Alcina launches in the UK

Alcina, the Germany heritage and skincare brand has finally launched in the UK.   Alcina is an established range originally developed by Dr Kurt Wolff, who in 1942, developed a link between medicine and cosmetics to create a range of individual products for healthy, beautiful skin and hair. The range is a comprehensive line of professional products which can be used at home or in the salon. 

Dr. Wolff developed a holistic and comprehensive range of skin care products that combines the best of medicine and cosmetics.  In addition to the skincare categories which are tailored to the individual, Alcina have launched the No1 range including everything you need for your daily skin care.

The range includes: Alcina Facial Cream No1 £35.80,  Stress Control Cream £35.80, Hand Cream No1 £19.20, Alcina Eye Cream No1 £24 and Alcina Cleansing Mousse No1 £20.  All products are available from www.alcina.co.uk

Ditch the Varnish and Rock Your Nails!

Nail wraps are a fantastic new way to adorn fingers and toes.  The best way to decorate your digits in 2011 are by rocking some designer wrap art. Check out Katy Perry and Alexa Chung's nails for some examples of unique designs that are becoming a beauty must have.

The new Nail Rock range is designed to last up to 7 days on nails and 8 weeks on the toes, with each at home nail wrapping treatment taking just 15 minutes to apply . Unlike polish they won’t chip or stain the nail and quicker to apply as no drying time required. 

Nail Rock have just launched some brand new season colours that include animal prinst, metallics and stripes! 

Priced £6.50, they are available from NailRock.com , ASOS.com and Topshop.

Frontcover on the go!

In addition to some new great shades, Frontcover cosmetics have taken a new direction with the launch of their 2011 palettes that can now be custom made so that you can individually purchase and include your favourite shades within one handy compact.

The shades cost £4 each while the compact costs £5 or if you buy 4 shades and a compact you can save £6.  Frontcover is available from Boots www.boots.com

Nail trends of 2011

Collection 2000 has teamed up with nail guru, Kim Treacy, to launch a range of new polished colours fresh from the catwalk.  Kim has previously worked with Mischa Barton and Lily Cole to name just a few!

The new colours come in Fire Engine (classic red),   Buried Treasure (gold), Midnight ouge (deep red) and Liquorice (black).

The colours are now available from Boots and Superdrug starting from £2.79.

Moroccan Oil at the Golden Globes

Moroccan Oil played a large part at this week's Golden Globe awards in Beverly Hills with A-list celebs including Scarlett Johansson and new mum, Amy Adams sporting some fantastic up-dos courtesy of Moroccan Oil's top stylists.

Influenced by glamour of 40’s Hollywood and the sophisticated photographs of 40’s and 50’s fashion photographer, Lillian Bassman, hairstylist Robert Vetica took red carpet hair to elegant new heights for Scarlett.  Inspired by the flowing lightness of Scarlett Johansson’s gown, Vetica created an updo that blended softness, movement, direction and a new sculptural shape using the brand's Moroccanoil Treatment and Glimmer Shine Spray.

To create your own version of Scarlett's look, you can purchase Moroccan Oil products direct from www.moroccanoil.com

Pamper and Preen at Paul Edmonds, London

I had the pleasure of returning to one of my favourite London salons recently.  Having not visited in some time I was keen to find out whether it had maintained its first rate reputation and whether anything had changed.

What I have always loved about Paul Edmonds is that inside from the hustle and bustle of the Brompton Road this salon is much more than a hairdressing salon but a sanctuary where you can escape the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Offering a range of beauty therapies from make up facials to pedicure, visitors can now take advantage of two private salons where individuals or small groups can enjoy a private pampering.

Often salons look very clinical but Paul Edmonds salon manages to escape this façade and excels with a luxury home away from home feel within the two-story retreat.

On my visit I was treated to experience the colour gloss treatment.  This can either infuse a burst of colour to your existing shade or a clear gloss can provide a healthy shine that will last for up to two weeks making it perfect for those Christmas parties.

After a consultation with the stylist we selected a clear gloss and after being prepped and preened was led away to the wash rooms where the gloss was applied while I enjoyed the comforts of my massaging chair.  Ten minutes later I had returned to my chair for the gloss to work its magic while I sipped on a fresh juice and browsed through the hefty collection of magazines – nothing like a good catch up on the gossip!

The half hour flew by and I was back in the chair enjoying a head massage in addition to the chair massage.  Unfortunately this had to come to an end and I was led downstairs for the blow dry.  Now I always think a good blow dry says a lot about a salon and with particularly tricky hair (relaxed Afro hair) I often find salons don’t quite meet the mark.  While it may look good in the salon, the results are really a couple of hours later when it has either maintained its look or frizzed up to double the size.  My stylist was excellent – he talked me through the products he was using and offered advice on how I can blow dry at home (I still haven’t quite mastered it in the same way but still trying!) 

The results were excellent, in addition to having a silky shiny mane, the gloss has added a protective layer that kept it looking perfect for days.

The Colour Gloss Treatment at Paul Edmonds starts from £40.

If you want to gift someone (or yourself!) with one of the treatments available at Paul Edmonds this Christmas, the salon has recently gone digital with ‘the CARD,’ a reward card for all your hair and beauty needs; simply preload the card with credit online and enjoy the special offers and benefits that you can access.

Paul Edmonds: 217 Brompton Road: Knightsbridge: London: SW3 1HW

www.pauledmonds.com

Heavenly Scent

On a winters evening when we’re all snowed in sometimes our home really is the only sanctuary on offer.

Capturing that perfect mood when in the home isn’t always possible but scented candles offer an escapisms as scents and smells from the world over catapult us to different moments in time.

Take a look at some of my best picks for getting in the mood this winter:

Organic Candles

So Organic candles are as they say on the tin - 100% natural plant wax, these candles contain only pure essential oils and plant wax from a sustainable source to fragrance the candles.  In time for Christmas So Organic has three exclusive blended scents to invigorate - Inspiration, perfect to get you in the creative mood and help you concentrate on getting things done; Sensual for  those times when you want to create just the right mood with a heady blend of Orange, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang and Relaxing where you can take a little time out for yourself and enjoy the beautiful aroma of Geranium and Lavender.

Available in 2 sizes –  Small votive (burns for yup to 15 hours) - £4.00
each or large that burns for 30-40 hours priced £12.00 each from www.soorganic.com.

Pure Indulgence Candles

What better way to wind down and relax than in a serene candle lit room, with the sweet smell of a tropical paradise.  Spa Paradisa specialises in producing great scented products including their range of candles, at very affordable prices.  For just £5 help yourself to relax and unwind with the ‘Indulge your Skin’ candle. Its rich fragrance of ylang-ylang, perfectly blended with sweet aroma of jasmine, provides the ultimate exotic fragrance to remind you of a tropical island paradise. 

The Spa Paradisa candles are available in Debenhams or www.next.co.uk and cost £5 each, visit www.spaparadisa.com for more information.

Gifting Candles

St Eval have long been ruling the roost when it comes to candles.  With a fragrance to suit every mood, the decision can be difficult as the shapes, sizes and fragrances of the beautiful candles mean you are spoilt for choice.  The Scented Tins from the St Eval Candle Company are great for Christmas.  Beautifully decorated the tins comes in three limited edition scents - Figgy Pudding - the sweet and fruity scent of Christmas; Inspiritus - the warm scent of spices and cloves and Orange & Cinnamon - a traditional Christmas fragrance. 

The Scented Tins are priced £8.45 each and are available from www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk.

Ormonde Jayne’s Casablanca candles have gained a big following with Elton John and Yasmin le Bon known to buy them in bulk.  This great scent comes in a Mini Scented Candle Box Set along with a Osmanthus, Sampaquita and the Ta'if 75g candle. 

The set is priced £54.00 from www.ormandejayne.com.

Festive Candles

Wax Lyrical has launched its limited edition Christmas range which includes the luxurious blend of vanilla, sweet caramel and white jasmine to produce the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh range.  Working well in traditional and contemporary homes, the scent is available in a range of choices including the dramatic pillar candle, reed diffuser and pretty metallic teal light holders.

The range starts from £4.99 from www.wax-lyrical.co.uk.

Comforting Candles

Aromatherapy Associates have launched a brand new Comfort Candle, as an addition to their gifting collection.  Conjuring up a sense of the warm and exotic, the blend is set to use rose and ginger to enlighten the senses and create a heart warming atmosphere and infectious aroma.   

The Comfort Candle is priced £24.00 from Aromatherapy Associates on 020 8569 7030 or online at www.aromatherapyassociates.com.