The new candyfloss hairspo is sweet as… 

What was the mantra of Big Little Lies actress, Shay Mitchell, when she did a dramatic hair colour change from dark brown to candy floss? “Pink hair – don’t care!”

Once thought of as a ‘girly’ colour, (I translate this as weak), it appears that ‘thinking pink’ certainly shows strength in numbers and has become the social media success story of 2018. Singer Thalía and model Hayley Baldwin both accrued over 400k likes on their new millennial pink ‘do. Ditto, with Kim Kardashian West’s new look, straight from her trip to Japan, where her inspo was the iconic Manga-esq cartoon – which practically broke the Internet with 2.5 million likes. 

Catherine Hawkes, award-winning colourist, says, “Anyone can do it! But you need to find the right hue for you. Lighter pastel pinks look great on fair girls, while rose gold hues work better on darker and olive skin tones.” She adds, “Those who aren’t a bright white blonde already – be prepared to bleach, bleach, bleach before attempting a candy floss gloss!”

Surprisingly, Kim K’s grungy version, where the roots are left to show through, is both pretty and practical. Suzanne Alphonse Wella Professionals Colour Expert, says, “Notice how Kim Kardashian has a slight root? This means less up-keep and stretches out the time between appointments. Plus, pink is such a great tone to transition from, unlike some previous colour trends, you will have no problem updating your look to the next on-trend shade.”

Whether you’re bubblegum, candy floss or millennial pink – all stylists seem to agree on one thing; the key to keeping the colour fresh is by opting for a sulphate-free shampoo, try Angel Wash by Kevin Murphy. And using Olaplex, that mends the broken bonds of the strand shaft. It’s the colourist’s go-to for keeping any colour treated locks in tip-top condition.

Now that’s a rosy outlook for our hair we can all embrace.

 

TICKLED PINK? Try these

Kevin Murphy Angel Wash £20

 

Colorsmash Color Kissed Hairspray £4.50

Jerome Russell Punky Colour £6.22

 

 

Put down that fugly can of sweat stopper you robotically buy in the supermarket. Deo is raising its game. Thankfully. The latest launches not only look good on your bathroom shelf but have some good-for-you ingredients too.

Photo: Caroline Hernandez

The pretty one: I don’t like the thought of my fragrance clashing with my deo sprays – so to match up with those bouquet inspired Jo Malone spritzes I do love a squirt of M&S Magnolia Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, it has a pretty floral smell, keeps sweat at bay and is alcohol-free so doesn’t sting. Also, comes in a roll-on formula for people who are a lot more patient than me – and can wait for it to dry.

While I’m in M&S I always have a nosy around their brilliant beauty section – they’ve upped their game with the brands and products on offer – but more about that later.

The organic spritz: I love The Organic Pharmacy’s Deodorant Spray post-workout. It’s refreshing and clean smelling – with antibacterial rosemary and eucalyptus, and soothing aloe is also made without aluminium, parabens and all artificial preservatives, colourants and fragrances. It does have a little alcohol so I wouldn’t spritz this post shave. Available at www.theorganicpharmacy.com and www.naturisimo.com

The game-changer: Aurelia Botanical Cream Deodorant. You apply it like a moisturiser, with your fingertips but the creamy formula dries to a powder. It contains antimicrobial Arrowroot and pure Kaolin that sit invisibly on the skin ready to absorb wetness. Shea butter gently hydrates (so no itchy dry pits), essential oils Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Peppermint, with their antiseptic and antibacterial properties, blended with distilled Lavender and Bergamot, so you’re fresh as a daisy, all-day. Amazing. Buy from www.aureliaskincare.com, and you’ll receive a travel-sized version, worth £5.

 

 

 

 

I am a beauty editor that nibbles her fingers, cuticles and sometimes nails. 

There. I said it…

It’s a habit that started when I was young, somewhere around the time of my brother’s death. It’s not something I’m proud of – in fact, nail biting is something that can be super embarrassing. After all, I am old enough to know better, and work in beauty – testing out the latest colours, mani’s and treatments. I often lie to my 3-year old – who says ‘Mummy, you have an ouch – let me kiss it better.’ So often blame the cooker. (Yup, he now has a deep-rooted fear of the oven – which is probably not a bad thing.)

As I’m not keen to pass this habit onto my offspring – I do my utmost to keep it under control.

It’s essential I have products on hand that act as a prevention or quick cure… For instance; keeping nails painted and pretty seem to help enormously. My go-to colours are both by ESSIE – Ballet Slippers – is a white-based natural pale pink and the perfect nude shade. While the other is Fifth Ave, an orangey-based red, with a great shiny finish. I apply Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat for a longer lasting mani which I stockpile from Lookfantastic.com.

photo9Molton Brown Hand Creams come in a variety of fragrances and are non-greasy, and leave hands smelling very perfumed and pretty.

I carry almond oil in my handbag – and sometimes little testers of CND’s Cuticle Eraser.

Crabtree&Evelyn’s Hand Recovery does what it says. In a couple of minutes, the scrub eliminates dry skin, softens and smoothes. (So I’m less tempted to pick at any hangnails or dry skin.)

Without a doubt, the best for nourishing dry digits is L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Loaded Handcream – it contains honey, almond, coconut oil and with the miracle moisture worker – 20% shea butter – to repair. Plus, L’Occitane uses shea butter sourced from Burkina Faso, harvested in a sustainable and fair trade partnership with the women who produce it.

If I’ve had a particularly bad session and chewed until my cuticles bleed, I dab on some of this at the crime scene, cover with a plaster and it will heal in 24-hours.

My new mantra:

Cuticles are not a food group

cuticles are not a food group

cuticles are not a food group

cuticles are not a food group

cuticles are not a food group

 

seche-vite-cnd-crabtree-eveleynessie-loccitane

 

Looking for a breath of fresh air when it comes to a country house staycation? Lime Wood is a boutique hotel with charm, combined with modern dining options, a serious spa and elegant surroundings.

limewood-hotel-outside-space

Think amazing gourmet experiences, courtesy of Angela Hartnett and Lime Wood’s Luke Holder, the Hartnett Holder & Co dining. It’s completely informal (Gasp! Children are allowed). And the menu is a nod to Italian Trattoria and British, with an emphasis on locally produced ingredients. Their mantra is; It’s about chefs’ home-cooked food not chefs’ food cooked for restaurants. Both Angela and Luke are famed for their informal, grounded style of cooking and their respect for local produce.

limewood-restaurant

The rooms are brimming with Bamford toiletries and a well-stocked stash of treats in the pantry. Plus, there is complimentary Wi-Fi, fluffy robes and plenty of towels, Kingsize beds and an open fire that you can either start for yourself, (Mr {ODE} came over all caveman) or probably the safest option – you can call someone over to assist. Enough said about that.

limewood-hotel-bedroom

The spa concentrates on the best of holistic and Ayurvedic therapies and offers rooftop yoga in the herb garden, Technogym equipment, Matt Roberts training,  plus indoor and outdoor pools, and steam and saunas with a view of the forest. I tried a Tri-Dosha Facial, and was polished with a scrub that’s packed with forty-three Ayurvedic herbs, including kutki, known to reduce skin toxins, and fitkari to cleanse the skin of impurities, to gently coax out any underlying blemishes. Followed by hydrating masks, creams and a facial oil with evening primrose, frankincense, rose geranium, that’s nicknamed ‘Happiness in a bottle’ and I concur, happiness is an understatement. My skin was left glowing for days afterwards.

 

limewood-spa

Photo: Jessa Maddocks

I’ve just found a high-end bespoke bag company called Steven Harkin, and have fallen for the practicality of their rucksack. Not just any rucksack of course. This is high-grade Italian leather and made to my specifications – such as colour, interior and size. It fits in perfectly with the sportswear-meets-street style trend, and when you’re hands-free – it means FREEDOM.

Steven also designs some great crossbody, saddle, bucket styles, all handmade in their workshop and studio in Kent. Take a look at their pieces here:

stevenharkin.com

steven-harkin-orange-rucksack