The Burning Question

The Burning Question..

If like me your daily shave leaves you feeling like you've gone five rounds with Edward Scissor Hands, you'll welcome a product that minimises skin irritation. New from Bob Norburn (No Burn would be more appropriate) is a holistic dual-action wonder that not only guarantees the smoothest of shaves but also doubles as a cracking moisturiser. Devoid of nasty Parabens and Petroleum, this cruelty free, vegan product contains antioxidant Grape Seed Oil to nourish skin and protect against the damaging effects of free radicals and environmental aggressors. I've been using it for a few months now and have to say it does exactly what it says on the tin - a definite must for those with sensitive skin.

Bob Norburn 3-in-1 Pre Shave, Shave Cream & Moisturiser £12.95, 100ml
www.body4real.co.uk

All White Still..

All White Still..

It's not surprising our American friends across the pond have such a dim view of British teeth. The "Hollywood Smile" is as ubiquitous in the US as stained and asymmetric gnashers are in Britain. Being one of the last of the dying smokers (literally), nicotine stains are an on-going concern. Thankfully, Beverly Hills Formula have come to the rescue with their Dentist's Choice toothpaste. Its triple action formula gently lifts stains, combats gingivitis and helps prevent teeth sensitivity. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate free, it contains anti-bacterial Glycerin and Xylitol to promote healthier saliva flow. Permethol, Panthenol, Vitamin E and Folic Acid nourish and heal gums while Zinc Ions keep breath fresh for up to 18 hours. A higher Fluoride level of 1450 ppm F helps to strengthen, remineralise and harden tooth enamel for cavity protection. Used regularly, the Potassium Citrate formula builds a protective layer on tooth nerve endings, protecting against painful sensitivity.

Beverly Hills Formula Dentist's Choice - £3.99, 75ml
Available at ASDA stores nationwide
www.asda.co.uk
www.beverlyhillsformula.com

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor..

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor..

With autumn around the corner, it's time to invest in some key transseasonal knitwear. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana cited Surrealism as the key inspiration for their AW09 women's collection - specifically the work of Man Ray, Salvador Dali and his collaborator, couturier Elsa Schiaparelli. Indeed, the Schiaparelli influence seems to be popping up all over the place - with Stephen Jones featuring her "Shoe Hat" (a collaboration with Dali) in the exhibition of millinery he curated for the V&A earlier this year. The kitsch and quirky London based design duo Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts (aka Antoni & Alison) have been delighting those in the know for years with their irreverent take on fashion. Their AW09 women's jumper collection is delightfully naive, featuring trompe l'oeil prints. The bows are reminiscent of Schiaparelli's iconic "Bow Jumper". Comprising of five playful styles, my favourites are the red "Tin Soldier" and navy "Bow Jacket" jumpers. Toughen up your Toy Soldier sweaters with a pair of super-skinny jeans and killer heels to keep things directional. With Nautical style a perennial trend for spring, the navy "Bow Jacket" is a great investment piece as it's bound to be something you'll wear again and again.

Red "Tin Soldier" jumper £210
Navy "Bow Jacket" jumper £198
Stockist: 08450 944 012
www.antoniandalison.co.uk

Bag It Up..

As a modern working man on-the-go, it's of paramount importance that I have something to house my diary, phone, wallet, keys and other essentials. Stuffing said items into the pockets of one's suiting our outerwear is sartorial suicide - and will without doubt ruin the line of your garments. Fortunately, with Jaeger's uber-sleek men's AW09 bag collection debuting in stores this week, I've found the perfect workwear solution. Click on the image of the Laptop Bag above to enlarge it - I think you'll agree that like the others in the range, it's both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Mixing matt leather with gold hardware and functional compartments, there's a style to suit every man. The Messenger Bag and Laptop Bag are perfect for City Boys while the Weekend Bag and Cabin Bag would be ideal for Jet-Setters. Mulberry better watch their backs - it looks like they've got a new rival in Jaeger. Be sure to make the most of the Jaeger sale - I just snapped up the perfect trans-seasonal piece - a slick Prince of Wales check, single-breasted one button jacket. Monochrome is big news for AW09, as is slick tailoring. Grab one while you can, it's a style classic that won't date - a definite wardrobe staple.

Laptop Bag - £299
Prince of Wales Jacket - £130 (reduced from £300)

0845 051 0063 / www.jaeger.co.uk

Purple Reign

Purple Reign..

I recently won The Body Shop's Colour Coach make-up competition. Click on the images above to see the mood board for my winning look and the final look on my rather gorgeous mother who kindly agreed to be my model. I called the look Purple Reign. Purple is a colour associated with passion, royalty and emperors. I felt it was relevant to the Body Shop brand because the Body Shop is passionate about empowering people, whether it be women in developing countries or victims of domestic violence. Purple Rain was obviously a hit for Prince - I tied this in with the return of the "80's Power Shoulder" as seen on the SS09 catwalks at Balenciaga, Balmain and Dolce & Gabbana. Ripped stone-washed denim and studs were a major trend at Balmain, so I created a bold purple eye that winged out slightly at the edges to channel that Rock N' Roll vibe. I prepped my mother's skin with The Body Shop's entire Wise Woman skincare line with community traded Soya Oil from Brazil. I massaged the cleanser into her face and performed a series of acupressure and lymphatic drainage techniques to firm her skin and boost radiance. I followed with the toner and the firming mask. Next came the eye cream, face serum and day cream. I also treated her hands to a massage with the hand cream with SPF 15. Once her skin was glowing, I primed her face with the Skin Primer 02 Matte It with Aloe Vera and Camomile Extract. Using the Foundation Brush, I applied the Oil-Free Foundation SPF15 with community traded Marula Oil from Namibia and antioxidants Vitamin E and C in Shade 10. Using the Eyeshadow Brush, I worked the violet shade from the Limited Edition Deadly Night Shades Shimmer Cube 17 (with Marula Oil as before) from the lash line to the crease of the eye socket and winged it out at the edges. I also worked the pigment under the lower lashes. I layered the purple shade from Special Edition Hot Brights Eye Colour in Shade 01 Pink /Purple (with Marula oil as before) over the violet shadow and then followed with the Eye Shimmer in Shade 06 Violet which adds an iridescent sheen. I blended with the Eyeshadow Blender Brush to soften the edges and applied the Eye Definer in Shade 01 Black (with Marula Oil and Vitamin E) from the inner corner of the upper lash line to the outer edge and winged it out slightly. I curled her eye lashes with the Eye Lash Curler then applied the Define and Lengthen Mascara in Shade 01 Black (with Marula Oil and Organic Beeswax). I defined her brows with the eye definer in Rich Brown (with Marula Oil and Vitamin E) as it's softer and more natural-looking than black, blending it with the Slanted Brush. Using the Blusher Brush, I worked the Special Edition Rose Flower Blush in Shade 02 Fuschia (with Marula Oil) onto the apples of her cheeks prior to using the Bronzing Brush to contour her cheekbones with the Nature's Minerals Bronzer in Shade 02 Bronzed Ochre. I blended the Glow Enhancer in Shade 03 across her cheekbones and up towards her temples and also down her nose. I completed the look by defining her lips with the Eye Definer in Rich Brown (with Marula Oil and Vitamin E) to prevent "colour bleed" before applying the Liquid Lip Colour in Shade 14 Bronzed (with Marula Oil and Vitamin E) for a plump nude lip effect. I finished with a spritz of the Vitamin E Face Mist to set the make-up and boost radiance.

Skin..

Wise Woman Luxury Cleanser - £9.75
Wise Woman Softening Toner - £9.75
Wise Woman Intensive Firming Mask - £12.70
Wise Woman Vitality Serum - £21.50
Wise Woman Eye Cream - £14.65
Wise Woman Regenerating Day Cream - £17.60
Wise Woman Defensive Hand & Nail Cream SPF 15 - £11.70
Vitamin E Face Mist - £6.85

Make-up..

Skin Primer 02 Matte It - £10.00
Oil Free Balancing Foundation SPF 15 - £11.70
Limited Edition Deadly Night Shades Shimmer Cube 17 - £15.65
Special Edition Hot Brights Eye Colour Shade 01 Pink/Purple - £6.00
Eye Shimmer Shade 06 Violet - £8.80
Eye Definer Shade 01 Black - £7.30
Eye Definer Shade 02 Rich Brown - £7.30
Define & Lengthen Mascara Shade 01 Black - £9.75
Nature's Minerals Bronzer Shade 02 Bronzed Ochre - £14.65
Special Edition Roseflower Blush Shade 02 Fuschia - £7.00
Liquid Lip Colour Shade 14 Bronzed - £9.25

Tools..

Foundation Brush - £11.25
Eyeshadow Brush - £8.30
Eyeshadow Blender Brush - £8.30
Eye Lash Curler - £4.85
Slanted Brush - £8.30
Bronzing Brush - £14.00
Blusher Brush - £11.25

www.thebodyshop.co.uk

Fight Club

Fight Club..

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Tahsin Osman. His name may not register on your fashion radar just yet - but trust me when I say that he's the most exciting young British menswear designer to emerge since Kim Jones. With a distinctive Sports Luxe aesthetic, he's like the cooler, grittier offspring of Unconditional, Y3 and the aforementioned Mr Jones. His graduate capsule collection (Westminster 2009) was a highly considered affair (click on the images above to enlarge). Managing to be both edgy and commercially aware, the directional silhouettes, utility-chic detailing and modern mix of fabrics combined to great effect. The creative styling played a vital role in the impact of the show. The boxing helmet and shorts in the first outfit were reminiscent of alpha male films such as Fight Club, Rocky and Raging Bull. On the other hand, the high-tech black PVC and silver metallic Parkas could have been plucked straight from Blade Runner or The Fifth Element. You know you're onto a good thing when a collection has you salivating. The 3/4 sheer grey cardigan, contrast panel tracksuit bottoms, plunge vests with foil detail and black Parka with silver zip detail are all on my wish list. Mr Osman has informed me of an exciting collaboration he has in the pipeline. If you want to be the first to hear about it, I suggest you keep up to date with my blog.

It Moved Me

It Moved Me..

I was recently interviewed by the Scottish Sunday Times for their regular feature "It Moved Me". The interviewee may write about anything within the realm of Scottish art, be it a piece of literature, a painting, sculpture, photograph, poem, song, album or band. I chose to write about the Glaswegian electro-rock outfit Union of Knives and Evil Has Never, the first single from their critically acclaimed album Violence & Birdsong. You can click on the image above to enlarge the feature.