A visit to Errol Douglas

When you are feeling in urgent need of an injection of glamour a visit to Errol Douglas, one of the most highly sought-after hairdressers in London, is called for.

Putting your tresses into the hands of Errol is a reassuring experience. He always carefully discusses with you what you want, be it a cut and or/a blow-dry.

In my case, Errol suggested giving the ends a quick dusting, as he called it, to ensure that they were sharp. This man is certainly not scissor-happy, he kept his word.  He really did just go over the ends. Style wise, his advice was to go for the tousled wave. 

My hair has plenty of movement and Errol said my blow-dry would last a good few days. If he dried it sleek with all the humidity in the air, it would fall flat in no time.

While Errol set to work, he told me about his current “hair collection”. “We are seeing a lot of sculptured and chiselled cuts at the moment,” he said. “It’s almost a reinvention of the “Mia Farrow”, one of the most successful haircuts of the last century. It can either make you look more masculine or more beautiful dependent on your bone structure. You need good cheekbones to pull this off.”

The new version, according to Errol, is slightly layered at the back, sides and neck.

If that look isn’t for you, there are plenty of others that the maestro has created. Errol also highlighted the increase of razors to create a spiky texture. There are also crops with the weight of the hair on the top. Or you could go for a unisex look which is shaved at the back.

For me these looks are too daring, so I asked Errol if is the bob still around? I always end up going back to a version of this classic. Apparently, for spring we can expect to see shorter (cut to the cheekbone) more graduated versions with chiselled fringes.

There will also be plenty of big, natural fluffy curls which always look sexy, and is the look that I went for. Oh, by the way, matt is the new shine.

After prepping the hair, Errol blow-dried it using a medium sized round brush adding movement as he went along.

In a matter of minutes, I was transformed. I left the salon with a spring in my step.

By Daralyn Danns

Errol Douglas (www.erroldouglas.com)

Spotlight on Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System

Clinique was the range that I turned to as a teenager having an oily, yet delicate complexion. Since its launch in 1968, it had been gaining a reputation for helping those with sensitive skin and the fact that it was the first dermatologist-created prestige cosmetic brand had me at the counter.  

Over the passage of time I have tried several other makes as I write about beauty, but I have always included some of Clinique’s great products in my beauty routine.

After hearing about a couple of exciting new editions to the collection, I decided to go back and try the Clinique’s legendary 3-Step Skin Care System. Armed with a starter kit 1 which is for a dry/combination skin and, I was told, suitable for people like me. I was once described by a leading dermatologist as “sensitive”.

Clinique’s ethos is that a daily cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising routine results in skin looking great.

Gone was the facial bar soap (although I understand you can still buy it) which has been replaced with the Liquid Facial Soap, extra mild and the Clarifying Lotion 1, a gentler version than the one I had before. The fabled yellow Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion has been reformulated (it now has + sign after it) with a barrier-strengthening complex and includes humectants, hyaluronic acid, glycerine, and urea.

After using it, my skin behaved well and looked good. The range has expanded over the years and now includes a variety of products which address a variety of concerns.

Thanks to the new Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush (£79) that Clinique has recently launched, a deep quick cleanse, for me, has just got easier. This brush is specially angled to get into the area around the nose and leaves skin primed ready for whatever beauty treatments you use next. The brush has worked on my sensitive skin, so it should be suitable for most people.

 

Essences have proved to be big business in the Asian markets and they could be about to get a lot bigger here, which made me tempted to try one to see what all the hype is about.

Clinique’s new Even Better Essence Lotion for very dry to dry combination (£30) was my product of choice. Similar to a toner, it is said to infuse the skin with instant hydration and radiance. Not only are you supposed to see immediate results but, over time, you can expect to see an improvement in the condition of your complexion. Bursting with antioxidants, this superb moisturising essence left my skin feeling lovely and soft. There is also one for oily skins.

With all these innovative goodies coming to counter, I’m sure Clinique will be around for many more years to come.

By Daralyn Danns

 

Make-up for photographs

Some of us photograph well. Others need a little help. Good make-up can make a huge difference. I asked Shehla Shaikh, head of Lancôme Elite Team for some professional tips on how to put your best face forward.

What base should you use?

“For a photo shoot you want to go completely matt. Firstly, prep the skin with a primer such La Base Pro (£28.50) by Lancôme. Then apply Teint Idole Ultra 24H (£28.50, comes in a variety of shades) also by Lancôme.

“Using a brush will always give a more professional finish. Using it in a circular, buffing motion with your foundation will give a light, airy finish whereas patting will give more coverage so mix and match as you need to.”

How should you apply concealer? 

“Wield  an illuminating concealer under the eye such as our Teint Miracle Corrector (£26.50). Apply a fuller coverage concealer on the skin where necessary. Make-up shouldn't cover or mask the skin; it should only balance, correct and enhance.”  

What blusher should you use?

“For a day look that is more fresh and beautiful, dust blush, on the apples of the cheeks, in a pretty pink or coral, accompanied with a touch of mascara and lip gloss. The right pink for skin tone will immediately lift the complexion.

“To contour for a more dramatic look, use a bronzer. Apply with a soft-angled powder brush, buff into the temples and under the cheekbones, where the natural shadow falls. The reason why it looks so natural is because these are the areas which are sun-kissed, so it is simply enhancing. 

“It’s important to think about the face in 3D. You don’t want the same intensity all across the whole cheek, so make sure to shade appropriately with the contours of your face, enhancing the shadow. Apply it lighter on the top of the cheek and build up under the cheek bone.”

Why are brows important? How should you emphasis them?

 “They completely structure the face. It depends what look the person is after. You can fill in the brow with a pencil for a more dramatic look. For a softer effect, a soft brown shadow works better.” 

Should you use eye shadow? If so what colours?

“It really depends what look you are going for. To give a natural feel I would go for subtle colours just to contour the eye. 

“For a more dramatic look you can experiment with bright colours or the classic smoky eye.”

 How should you apply eyeliner and mascara?

“For an easy eyeliner application use a soft Khôl pencil. And, depending on your skill level, you can work up to a liquid eyeliner. 

“When applying mascara always start right in the roots. Use a zig-zagging motion pulling up the lashes. The new Grandiôse Mascara (£24.50) is great for this because its swan neck allows you to get right into the roots of the lashes.”

  

What shade of lipsticks work?

 “Choose the perfect pink by matching to the closest shade of your gums.

“To ensure you get the pure pink shade as it looks in the bullet, prime your lips first with a little balm and concealer and blend it around the edge of the lips and on top to create a blank canvas. Always line the lips with a lip liner, filling them in to create a base for a long lasting colour. 

“Pearl or shimmer finishes in pink lipstick are dated, so going for a lipstick with pure pigment, such as Rouge in Love (£21.50, comes in several shades), will give your look a more modern finish.”

If you normally go for a nude lip, should you wear colour?

 “A rosebud stain can look really modern even for daytime. Blank out lips with concealer making sure they are well moisturised. Then blot a rich colour into the middle of the lips with fingers. Alternatively, experiment with orange and tangerine reds.

 “Matt lips look best with a bold bright colour although matt can be drying and I would avoid it, if you have small lips. 

“If you are in your 20s feel free to experiment and go for something really on-trend.”

 By Daralyn Danns

Spotlight on Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo and Conditioner

When you receive a press release that starts with the words “we  are all too familiar with the frustration of bad hair days” you have to read on just in case this could be the miracle that could banish them forever. 

Sadly, it seems the 'miracle' will not get rid of them completely, but the message goes on to say: “Pantene Prov-V scientists have made it their mission to give you your best-ever hair day.”

So, I had to put the Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo (£2.99) and Conditioner (£2.99) to the test.

The range’s updated formula boasts Antioxidant Damage Blocker technology which, the company says, reduces hair breakage.

Apparently, with every wash our hair is exposed to oxidation damage that can come from copper present in tap water. Reducing copper, according to Pantene, helps prevent the formation of free radicals that can harm the hair’s proteins.

The company goes on to say that with regular use the condition of the hair can improve. Sounds, good, I can hear you say, but does it live up to its claims?

Well, I washed my hair a few times with it and followed with the conditioner. It felt lovely and soft. I still have some bad hair days, but to be honest that is my hair texture, but these products did improve the look and feel and really that is all I can ask for.

By Daralyn Danns

Quick styling tips

It always looks so easy when a hairdresser styles your hair. It seems to be done to perfection within a few minutes. As we all know styling your own hair can be difficult. So, it is always worth picking the brains of your hairdresser to see if they can give you any easy tips and tricks for you adopt at home.

Emma Mitchell at London’s Daniel Galvin salon (danielgalvin.com) is a mine of information. I rate this lady highly. Her blow-dries last and you always leave the salon with a style that looks done but not over styled.

If you are in a hurry try Emma's tip and add a dollop of mousse through the top of your hair and leave to dry naturally. If you have fine, fluffy hair you will need to blow-dry it, but you can do the top and just rough dry the underneath as people won’t notice this area.

“Volume is back,” says Emma. “Some people will need more than others, so take into consideration your face shape and height.” She suggests using a large round bristle brush when styling. They don’t damage the hair as much as heat-retaining ones.”

Another great idea - from her assistant Tyler - is to twist the hair as you are blow-drying. It is easier than using a brush and will give you waves and bring out the natural movement in your hair. “Decide what size sections you want. You can take two large sections or smaller ones if your hair is shorter,” says Emma. “This is an easy look to do at home and is a good look with this season’s clothes.”

By Daralyn Danns