Spring in to Summer

The gloomy winter period is well behind us, and we are nearing the long sunny days of summer. Hoorah! I found the above vintage pic and thought it looked like the most idyllic setting - so it became the inspiration of this week’s article.

We want to make sure you’ve got a spring in your step as you enter the glorious season of sunshine, so we’ve put together a few tips to brighten up your insides and outsides and make sure you’re alive and kicking, happy, healthy and ready for summer.

Hair
Brighten up your complexion with the right hair colour and cut. 

Add a big dose of radiance to your appearance, by choosing a hairstyle that compliments your face shape and highlights your best features. When it comes to colour opt for a hair hue that flatters and illuminates your complexion. For tips on fitting cuts read our article on face shapes, and for complementary hair colours, check out our skin tone article.


Skin
Brighten up your skin with a good scrub and condition.

Exfoliating two to three times a week (less if you have dry or sensitive skin) will do wonders for your skin. By removing dead skin cells you will uncover the glowing new cells beneath, as well as revitalize cell renewal, boost circulation and give your complexion a smooth, fresh appearance. Following exfoliation, replenish and rehydrate your skin with a quality moisturiser to keep your skin soft and supple. As the summer sun intensifies, make sure you invest in a moisturiser with SPF protection to shield your skin from UV damage.


Fitness
Brighten up your body with a health dose of movement.

The winter months can be less than motivating when it comes to regularly exercising, but with the magnificent golden ball of heat and light now high in the sky it’s time to get outside and get moving! Not only is regular exercise important for weight control and general health, it’s also a key component for improving your mood, your energy levels and your sleep patterns. Choose to stay fit and limber by simply scheduling regular walks or bike rides through your local park. Why not try a Pilates or yoga class too…There’s even the option of a boot camp if you’re brave enough!

Nutrition
Brighten up your insides and outsides with fresh, whole foods.

You are what you eat! What goes in your mouth determines the state of your vital organs as well as your skin and hair. To cultivate and maintain a healthy, happy body inside and out choose to eat a well-balanced diet full of fresh, colourful whole foods (with the addition of occasional sweet treats of course!). Pack your daily feasting full of nutrient-rich foods like nuts (zinc, protein, omega-3 fatty acids), legumes (biotin, zinc, iron), leafy greens (vitamins A and C), berries (Vitamins A, C and E), eggs (protein) and seafood (essential fatty acids, protein, iron, B vitamins), to ensure your body receives the essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it needs to stay in mint condition.

Happy summer days to you and yours!

Our Queen of Cannes: Ms. Nicole Kidman

The Cannes Film Festival finished up last weekend, and we shared some of our favourite looks of the event - But this week we had to give special mention to the women who, in our opinion, stole the show!

Nicole Kidman is well known for her porcelain complexion, honey-red locks and sophisticated poise, but she really went to another level as one of the competition judges at the prestigious French festival.

Transitioning effortless between day and evening events, with numerous styles - all of which were beautifully attention grabbing - Ms. Kidman managed to step outside of her sleek and stylish comfort zone and try a few distinctive styles that were delightfully bold, while maintaining an air of elegance.

From ribbons and braids, to modern ponytails and waves, here are some of the standout looks Ms. Kidman displayed over the 12 days of the Cannes Festival proceedings…

At the Cannes Jury photocall, Nicole opted for an innocently whimsical and relaxed style. The deep side-parted section was fashioned into a ruffled French plait, with a twist on the other side, all tied together with a little black bow. Oh so sweet!

For the premiere of the Great Gatsby, Ms. Kidman donned a quifftastic take on the classic ponytail. With slick sides and an edgy bouffant, this look was chic magnific!

Ms. Kidman channelled old Hollywood glamour for the screening of Nebraska. Her side-swept waves were stylishly rolled into a faux bob resulting in pure and effortless elegance.

Tousled and wispy curls coiled into to spiral of braids, was a fresh new look for Nicole. The swept-back style let her facial feature shine, and the volume at the top and sides gave the look a light, carefree charm.

For the closing ceremony, Nicole Kidman wore her tresses in an intricate assortment of braids and twists laced around a queen-size bun. The style managed to take dishevelled to new heights of romantic gracefulness.

All images courtesy of Zimbio.com

The styles and cuts of Cannes 2013

The past week has seen the stars of the silver screen strutting the red carpet in Cannes. Festival de Cannes presents the most anticipated films of the moment, which this year included the premiere of The Great Gatsby (can’t wait to see it!).

But the Cannes Film Festival is not just about motion pictures - it also provides a stage for glamorous starlets to display up-to-the-minute styles that can offer inspiration for our next haircuts or styles for approaching weddings and soirees.

There were numerous standout looks over the course of the 2013 Festival and this week we are presenting some of our favourites. So as the season of rendezvous and celebrations draws nigh, glean some inspiration from these stunning cuts and styles…

THE STYLES WE LOVED...
Marion Cotillard's sky-high beehive at the Blood Ties screening was retro chic perfection. Just look at that double French roll, divine!
Carey Mulligan looked simply ravishing for the Llewyn David’ photo call, with her hair modestly swept up into a twisted chignon. Her pretty and polished up-do is pure fresh-faced loveliness.
Loving Cheryl Cole’s take on the classic French plait. The bouffant, loose braiding and specially placed fine black ties made for the perfect combo of romantic girlish charm. Her hair colour is fantastic too!
The Great Gatsby actress, Isla Fisher’s classic loose curls were simply beautiful…and that colour! Amazing!	Oh! Isn’t this dishevelled halo braid just stunning! Twisted into a knotted side-shignon, Freida Pinto looked fabulously feminine with a whimsical edge at the opening of the Festival.
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THE STANDOUT CUTS... (above the shoulder styles won!)
Milla Jovovich’s wavy lob (long bob) is such a great cut! A versatile and easy maintenance style with a fringe that really just tops it off!
Audrey Tautou’s pixie crop is just the sweetest thing. Light and carefree, this cut is a great option for curly hair, heart shaped and round shaped faces.	Ms. Cotillard’s bob is a picture-perfect example of why this cropped ‘do is 2013’s golden choice!

Stay tuned: Next week we bestow the honour of Wellbeing’s Queen of Cannes to Ms. Nicole Kidman – who in our books stole the spotlight whenever she graced the red carpet at Festival de Cannes.

Bob's the word!

If ever there was a year for you to lop your crop into a bob style, this is it!

Bob’s are one of the hottest trends this year, and you can see why from the images above right?! The cut of strong independent women, bob styles are statement makers with equal measures of chic, edgy and fun.

Thanks to the pioneering wash and wear hairstyles of Vidal Sassoon, bob cuts are super versatile and give the illusion of endless styling, but are in reality low maintenance (if cut well!). Whether a chin grazing crop, or shoulder-length “lob”, bob cuts work with and spotlight your bone structure, accentuating your eyes, cheekbones, jawline and neck.

There’s a bob cut to complement all face shapes - it’s just about finding the best style for your shape and texture. If you have fine hair, opting for a bob style is a great idea! A shorter cut instantly creates volume – especially a graduated bob. If you have thick or curl hair, opt for a longer bob to avoid a triangle-shaped crown and make sure your stylist adds textured layers. Longer bobs (lobs) are also the better choice for round face shapes, but if you’re keen on a more cropped cut, add long side-swept bangs to give length to your face.

For a soft, whimsical, tousled style, opt for a bob that sits at or below the chin - a choppy fringe and textured layers will create a wavy carefree cut (a great option for those of us whose hair has a natural wave). For a bolder option, go for a blunt-cut bob with precise lines - best suited to fine hair and longer face shapes, this is a super chic and edgy cut. Graduated bobs (A-line cuts) are great for creating volume - shorter at the back and longer at the front, this cut gives your hair movement and a sassy elegance.

Side parted, centre parted or swept straight back. Sleek, shaggy or soft. A new bob style is sure to attract sheets of compliments.

Come see us about fashioning your transformation and for more bob-style inspiration, seek out images of January Jones, Leighton Meester, Alicia Keys, and Dannii Minogue.

Images courtesy of Zimbio.com

The “Mad Men” Muses

I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of the 60’s Madison Avenue drama Mad Men. It’s so smooth, stylish and a little bit naughty - PLUS it explores some pretty deep moral and ethical themes! What’s not to like! The 6^th season of the hit show premiered in LA last week (I’m holding out for the UK release), and with it came some super classy promo portraits of the main cast.

Contemporary TV-takes of influential periods are having a major influence on the trends of today. Mad Men is most certainly leading the way by reviving voluminous curls, beehives, mod bobs AND the slick side-swept men’s style.

For this week’s hair inspiration and visual pleasure we’re featuring the stunning Mad Men portraits. Enjoy!

 

The Mad MatronsThe ladies of Mad Men exude both a sultry glamour and sassy strength. Whether fashioning a bouffant, beehive or bob - texture and volume are fundamentals for these looks. To recreate the beautiful bouffant’s of Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) and Megan Draper (Jessica Pare), arm yourself with a hairdryer, heated rollers curling iron or hair straightener, and good hairspray – and you’re set to style! (See our Beehive how-to and Glamour curls articles for tips).For those who are after a wash ‘n’ wear type style, Peggy Olsen’s (Elisabeth Moss) and Betty Francis’ (January Jones) mod bob’s are the way to go. The bob is one of the most popular styles for 2013 and for good reason! A low maintenance and versatile style, that has equal portions of bold, chic and cheeky, a short crop frames for your face and draws attention to your beautiful facial features! (See our Wash ‘n Wear article for more ideas)
The Mad Men Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Henry Francis (Christopher Stanley) are effortlessly cool and classy. The key to this level of sophistication and manly style is slick grooming. Spiked or long dishevelled hairstyles have taken a backseat in favour of the “well-groomed gentleman”. Men: to channel your inner-suave, ask your stylist for short, tapered sides, with full long lengths on top, and a nice deep side parting. SO HANDSOME!

Images courtesy of Zimbio.com