Here’s what’s hot in counter culture.
Matte about you
The avalanche of new matte lip arrivals is enough to convince you to retain a polished and perfected pout through the summer months, but if you’re after a more relaxed approach, wear them patted on with fingertips, acing a soft-edged stain that has equally appealing longevity.
Get set
Urban Decay nails a selection of the season’s most sought-after eye colours while statement lip lovers will find everything they need in Chanel’s limited lip palette.
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette, $91; Chanel La Palette Caractere Lip Palette, $118
Boy talk
We’re of the approach makeup can be worn by anyone, but there are no doubt many that will appreciate the aesthetic appeal of Chanel’s first dedicated beauty collection for men, named Boy de Chanel. “Lines, Colours, attitudes, gestures… There is no absolutely feminine or masculine prerequisite: Style alone defines the person we want to be,” announces the French house. The line includes a matte moisturising lip balm as well as a sheer, tinted fluid foundation and an eyebrow pencil, each available in four shades, and arrives on Chanel counters on February 3, 2019.
Blooming gorgeous
It’s been a busy year for Gucci, releasing three fragrances under the Bloom banner. The original mixed tuberose and jasmine for an assertive modern floral scent, but we’re just as addicted to the green notes of Acqua di Fiori, and the latest release Nettare di Fiori, a sensual, rose-tinged version.
Gucci Bloom Nettare di Fiori 50ml EDP, $158; Gucci Bloom Acqua di Fiori 50ml EDP, $127; Gucci Bloom 50ml EDP, $143.
Happy place
What really makes you happy? The answer will be different for everyone, but when Clinique crowdsourced answers from around the world, there were common threads. Baked goods, nature, flowers, tea and the beach were some of them, each forming the inspiration for the new scents in the brand’s My Happy Collection. The light spritzes are made to be layered, just in case you like cookies as much as your cuppa.
Clinique My Happy, $48 each.
Round trip
The next-level masking tool that we tipped earlier this year has finally arrived in New Zealand. Foreo UFO combines a single-use serum infused sheet mask, placed over a high tech disc handpiece that uses LED light therapy, T-sonic pulsations, and hyper-infusion technologies to enhance the effectiveness of the mask and ensure nutrients can be absorbed into the deepest layers of the skin.
Foreo UFO LED Thermo Activated Smart Mask $453. Pack of 7 masks, $18.
Heaven sent
Beauty obsessed? Indulge the habit by visiting beautyheaven.co.nz. Australia’s biggest beauty community has now arrived here. More than just a beauty website, in addition to the latest news, tutorials and trends, you can also earn points to redeem on beauty products by reviewing your favourite ones online. It’s free to join – start reviewing now to trial and shop for beauty products*. See full T&Cs online.
Top billing
Still not over the topknot? We don’t blame you. Fendi’s high, tight twisted up-do which featured at Milan Fashion Week is an easy but chic way to deal with summer strands and embrace your baby hair too. The look was created by hair stylist to the stars, Sam McKnight and inspired by a photo of singer Twiggy in the 70s, with playful, wispy, brushed out tendrils.
For a softer option, look to New York brand Brock Collection’s dreamy half-up loose bun (inset). Hairstylist and Oribe Global Ambassador James Pecis created a romantic look using Oribe’s Swept Up Volume Powder Spray, $69, and Liv Tyler in Stealing Beauty as his muse.
Fresh picks
Forget festival-only flower crowns, blooms in your hair are now evening and everyday appropriate – at least according to the runways.
Double take
The conversation around maintaining skin health from the inside out is becoming more dominant, with approaches varying from a complete overhaul of your diet to adding in nutritional supplements. We like new Kiwi brand Re.Skin’s solution. Its straightforward supplement and serum set offers a one-two punch for those seeking clear and bright skin. The nourishing oil serum contains three anti-ageing active ingredients along with 10 beneficial plant extracts, while the supplement calls on ethically-sourced NZ marine collagen and a vitamin blend to shore up the structure of the skin.
New & Noteworthy in hair care
Oribe Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream, $75.
Protecting against heat styling and humidity (goodbye frizz!), this perfecting cream also helps to seal split-ends, add shine and strengthen hair.
Joico Blonde Life Brilliant Tone Violet Smoothing Foam, $38.
A light, creamy foam that will tone your blonde and make it looks its best over the holidays – while simultaneously helping to smooth frizz.
Redken x Stolen Girlfriends Club set, $82.
This cool collaboration comes in a case with a Redken shampoo and conditioner targeting colour care, softness or extreme damage. Plus, there’s a detachable strap so you can use it as a laptop bag or stow wet items – (the zip is waterproof !).
Blue note
You can rely on Karen Walker for a backstory, accompanying each new release with a niche fantastical, historical or geographical reference. For new Eau De Parfum, Runaway Azure, the story hints at the escapist nature of brand icon, the runaway girl. This time she’s nicked off to Capri.
“An exotic, uncharted atoll where the sea is a perfect shade of aquamarine and the air is warm and rich, redolent with luscious kumquat, sun-ripened driftwood and jungle vanilla,” to be exact.
“Runway Azure has an almost combustible sensuality,” Karen says of the just landed scent she created in partnership with French perfumier Veronique Nyberg. “It’s a mystical bonfire with smoky amber and warm spices, cardamom, black pepper, and Guaiac wood, sparkling against the lushness of oriental mandarin and rose. It is compelling about how wildly feminine this scent feels when you wear it.” Or more simply, the perfect summer scent.
Another story Walker has begun this season is around her first foray into men’s fragrance. Tweaking the traditional woody amber of a masculine cologne, Monumental EDP is available from December 5, 2019.
“Masculinity is always tied in with our work. It’s in everything we do and we wanted to really focus on that element for fragrance this time.” says Walker of the move.
“We were inspired by monuments – the wonderful bronze and stone tributes you see in the great cities. We wanted the scent to have a sense of permanence and heritage but with revelation also. That’s why it has a rakish edginess with invigorating top notes (chilli pepper leaf, pink peppercorn, pomegranate) bouncing off the very masculine and smoky base notes (wood amber, Bourbon Vetiver) and then unexpected florals (peony, lavender, geranium essence), so, the overall fragrance has a permanence but also a bright energy.”
Dog days are Rover
Been washing your four-legged family members with the good stuff from your own shelves? Indulge posh pups with a ‘hair’ care selection of their very own. Kiehl’s new chamomile-infused dog grooming products are PH balanced to ensure their wee faces get the kindest care, while their coat stays salon-fresh. There’s even a no-rinse spritz akin to dry shampoo, so even a days-old ’do can look and smell amazing – until that next puddle roll.
Sun solutions
Easy new options for applying your daily SPF:
Daily moisturiser: Zinc is acknowledged as a clean and effective SPF but it’s notoriously hard to turn into a product you actually want to use. Former Australian beauty editor Zoe Foster Blake spent more than four years and 130 samples nailing a light daily moisturiser with zinc.
Protective serum: Not only does this liquid serum offer SPF30, but organic suncare brand Coola has also included protective melanin to shield from ageing blue light emitted from devices like cell phones and laptops.
