Miss Selfridge AW 2010/11

A couple of weeks ago Miss Selfridge showed their AW 2010/11 collection to a selection of bloggers. It’s the best collection I’ve ever seen from Miss S, it’s really come into it’s own.

The Collection is made up of 4 main parts Gothic Glam, Hippy Luxe, Simplicity, and Winter Pastels.

“Gothic Glam evokes the dark and edgy side of the fashion mood whilst still maintaining romance. Sculptured silhouettes in velvet, chiffon and lace with sheer detailing and sequins enhance the femininity of the collection”

“Hippie Luxe – Stepping through the looking glass, this collection marries the fashion sensibilities of Londonā€™s bright young things in the 1970s. Layering with paisley print smock dresses, loophole knitwear, gilets and faux fur coats creates that new boho feel with an updated edge in darker hues for AW10.”

“Simplicity – Encapsulating the monochrome trend, with touches of white, cream, and dusky pink, Simplicity, works in texture, sparkle and girlishness into the surfaces. From the look of the trousers to the proportions of the princess coat in camel trimmed with black brocade are perfect wardrobe staples.”

“Winter pastels combine delicate beading with faux fur statements. Nude shifts are edged with silver beading and teamed with dramatic capes and coats. For evening, draping is key as empire line fishtail maxi dresses are embellished while the butterfly sequin baby doll dresses add to the romantic look.”

Butters the fashion dlogger couldn’t resist being “papped”, she said ‘forget the shoes, what about me?!’ So here she is…

I Heart New York Giveaway!

This week on Freak Deluxe we’re giving you the chance to win a copy of I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk!

It’s official. Angela Clarke is in love ā€“ with the most fabulous city in the world.

Fleeing her cheating boyfriend and clutching little more than a crumpled bridesmaid dress, a pair of Louboutins and her passport, Angela jumps on a plane, destination – NYC.

Holed up in a cute hotel room, Angela gets a New York makeover from her NBFJenny and a whirlwind tour of the city that never sleeps. Before she knows it, Angela is dating two sexy guys. And, best of all, she gets to write about it in her new blog (Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out). But it’s one thing telling readers about your romantic dilemmas, it’s another figuring them out for yourself ā€¦

Angela has fallen head over heels for the big apple, but does she heart New York more than home?

For your chance to win just send an email to win@freakdeluxe.co.uk with the heading “I HEART NEW YORK BECAUSE…” and tell us why you love NY

Designer Splashmacs Back for 2010

MandMDirect.com the UKā€™s number one online discounted branded store is excited to introduce the 2010 limited edition Designer Splashmac collection in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. It’s 3 in 1, a designer purchase that’s cheap as chips, you’ll be helping out a charity, AND it serves a purpose!!! What more could you ask for?

Stine Bransem in LP.BG

The collection will feature designs from top fashion designers from the likes of Philip Tracy, Erdem and hot new fashion favourite Holly Fulton. Seven celebrities have posed for the project including singer of the hit ā€˜Murder on the Dance Floorā€™ Sophie Ellis Bexter, Mr Hudson, and This morningā€™s Dave Berry.

Dave Berry in Erdem

The exciting colour ways of the range means you can stay on trend during the festival season and prepare for the typical British Summer in style! Packing the mac just in case!

Each Splashmac is one size and costs Ā£9.99 available from MandMDirect.com. All proceeds will go to Teenage Cancer Trust. Last year the campaign rose over Ā£45,000 for this fantastic charity and this year they will be looking to do the same.

Sophie Ellis Bexter in Holly Fulton

The campaign helps young people fight cancer, helping them to come out fighting, and giving them a chance to rebuild their lives. With specialist units in NHS hospitals, Teenager Cancer Trust provides the best possible care and support for young people and their families.

Mr Hudson in Philip Tracy

MandMDirect continues to refresh its variety with over 3000 product lines available and new items added each week. For more information visit the website MandMDirect.com

Mahalia Mayne

Ben Travato Blog by Marius Troy

The other day, I caught up with the lovely 24 year old art director Marius Troy and founder of the well known blog Ben Trovato.We discussed music, the fact he’s tired of seeing beautiful girls with white backgrounds and some other stuff in between.
https://www.katebackdrop.de/

lolasparks: Alright Mr, I know you’re quite the traveler.So where have you been residing at ??

Marius troy: Right now I’m in Oslo, but I’m always on the move. I just got to Oslo after spending time in New Delhi, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, LA, Miami, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro during 2009.

lolasparks: How did you get into the whole blogging malarkey?
Marius troy: I’ve always been interested by visual inspiration, and how photography, graphic design, illustration and art overall can be used to communicate a message, provoke feelings, and/or tell stories. I then started a blog a few years ago where I posted what I found inspiring, may that be a photo or a song. But after running it for a while I found that my posts consisted of pretty much just fashion photography, so I thought, “Hey! Why not just make a concept out of it?” And that’s how Ben Trovato Blog was created.

lolasparks: Everytime I read your blog I’ve always seen it as you promoting fresh new talent…is that your purpose?
Marius troy:BTB was created with the intention of bringing new talent into the limelight, but also inspire those who hadn’t quite made it to a professional
level yet. The posts consists mainly of young promising professionals, but now and again I feature a someone with a lot of experience within the business.

lolasparks: Influences and inspirations?
Marius troy:Personally I get very inspired by photographers that dare to move into unknown territory creatively. Although people might say that the business is evolving all the time, and that you need to stay aware of new trends to keep up, I feel like there’s been a slight stagnation the last two years. The warm vintage tint has been here for a while now, and there was a time where I got sick of seeing beautiful girls with strong make up and wayfarers on a white background shot with camera flash. Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson started that trend years ago, and it’s time to move on.

lolasparks: What music are you currently banging on about?
Marius troy: Right now I’m very excited about B.o.B aka Bobby Ray. Be sure to check out šŸ™‚

lolasparks:Any plans for the future?
Marius troy:I am moving to Milan very soon to get closer to the action! And I am always thinking of new ways to make Ben Trovato Blog better.

Interview by Lola Sparks

The Best a Man Can Get!

I LOVE a ā€˜Smooth Operatorā€™, so I decided to carry out a test to find the best products to get a smooooth man! Being female I couldnā€™t do this by myself so I rounded up the troops and convinced them to change their shave routines for two weeks, and use the shave systems that I gave them. It didnā€™t take much convincing to be honest; boys love a new beauty product just as much as girls do!

Aveda

Aveda for Men Shave Cream Ć” Raser

ā€œVery nice natural smell, easy to apply, slight oil base leaving a friction less shave with great results. A very effective and simple product.ā€ 9/10

Kyoku

Facial Moisturiser SPF 15, Ā£43 for 50ml

ā€œAdds slight colour to tired skin, not oily with a slight toning of the skin. Leaving skin revitalised and healthy in appearance. Effective but the avocado is evident in the smell of it, which is its only down side.ā€ 7/10

KyokuForMen.com

Lush

Shave the Planet, Ā£11.10 for 250g

Prince, Ā£8.60 for 225g

ā€œBoth are good products, with an easy and successful application. An effective clean shave with a slight pasty feel, fragrance is a little feminine especially the Shave the Planet product. The Prince product is better. Both products have a natural feel to them, and are reasonably priced.ā€ 8/10

Lush.co.uk

Origins for Men

Skin Diver Charcoal Body Scrub, Ā£18 for 150ml

ā€œThis is an excellent product, the charcoal body scrub, olive oil and sea salts leave the body feeling fresh, alive and smooth for a substantial period after use, by far the best product, invigorating smell and simple to use.ā€ 10/10

Origins.co.uk

Barefoot Botanicals

ā€œIā€™ve been using these products for 6 weeks and found them to be quite good although a bit expensive in my opinion.

SOS Hydrating Shave Cream, Ā£13.95 for 100ml

The Shave Cream doesnā€™t really foam up as I would prefer using my hands but results in a close shave with not too much irritation.Ā  It could be that by using a classic style badger brush, more foam could be achieved, but Iā€™ve not tried it.

The shaved area is not left as dry as a conventional branded main stream sensitive foam or gel might leave it.Ā  The shave is smooth and I havenā€™t had any soreness from cuts or over zealous scraping.

SOS Post shave Face Balm, Ā£19.95 for 75ml

I like the Post Shave Balm, it doesnā€™t feel greasy and makes my face feel refreshed without the dry cracked feeling I have had with other products.Ā  I also like the fact that you are encouraged to use it all over your face.

The fragrances of either products are subtle and natural and donā€™t overwhelm.Ā  I personally am of the opinion that some fragrance is nice since it contributes to that clean feel but all too often post shave products can be too strong in their perfume.ā€ 10/10

I love this review, and despite ā€˜Mr Tā€™ thinking the product was a little expensive in the beginning, once heā€™d ran out he ordered more online! It must be good.

BarefootBotanicals.com

Organic Homme (Click here for full range)

1 Scrub It Exfoliator , Ā£8.95 for 125ml

ā€œAn effective exfoliator that works extremely well without feeling too much abrasion on the skin, (some can feel like scouring pads on the face) with a subtle dose of friction and a fresh citrus smell. This product is very effective with limited impact or irritation on the skin. With a moisturised cool feeling after rinsing, a very good product.ā€

2 Shave Now Wash & Shave, Ā£11.95 for 125ml

ā€œA reasonable good product but too fruity for a man to feel comfortable using. Nicer to wash your face with then use to shave with, making your skin feel fresh and vibrant.ā€

3 Cool Down Moisturiser, Ā£11.95 for 125ml

ā€œTo reduce razor burn etc. A small amount goes along way and good for cooling for men with sensitive skin. Smells like the filling in an After Eight mint, not overly masculine in scent but very organic in feel.ā€

7 Active Fix Repair Serum, Ā£15.95 for 50ml

ā€œFirms the face and adds a bit of vitality and life to tired skin. Quite a neutral invigorating scent which is fresh and clean, the product can be used sparingly so will last a long time.ā€

“To summarize: Organic Homme products feel and react to skin naturally, fulfil their product expectation with exceptional minimal impact to the skin, if only the scent were as masculine as its packaging.ā€ 8/10

OrganicHomme.co.uk

Personally I like a good smelling man with good skin, if that smell is slightly feminine, even better!

Oxy Shave

Oxy Shave Gel

“A thick gel like texture which protects inflamed areas around spots, it made shaving slightly difficult, but works effectively in preventing more irritation.”

Oxy After Shave Balm


“A reasonably OK product. Smooth feeling, not very oily balm. A small amount goes a long way with just a little needed. Slightly strange smell, but very it is a very effective product.

Oxy are all effective products and are value for money due to small amounts required for all the products.” 7/10

Oxy.co.uk

Xanthe Men

Meteorite Facial scrub, Ā£30 for 200ml

“This scrub contains meteorite powder for a microdermabrasion effect to aid the removal of deep impurities and strengthen the skin. Itā€™s worth the money, the scrub is a very effective and an overall good product that smelled slightly wheaty and organic. I liked the presentation, clinical and professional.”

Duo Face Foamer ā€“ Wash & Shave, Ā£12 for 200ml

“All in one cleanser and shaving gel has a great shaving feel and smell. Allows effective shaving with a refreshing feel at only Ā£12.” 9/10

The Beauty Lab