Now winging its way into my make-up bag

At this time of year long-lasting products and hydrating lip balms are a necessity. 

Here are three products that have been welcome additions to my make-up collection.

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick Crème-Filled in Cinder Black, £21
Easy to apply and does not tug the skin, this lovely colour is also long-lasting. I use it as an eyeliner. It dries quickly so blend it as soon as you put it on. 

BY TERRY Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur in Mandarina Pulp, £35.50

This may look a bright hue in the pot but on it looks quite subtle. Enriched with shea butter, rose wax and vitamin E, this gorgeous balm also soothes dry lips.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup in Cool Vanilla, £28

A make-up tool and pro tool in one that is so simple to use. Simply apply, buff and blend. The result is a flawless skin that is you only better. I keep this in my handbag as it is useful to touch up areas when you need that extra help.

By Daralyn Danns

 

Staying at the Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard

The delightful eco-friendly Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard, decked out in laid-back Scandi cool with a splash of colour, makes a stay in Helsinki special.

Surrounded by boutiques, galleries and restaurants, it has a superb location on Bulevardi, one of the smartest streets in Finland’s capital’s Design District and is in walking distance of most of the main sights.

 Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard, the lobby

Opened in 2015, the 120-room hotel reflects the neighbourhood that it occupies so you would expect the décor to be stylish and contemporary with a cosy boutique feel and it is. Walk into the lobby, book shelves and plenty of interesting pictures give you that feeling of home from home. 

The staff seems to echo the image of the hotel being warm, friendly and efficient. Although the Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard is part of a chain of boutique hotels owned by InterContinental Hotels Group you would never know it as it has its own unique character and charm. 

My room was spacious and the bed really comfy. The minimalistic furniture was jazzed up with a decorative mural on the wall by a local artist. I had a shoe theme which added a novel twist. On display were a pair of shoes from the renowned designer, Minna Parikka. The lavish and elegant fabrics worked well against the grey canvas and gave the room a luxurious feel.  

My room was spacious and the bed really comfy

There is also complimentary wi-fi, something we have now come to expect as standard, as well as a Nespresso Coffee machine, another must in luxury hotels, and free bottled water which was a welcome gesture as it was summer. The bathroom had a walk-in rain shower and plenty of Aveda products for pampering. So, no complaints there.

For fitness fanatics, there are Pelago bicycles for guests to cycle round the capital. The hotel also has a small Body, Soul & Mind studio with gym, yoga room and, being a Finnish hotel, a sauna and steam bath, which is much appreciated after a day’s sightseeing. If you need business facilities, the hotel is equipped.

A highlight is the buffet-style breakfast in the pleasant Restaurant Bröd. There is plenty of choice to satisfy the eclectic palates of the guests including fresh fruits, cereals, salad, cheeses, hot dishes, scrumptious breads and, of course, Baltic herring. I only wish I could have this every morning.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

British Airways flies to Helsinki. Fares start from £45 each way. For more information visit britishairways.com  NB On this Euro Traveller flight BA offers a snack such as a packet of crisps and a bar service

I stayed at the Helsinki – Boulevard which I can highly recommend. Book your stay through IHG Rewards Club to benefit from IHG’s Lowest Price Promise initiative – a guarantee that guests will get the lowest rates when they book directly with IHG. For further information or bookings, visit hotelIndigo.com

Getting ahead with Josh Wood

The journey of getting my hair the perfect hue has been a living nightmare. I have visited all the top salons and most of the so-called colour specialists with mixed results.

I decided to learn the theory behind it and discovered the shades that worked for me. So, I was beyond delighted when the world of beauty’s most beloved colourist, Josh Wood, told me I had got it right. I could not have a better compliment.

Olive bronde by Josh Wood

Getting an appointment with this man is virtually impossible, as he has clients clamouring for him. With VIPs flying him all over the world, constantly being called on to help on fashion shoots and creating looks for the catwalk, not to mention running his eponymous salon, it is a wonder that this man has time to breathe, let alone spare time to speak to you. Yet, when you talk to him, you really could not wish to meet a nicer person. He is intensely passionate about colour and the hair industry and is only too willing to help with your hair dilemmas.   

I asked him why I have had such trouble with my colour. He told me that so many colourists work to a formula which seems to travel from salon to salon as they move around and they do not look at the individual in question.

One of my pet hates is salons that insist on putting a lighter colour around my face. Although I understand that it is right for some, some colourists only know what they are taught and seem unwilling to adapt. 

“This will not work for you,” Josh exclaimed. “You need something more dramatic. What you have now is right.”

Highlights ruined my hair, I explained, and now have a single process (applying one colour or toner at one time). He was honest enough to tell me that there would be people in his salon that would not be right for me but there would be somebody. He agreed finding somebody that gets you and your hair can be difficult.

Smoky bronde by Josh Wood

I told him that, in my opinion, Wella offered the best range of colourants for brunettes. Obviously, he would agree as he is the Wella Professionals global creative director of colour, but I know he would not put his name to anything that was less than perfect.

My burning question was how to keep it looking good without getting build up. I really do not want to look like I am going for an interview to be Morticia from the Addams Family.

Josh told me to have the roots done every time and only do the ends every other time. His choice for the ends is Llumina Color. This 5-minute glossing service enhances depth and tone. 

“It keeps everything light so you will not end up with a heavy one-tone look, he explained.”

Colour Fresh & Perfection is a good choice if you just want to revive your colour in between full appointments. Some salons will sell it to you so you can do it yourself in between visits at home.

If you like following the trends, according to Josh, for autumn/winter 2016, the story is Bronde Luxe. There is a wide range of colours to suit almost any hair shade and type so a unique look can be created especially for you. Even brunettes and those with black hair can have silvery, violet tones added, if they so wish.

Spending just a short period of time with Josh I learnt so much and was comforted greatly knowing that I had got the right formula at long last.

By Daralyn Danns

For more information visit www.joshwoodcolour.com and wella.com/professional/en-UK