justine jenny: 2014

Saturday, 18 October 2014

OJON SUPER SLEEK TREATMENT

Any beauty product junkie with curly hair and a beady eye will probably have heard that Ojon are launching an at-home straightening treatment this Spring.

Since being flashed up on WWD and off the radar beauty blogs as a temporary, gentle alternative to chemical treatments such as relaxers and Keratin treatments, I’ve been quizzing the Ojon press office to get the skinny before blogging about it myself.

The most pressing question obviously being ‘Does it work on afro hair?’ while crossing my fingers and toes. Rather than blag it, or ignore the question the P.R team admitted that they didn’t know yet and would get back to me as soon as they found out more details.

Despite making a vow to my knackered strands that I would never dabble with relaxers again, the thought of a formula developed without harsh chemicals and pumped with natural and legendary Ojon Oil was enough to pique my interest. Surely a product from a brand that my hair adores, which has one of its major ingredients being hand harvested for over 500 years by the impossibly glossy haired, Tawira Indians of Central America who are actually known as ‘The People people of beautiful hair’ and doesn’t even require gloves to apply can’t be that bad, right?

According to Geoffrey Hawkins, vice president of research and development for Ojon, The People of Hair did good:

"The complex is designed to deliver three straightening actions simultaneously. A gentle reshaping agent relaxes and smooths out the curved structure of hair’s keratin bonds, making them supple and flexible. Then our proprietary blend — including plant keratin derived from wheat, soy and corn proteins and azurite — acts like a liquid flat iron to realign natural keratin bonds and seal in straightness. It also fills in rough spots on the cuticle that can make hair appear frizzy, coarse and unmanageable. Finally, this treatment acts as a conduit for heat transfer from blow dryers and flat irons to instantly loosen curls.”

"Sounds amazing, but does it work on afro hair, or what?" I can hear you ask.

'Erm, yeah, kinda…

The P.R team got back to me recently with a reply that explained while the two variations of the product are designed to work on both loose to wavy and medium and to tight curls, the latter refers to the type of natural ringlets rocked by Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey.

*My own tightly bound, chemically nervous curls sigh with relief.*

Good news then for girls with mixed hair types who are looking for a way to switch-up their look without major chemical overload, commitment or high maintenance. I’m still interested to see how this product performs, so will be looking for candidate curl owners to road test the kit when it launches this April and will be posting feedback.

Any volunteers?

Ojon Super Sleek Treatment, £36

Available from QVC from March 2012

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Love…

Chanel Iman ,L’Officiel, February 2012

If you were in any doubt that Spring was on its way…

“BEAUTY MEANS BEING A GOOD PERSON, HAVING INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY AND BEING TRUE TO YOUR WORK. THERE’S POWER IN THAT! WALKING AROUND BEING SELF-INDULGENT ABOUT PRETTINESS—THAT’S NOT IMPORTANT.”

Diana Ross

Love… Jessica Ennis, British Marie Claire

Photography: Yu Tsai

The sparkling complexion; strong, healthy body; confident smile; kick-ass cover line and sleek sportswear! Just one look at this cover featuring British Olympic athlete and recently announced face of Olay’s new ‘Essentials’ range, Jessica Ennis was enough to shift me from the sofa to the gym.

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Happy New Year!

Source: garance Dore

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Solange Knowles does beautiful braid/ statement jewellery/ general fabulousness inspiration. Again.

Sigh.

Reblogged from mydamnblog11

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Source: Vintage Black Glamour

Source: vintageblackglamour

Yoga leaves me feeling blissfully balanced and calm in a way that no pampering spa treatment can. It gives my skin a lit-from-within glow that not even my eye-wateringy priced Sisley serum can compete with. The only problem is that I don’t like to actually go.

The sickly scent of joss sticks; overpriced cartons of coconut water and flimsy made yoga wear; staff who take themselves too seriously and shabby facilities all make it on my personal list of yoga centre bugbears.

If only all yoga classes could be more like the sessions at LaLuna, the boutique hotel resort and spa owned by ex-Prada Consultant, Bernardo Bertucci, which mixes minimalist chic with chilled-out Caribbean vibes to create the perfect setting for some serious R&R.

Based in a beautiful outdoor pavilion that overlooks the sea, the resort offers daily classes of Vinyasa, Kundalini and Yin yoga as well as pilates for just $30 E.C /£7.00 which includes the use of a yoga mat. Still something of a hidden gem, class sizes are tiny which means plenty of attention from the excellent instructors, and no risk of bumping into your neighbour while adopting warrior pose.

Morne Rouge, P.O Box 1500

St.George’s Grenada

laluna.com

There might be just fifteen days until Christmas; but when you’re living on a tropical island, the countdown to the festive season comes without the familiar fanfare and hype.

While I’m desperately missing skating rinks, mulled wine, fairy lights and log fires, there’s no denying that a Caribbean Christmas has its charms. Wham’s Last Christmas strummed on steel drums; mugs of hot chocolate made with freshly ground cocoa and sunbathing on powdery white sand beaches to name but a few.

Inspired by the laid-back festive vibes , family owned beauty company Ligne St Barth have released their latest Christmas inspired scented candle. Like the rest of the luxury beauty brands range, these completely natural burners are made from plants, fruits and flowers native to the island of St.Barthelemy such as coconut wax that replaces synthetic ingredients normally found in candles. The fruity-powdery scent has a warmth that’s redolent of the heat from the sun and sand and has a soft sweetness that’s as lush as rum punch.

Ligne St Barth Noel Saint Barth 2011 Candle, € 29.50 (lignestbarth.com)

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to washing my face- only the best will do.

During my student years, I found out the hard way that my sensitive skin couldn’t cope with cheap bars of soap and fluorescent gels that despite bigging up their ‘P.H balance, left my skin with that weird, squeaky, tight feeling that comes from having every last drop of natural oil stripped from your face.

Fast-forward fifteen years and I know that for a soft, smooth and clear complexion my skincare routine has gotta start with a gentle, nourishing and cosseting formula that tackles grime without making my sebaceous glands gulp.

Yes, my skin has become a bit stush, and after seeing this luxury shampoo from one of my favourite skincare brands, Shu Uemura, my hair wants in on some pampering too.

Inspired by the “Oil removes oil” theory behind the Japanese brand’s legendary Beauty Cleansing Oil, this purifying cleanser is dripping with nourishing extracts like super moisturising argan oil and skips traditionally drying ingredients like parabens and silicone.

As you would expect from haircare that harnesses skincare philosophies, this gently foaming wash deep cleanses your scalp and strands without swiping the natural oil levels that are so important for keeping notoriously dry afro hair soft, healthy and glossy.

Mmm…time to give your regular shampoo it’s P45?

Shu Uemura Art of Cleansing Oil Shampoo, £33

Available from March 2012

“I FINALLY REALIZED THAT BEING GRATEFUL TO MY BODY WAS KEY TO GIVING MORE LOVE TO MYSELF.”

Oprah Winfrey

Junior Green Afro Hairdresser of the Year 2011

Congratulations to Junior Green of Junior Green on winning Afro Hairdresser of the Year with this stylish collection which you can see more of here.

Based a stones throw away from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, Junior’s eponymous salon might come with Knightsbridge prices, but you’ll receive the type of service and level of expertise that you would expect from its exclusive SW1 postcode.

My appointment with one of the senior stylists couldn’t have come at a better time. A relationship break-up had left the contents and top of my head literally frazzled, which manifested itself with severe breakage around my crown and two small, bare spots around by temples. Overwork and general apathy meant that I had failed to notice the signs of what my stylist suspected was Traction Alopecia- a condition linked with excessive use of chemicals and tight hair extensions and styles such as ponytails. I was guilty of all three.

As I slumped into the chair of the bright, shiny, minimalist salon, my stylist skilfully rectified the results of a recent hack job and worked out an S.O.S course of action for my remaining tresses, while imparting knowledge rather than the type of judgement that makes me dread visiting a salon for the first time.

I left the salon with the number of a Trichologist; strands that had been resuscitated with an intensive hair treatment and a haircut that gave me the confidence boost I needed to help me get my ~~shit together~~ life back on track.

Who said money can’t buy you happiness?

Junior Green

39 Knightsbride, London, SW1X 7NL, 0207 752 0620

www.junior-green.com

If, like me, you wept into your make-up bag when you heard the news that Prescriptives was closing its counters, you’ll welcome the news that the beauty brand made famous for its revolutionary Custom Blend foundation has returned to the beauty scene after a two year hiatus.

In the spirit of L.L Cool J, the brands website hails the return as a ‘refresh’ rather than a comeback. One of the main points of difference from it’s previous incarnation being that an edit of some of the brands all-time favourites such as iconic fragrance Calyx and hero skincare line PX will only be available to buy at prescriptives.com.

It’s a move that won’t deter it’s loyal fan based who used the internet to write over 25, 000 emails, numerous blog pots and set-up Facebook groups after previous owners, Estee Lauder announced it would be closing the brand after thirty years.

So does that mean you’ll still be able to get your custom blend foundation? Yep, it’s good news for customers with existing profiles for the bespoke service that seemed to answered the prayers of tricky skin tones.

It remains to be seen how many British fans will use a shipping service to get their product shipped across the pond, but it feels good to welcome back a brand that caters for women of all ages and colours.

Will you be shopping at Prescriptives.com?

"An album and single riding the top of the charts, a trunk-full of awards, a mini-me Barbie doll complete with Rapunzel style blonde locks and my own range of beauty products.”

No, it’s not the ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ style wish-list of an precocious ten year old, but just some of the latest endeavours from Hip-Hop high-acheiver Nicki Minaj who has teamed up with O.P.I to launch a limited edition of nail colours. Inspired by her colourful style and personality, the six piece collection consists of a shatter top coat, metallics, fluorescents and glitters with names such as ‘Pink Friday’ and ‘Did it on ‘em’ lifted straight from her debut album.

Major props to O.P.I for bottling the style of one of Hip-Hop’s biggest talents; but after the initial ‘Yay, Nicki Minaj!’ excitement passed- I kinda wondered whether there was anything there that I hadn’t seen before?

Nicki Minaj O.P.I Collection Illustrated Nail

Photo: illustratednail.tumblr.com

But then along came this post from nail tech and blogger ‘The Illustrated Nail’ (right) and out went my blasphemous thoughts.

Yeah, I’ve seen about 46 shatter top coats launch in 2011. No, a pastel pink polish will not turn the beauty world upside down. BUT, like Nicki’s wardrobe, when you mash-up a shades, shapes and textures while giving the finger to stuffy rules- that’s when style statements really start to happen.

Verdict? Fly.

Individual colours, £10.50

As BBC2 gears up to explore the history of Britain’s Mixed Race Community, guest blogger, Lanisha Butterfield gives an insight into how she learnt to love and understand the curls that symbolise her mixed parentage.

Growing up in a small, sleepy town like Oxford during the eighties, being mixed race was nowhere near as common or celebrated as it is now. In fact, back then, having an English mother and black father made my skin colour and hair texture a source of everything from intrigue, envy and animosity from both white and black communities.

As a little girl my relationship with my hair was what would you would describe as love- hate. Translation: I hated it and everybody else loved it. While I secretly coveted the ’perfect’ tresses that swayed loosely around my school friends shoulders, they would pat my frizzy mane while quizzing me about it’s texture and maintenance.

With regard to it’s maintenance, my mum learnt to wash, comb and braid my waist-length hair to perfection long before the age of websites, blogs and YouTube tutorials. Refusing to surrender to the lure of chemicals which promised to make my hair more manageable, she lovingly allocated Sunday nights to the exhausting two and half hour process of prepping my hair for the week.

Calling-in the professionals might have seemed like the obvious solution, but finding a hairdresser to help me care for my hair was far from straightforward. Stylists at European hair salons would approach my locks with nerves and an unsubstantial amount of hair serum, as they tried to tease my waist length frizz with the type of nervous dry brushing that would leave it looking worse and larger than when they had begun. After my first visit to an afro hairdresser, my ends may have been less unruly, but that was down to fact that an unsolicited six inches off my strands had been swiped away to apparently “make it easier to look after”. I looked like Edward Scissorhands. My mum and I were reduced to tears.

By my teenage years, I had begun to discover Hip-Hop and R&B. My hair inspiration no longer came from my classmates or lifted from the pages of J17- but singers like Aaliyah, Mariah Carey and Brandy, whose poker-straight, bouncy curls and box braid styles I kept tabs on via American magazines such as Vibe, Hype and Honey.

Like any teenage girl, my hair had become one of my most visible badges of self-expression; which is why after fourteen years of the love and patience of a saint, it was time for my mother to retire from her position as my personal stylist. I may have relished my new found independence, but while mixed-race tresses tend to combine the volume, curl and versatility of afro hair with the length and malleability of European hair- rather than scoring the genetic hair lottery, I found that caring for two distinctly different hair types myself was bloody hard work.

And so to my first relaxer.

As the tingling sensation from the creamy paste spread across my scalp, ay discomfort was numbed by the exciting prospect that my haircare woes may be finally over. £160, a couple of hours, and lots of heat later- my hair was soft, bouncy, straight and manageable- everything that I ever wanted. It was expensive, but I was hooked.

As I got older and made more friends that looked like me, I started to picked up more hints and tips on how to take care of my mane. I’ve learnt that my hair needs regular intensive treatments, combs are more friendly to my curls, and just because they might not be designed exclusively for afro hair, that brands such as Kerastate, Aveda and Frederick Fekkai are worth the investment and work wonders on too.

The irony is that now I finally ‘get’ my hair’ and have the products, tools and skills to create the straightness I spent years craving; more often that not I choose to wear my hair naturally curly. A lot of it comes down to maintenance: regular blow-drys take time and money, but as I’ve got older, I have come to accept and dare I say it- like- what nature gave me. The secret comes down to knowledge, understanding and the awareness that my hair is beautiful too- lessons from my hair story that I hope to pass onto my children.

MY HAIR HEROES:

1.Soft & Beautiful Botanicals (softandbeautifulhair.com) 2. Pantene Daily Oil Cream Moisturiser (pantene.com) 3.Twisted Sista Curl Activator (twistedsista.com) 4.TIGI Headrush Spray Shine (lookfantastic.com) 5.Aveda Damage Ready Conditioner (aveda.com) 6. Kiehls Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream (kiehls.co.uk) 7. Mizani True Textures Curl Replenishing Mask (mizani-usa.com)

Love…

Fatima Siad, Arise

Photographer: Itaysha Jordan

This gorgeous, Diana Ross inspired beauty shoot helped secure Arise magazine’s place on my in-flight reading list.

Family duty sends me abroad again- this time it’s to Grenada- the island of my descendants. Although my Out of Office might be set, over the next few months, I’ll be filling my spare time with blogging, as well as squeezing in a few Rum cocktails, spa visits and general beach bumdom.

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Behind the scenes on my glittery Rimmel London beauty shoot with the lovely Cameron James Wilson.

Pictures coming soon….

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and to celebrate, Revlon dedicated their monthly nail bar to the cause and generously donated £10 for every pink ribbon manicure to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Based at Parisian tea room, Laudree, Covent Garden, this month’s nail bar treated beauty journalists to the ultimate tea party with macaroons, orange blossom cha on tap and a team of nail techs led by Jenny Longworth who was fresh from tending to Rihanna’s nails on the Bajan beauties ‘We Found Love’ video. Never one to shy away from making a statement with my digits, I asked Jenny to paint my nails with one of my favourite shades- Revlon Fuchsia Fever, £6.29 and chose two pink ribbon designs as accents which Jenny intricately created along with Revlon Lilac Pastelle, £6.29 and a superfine nail art brush.

Not only did my nails look bangin’, but admiring my manicure gave me a nudge to perform the self-examination that can help increase your odds of beating breast cancer through early detection. [Click here for details]

Although incidences of breast cancer trend to be lower amongst black women, statistics show that they tend to develop the condition on average 10-20 years younger than white women. A sobering reminder to wear your pink ribbon with pride, whether it’s on your lapel or on your nails, the message behind the symbol and to treat yourself to some regular T.L.C.

USEFUL LINKS:

Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Better Days Cancer Care- British based African Caribbean Breast Cancer support organisation

Sisters Network- A U.S based African American Breast Cancer survivors support organisation

“I DON’T RELY ON JUST MY GENES. LOOKING GOOD IS A COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS. WIGS, KILLER HEELS, PILATES, EVEN FILLERS- WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU, HONEY.’”

Iman, Supermodel

Not only do Tesco want to take over your shopping trolley, drying cleaning, photo developing, pet insurance and credit card; they’re also vying for the monopoly on your make-up bag. It was first announced last year that the retail giant was beefing-up its beauty offering, with stores featuring salons offering bargain priced manicures and hair cuts. The mega brand seems to have entered phase two with designated beauty halls planned for some of their flagship branches and a cosmetics available to purchase on their website at last!

They’ve landed quite a coup by securing Italian makeup range Diego Dalla Palma which maybe a little bit too generously has been dubbed ‘The Italian M.A.C’. Just like its Canadian counterpart, the Milanese range has a strong beauty pedigree; sleek packaging and professional make-up artist textures, shades and tools guaranteed to make you deviate from your grocery shop.

So far, so good. But like M.A.C, does it offer a giddiness inducing choice of colours designed to flatter almost every complexion? Not quite. While everybody will love hero products such as the Semi-permanent mascara £16 which defines lashes for up to five days and extensive range of pigment packed lipsticks and eyeshadows; the tight edit of foundations starting at £26.50 does extend to darker skin tones but stops short at ‘Bronzed Beige’ which makes it a perfect buy for lighter complexions.

On a whole it’s a much-needed boost to Tesco’s beauty section, but as retailer whose sales account for £1 in every eight spent in shops in Britain, it will be interesting to see whether they expand their range with hair and beauty products that appeal to all of their millions of customers.

Dieogo Della Palma, prices from £10 (direct.tesco.com)

Beautiful packaging, excellent performance and fairly traded ingredients?

French beauty brand L’Occitane should be polishing their halo for delivering another worthy addition to their hugely successful Shea Butter range.

Celebrating the socially aware brands commitment to the women of Burkina Faso, whose economic independence comes from the cultivation of shea butter, the design of these limited edition hydrators take their inspiration from the patterns of traditional West African Bogolan fabric and scents of native Hibiscus, Desert Rose and Cocoa flowers.

Like every good hand cream, these collectibles are small enough to be easily stashed in your handbag and go on with a satisfyingly rich texture, but won’t leave your hands feeling sticky. Also, as one of the age-defying women explains in this video, “Shea butter leaves you young. I’m fifty but look 23!”, it’s loaded with an ingredient that will do wonders for even the most weathered paws.

L’Occitane Limited Edition Shea Butter, £7.50 (uk.loccitane.com)

'As lightweight as the flutter felt in your heart', might be a slightly sugary way of describing the texture of a lipgloss, but gushing P.R speak aside, just the flattering shades of this collection of colours from Keisha Nash-Whitaker (ex-model and Mrs Forrest Whitaker) and make-up artist AJ Crimson whose prettified everybody from Missy Elliott to Christina Milan earns it a place on my 'One to stock-up on' list for my next visit to the states.

Kissable Couture Lipgloss, $22 (kissablecouture.com)

I love going to blogger events. Not only is everybody super friendly, enthusiastic and well turned out despite having just dashed from their day job/ briefing the babysitter; but being amongst creative types whose beauty musings are driven by passion rather than a pay check, has shamed me into making my blog posts more frequent.

This collaboration between Alexandra Burke and MUA shows just how far budget make-up has come since the unashamedly synthetic scented rollerball lip glosses and claggy mascaras I first cut my beauty teeth on.

Cheap and cheerfully priced and packaged; the eight shades of matte lipstick come in a palette of soft nudes, plums and vampy reds that suit all skin tones and are accompanied by their own matching shimmer gloss.

"The whole philosophy of it is that it enhances you, rather than covers" says Burberry creative director, Christopher Bailey on the brand’s new foundation and concealer shades, which help richer skin tones recreate the brand’s minimal take on make-up which holds beauty editors in raptures season after season.

‘Spa’ has got to be one of the most abused words in the beauty dictionary. A reductive term for all things vaguely pampering that has been stamped on everything from those annoying shower scrunchy things, to express pedicures and department store beauty rooms. My new fantasy pad stays close to the terms Roman roots by treating visitors to a spa that ticks the boxes with its combination of aquatic surroundings, well-thought out design and a menu of holistic treatments inspired by traditional healing rituals which seem to go on forever.

I’m militant when it comes to applying SPF; and whether it’s the depths of winter or the height of a heat wave- I won’t leave the house without it; especially when the sun is burning as bright as it is in Mexico where I’m reviewing the spa at The Capella Pedregal Spa Resort.

Yes, dark skin is fortunate to come equipped with a good supply of melanin to naturally protect against the sun, but with 80% of premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer being linked to damaging UVA and UVB rays- unlike almost a third of essence.com readers who admit to not packing protection- I don’t see anything wrong with giving my skin some extra help. Throw into the mix the fact that pigmentation- one of the most common skin concerns of black women is revved up by exposure to sunlight, and hopefully you too can see the benefits of slathering on SPF whether you’re at home or ~~spoilt~~ fortunate enough to be sunning yourself by your own private plunge pool (sorry, had to get that in!).

Getting prepared for an eleven hour flight requires some serious preparation; but by literally packing my beauty kit once and keeping it stowed away until my next journey other than scheduling last-minute waxing appointments and that compulsory mad dash around Topshop, Oxford Circus there’s one last night to worry about before my spa trip to Caob San Lucas, Mexico.

Despite almost having the entire contents of my make-up bag confiscated at Miami Airport, I’ve got a rather blasé attitude to liquid restrictions and my travel toiletries mantra is thus: keep it as small as possible and stashed in a small, clear, durable, secure wash bag rather than the scrappy food bag supplies administered at the airport.

For those wishing to exercise more caution you can read the official regulations here. In the meantime, click for details of the beauty arsenal that I won’t take flight without:

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Two more sleeps. #cabosanlucas

Confession: I like to snoop.

Other women’s make-up bags, dressing tables, shopping baskets and bathroom cabinets send me straight into spy mode and this Vanity Fair video featuring supermodel, Veronica Webb’s bathroom and beauty haul taps straight into my curiosities about how products are lifted from a magazine page and turns it into cosmetic confidants.

Watching the video it’s clear that working with the industry’s best make-up artists, dermatologists and hair stylists means this super knows her stuff and happily mingles drugstore purchases such as Sally Hansen and La Roche Posay with luxe buys from brands such as Lancome and Bulgari.

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Love…

Joan Smalls ,Vogue Italia, March 2012

Photography: Steven Meisel

It’s been a long four years coming, but Vogue Italia is all about making statements, and this tick every new season trend cover featuring Joan Smalls embellished with Dolce Gabanna, nail art and eyebrow skimming eyeshadow does just that while making a not so subtle nod to the Twittersphere. #OVERTHETOP

HIPP RGB NAIL FOUNDATION

I’ve just kinda got use to the fact that when it comes to nude- lipgloss, tights, bras, plasters and L.K Bennett platform pumps don’t always extend my naturally dark skin tone. Oh, actually, that’s a bit of a fib because Lancome’s Color Fever Floss, 266, Brown Lust has been my go to shade for a barely-there pout for the last couple of years, but now its been sadly discontinued. sob.

“THERE ARE LOADS OF BLACK MODELS WORKING AND THE IDEA THAT THERE’S ONLY A FEW OF US, OR FOUR OF US, TO LET IN AS TOP MODELS AT ANY ONE TIME IS JUST BULLSHIT.”

Jourdan Dunn, i-D magazine

R.I.P

Marcel, 1997-2012

Beauty mascot and companion of uber make-up artist, Francois Nars who starred in the brands 2010 Pro Prime campaign.

Sniff.

CALVIN KLEIN CK ONE BEAUTY COLLECTION

Just when I thought my blast from the past love affair might have been just a fragrance fling, Coty has reignited the passion for my teenage scent crush with news that the iconic fragrance will be launching a full line of make-up launching this Spring. If my teenage self knew knew what a text was, I would probably be typing: OMD!

In my little fantasy life my nail varnish collection lives somewhere like this…

Photo courtesy of styleseekingzurich.blogspot.com

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Love…

Solange Knowles ,Rolla Coaster, March 2012

Photography: Danielle Levitt

SALLY HANSEN, GREIGE GARDENS

If you’re still having to scrape the ice from your car window screen every morning, then me banging on about Spring pastels might seem a little bit premature, but I’m going to introduce you to Sally Hansen’s Greige Gardens anyway. Yes, technically it’s a pastel, but the clever people at Sally Hansen H.Q have tempered any signs of signs of parma violet tweeness by adding shot of grey that lifts it from sweet to sophisticated.

Other than adding that it goes on like a dream; gives a glossy finish that looks like you’ve been to a nail bar and lasts for ages, there’s not much else to say on the subject other than you really do need this in your life. Seriously.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, £6.95

Available nationwide, 1st May 2012

R.I.P

Whitney Houston

1963-2012

Love…

Nicki Minaj, Paper Magazine, Spring 2012

Photography: :Howard Huang

I really wasn’t feeling the whole ‘Silly Hoe’ thing, but there’s no denying that Nicki Minaj is rocking the pastel trend to perfection on this Paper magazine cover. Wonder if her lipstick is her very own M.A.C Pink Friday lip colour?

LANCOME TEINT IDOL ULTRA

Since discovering that Lancome was ‘enriching its colour palette’ with new foundation shades, I’ve been meaning to drag myself to one of their counters for a consultation before requesting a sample from the press office.

The line up of new shades comes after staff at their U.S labs bought to their attention that many foundations on the market were ‘Too red, not dark enough, ashy and flat’. In response, the company set about launching an international study of 1,000 women which tested 15,000 complexion variations and inspired a global rage of shades designed to flatter mixed-race, South-American, Indian American, Caribbean and North-African complexions.

My response? Amazing. Overdue. At bloody last. Want.

It has to be said that this isn’t the brands first foray into shades for black skins- Teint Renergie Lift and Color Ideal both drift into deeper tones, but on my ebony complexion they do that annoying ‘Too red, not dark enough, ashy and flat’ thing. But, the companies ‘no exceptions’ approach to devising a democratic collection of colours made me confident that I would find something to match my skin tone and so was the super-friendly consultant, Justyna, who explained in layman’s terms the difference between the new Teint Idole 24h formula and Teint Miracle within which the shades feature.

"Teint Idole 24h, gives a nice smooth, velvety finish and has special, patented technology that means it lasts all day but still feel comfortable. Teint Miracle gives that same flawless finish, but has more of a glowy, luminous look."

After a quick swipe on my jawline, she deduced that my shade was Brownie (14) and dispatched me with samples in both formulations. My first outing for Teint Idole 24H was unfortunately during a very sad event during which it lived up to its hype by staying put for ten hours despite a mini waterfalls of tears; but a combination of inclement weather and stress means the slightly richer and radiance boosting formula of Teint Miracle will be taking up permanent residence in my make-up bag. Good job Lancome.

CK ONE ON-THE-GO

I’ve lost track of the amount of perfume features I’ve read where a writer references their first perfume memory as the scent of their mother’s Chanel No.5 mingled with the warmth of her skin and a plume of Elnett hairspray that lingered in the air before she swooshed out of the door wearing a 70’s style jumpsuit on the way to a cocktail party.

Although my mother was the epitome of glamour, despite her big hair, fur coats and perennially lacquered nails she very rarely chose to wear perfume. So other than my Grandmother’s over enthusiastic application of Shalimar and the deliberately unremarkable Avon Tinkerbell roll-on perfume that I got for my seventh birthday; the opportunity to actually fall in love with a fragrance didn’t come until my late teens.

AfroA is for Afro

Source: www.etsy.com/shop/dpsullivan

BEYONCE’S BABY BLUES

“You see the blue nails. You see the IV tattoo on her finger. It’s clear that she was bringing Blue along with her because she doesn’t want to be away from her for a second,”

So told the singer and new mother’s manicurist, Lisa Hogan to PEOPLE magazineafter creating an ode to baby Blue Ivy Carter using Nails Inc’s ‘Baker Street’- part of a duo of shades launching as part of the brands Spring collection.

Nails Inc. Baker Street polish, £11

Available from March

NAOMI CAMPBELL, HARPER’S BAZAAR

Naomi Campbell for Harper’s Bazaar, January 2012

Photography: Karim Sadli

[Go behind the scenes here]

ASHLEY MADEKWE, RING MY BELL

It’s taken a while, but I think I’ve finally ‘got’ those ‘What I wore today’ blog spots that have been keeping both the fashion pack and civilians transfixed over the last few years.

Although I like to employ my Google search bar as an ally to my procrastinating, the thought of pouring over somebody else’s wardrobe seemed just as entertaining as watching paint dry. That’s until I stumbled across British actress Ashley Madekwe’s style blog and her edit of ankle boots, skater skirts and statement jewellery topped off with a splash of red lipstick which has now taken up permanent residence on my bookmark bar.

Anybody else feel a Topshop splurge coming on?

Visit ashley-ringmybell.blogspot.com and follow @smashleybell

BLONDE AMBITION

With pictures of Rihanna’s newly platinum tresses flying around the internet, I’ve been thinking about the shade in a brighter light. Whatever your skin tone, hitting the bleach bottle makes a statement like no other hair colour, but for black women the shade comes with not only an extra layer of politics but a long list of hair care challenges.

These may be enough to have ended my foray into the shade after a pointless session in my back garden with a bottle of Sun In when I was thirteen and some Shaznay Lewis style wefts in the 90’s; but it hasn’t hampered the blonde moments of famous black beauties who have been channelling the look for decades such as legendary soul singer Etta James, through to modern day divas such as Salt ‘n’ Peppa, Queen Latifah, Amber Rose, Naomi Campbell and Beyonce.

“BEAUTIFUL? IT’S ALL A QUESTION OF LUCK. I WAS BORN WITH GOOD LEGS. AS FOR THE REST… BEAUTIFUL, NO. AMUSING, YES.”

Josephine Baker

Forgot to post pic from one of my favourite shoots for Rimmel London and Fabulous Magazine

[For ‘Get the look’ videos and tips go here]

Photography: Cameron James Wilson

Beauty Editor/ Stylist: Justine Knight

Model: April, M&P

Hair: Eugene Davis

Make-up: Aimee Adams

Nails: Michelle Glass

Black is beautiful, ya dig?

BOBBI BROWN NEON AND NUDES

“The most modern way to wear bright color is as an accent on an otherwise neutral face.”

Bobbi Brown

Enter the latest Spring collection from the uber make-up artist, which manages to capture the imagination of both the daring and the colour shy by balancing a swatch of zingy colours lifted straight from the runway with a palette of essential nude eye shadows and clutch of neutral lipsticks that you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve seen before, but invariably want anyway.

They might look eye-popping in their packaging, but the sheerness of the standout glosses will be your passport to experimenting with statement shades this Spring, while the colour pop lippys are jut the ticket for colour savvy make-up wearers.

Bobbi Brown Neon and Nudes Collection, Available from January 2012

Lip Gloss in Cosmic Pink, Citrus and Ultra Violet, £12

(bobbibrown.co.uk)

OJON SUPER SLEEK TREATMENT

Any beauty product junkie with curly hair and a beady eye will probably have heard that Ojon are launching an at-home straightening treatment this Spring.

HIGH-RES

"The bad girls had the look that I liked. I wanted to be rare, I wanted to be noticed, I wanted to be exotic as a Cotton Club chorus girl, and I wanted to be obvious as the most flamboyant hooker on the street. I just wanted to be."

R.I.P

Etta James

1938-2012

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Love…

Chanel Iman ,L’Officiel, February 2012

If you were in any doubt that Spring was on its way…

MEADHAM KIRCHOFF NAIL ROCK DESIGNER NAIL WRAPS

Since saying goodbye to the sunshine of the tropics the steady stream of colour that’s been drip -feeding it’s way onto my radar via my inbox has been compensating for battleship grey skies .

My favourite pick has to be these uber-kitsch, bespoke nail wraps from designers Meadham Kirchoff and Nail Rock, which created a buzz on the internet last year after models wore the playful designs on the runway of their kooky SS/12 show at which members of the FROW were gifted them in their goodie bags.

Well, like all good catwalk creations, they’ve finally made their way to the high street and will be available to purchase exclusively from Topshop from the 14th February.

While I’ve had my fair share of mishaps when applying nail wraps from Nail Rocks, they definitely get my vote for creativity, which is why these will be filed under ‘collectibles’ in my beauty stash rather than getting trashed by touch typing.

Meadham Kirchoff Nail Rocks, £8 (Available exclusively at Topshop)

HIGH-RES

Love…

Tyra Banks, I Love You, February 2012

Photography: Marcus Gaab

[Go behind the scenes here]

Tyra Banks takes a break from the TV mogul day job by going back to her fashion roots on the cover of I Love You magazine. So refreshing to see the supermodel stripped of her trademark ‘fierceness’, which was starting to become a bit *whispers* Ru Paul and earning her style stripes with Janelle Monae inspired styling and this Spring’s micro-trend yellow eyeshadow. More please Miss Banks.

Diana Ross

DIET COKE ‘GET GLAM’ LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION

Taking a Diet Coke break just got glamorous, as Benefit Cosmetics teams up with the classic tipple to release this stylish, limited edition trio of designs. The images are Inspired by the shades of Benefit’s hero lip and cheek stains: Cha Cha Tint, Benetint and Posietint; Spring 2012’s most covetable fashion and beauty trends and the personalities of each of the individual Diet Coke Girls.

Love… Jessica Ennis, British Marie Claire

Photography: Yu Tsai

COMING SOON… LALA VASQUEZ BEAUTY

"Guess what’s coming in 2012—> *sneak peak… giggles*"

MTV VJ, Reality starlet and actress LaLa Vasquez let the cat out of the bag with a tweet that reveals she’s joining the fellow VH1 stablemates Jennifer Williams, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman by launching her own beauty range.

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Happy New Year!

Source: garance Dore

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Solange Knowles does beautiful braid/ statement jewellery/ general fabulousness inspiration. Again.

Sigh.

Reblogged from mydamnblog11

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Source: Vintage Black Glamour

Source: vintageblackglamour

Kelly Rowland Sexy Abs Workout

Kelly Rowland just posted this on her Facebook. Well, actually, Kelly Rowland’s people just posted this snippet from her new fitness DVD on her Facebook.

As a sloth blessed with a speedy metabolism, I’ve never really had the incentive to dabble with fitness videos. I can however appreciate that for the time or cash-strapped, an inexpensive DVD featuring workout from a personal trainer and their favourite celebrity is a simple way to get in shape without the cost or guilt of neglected gym membership.

That’s of course, if you actually stick to it.

Shot in black and white, with minimal styling and camera angles lifted straight outta Cindy Crawford’s 90’s workout video series; the workout features knackering, but simply explained moves designed by Jeanette Jenkins a.k.a The Hollywood Trainer to develop core strength, tone and flexibility and of course, sexy abs.

Fans of Kelly who can cope with sporadic ‘Hollas’ and other Kelly-isms will love this. For everybody else the sight of the singer and X-Factor judge’s bare midriff is enough to make you squeeze into your lycra and drag your living room furniture out of the way every morning.

WARNING: If you’re not a fan of David Guetta style House music, then this DVD is not for you!

GRENADA CHOCOLATE FACTORY

You know those little stats and stories you read that proclaim that chocolate is actually good for you because of its high levels of anti-ageing antioxidants? Well, when they say ‘chocolate’, they’re not talking a the thin layer of sugary stuff coated on a digestive biscuit ,but the good stuff. The kind of hardcore good stuff that’s produced by The Grenada Chocolate Factory- an organic cocoa farmer and chocolate makers co-operative that creates award-winning bar and mango, nutmeg and rum laced bon bons from organic cocoa beans grown in the surrounding rainforest of it’s setting.

If you get the chance to visit Grenada, it’s definitely worth making time for a tour of the factor or follow my lead and simply raid the newly opened Bon Bon chocolate shop. One word of warning: this is the good stuff, so unless you like your chocolate extremely bitter then go for the lighter varieties that have slightly lower cocoa content.

Can’t get over to the island? Liberty of London, Rococo, Waitrose and Whole Foods (N.Y) stock the range with prices starting from around £3 per bar.

Enjoy.

YOGA AT LALUNA, GRENADA

Morne Rouge, P.O Box 1500

St.George’s Grenada

laluna.com

LIGNE ST BARTH NOEL SAINT BARTH 2011 CANDLE

There might be just fifteen days until Christmas; but when you’re living on a tropical island, the countdown to the festive season comes without the familiar fanfare and hype.

Ligne St Barth Noel Saint Barth 2011 Candle, € 29.50 (lignestbarth.com)

because London/ Diana Ross make-up tutorial

Who said that metallic eyeshadow, double sets of false lashes and plum lips were too much together? Not make-up don Kay Montano who pays homage to Miss Ross with a brand of wearable glam that says 'Who's the boss?'

I think I’ve found my NYE party look!

SHU UEMURA ART OF CLEANSING OIL SHAMPOO

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to washing my face- only the best will do.

Yes, my skin has become a bit stush, and after seeing this luxury shampoo from one of my favourite skincare brands, Shu Uemura, my hair wants in on some pampering too.

Mmm…time to give your regular shampoo it’s P45?

Shu Uemura Art of Cleansing Oil Shampoo, £33

Available from March 2012

JENNIFER HOSTEN, MISS WORLD GRENADA 1970

“I FINALLY REALIZED THAT BEING GRATEFUL TO MY BODY WAS KEY TO GIVING MORE LOVE TO MYSELF.”

Oprah Winfrey

JUNIOR GREEN, AFRO HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2011

Congratulations to Junior Green of Junior Green on winning Afro Hairdresser of the Year with this stylish collection which you can see more of here.

Who said money can’t buy you happiness?

Junior Green

39 Knightsbride, London, SW1X 7NL, 0207 752 0620

www.junior-green.com

PRESCRIPTIVES- YES, IT’S BACK!

"An album and single riding the top of the charts, a trunk-full of awards, a mini-me Barbie doll complete with Rapunzel style blonde locks and my own range of beauty products.”

HIGH-RES

Dear Father Christmas, please may I have these Nike IDs as style stalked on nail tech Sophy Robson’s sosoflynails tumblr.

Could you ask the elves to stitch my name on them though!

Thanks,

Justine

Age, 33

Reblogged from sosoflynails

GUEST BLOG: LANISHA BUTTERFIELD ON HER MIXED RACE HAIR STORY

Love…

Fatima Siad, Arise

Photographer: Itaysha Jordan

This gorgeous, Diana Ross inspired beauty shoot helped secure Arise magazine’s place on my in-flight reading list.

GRENADA, WEST INDIES

EVELYN LAUDER, 1963-2011

HIGH-RES

Behind the scenes on my glittery Rimmel London beauty shoot with the lovely Cameron James Wilson.

Pictures coming soon….

REVLON NAIL BAR, BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

“I DON’T RELY ON JUST MY GENES. LOOKING GOOD IS A COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS. WIGS, KILLER HEELS, PILATES, EVEN FILLERS- WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU, HONEY.’”

Iman, Supermodel

DIEGO DALLA PALMA

Beautiful packaging, excellent performance and fairly traded ingredients?

French beauty brand L’Occitane should be polishing their halo for delivering another worthy addition to their hugely successful Shea Butter range.

L’Occitane Limited Edition Shea Butter, £7.50 (uk.loccitane.com)

KISSABLE COUTURE LIPGLOSS

Kissable Couture Lipgloss, $22 (kissablecouture.com)

Look who’s back…

Sesame Street: Change The World

Source: youtube.com

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Saturday, 18 October 2014