February beauty news: editor’s picks
Province Apothecary
Holistic health practitioner and Province Apothecary founder, Julie Clark, gathers her organically grown or sustainably harvested, wild ingredients in provinces across Canada. 'I source algae from Nova Scotia, beeswax from Alberta, maple syrup from Quebec, sunflower oil from Ontario, glacial clay from BC, and lentil flour from the prairies.' It’s the same for the black spruce and pine, calendula flowers, and raspberry and broccoli essential oils in the serums and aromatherapy scents, which are perfectly safe for for those with synthetics allergies. The perfumes and roll-ons are ideal for blending - No. 7 and No. 30 make a rich, woody, and energising combination, while the Protecting + Restoring Face Balm is designed to combat Canadian winters and cure most skin irritations. The striking blue glass keeps the plant-based products safe from light, while there are no chemicals or preservatives to lengthen shelf life. A portion of the sales is donated to organisations that support organic growers, bee farmers, and bees. At the risk of recycling a Canadian cliché, isn’t that nice?
Parfum Botanique roll-on, 10 ml for CA$46; Protecting + Restoring Face Balm, 30 ml for CA$78; Parfum Botanique spray, 10 ml for CA$46; www.provinceapothecary.com
Writer: Antoinette di Michele
Province Apothecary
Province Apothecary
Bottega Organica, New York, USA
Despite the best of efforts, all-natural skincare products are often too easily written off as oils with nice smells. In the case of Bottega Organica, an American cosmetics line that grows its organic ingredients on its own farm in Liguria, Italy, the scientific back-up is hard to ignore. Created by a group of doctors including Dr. Andrea Alimonti, a renowned molecular geneticist, specialising in anti-tumour therapies, Bottega Organica uses botanical ingredients to slow down the aging process. The line is based on pure, cold-pressed Ligurian olive oil, itself rich in vitamins and a nutritious means of delivering optimal concentrations of essential oils, flower waters and extracts, such as sage, lavender and chamomile. From rejuvenating face oils and serums, to nourishing body formulas, soaps and hair mists, Bottega Organica’s product offering runs the gamut and is perfectly displayed in its minimal West Village boutique. There are even herbal teas, extra virgin olive oil and whole olives, all harvested on the Ligurian farm to complete that pure and healthy lifestyle.
117 Christopher Street, New York, NY 11014, USA; Tel: 1.212 243 3537; www.bottegaorganica.com
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh
Bottega Organica, New York, USA
Bottega Organica, New York, USA
Cire Trudon candle
For a company that dates back to 1643, Cire Trudon is no stick-in-the-mud. The illustrious French candlemaker is proving it can swing like the best of us with an inspired, limited edition collaboration with the jewellery designer, Yaz Bukey. Known for her surrealist Pop approach and perspex accessories, Bukey not only created her own scent – an arresting mix of violet, saffron, leather and cedar wood, but also some sensational packaging, which sees a pair of crimson, slightly parted lips adorn both a Perspex candle topper and sensual black pillar candle to form a memorable gift set. The glassed version of the candle is no slouch either; it brandishes a bright pink foil adaptation of the house’s recognisable label and comes wrapped in black glass. The provocative design, which recalls bad girls from the 1950s wearing red lipstick and black leather jackets, also appears on the candle’s box, making it a perfect, collectible package.
Candle, $95; Topper, $48; and Gift set, $590, all by Yaz Bukey for Cire Trudon; www.ciretrudon.com
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh
Cire Trudon candle
Conran Clinic, London, UK
We’ve spent the last few weeks attempting to continue our New Year's detox, but the leftover chocolate, port and cheese had to be eaten. And, with our gym pass currently 'missing', we're close to admitting defeat. The Conran Shop, however, has not. Its in-store pop-up spa, the Conran Clinic, is designed to get us back on the straight and narrow. With fairground-like mirrors distorting our reflection, Conran gently alludes to failed resolutions and motivates us into jumping onto one of the nearest wall-mounted Technogyms. Inspired by Peter Zumthor’s Therme Vals Spa in Switzerland, creative director Jasper Conran has designed a bold yet serene space adorned with panels of hanging plants throughout and furnished with the stylish ‘1966 Lounge Chair’ by Richard Schluz for Knoll. So sit down, revive yourself with a cold-pressed juice provided by The Good Life Eatery, and face February with twice the resolve you did in January.
The Conran Clinic is open until March at The Conran Shop's outpost in Chelsea.
The Conran Shop, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd, London SW3 6RD, UK; www.conranshop.co.uk
Writer: Elizabeth Hutton
Conran Clinic, London, UK
Beauty round-up: lip balms
For those of us persevering through an extra cold, extra wet and seemingly endless winter, the likelihood is that more attention needs to be paid to our lips - its fragile skin is only a fifth of the thickness of that of our cheeks. We thought it timely to look at some of the best of the latest offerings. Old favourite Aesop has released its new Protective Lip Balm, which gives double protection against the elements. With an SPF of 30, the balm not only protects against UVA and UVB rays, but it also provides a moisturising barrier against the elements.
Protective Lip Balm, by Aesop, £13; www.aesop.com
Writer: Grace McCloud
Beauty round-up: lip balms
Equally virtuous is Polaar’s Intensive Repair Lip Balm – part of the Extreme Care series, which was developed after the company’s founder, Daniel Kurbiel, discovered that polar plants are rich in the same active ingredients that help to nourish and protect our own skin. Paraben-, alcohol- and mineral oil-free, Intensive Repair is packed with extracts of wild berries from Lapland, complete with their naturally occurring essential fatty acids.
Intensive Repair Lip Balm, by Polaar, €9.95; www.polaar.com
Writer: Grace McCloud
Beauty round-up: lip balms
Also treading the natural path is Kiyoko. Failing to find the perfect lip balm, two young Dutch entrepreneurs Evelien Emondts and Merel Groenenboom set out to create their own. Kiyoko is produced in a small factory in the Netherlands, using only ingredients of natural origin.
Lip Balm, by Kiyoko, €12.50; www.kiyokolipbalm.com
Writer: Micha van Dinther
Caylx by Clinique
Those seeking the antithesis of the ubiquitous bold and ostentatious scents in the 1980s would have found it in the light, fresh and fruity Calyx perfume. Created by Sophia Grojsman in 1986, Calyx was distinctly different from the strong and spicy fragrances of the time, and stood out as the citrus-based future of perfumery. When leading cosmetics house, Prescriptives, stopped all production in 2009, those loyal to Calyx had no choice but to find a new signature scent. Now, after five years of fruitless searching, devotees can happily return to the memorable and sophisticated Calyx, which is being remade, in all its grapefruit and green leaf glory, by Clinique.
Calyx, from £46; www.clinique.co.uk
Writer: Elizabeth Hutton
Psycle, London, UK
The idea of turning the ever popular cycle class into a more holistic experience that is simultaneously core-strengthening, soul-soothing, mind-expanding as well as aerobic and all-over toning, isn’t entirely new – SoulCycle in New York has been doing it for 6 years. But London’s newest anti-gym fitness offering, Psycle, has it’s own mission. 'We will use music, the best instructors and inspiring design to put people in a positive frame of mind for exercise,' says founder Colin Waggett, former CEO of Fitness First. The goal is to get people enjoying the fitness class to the extent that they forget the muscle burn entirely, and it’s done by focusing on the music (tracks are chosen for their strong lyrical content and energy, not just the beats per minute). With Olympic triathlete Tim Weeks at the helm, an Olympic swimmer-turned-nutritionist on site, and a rough-luxe urban interior furnished by Hay-on-Wye designer-makers Barnby & Day, bodycare provided by Ila and delicious snacks courtesy of The Detox Kitchen, it’s the crack team Waggett has gathered that will make Psycle achieve its mission.
76 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7SA; Tel: 44.203 728 6990; www.psyclelondon.com
Writer: Emma Moore
Psycle, London, UK
Psycle, London, UK
Psycle, London, UK
Eve Lom
When Eve Lom created the first muslin cloth and cleanser combination in 1985 the world took notice. The radiance-inducing product and technique still retains a cult-like following. Now, with almost 30 years of experience in the skincare industry, Eve Lom is advancing into new territory – the world of make-up. Using the hydrating, firming, repairing and protecting botanical stem cell power of BerryFlux Vita, combined with light-reflecting pigments of colour, this complexion range doesn’t merely fake good skin but works to create it. The range comprises foundation, primer, tinted moisturiser, bronzing powder, translucent finishing powder and, the one we’re all fighting over, the 'Light Illusion' concealer, which successfully hides imperfections, fine lines and tiredness.
Complexion range, from £30 - £50; www.evelom.com
Writer: Elizabeth Hutton
Rococo
Echoing the fashion industry’s leap to upscale denim on the catwalk, Rococo has produced a line of blue hues that will keep your nails in line with the trend this season. Like your favourite pair of jeans, the varnishes are reliable in their versatility. Choose from deep tones of indigo, bleached denim and ice, or, keep it sweet with a coat of candyfloss pink.
From top: 'Jean Jeanie', 'Flossy', 'Boyfriend' and 'Indie' nail varnishes, £12 each; www.spacenk.com
Writer: Elizabeth Hutton