TrendLife Beauty

In 2010, revellers worldwide took to the floor and bust a groove to tattoo clad chain blinger, rap singer Wiz Khallifa’s colour-coded charttopper, Black and Yellow. As our man Wiz warbled about the colours of his city, Pittsburg, I too thought about my future in the rap game repping Epsom & Ewell. Unfortunately, green, yellow, blue and white was a bit of a mouthful, even for a MC mastermind such as myself, and so my hip-hop hopes ended there.

 Pittsburg aside, for us Brits, black & yellow means so much more than the 22^nd largest urban area in The United States. To man, woman and child across the nation, black & yellow symbolise the uniform of traffic wardens, hazard warning tape, bumble bees and Yigal Azrouël’s SS12 collection. This sizzling duo, a colour palette of dark and daring, is also the signature shade of ‘the best department store in the world’, Selfridges.

Our story begins in 1910, the year that Old Trafford opened its 80,000 capacity stadium for The Red Devils of the North, and the same year that the wheels of the first Double Decker Bus went round and round. Whilst the men of Manchester were making the pilgrimage to Old Trafford, lasses were hotfooting it to Selfridges, where in 1910, they were the first to open a ground floor beauty hall. Now home to the biggest Beauty Hall in the world, it is a friendly place where the likes of Nars and Tangle Teaser rub shoulders with Robert Piguet, Creme de la Mer, Dior and Jo Malone, in a happy top to toe body beautiful community.

Some say that the best things in life are free, but with news that ‘M.A.C on 3’ is to launch on the third floor of Selfridges, I say the best things in life are three. Whether your mode of transport is escalator or lift, arrive at MAC on 3 and you’ve climbed the stairway to heaven. In and amongst the contemporary fashion hub, it’s a haven devoted to make-up application. For gaggles of girls in search of night-out glam, or blushing brides keen to nail a look for their big day, MAC’s make-up artists will preen to perfection. 30, 60 and 90 minute appointments are available to learn the techniques of the great and the gifted.  As always, sessions are priced between £20-£50 and redeemable on any product purchase.

Top dog of Selfridges Beauty, Jayne Demuro reveals
"Selfridges constantly strives to bring new, exciting experiences and retail theatre to our customers which is why we are so proud to bring the new worldwide exclusive concept of MAC on 3 to our London flagship store. This will be the first time we have housed a beauty brand permanently outside our Beauty Hall and celebrate a new chapter in the partnership between MAC and Selfridges."

This new chapter in Selfridges history is one that girlhood across the globe look forward to beginning together. With MAC’s worldwide following, the beauty brand can be rest assured that the next chapter in their story will be a damn sight better than Peter Andre’s over on ITV2. 

Launches May 21st

For those fashion-forward, fortunately-footed fillies and fellas amongst us, the sole of one’s shoe is coloured with the most coveted shade to grace the ground of Planet Earth. Whilst the likes of Princess Caroline of Monaco, Carrie Bradshaw, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Kanye West all stride with pride clad in Louboutin’s red-bottomed shoes, for the rest of us, it’s a different tale entirely. Paul Simon boldly once chirped that the gal of his affections roamed the streets with diamonds on the soles of her shoes - silly lass, as if diamond’s really are a girl’s best friend, then she was clearly in need of learning a thing or two about friendship, trampling on her top pals would do her no favours. Simon’s soulmate aside, for most of us, it is not a red-lacquered sole upon which we put our best foot forward, but sadly the remnants of chewing gum and litter that bond to the beneaths of our footwear. In extreme after-dark cases, the all too commonly sighted trail of toilet roll affixed to a shoe during an evening out on the tiles well and truly sets us worlds apart from the Louboutin lot, leaving a cheek or two a little Louboutin-red flushed with embarrassment at such a bona fide blunder. 

With the recent news that Louboutin is to launch a make-up line, it’s simply surefire that womanhood will be lusting after a Louboutin induced pop of colour ‘pon the visage. Teaming up with Batallure Beauty, CL is now set to transform the lives and looks of women from head to toe, bar one’s pins and torso. Whilst the deets have been scarce surrounding Christian Louboutin’s foray into beauty, what we can expect is to be Loubeautifying ourselves by AW 2013. Indeed, a lengthy period to wait, but with Louboutin himself lipping that ‘the beauty adventure is a natural extension for someone like me, who likes to empower women.  To be a part of creating beauty seems like the right next step’, the wait will certainly be worth every minute. 

Thanks to Channel 4’s documentary series Coppers, and the Beeb’s Prisoners Wives drama, I’ve become hooked on crime television programmes. Indeed, TV audiences tune in, in their droves to catch the latest police procedurals and legal dramas that are showing on the box. Whether its Dexter, Midsomer Murders or America’s Most Wanted; they show it, we love it.

 My TV slice of police pie is laden with toppings of the police force’s terminology and abbreviations, such as the CID, (Criminal Investigation Department), which is the part of a UK police force which does not wear uniform and is responsible for discovering crimes. Never, would I have ever believed that two of my most beloved interests would come together, thanks to a namesake. Yet, in the truly perplexing CBL fashion that dominates TrendLife beauty, I have linked the police and beauty together, through the Criminal Investigation Department and New CID Cosmetics.

New CID Cosmetics may share a name with the branch of all Territorial police forces whose detectives wear plain clothing, but the similarities end there.

A beauty brand with real panache, New CID Cosmetics offer a dynamic and innovative approach to the industry. Their product range offers many ingenious features that set New CID apart from the rest of the market, such as the built-in lights of the i-pout, i-gloss and i-powder that allow for easier application at any time, and in any place. With a colour range to suit a variety of skin tones, New CID have successfully combined versatility to reach a wide audience to create a one-stop shop for all our beauty needs.

My favourites in the range include:

I-glow

A must-have for a sunkissed shimmer, I-glow’s baked marble formulation means that it is silky smooth to apply, and so works well as a blush too. I love Sirocco; it gives the face a lovely subtle bronzed highlight that adds a natural radiance through the day and night.

I-pout

Its built-in light and mirror make I-pout perfect as a handbag essential. Scarlet is my preferred choice for eveningwear; its sumptuous high-drama shade radiates sophisticated glamour, but with 12 shades to choose from, all offer a touch of long-lasting luxury.

I-gel

‘Eye’d’ be mad to leave this gem out of my trio of New CID Cosmetics favourites. A long-lasting gel liner in a palette of three, it lends itself well as both an eyeliner and a full eyeshadow. The brush that accompanies I-gel is impressive and allows easy application for drawing fine lines.

www.newcidcosmetics.com

As legend has it, 21^st December 2012 is set to be the end of the world. According to the epitome of trustworthy internet based information, Wikipedia, ‘The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012'. Now, I am unable to fathom 87% of the latter, but hypothetically speaking, should planet Earth cease to exist beyond 21.12.12, it’s time to start living. That’s right Trend Lifers, thou shalt commence 2012 with a set of New Years’ Resolutions like no other specimen ‘pon this planet. Indeed, it’s time to spend not save girls and boys; ditch the diet and withdraw from workouts - forgoing fashion must-haves, snacking on a handful of seeds and sweating more than Sweaty Betty herself in the recently-joined gym* was always going to be grim.

I offer before you what leading experts of the end of the world** recommend as being essential to begin 2012 and to show world-end that we will begin and end as a bevy of beauties. Whip out those pennies and make sure that you’re first in line for what astronomers and scientists** have hailed to be the hot beauty tips for the opening of 2012.

1) Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour (February)

2) MAC False Lashes Extreme Black (January)

3) Chanel Perfection Lumière Foundation (January)

4) Nicki Minaj OPI Collection (January)

* Note to readers: Foregoing fashion must-haves/snacking on a handful of seeds/sweating in the gym are all from my own experience in the seven days that have come of 2012 thus far.

**I am said leading expert of the end of the world/astronomer/scientist.

A fictional character of the Royal Mail workforce, Postman Pat has a black and white cat. Early in the morning, just as day is dawning, he picks up all the postbags in his van. Whilst Pat and his colleagues earn their keep despatching Christmas card well wishes across the nation; another fellow is heading up the Chanel design team to bring home the bacon for family Lagerfeld. Both Pat and Lagerfeld are advocates of all things monochrome; Pat in the form of his cat; Karl Lagerfeld through the illustrious interlocking CC Chanel trademark. Never before have these two leading figures of popular culture come together to embrace their monochromatic love affair.

Yet, in a spectacular collaborative effort, the two have partnered for the 2011 holiday season. Chanel’s exquisite Christmas magazine insert has been delivered ‘pon the doorstep of the nation by Pat and pals. With its image of the iconic Chanel No. 5 parfum and five strings each holding gold confetti in the shape of No. 5 bottles, the Chanel CC insignia and snowflakes, Chanel’s Christmas Card 2011 is sure to be the most popular expression of well-wishing amongst fashionistas this year.

Thanks to Chanel’s Christmas offering, Pat is not the only one of us to be a really happy (wo)man.

www.chanel.com

For those not blessed with full, lush lashes then beauty favourite, Rapidlash Enhancing Serum should definitely be on your radar.

Clinically proven to give you 50% longer lashes, RapidLash serum conditions your lashes to look stronger, fuller, and longer in as few as eight weeks.

A beauty favourite as voted for by Vogue.

£40.84

www.boots.com

Just in time for summer, MAC launches their Surf, Baby! Collection. Choose from the Solar Riche Bronzing Powder or add shimmer with the new Gold-Go-Lightly Studio Care Blend/Pressed Powder.

Make sure your lips are suitably protected with Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lipbalms while the latest Skinsheen Bronzer Stick is perfect for adding contouring and dimension.

As always MAC ensure that this collection comes in fun and funky packaging and this time its bright and Hawaiian-inspired.

Prices start from £11.50

Available from MAC www.maccosmetics.co.uk

For when you’ve been partying a bit too hard or you’re suffering the effects of the three day festival, make sure you have some eyedrops on hand to brighten up your eyes.

Optrex has two brand new eye drops; Eyedew Dazzling and Eyedew Sparkling. For maximum impact choose Dazzling Eyedrops. It contains a clever blue ingredient which makes the whites of your eyes look even whiter.

To restore the natural brightness to your eyes, go for Eyedew Sparkling. It enhances your eyes and restores their natural brightness so they are clearer and brighter. The perfect summer essential to perk up those peepers.

£4.39 each from Boots www.boots.com

www.facebook.com/eyedew

Impulse and Barry M – two delightfully fun beauty brands have teamed up to create three limited edition handbag essential packs. The two brands have paired a luscious lip gloss with a much loved Impulse scent and they are available together for a limited period only.

Choose from the Very Pink fragrance which comes with a sumptuous strawberry scented and flavoured pale pink lip gloss; Into Glamour comes with a velvety vanilla clear lip gloss and lastly Tease completes the collection with a nude lip gloss in a delicious caramel flavour.

The limited edition Barry M lip glosses are only available from 26th April – 11th June. Get the range from Boots from 26^th April – 17^th May and from Superdrug and Tesco from 7^th May – 11^th June.

Price: £3.00

Dolce and Gabbana make-up is like everything they do – glamourous, sexy and feminine – just like the woman that fronts the campaign, Scarlett Johannsson.

New for Spring is their latest colour collection, The Secret Garden. A romantic palette of pastels and nudes, as well as a new illuminator, are available as eye shadow, liner, blush, lipstick, gloss and nail polish.

If you’re looking to dip into Spring a bit early with some colou,r then this collection is definitely worth a look.

Eyeshadow Quad - £36.50

All are available exclusively at Harrods now www.harrods.com