BEAUTY – Page 20 – Freak Deluxe

7 STEPS TO SPRING CLEAN HIS SKIN

With Spring having sprung, ladies up and down the land are scrambling to shave their winter legs and pedicure those forgotten-about feet. But what about the Gents? Skincare Expert and Facial Therapist Amanda Elias has the solution, with 7 Steps to Spring Clean his Skin.

1: Soften that winter skin with a gentle moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume, particualrly after shaving. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin; shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.

2: Don’t have a cleansing routine in place? Spring’s the time! Use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin. Cleanse daily; once in the morning and twice in the evening.

3: Shave off that winter face fuzz but never dry shave; this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.

4: Consider new products. When it comes to your spring skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.

5: Get rid of those dry lips by applying a lip balm regularly throughout the day. A stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots. Why not leave one on your desk at work as a reminder to apply?

6: Dispel of dry hands with an exfoliator to remove the dry, dead skin and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, why not treat yourself to a Man-icure?

7: Don’t leave sweaty skin after your new year workouts. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

MDMFLOW POPS UP AT BOXPARK

Have you heard about MDMflow yet? If you haven’t you need to get into it pronto! What’s not to love about these Hip Hopulent luxury lipsticks?

MDMflow, the beauty brand that is everything Hip Hop with mid 90s to early 2000s Hip Hop in mind. The make-up line launched in June 2013 with handmade lipsticks using the latest colour technology. All lipsticks are formulated, designed and produced by Florence Adepoju, a 23 year old BSc Hons Cosmetic Science graduate from the London College of Fashion, who saw a real gap in the market.

The 17th March will see MDMflow join BOXPARK for a 1 week pop-up and to celebrate, on Thursday 20th Florence is putting on a party in true 90’s style with a B.I.G – Sky is the Limit themed event complete with Cava, Hip hop and opportunities to win lipsticks! Fun right?

If you live in London or just happen to be here next week make sure you hit up their pop up shop in East London’s Boxpark and get to know the decedent MDMflow lifestyle.

BB PRESENTS THE NEW CC!

The Bobbi Brown CC Cream SPF 35 provides a blend of colour correcting coverage and high performance treatment benefits in one easy step for instantly healthy-looking, even toned skin. Formulated and appropriate for a variety of skin tones, it provides long-term colour correcting benefits to visibly brighten the complexion and a unique moisture complex that instantly plumps skin and improves its ability to retain moisture.

“Here’s the science” – Soft Focus Powders enhance skin’s natural luminosity and diffuses light to reduce the appearance of imperfections. A brightening blend of Cucumber, Apple and Scutellaria Extracts work to brighten the complexion and even skin tone, as well as provide long-term skin perfecting and correcting benefits. Liquorice, Caffeine and Sucrose help calm and comfort the skin for an even, healthy-looking complexion. Sodium Hyaluronate attracts and binds moisture to skin, instantly plumping, smoothing and refreshing it, while a moisture complex of Trehalose and Glycerin help maintain skin’s moisture balance and prevent dehydration. Barley and Wheat Germ Extracts help replenish essential lipids, while Cholesterol, a lipid found naturally in skin, helps to further strengthen skin’s natural barrier to prevent moisture from escaping.

SPF 35 provides broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection and helps prevent signs of premature ageing and dark spot formation.

Bobbi Brown CC Cream SPF 35, available exclusively at John Lewis stores now, then nationwide from 17th March.

MAC x LORDE COLLAB DUE THIS JUNE

This is happening people, MAC Cosmetics is pairing up with “Royals” singer Lorde for a limited-edition makeup collection which is set to hit shelves on June 5th.

“I have loved MACCosmetics since I was a little kid. I remember saving up to buy my very first MAC lipstick [Snob] at 14, and it was used by about 20 of my friends! MAC has a very clear aesthetic, that has always felt fashion forward to me. So I was really excited to work with them on these products, which I use pretty much every day and night. I hope you will too.”

Will we be seeing a Snob(ish) pink hue in the collection, or will it be strictly dark berry shades?

PERCY REED LAUNCHES PERFECTLY PERFECTING WONDER BALM WITH ELLE

This evening ELLE Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner welcomed us to the ELLE fashion cupboard to hear about a world first, the first ever beauty launch on the cover of a fashion magazine. Tomorrow hair care brand Percy & Reed launches its new Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm, the product will change the way you do your hair, P&R say it’s the “cream de la cream”. A miracle leave-in primer for your hair, how ever you style it, Wonder Balm makes your regular styling products work extra hard, giving you more control and better results that last longer. Giving you healthy looking flawless (can’t help but say “Ladies, tell ’em!” when I hear Flawless – thanks Bey) hair.

The Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm fills and seals the cuticle to add gloss, lock out humidity and add light volume whilst conditioning the hair. The product will retail at £18, and can be used on all hair types (yes including afro hair) and on dry hair to maximise definition.

Think of the product like a primer for the skin – if you use a natural oil (coconut/olive/jojoba) to moisturise your hair, use this before the Wonder Balm, as you would moisturise your skin before applying a primer. Then style as desired.

As stated the product will retail for £18 for 75ml from PercyandReed.com, selected Space NK and John Lewis stores. So I suggest you get it for £4 on the cover of the April issue of ELLE magazine while you can and get some cute no make up skin tips while you’re at it!