ahead. Try not to focus on anything specific, just let your eyes relax.
Inhale as you bring yourarms straight up over your head, placing your palms together just as you finish inhaling. Look up at your thumbs. Lift kneecaps by tightening or flexing thighs. Reach up as vigorously as possible, lengthening your torso and lifting your rib cage. Don't arch your back or lean backwards.
Keeping legs as straight as possible, exhale as you bring your hands down in front of you. Place palms on the floor, alongside your feet, and tuck your head into your knees. Look towards your navel. Those with very tight hamstrings or lower back problems should bend their knees when trying this position.
Look up, lifting your chest and extending your back as you inhale. Beginners should keep knees bent.
Exhale as you walk your legs back. Make your body as stiff as a plank and slowly lower yourself to the floor into a pushup position. Keep elbows tucked in at the sides. Try to hold your body off the floor. If you cannot hold a pushup, put your knees down as you lower yourself to the floor. Look straight ahead of you.
Point toes back so that your weight rests on the tops of your feet and palms only. Inhale as you arch your body back, bending from the waist. If this is too much work to begin with, or places too much pressure on the lower back or the tops of your feet, keep your knees on the floor. Look up and back towards the ceiling or wall behind you.
Be warned - this position will be extremely difficult for those with tight feet or ankles. It can also create lowerback distress it performed incorrectly. Do not allow your back to sag or shoulders to hunch up. When performed correctly, the lower back should not be uncomfortable.
Exhale and turn toes back under, pushing up and walking hands back so that your body is in an inverted V position, bottom in the air. Feet should be parallel, about 10-12 inches apart, aligned with your hip bones. Hands should be about the same distance apart, lined up with your shoulderblades. Make sure palms are flat and fingers spread out evenly, and push down on heels. Look back towards your navel. Keep head relaxed. Tighten thighs and lift abdominals. Hold for a total of five breaths, in and out.
Walk feet, one at a time, towards hands, while you inhale. Look up. Lift chest and extend back. Make sure your feet are together, big toes touching. Bend your knees only as much as necessary to get your hands on the floor, but don't squat.
As you inhale, tuck your head into your knees and flex your back. If the backs of your legs are tight, bend your knees. Look at your navel.
Inhale and come all the way back up to a standing position with your arms straight up over your head, palms together. Look up and lift your kneecaps by tightening or flexing your thigh muscles. Lift your rib cage, lengthen your torso and stretch up; imagine you're being drawn up to the ceiling by a string attached to your middle fingers and connected through your spine to a point between your feet.
For more information about Power Yoga and Beryl Bender Birch's work, contact the Ashtanga Yoga Center in New York, tel (001 212) 6612895.
]]>CONTROL YOURSELF and don a pair of Donna Karan's hip-friendly tights for a smoother silhouette. DKNY Opaque Coverage Control Top Tights (£9.95) pull you in at all the right places. In a 70denier Lycira/Spandex mix, the allimportant firmcontrol top acts like a girdle on hips and stomach.
If you wear high heels for long periods, TREAD CAREFULLY. You are much more likely to suffer from backache, muscle fatigue, poor body alignment and bad circulation than if you wear flat shoes. Take the strain off your feet by lining high-heeled shoes with cushioned insoles. By varying the height of the heels you wear you can exercise the calf muscles and rebalance the body. Whenever possible, go barefoot orwearflat shoes.
Get your FAT FACTS right. Determine your ratio of lean muscle mass to body fat by having your body fat measured professionally at a gym or health club.1f you know what your body fat percentage is, it gives you a bench mark to work from and allows you to set realistic fat loss goals,'explains Louise Clark of The Fitness Professionals. ‘There are many ways it can be done. The most common method is the skin fold test, where callipers are used to measure fat at specific points on the body. This is very effective, provided it is done by a qualified instructor.'
Take a tip from The Body. ELLE MACPHERSON’S NEW FITNESS VIDEO, Elle Macpherson - The Body (Pickwick, £10. 99), may not turn you into a 6ft model, but the 45 minute workout, combining toning and strengthening moves with aerobic exercise and the expertise of Californian fitness guru Karen Voight, will help make the most of what you've got.
THE BOTTOM LINE, according to Carolan Brown, personal trainer and author of Bodywatch (Headline, £9.99) is to tone your bottom the quick and easy way. She recommends 15 squats three times a day to improve the shape and tone of buttocks. After just one week you will notice a difference.
SKIPPING tones the thighs,calves and buttocks, improves aerobic endurance, and strengthens the back and shoulder joints. Skip for 510 minutes a day. Start slowly and gradually build up your pace. (For best results incorporate this into a regular fitness routine).
For ultra-fast and effective STOMACH TONING, The Crunch (Telestar, £10.99) is a workout video from top fitness trainer and queen of the crunch, Karen Amen. 'Anyone can crunch, you just need a little time and commitment,' she says. If you need convincing, subscribers to her 10 minute tummy-toning method include Demi Moore and Claudia Schiffer.
STRETCH for five minutes before and after exercise. It's good for your body and your state of mind. Stretching prompts the brain to release feel-good endorphins, reports Martica Heaner in Curves: The Body Transformation Strategy (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99). Hold each stretch for between 10 to 30 seconds. Never bounce or force a stretch. If it hurts, stop immediately. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends doing flexibility exercises for 30 minutes at least twice a week.
The current craze for ROLLER-BLADING is also a great form of aerobic exercise. 'The big advantage is that rollerblading puts no stress on the joints,' says Martin Hum of Rollerblade UK. Inline skating is becoming widely used in fitness training. For more information, tel (01539) 724740.
For a TRIM ABDOMEN in record time, exercise your abdominal muscles twice a day. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and gently sit up by pulling the muscles in towards your spine. Touch one elbow against the opposite knee, relax, then repeat on the other side. Repeat 10 times on each side, twice a day. To relax worked muscles, lie on your back, pull the knees up to the chest and hold for 10-15 seconds, then release. Remember, though, women's stomachs are naturally rounded, so don't over-do it.
BREASTS contain no muscle so it is vital to keep the underlying pectoral muscles in shape. Practise these simple push-ups every day to maintain muscle tone: relax shoulders and, keeping head upright, stand at arms length away from a wall. Place hands flat against the wall at shoulder height. Keeping body straight, breathe in and, bending elbows, lean as close to the wall as possible. Exhale and push back to original position. Repeat 10 times, gradually building up to 30 repetitions.
For fast and effective FAT BURNING AND MUSCLE TONING, invest in a NordicSport Ski machine (from £329). This piece of equipment, which you can use in the comfort of your own home, mimics the action of cross-country skiing. Unlike a step machine or treadmill, it gives both upper and lower body a simultaneous workout. For more information, call Freefone on (0800) 616179.
TO TONE ARMS and upper back, stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Holding light weights (1-2 lbs each), rest fists on shoulders with palms facing forwards. Exhale and try to tighten back muscles and shoulders as you reach your hands up overyour head. Concentrate on keeping your neck 'long' (don't hunch shoulders). Hold this position, breathe in, then slowly return hands to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
If you want totake the EASY ROUTE TO EXERCISE, a session on a series of toning tables could be your ideal workout. The seven exercise beds, each designed to work a specific body part, literally do the exercise for you - all you do is lie back and go with the flow. Prices start at £18 for a 30minute session. For more information, tel (0171) 584 6620.
Try BACKSTROKE for tightening the abdominal muscles and toning legs and upper arms. Backstroke burns the most calories (500-800 per hour); front crawl improves body alignment and is good for the cardiovascular system; breaststroke strengthens the upper body and works the inner thighs (avoid this stroke during pregnancy, as it puts additional strain on the base of the spine). For best results, swim for 20 minutes at least three times a week and alternate strokes.
Speedo has created the WATER WORKOUT, a fitness programme similar to Step aerobics. The body weighs 90 per cent less in water, yet water resistance is 12 times greater than air resistance, so in-pool exercise improves muscle tone and strength much faster than out-of-pool activities. For more information on Speedo Aqua Step classes, tel (0115) 9296131.
Hyped as the CELLULITE-TO-GO miracle, body creams containing aminophylline, a compound for treating asthma which has recently been causing a stir in the US, have crossed the Atlantic. Research suggests that when massaged regularly into the thighs, hips, buttocks and waist, aminophylline triggers fat loss and banishes water retention. Now Body Tone cream (£19.95) with aminophylline is available at selected UK salons and by mail order from The Seymour Medical Group, tel (0151) 709 7227.
ALPHA HYDROXY ACID contained in Christian Dior's luxurious Svelte Vitalising Body Moisturiser (£19) is a milk-derived lactic acid which lifts dead skin cells and prepares skin for the formula's hydrating properties. In addition, it has the benefit of vitamin E to protect from free radicals.
The new THREE-STEP SKIN TREATMENT from Ultima II is The Basics Body Line: The Body Polisher (£18) gently sloughs away dead cel Is; The Body Silkener (£18) is a rich moisturiser; and The Body Shaper (£22) helps to firm and smooth skin. Alternatively, Carole Franck's Exfoliant Body Scrub (£18.20) removes surface skin debris with sunflower and apricot granules; the Body Milk (£15.95) rehydrates with lettuce, mallow and chestnut, and Relaxing Gel For The Legs (£18.20) contains camphor and menthol. For stockists, tel (01823) 421310.
LEGS have fewer sebaceous glands than other parts of the body, so they need intensive moisturising. Try JF Lazartigue's lnstitut des Jambes Repair Cream For Dry, Flaky Skin (£19), with vitamins A, E and F, and hydrating extracts of avocado, shea butter and wheatgerm. For a toning effect, apply Firming And Energising Gel For Loose Skin (£20), available from JF Lazartigue counters and centres. Shu Uemura's legcare products contain marigold, believed to restore a healthy lymphatic flow and camomile, for its calming properties. Massage oil-based Ethpital Eau Drainante (£20) into legs after bathing, or Ethpital Micro Foam (£15), a light mousse for the day.
The Universal Contour Wrap INCH LOSS TREATMENT can also help relieve skin conditions (including psoriasis), and is believed to have a detoxifying effect on the body. After being wrapped from headtotoe with bandages soaked in clay, you emerge with deep-cleansed, silky-smooth skin. For more information, tel (01784) 259988.
*. ELECTRONIC MUSCLE-TONING treatments promise effortless inch loss. Try a course of Arasys treatments, tel (0171) 486 3466, which utilise faradic currents to promote localised f luid loss and tone muscles. Or take a course of lonithermie, tel (01753) 833900, a treatment which combines galvanic and faradic currents with a thermal clay mask.
WATER THERAPY helps to boost blood circulation, revitalise skin and refine body contours. Target problem areas such as thighs and bottom using a highpressure shower head. Switch water to cold (10-12 ‘ C) for 20 seconds, then back to warm (36-38'C) for 12 minutes, and finish with a blast of cold water.
STAND UP STRAIGHT - slouching takes inches off your height and can make a dramatic difference to the natural line of your body. When you stand correctly even your stomach will appear flatter.
To overcome bad postural habits enlist professional help. A course of lessons in The Alexander Technique is the best method, particularly for those who suffer from back problems. For details, send an sae to The Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique, 20 London House, 266 Fulham Road, London SW1 0 9EA.
ARE YOU FIT TO FACE WINTER? Tempting as it is to forego exercise when your body is hidden from view under woolly layers, a winter fitness programme keeps you toned and ready for spring. It also helps to alleviate seasonal feelings of sluggishness, raises energy levels and improves circulation, which in turn gives skin a healthy bloom.
'Studies show that moderate exercise, in conjunction with a healthy diet and plenty of sleep, boosts the immune system, while overexercising reduces your natural immunity to illness,' reports Mortica Heaner, fitness expert and author of Curves: The Body Transformation Strategy (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99).
Working out throughout the winter months will help to prevent those extra pounds creeping on between now and next spring.
‘As the weather gets colder and you become less active, your metabolism slows down and your body burns fewer calories,’ explains Heaner. ‘That’s why it’s much easier to gain weight during the winter. So, even if you’re not interested in losing weight, you might want to incorporate some extra activity into your daily life in order to maintain your current weight.’
While working out will enable you to indulge the odd winter food craving, don’t undermine your efforts by fuelling yourself with foods which are high in sugar and fat.
Like any fitness programme, your winter regime should combine regular cardiovascular activity, to burn body fat and build stamina, with exercises which will improve overall muscle tone. Follow ELLE’s two-part guide to working out this winter.
Many gyms and health clubs offer special winter discounts on membership fees. Make a beeline for cardiovascular training equipment such as the exercise bike, rowing machine, StairMaster or treadmill. Depending on your fitness level, aim for between 20-45 minutes of continuous activity. Stop if you feel light-headed or dizzy.
If the gym doesn’t appeal, try a fat-burning exercise class, such as high- or low-impact aerobics, Step, Slide or aquaaerobics - most swimming pools now hold at least one a week.
A home workout can be equally effective. ‘The fact is, you can get the same results as you would in a gym, but it requires more discipline,’ says Heaner. Suitable for regular exercisers and beginners, Heaner’s new video, Seven Weeks to a Sexy Body (Mind & Muscle Productions, £12.99) contains a fat-burning section, plus body-sculpting moves and stretches to promote suppleness.
If you work long hours, invest in a step machine, exercise bike or treadmill, which allows you to snatch 10 minutes’ exercise and watch TV or read the papers at the same time. ‘Always place the equipment near a source of fresh air,’ says Joanna Berry of The National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT).
If you really want to kick-start your regime - and you can afford it - a qualified personal trainer will give you a thorough fitness assessment, and tailor-made winter programme. Your very own fitness guru will visit you at home, bad weather notwithstanding. Fees vary from £20-40 per hour. For details, contact the NRPT, tel (0181) 944 6688.
Devised for ELLE by Martica Heaner, our short series of body-sculpting exercises will keep you looking toned and firm. They can be done without weights, but you can increase the resistance by using handheld weights of about 1-3lb each. Try to do at least one set - 8-12 repetitions - of each exercise. Aim to perform the workout every 2-3 days, starting and finishing with a total body stretch to increase flexibility and prevent soreness.
To tone the bottom and thighs
• Stand with feet parallel, shoulder-width apart. Keep your body weight on your heels. Tighten stomach muscles and, with a straight back, lean forwards at a slight angle. Bending the knees, lower your hips as you push them out behind you. Don't tilt your pelvis forwards but point your tailbone backwards. Hold the weights resting on your hips, palms facing inwards.
• With your body weight still on your heels, squeeze buttocks and straighten legs, knees facing forwards, while you lift your right leg out to the side. Hold, then lower both legs into a squat again and repeat with other leg.
To tone the stomach
• Lie on your back on the floor, with your knees bent and one hand held behind your head. Hold a weight just below your neck with the other hand. Keep your chin away from your chest.
• As you exhale, bring your ribcage towards your hips. Keep your chin lifted. Inhale and slowly lower so that your shoulder blades touch down but your head stays slightly lifted. Lift again. Change the weight to the other hand and repeat.
To tone the chest, shoulders and arms
• Lie on your stomach with your legs straight, toes curled under. Place your palms on the floor, with fingers facing forwards at shoulder level. Push your weight onto your knees, straighten your arms and lift your chest so that you are balancing on your knees.
• Straighten your legs so that you are balancing on your hands and toes, with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Inhale and bend elbows, lowering chest to the ground again. Exhale and push up by straightening elbows. Repeat.
To strengthen the back
• Sit on a bench or low stool. Rest your chest on your thighs and hold a weight in each hand by your feet, palms facing in.
• Drop your chin. Exhale and open your arms to the side. Remember to lean forwards on your legs so you work the entire length of your shoulders and back. If this feels uncomfortable, bend your elbows a little when you lift.
Most British women complain that their complexions do not 'glow'during winter, and that their skin tends to dry out. 'The main problems are central heating and biting winds which strip the skin of its natural oils,’ says Beryl Barnard, education director at The London Esthetique. Follow ELLE's complete skincare guide for a glowing summer look all winter.
Even the most sophisticated developments in skincare won't be reflected in a radiant complexion if you don't feed your skin from within. Besides drinking plenty of water and herbal teas to flush out toxins and prevent dehydration, ensure that your diet contains the essential nutrients for healthy skin. In her latest book Food (Orion, £15.99), American fitness and diet guru Susan Powter talks about £glow foods' which assist the skin's natural functions, improve the complexion and add shine to eyes.
Vitamin A Sources: carrots, swedes, yellow or orange vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables. Effects: maintains skin's elasticity.
Vitamin B2 Sources: wholegrains, beans, leafy green vegetables. Effects: protects skin.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) Sources: as above, plus skiitake mushrooms, seeds and nuts, fish and seafood. Effects: promotes healthy circulation.
Vitamin BS Sources: wholegrains, broccoli, cabbage, green vegetables, corn, sunflower seeds. Effects: reduces skin inflammation.
Vitamin B6 Sources: wholegrains, brown rice, beans, carrots, sunflower seeds, cabbage. Effects: essential for skin fiinction.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) Sources: wholegrains, leafy vegetables. Effects: assists the formation of red blood cells.
Vitamin C Sources: citrus fruits' broccoli, watercress, leafy greens, cherries, apricots. Effects: assists the formation of collagen and elastin.
Vitamin D Sources: fish, liver, oils. Effects: promotes calcium absorption.
Vitamin E Sources: green leafy vegetables, wholegrains, soya beans, rice. Effects: slows ageing of skin cells.
'Regular professional facials are a lifelong investment in your skin,' maintains Bhurti Vyas of the Bhorti Vyas Holistic Therapy & Beauty Centre, London. For skin about to take on `the perils of winter' she recommends a Moisture Balancing Facial (from £36). 'Dead Sea Discovery products are applied to raise the moisture level of your skin, and Acculymphatic Massage is used to increase the lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic stagnation is a major factor in the ageing process,' says Vyas. For appointments, tel (0171) 9355350.
Harnessing the hottest skincare discovery since AHAs, Thalgo's new marinebased BHA Regenerating Facial exfoliates the skin and stimulates cellular renewal without irritating sensitive skins.
As opposed to Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) comprise larger molecules which act on the skin's surface level only. The BHA ingredient in Thalgo's latest facial is Glucuronic Acid from the French sea plant Codium Tomentosum. 'It is very gentle and leaves the skin looking radiant a good treatment for those worried about sensitivity,' says Trudi Coulson, senior beauty therapist at The Sanctuary. The facial costs £30. For appointments, tel (0171) 240 9635.
Try this DIY facial devised for ELLE by Beryl Barnard of The London Esthetique:
First, drink a cup of herbal or fruit tea to assist internal detoxification. Try Aveda's Comforting Tea (£12.50).
Remove all traces of eye makeup with a cleanser like E'SPA's Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (£9.95), or Clarins' Gentle Eye MakeUp Remover CreamGel (£10.50).
Apply a pre-cleansing facial oil to absorb oil and dirt. Try using Decidor's Neroli (£28.60) for sensitive skin and remove with a hot flannel.
Cleanse the face with a cream or gel and remove with a soft, spongy cloth such as Aveda's Shammy Cloth (£8.50) or Kanebo's Sponge Chief (£6.25).
Exfoliate the skin using a facial scrub such as Aveda's Exfoliant (£6.50).
Steam your face for a few minutes. Cover your head with a towel and hold over a basin of hot water containing six drops of your favourite essential oil. Wipe face clean with a warm flannel.
Apply a hydrating face mask. Try Lancaster's new Skin Therapy Oxygen Mask (£23.50), suitable for all skin types. If necessary, apply a cleansing mask to the T-zone, such as Estée Lauder's Quick Lift 4 Minute Mask (£17.50). Put on eye pads or slices of cool cucumber. Rinse off.
Spritz your face with a toning mist like E'SFA's Floral Spafresh Spritzer (£10.95).
Use a specialised treatment cream which encourages cellular renewal such as Helena Rubinstein's Force C (£30) or Yves Saint Laurent's new Fruit Jeunesse (£29), which also has a firming effect and is suitable for sensitive skin types.
Apply a daily moisturiser, such as Honesty's Moisturising Lotion with Cocoa Butter (£9.70); enq (01246) 211269.
Out of sight, but not out of mind... Legs covered by tights are thirsty for moisture. Smooth on new Gap Scents Body Lotion (£5.50) in a choice of four great fragrances, at Gap branches nationwide.
Prevent hands f rom becoming dehydrated. Combat dryness with Lancaster"s new Suractif Age Protection Hand Cream (£17).
Don't neglect your cleavage. Try Estée Lauder's new Revelation Retexturing Complex f or Hands and Chest (£42).
'Summer is the worst season for hair,' says Helen Patrick of the JF Lazartique Centre, tel (0171) 629 2250. 'Shrivelled by the sun and drenched with chlorine and sea water, hair quickly deteriorates into a lifeless mess.’ Now is the time to repair the damage that has accumulated throughout the summer months.
Conditioning is the most important step in any haircare regime, and post-summer hair will benefit from a deeppenetrating treatment.
At Kérastase consultant salons throughout the UK, the latest personalised treatment programme uses the new Resistance range with VitaCiment Complex, a combination of natural proteins and reconstructive ingredients, to strengthen weakened hair. For your nearest salon, tel (0181) 466 4266. The Kérastase Resistance Strengthening Hair Bath (£5.80) and Constructive Repair conditioner (£5.90) can also be used at home to maintain condition. Hairdresser Steven Carey uses Welia's System Professional Dry Ends Cream (£8.15) along with a steam treatment and full head massage. The treatment costs £15. For an appointment, tel (0171) 4955353.
A treat for the senses, Aveda's Stress Relieving Treatment (from £12£25) helps to remove product buildup as well as conditioning the hair, using specially selected scalpbalancing infusions and oils (a relaxing shoulder, neck and scalp massage is also included). At Aveda salons throughout the U K, tel (0171) 636 7911.
In addition to salon services, there are now many DIY hair repair treatments available. Trichologist Philip Kingsley, whose new book, Hair: An Owner's Handbook (Aurum Press, £12.95) is published this month, offers a range of high-performance products by mail order, tel (0171) 629 4004. Preshampoo, massage Intensive Elasticizer (£12) into damp hair, rinse, then wash as normal. Repeat once a week for shinier hair.
In the E'SPA range, Pink Hair and Scalp Mud (£24.95) combines mineral-rich clays and therapeutic herbal ingredients which help to improve hair condition and alleviate scalp disorders. For stockists, salons and mail order, tel (01483) 454444.
Daniel Field's Mineral Hair Repair Masque (£4.45) contains natural extracts such as sea grasses and marine algae. Or try Daniel Galvin's Intensive Hair Repair available in single-use (£1.95) or full size (£6.95); or hairc olour expert Jo Hansford's Intensive Conditioner (£6.25).
New to St Ives' Fixtress range, Liquid Protein (£3.95) is a restructuring treatment. To activate Wella's new Liquid Hair rebuilding complex with keratin and amino acids (£9.95), spray onto towel-dried hair then blowdry to bond the ingredients with the hair shaft.
For everyday use, try a remoisturising shampoo, such as Organics Root Nourishing Shampoo (£1.89), Nirvana Natural Lavender Shampoo (£5.50), Timotei Minerals Shampoo (£1.29) or Pantène Pro-V Plus Nourishing Shampoo (£1.99).
Dry and flaky scalp conditions are more prevalent in winter due to the lock of sunlight. For dandruff, try Phytologie's Phytocypres Exfoliating Dandruff Shampoo (£8.20) with essential oils of tea tree, cypress and laudanum. For stockists, tel (0171) 402 0717. Laboratoire Garnier's new Inné range includes Purifying Essence (£7.90 for five capsules) with lavender and camphor to treat flaky scalps. For salon stockists, tel (0181) 466 4266.
Static electricity makes hair flyaway and unmanageable, and is often brought on by dry atmospheres and central heating. A good conditioner like Trevor Sorbie's Riche Conditioner (£3.79), Elsève's Non-Rinse Intensive Conditioner (£2.69), or Vidal Sassoon's Hair Strengthener Leave-In Treatment Conditioner (£2.99) will help to detangle hair without weighing it down.
Hair which is prone to frizziness during winter will benefit from the control and extra sheen provided by a styling product. Try John Frieda's Frizz Ease Serum (£5.95), or Smooth 'N' Shine Instant Hair Polisher (£5.49). Use these formulas sparingly a little goes a long way. For body, hold and shine, try Andrew Collinge Salon Solutions Moussing Gelle (£3.49).
]]>One such range which has been causing a stir Stateside is Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula (DDF), which is making its UK debut at Harvey Nichols. The range was founded ten years ago by eminent New York dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Dr Howard Sobel, MD, and a team of industry experts. These include bio-chemist Dr Paul Tremblay and company spokesperson Elaine Linker, who specialises in Nutrition and Herbology and is closely involved in research and development. The line has a high profile following in America, where it flies out of leading “medi-spas” and Sephora stores.
‘“Cosmeceutical” formulations are a very big trend in the US,’ says Linker. ‘The demand for products that have the ability to restore and prevent environmentally damaged skin as well as age-related degeneration is huge. DDF takes advantage of both traditional and medical science and alternative therapies, drawing on various botanical, marine and herbal benefits. We study each discipline to decide which has true efficacy ... [the result being] a synergistic blend that has more potency, without the side effects that might be gotten had we only used one discipline.’
Products focus on “prevention” and “restoration”, and divide into different treatment categories targeted at specific skin types and concerns. The glycolic formulations, for example, include an exfoliating Glycolic Wash (£20), which contains 7 per cent glycolic acid (a derivative of sugar cane).
‘Glycolic products increase the skin’s exfoliation process, helping to remove dry, dead skin cells more quickly, bringing to the surface a fresher, younger skin cell,’ explains Linker. ‘Also, there is better absorption of any topical treatment products applied to the skin.’
The Retinol range incorporates the powerful anti-aging Vitamin A derivative, in addition to a “synergistic” mix of other vitamins, minerals, plant and herbal extracts. ‘Our Retinol products can help in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles without the redness and irritation associated with prescription Retin A,’ claims Linker. In addition to a Retinol Moisturizer (£67.50), there is a Body Lotion (£71.50), designed to “visibly renew” the skin, and strengthen its support system.
As you’d expect from a range developed by a dermatologist, sun protection is a priority. ‘The best preventative anti-aging product is sunscreen,’ states Linker. ‘DDF believes that this is the only product necessary for daytime use, so we make a moisturising sunscreen for those who need to use a moisturiser and a matte sunscreen for slightly oilier skins, and those who find using sunscreen cosmetically unappealing.’ (See the Moisturizing Photoage and Matt Photoage, £17 each, respectively).
‘At all ages, the women I see in my practice want to know how to take better care of their skin, prevent future environmental damage and restore the look of youth,’ adds Dr Sobel. ‘I believe in a simple concept: cleanser, sunscreen for the day and a treatment product at night that addresses their major concern, from acne to aging.’
To shield the skin against the aging effects of free radicals, the popular Bio-Active Nourishing Serum (£41.50) is an antioxidant blend based on vitamins and herbs. The line-up also includes products to pamper hands and feet, from Moisturizing Gel Socks (£75) to an Antiseptic Nail & Cuticle Oil (£24), with anti-fungal tea tree oil.
Addressing concerns about possible irritation, Linker maintains that the DDF products available at Harvey Nichols do not have the potential to cause the harsh side effects associated with some prescription treatments. That said, she emphasises the importance of a thorough consultation at the counter and cautions that acid-based products can exacerbate certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. ‘These need medical care,’ says Linker. ‘And if anyone has a spot which even remotely resembles a skin cancer, immediate help should be sought from a licensed, professional doctor.’
As long as there’s a demand for products which promise a fresher, glowier complexion, the quest for groundbreaking new ingredients will continue apace. ‘This fall, we are adding 5 new skincare products to our anti-aging line,’ reveals Linker. ‘They work by increasing the metabolic energy of the cells, making them “act” younger.’
The appliance of science or old-school rituals? On Planet Beauty right now, it’s all about choice.
• The DDF range is available exclusively in the Beyond Beauty department at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. Inquiries and mail order, tel: 020- 7235 5000.
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