A day in Oslo

Wrapped in natural beauty, Oslo, sitting at the head of the Oslo Fjord, bristles with drama. Norway’s capital city is not only encircled by hills and forests, it is brimming with world-class museums, and galleries. With the ambience of a village and the sophistication of a cosmopolitan metropolis, Oslo is an intoxicating mix of bucolic and culture.

Arriving on the Saga Sapphire, Oslo was the first port of call on my seven-day Nordic Delights Cruise (http://allabouthairuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/destination-norway.html). When time is of the essence you want to ensure that you make the most of your few hours in port.

This is a city which is easy to get around. A walk along the harbour taking in the ships had me hooked from the moment I first went ashore. 

The city of Oslo and the Opera House

Nancy Bundt - Visitnorway.com

© Innovation Norway  

One of the stars of the show is the architectural masterpiece that is the Opera House, designed with a white sloping marble roof. Passing the Nobel Peace Centre, I headed up to the royal palace and on to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to over 200 of Gustav Vigeland sculptures. If you like modern art you will want to go to the National Gallery to see a version of Edward Munch’s The Scream.

During the middle of the 19^th century, Norway and Sweden were one kingdom, ruled by Karl Johan, after whom the main street of Oslo is named. The country separated from Sweden in 1905. The now capital of Norway, after being called Christiania which was later spelled Kristiania, in 1925, reverted back to Oslo, the name of the original Medieval town.

I made the most of a Saturday afternoon stroll, window shopping and mingling with the good looking and friendly locals while taking in the scenery.

It was almost time to head back to the ship, but I did manage to fit in a quick trip to the Akershus Fortress built cica 1299. The Norwegian Resistance Museum is also here.

I would have liked to have visited the Viking Ships Museum and the nearby Kon Tiki Museum, where the original Kon Tiki raft, vessels and artefacts from the explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions are on show.  A good enough reason to go back.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Saga Sapphire

Saga Sapphire has a similar cruise departing Dover June 23 2016  http://travel.saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises/where-we-cruise/norway-and-scandinavia/the-fabulous-fjords-2016.aspx
prices from £1,663pp for 7 nights (Including optional travel insurance or a discount of £40, if not required)

Price includes:
All meals on board, including 24-hour room service

• A choice of table wines at lunch and dinner
• All on-board gratuities
• Entertainment and activities
• Welcome cocktail party and Captain’s dinner
• Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if not required
• All port taxes and visas
• UK mainland travel service to and from Dover

Ports of call include:
Stavanger, Norway
Flåm, Norway
Olden, Norway
Bergen, Norway

To book visit saga.co.uk/cruises or call 0800 50 50 30

  

Spotlight on Dove DermaSpa

Dove is one of those brands that you trust. The products deliver and are extremely attractively priced.

I first got hooked on Dove when a dermatologist recommended me to its beauty bar. I have been using it for years and my skin looks, if I say so myself, amazing.

Premium body products are a growing trend and with the new Dove DermaSpa range, Unilever is hoping to capitalise on it. The company claims that this is its most scientifically advanced body care products ever. With over 10 years of research with 280 scientists participating, the line focuses on the importance of moisturising and spending time on yourself and, in its words, “about waking a deeper more meaningful connection with your body and mind”.

The products are enriched with Cell-Moisturisers (moisturising actives compressed from natural seed oils) which Dove claims help improve the condition of the skin barrier. To help you create a spa experience in your own bathroom, the range has been infused with a lovely scent which has been created in association with Ann Gottlieb, a renowned fragrance consultant.

Comprising of hand treatments, body lotions, skin firming therapies and gradual self-tans, the products are lovely to use and also will look good in your bathroom.

My favourites are the Uplifted+ Massaging Body Roll-On (£9.99) with a gel which is lovely to use on your thighs and the Goodness Body Oil (£9.99) which, after my shower, seemed to lock in moisture leaving my skin soft without feeling greasy.

By Daralyn Danns

Spotlight on Fornasetti candles

Fornassetti Profumi has built up quite a reputation for its continually evolving range of home scenting fragrances combined with decorative pieces. 

You buy Fornasetti candles as much for the beautifully designed quirky lidded containers as you do for the seductive fragrances. Once the candle has finished you have a lovely piece to stash away such things as jewellery or cotton wall balls.

I am loving the La Femme aux Moustaches (£115, Selfridges) candle showing the face of the legendary opera singer, Lina Cavalieri. The scent is the signature ‘Otto’ This collection in association with Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris has been created to celebrate the Fornasetti exhibition – Piero Fornasetti.

The sophisticated Otto scent by master perfumer Olivier Polge is a melange of lavender, cedarwood with a hint of incense. It gives a warming and comforting feel to your home.

By Daralyn Danns

The allure of the deep red lip

Trends may come and go but the red lip is always sexy. While this coming autumn the fashion may be to dress the face again, according to Terry Barber, Mac’s director of make-up artistry, you should not look as if you have tried too hard. In other words, it is about enhancing the face, not disguising it.

“A red lip and a bare face always looks great,” says Terry. While many of you may balk at the idea of going out without any coverage, after all most of us need a little help, you want to look as if you are not wearing anything. Make sure you even out your complexion and cover up any blemishes.

MAC autumn/winter 2015 trends presentation

Find one that matches your skin. Try MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation (£25.50) an ultra-fluid, thin, elastic gel serum formula will give you that perfect complexion without masking it.

If you do not want to face the world without mascara give MAC Upward Lash Upwardblack (£19) a go. It will transform even the scantiest lashes into a magnificent fringe.

For that statement lip, go for a brick red or a deep burgundy as they can be easier to pull off. For a more demure look, use a lip balm underneath so you get a rosy look. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet, La Bouleversante (£26) is a gorgeous velvety-matt red that will get you noticed.  

Another good one is Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in Red Paprika (£19.50), a burnt orangey-red which stays true to its colour for hours.

By Daralyn Danns

Spotlight on O&M Fine Intellect shampoo and conditioner

Fine tresses will love Original & Mineral’s Fine Intellect Shampoo (£30,) and the matching conditioner (£30). This duo adds volume and bounce without weighing the hair down or any stickiness. The conditioner, which contains sweet almond oil and vitamin E, not only smells lovely but left my locks feeling nice and soft.

This haircare brand has recently arrived on our shores after becoming a favourite with many hairdressers and clients at home in Australia.

Atonic Thickening Spritz

The company specialises in gentle formulations made from “naturally-derived”  ingredients with what it claims is a low-chemical philosophy that avoids  everyday chemicals” such as sulphates, parabens and triciosan.

There is also the Atonic Thickening Spritz (£19, all products mentioned available from net-a-porter.com) which is a good styling aid to add some extra oomph and it will also protect your hair while styling. This pomegranate-scented potion contains Lilly Pilly, reputed to be a native Australian antioxidant which is said to thicken the hair shaft. After using it my locks did look slightly fuller. 

If you like the so-called natural ranges, this is one that you might want to examine further.

By Daralyn Danns