19 August, 2015

On my radar: Decleor aromatherapy face balms

I’m a recent convert to Decleor and its deliciously hydrating face balms.

These various oily balms are made from natural essential oils that target different needs and skin concerns. The Decleor Aromessence Neroli Night Balm (£32.50 HERE) is my current favourite, with neroli the hero ingredient designed to hydrate and revitalise tired-looking skin. You use the plastic applicator to take out a teeny less-than-pea-sized amount to warm between your palms and then press into cleansed skin before bed.

I’m a complete aromatherapy freak so this is great for me. Besides the benefits of neroli (for softening and hydrating), you also have basil (to purify and heal) and camomile (to prevent the appearance of dark spots). This isn’t meant as an everyday balm but more for when you feel your skin needs a pep-up. That said, I’ve been using it every day because I love it so much – oops.

There’s also the Decleor Aroma Sun Expert After-sun Balm (£31.50 HERE) for days when I’ve been frying myself in the sun. I know that’s a no-no, but it doesn’t happen often and I do use sun protection. This ‘high repair after sun balm’ contains geranium and frankincense essential oils and does the job of calming and repairing sun-exposed skin, while also claiming to maintain a long-lasting tan (sadly I haven’t got enough of a tan to tell if this bit it true). Because you use such a small amount, it doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or cloggy.

I’m new to Decleor but have always admired from afar. While these are beauty samples, I don’t think the prices are bad for the quality of this brand and there are deals to be had if you know where to look (psst, HERE!). I’ve also been trialling a Decleor face moisturiser that launches next month but I’ll save that for another post. Watch this space…

WORDS AND IMAGE: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Beauty, Brands, News, Shopping beauty, brands, Decleor, shopping, skincare

13 August, 2015

RETAIL REPORT: Covent Garden – should a high street be more like a department store?

Oliver Sweeney Henrietta Street Covent Garden menswear destination

In the battle between bricks and clicks, the high street has suffered, but department stores have done well to up their game. They have become nimble at keeping pace with fashion, worked harder to collaborate with brands on pop-ups and events, and just seem more dynamic places to be. It’s something the rest of the high street can learn lessons from and I’m already seeing its influence.

Covent Garden got the memo some time ago. OK, it’s not quite a high street but it’s a shopping district that misplaced its mojo for a while and has since redeemed itself. In the 80s it was incredibly stylish and vibrant. At its peak, London’s cool set gravitated towards the Meccas of Paul Smith, Jones and thrift emporium Flip. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 6 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Events, Menswear, News, Retail concepts, Technology, Trends beauty, Burberry, CAPCO, Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Clinique, Covent Garden, Dior, Edwin, Flip, Fred Perry, John Simons, Jones, Kiko, London life, long read, MAC, menswear, Mulberry, Nigel Cabourn, Oliver Sweeney, Paul Smith, retail concepts, retail news, shopping, technology, The Real McCoy's

6 August, 2015

Buy it now: Charlotte Olympia’s pre-fall 2015 artist tribute

Charlotte Olympia Untitled pre fall 2015

When Charlotte Olympia’s Charlotte Dellal picks a theme, she really loves to roll with it. And so for her pre-fall ‘Untitled’ collection, she’s gone all out for art references. Taking inspiration from the mid-20th-century greats, Dali, Cocteau and Kandinsky, her signature clutches turn into conversation pieces with their Dali lips and Kandinsky-esque abstract patterns. And of course, the famous Kitty flats are all present and correct with their own sprinkling of colourful Kandinsky magic. For me though, it’s all about the Jean Cocteau-inspired silhouette clutches, which look like something he himself might have created…

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Words: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Art, Brands, Design, News, Shopping, Trends accessories, art, artists, Charlotte Olympia, design, Jean Cocteau, Kandinskiy, pre-fall 2015, Salvador Dali, shoes, shopping, trends

3 August, 2015

On my radar: round toe shoes

When you do the rounds of press days in April and October, you get a very clear sense of the trends that are going to push through for the season. The designers have done their bit, the stores have bought the commercial sellers, and then the PRs do their own edit to show the press. As an editor, if you can’t spot the winners by then, you need to try harder. (more…)