Esthechoc - the Beauty Chocolate

For chocolate lovers, this is a dream come true – a beauty chocolate that helps promote healthy, smooth and luminous skin!!!

 Esthechoc contains 72.6% cocoa and combines two antioxidants that contain the strongest anti ageing properties: cocoa flavanols and algae derived Astaxanthin.

The anti ageing properties of cocoa are well know, however for any effect you would have to consume 100 grams of dark chocolate a day. Delicious as this may sound, this is over 500 calories so could result in significant weight gain.

But with Esthechoc just one small square piece includes the same amount of flavanol and therefore reduces the calorie intake to only 38.

Taking part in a trial run, here are my results after 3 weeks:

Available from Harrods store and online:  Price £35 for 3 weeks supply

http://www.harrods.com/product/esthechoc-cambridge-beauty-chocolate-157g/esthechoc/000000000004804660

Also available

https://buy.esthechoc.com/

Seven Cocktails for Seven Fragrances at the Cafe Royal with Givenchy

To complement the seven fine fragrances of  Givenchy's exclusive  L’ Atelier de Givenchy collection, the Green Bar at Cafe Royal has created seven smooth cocktails which mirror  their essence. This week I had the opportunity to taste some of the cocktails.

These cocktails price £13 are only available until 31 March.
 http://www.hotelcaferoyal.com/restaurants-and-bars/green-bar/

L'atelier de Givenchy was created to evoke the feel of Givenchy Haute Couture style in a bottle with its top is in the shape of a cotton. Now the seven fragrances too have their essence captured in a cocktail.

Chypre Caresse

Fragrance:  Crystalline lemon flesh, jasmine dew, green accent of angelica and patchouli.  Top notes are subtle and fresh with base note revealing a deep woody character.  

It is the interpretation of a delicate pink Haute Couture gown with flowing diaphanous pleats, fine embroidery and evanescent feathers.

Cocktail: Gin, jasmine, lemon citrus and subtle yet rich notes of honey.  If you're wondering about the button on the napkin - this is the fragrance testing button.

Bois Martial 

Fragrance: Inspired by structured, architectural cuts and a minimalist and sometimes androgynous style, this fragrance uses a wood seldom used in perfumery: creamy coconut wood. 

Top and heart notes are creamy and sweet with coconut wood and pineapple sage before it submits to the intense minimalistic dry down of cedar wood

Cocktail: Jamaican rum, pineapple and sage leaves.

Ylang Austral 

Fragrance: Inspired by structural precision with freely chosen  materials, Exotic, chic and radical scent of luxurious woody floral warmth.

It starts with a classic fruity green mandarin leaves, moving to the heart: ylang ylang  and then envelopes the senses in a woody base of sandalwood 

Cocktail: Rum, sour apple sherbert, orange, curacao and mandarin oils.

Ambre Tigre

Fragrance:  It evokes the magnetic sensuality of Givenchy Couture  fur, leather and animal prints with amber whilst the vanilla and cistus labdanum softens the fervour to show this intoxicating feline can be a pussy cat (when she wants to be) and purr!

Cocktail: Rye American vodka, Dutch honey whisky and English amber beer

Neroli Originel 

Fragrance: Inspired by the elegant taffeta  ball gown worn by Givenchy’s first muse Audrey Hepburn starting with the powdery kiss of Tunisian neroli, the elegant caress of  iris which is then enveloped with the rich smoothness of musk-vanilla.  

Cocktail: Cognac, vanilla, lemon and essential oils from bitter orange. 

Cuir Blanc 

Fragrance: Inspired by leather gloves, the original profession of the Givenchy House and the ancestral  embodiment of French luxury, notes include  white leather, white pepper and white musk

Cocktail: Martini with Siberian pine needle extract,.

Oud Flamboyant 

Fragrance: With an oriental and mysterious spirit, this fragrance represents precious sparkling embroidery and golden brown fabrics on an Haute Couture gown. The oriental Oud gives the fragrance its dazzling heart blended with labdanum  ciste and smoky aroma of leather for truly magical evening fragrance.

Cocktail: Japanese whisky and mandarin juice

The fragrances are £150 and exclusive to Harrods:

http://luxury.harrods.com/search?w=Atelier+de+Givenchy&view=p

Cult skincare saviour COR launches its Silver Series range in Harrods

COR has launched its Silver Series range in the exclusive Harrods in-store pharmacy.

Each of the products in The Silver Series combine the antibacterial healing properties of silver and silica which makes the range ideal for sensitive or problem skins.

COR's most popular product is The Silver Soap.

Ingredients include:

The small, particle-sized silver-silica compound, which supports healthy skin by getting to the core of most skin problems, including acne, pigmentation, scarring, sun spots. It also reduces inflammation and itching in eczema-prone skin.

Sericin helps to regulate moisture content, tighten the skin and erase wrinkles upon drying. Sericin also creates a light scattering effect, which protects the skin against harmful environmental influences.  

Chitosan, a natural fibre that acts to even out skin tone. Chitosan contains many bacteriostatic and moisture-retaining properties which, when combined with the bar's avocado and jojoba oils, leaves skin feeling silky smooth to the touch.

COR's The Silver Anytime Moisturiser will also be available to buy in the pharmacy, alongside The Silver Eye Cream and The Silver Wrinkle Serum. The products contain the patented silver-silica, alongside a trio of peptides and signature ingredients such as collagen, vitamin C and pomegranate extract. 

The Harrods Pharmacy is located on the store's lower ground floor, by door ten. 

Harrods Designer Royal Wedding cake by Ormonde Jayne.

We know the Royal Wedding has come and gone, but we're loving this Harrod's Royal Wedding cake decorated by perfumer Ormonde Jayne and thought you might too.

Harrods chose 17 designers to decorate a cake each to celebrate the Royal Wedding and we think this is the most patriotic with its theme based on the British flag topped with a golden icing crown.
www.ormondejayne.com

FROM RUSSIA WITH LUBLU

Lublu (meaning “I love” in Russian) showcased its Autumn/Winter 2010 collection in London at the Metropolitan hotel. The designer and owner of the label, Kira Plastinina, talked passionately about her inspirations behind the designs.
One inspiration was taken from Goethe’s “Faust” a tale of good and bad. She translates this will use of colour and materials: For light and innocence, soft nude beige is used and silks, jersey, chiffon and mohair for the materials. For dark and wickedness, greys and blacks in soft leather, rubber and tulle.
Kira was also inspired by the fashion of the 1990’s – the power dressing, how crosses were used as jewellery and how models were revered. Here she uses the style to translate: with shape-skimming dresses and skirts embellished with layered drapery, swaging, ruffles and beads; jackets with angular origami-style shoulders, and asymmetrical tops. Large crosses are used for necklaces and to adorn the crystal encrusted wide belts
Lublu is a luxury brand for the younger woman (17-30yrs). Because of the use of black, leather, the crosses and rubber this latest collection has a dark gothic feel to it, but the ruffles, silk chiffon roses and beaded designs add a touch of light femininity.
The jackets and waistcoats are fitted and flare out to hip length. Fabrics used are leather or rubber. The rubber gives a smooth line whilst the beaded pattern just off one shoulder at the back adds decoration to an otherwise plain silhouette. Kira explains the pattern is an updated mix of her angel wings design used in her summer collection and the cross used as jewellery in this season. The leather jackets are unadorned and collarless making a great basic to complement the more ostentatious skirts and dresses in the collection. However these jackets would also look great on the older woman or the woman who prefers simple classic lines – matched with a plain pencil skirt or trousers they will bring just the right amount of edge to bring her out of her comfort zone.
The dresses and skirts are short, some are layered, some covered with silk chiffon roses, others have large leather or rubber ruffles cascading down one side and a few are made of transparent mesh adorned with the beaded design.
Majority of the collection is evening wear but there are a few fun t shirts and jumpers. The t shirts are distressed with holes and have the angel wing design or are embellished with the beaded pattern. Jumpers are large, either pale grey with the angel wing designs or black mohair with a scattering of silk chiffon roses.

Although only launched in 2008, Lublu is well established in Russia, Eastern Europe and Los Angeles. And is now hoping to win over the UK – As Harrods is already stocking their Summer collection and discussing orders for their A/W , I think they are on the right track.
Not bad for an upcoming designer with a new label, and oh did I mention that Kira is only 17!!

THE CEW(UK) 2010 BEAUTY AWARDS Title Sponsor BOOTS

The Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) hosted their 5th annual Beauty Awards this year at the Intercontinental London Park Lane.
Provided with champagne and nibbles, the beauty industry guests were able to network for half an hour and see the nominated products before going in to the main room for lunch and the awards.
Decorating the stage were faded black & white images of those two iconic stylish actresses: Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly anxiously waiting for their Oscar results. A very apt theme for the awards known as the Beauty Industry Oscars. Decorating the tables were beautiful rose bowls with a scattering of rose petals courtesy of www.only-roses.com.
The opening of the Awards Ceremony began with Caroline Neville, CEW(UK) president, presenting a cheque for £25,000 from CEW(UK) to the Eve Appeal- a gynaecology cancer research fund whose current focus is to raise vital funds for research into prevention, detection, treatment and care of ovarian cancer. More information can be seen on their website www.eveappeal.org.uk

After enjoying a main course of sea bass on crab and squid rice, dessert followed with a pear and praline torte, finished with coffee and petit fours which would satisfy the appetite of any chocoholic. Once wined and dined, the awards began with Marigay McKee, Beauty & Fashion Director of Harrods, acting as Master of Ceremony. Behind stood 27 graceful Lalique female Oscar statuettes awaiting their new owners.

Nominated in four categories and winners of all four awards was All for Eve- a new stand-alone beauty and fashion brand set up to raise funds and awareness for The Eve Appeal charity. In the Mass categories, they won Best New Brand for their actual brand; Best New Bath & Body Product for their body butter; Best New Make-up Product for their lipstick and Best New Hand and Nail Care Product for their hand cream. Here is the chance to not only purchase the best products but also help ovarian cancer research. All for Eve will be stocked in Harrods from May and their website www.allforeve.co.uk will be launched on 26 April.

Also making a big impact and taking home three awards in the Prestige categories was Liz Earle. Best New Bath and Body Product for their Superskin body cream; Best New Everyday Skincare Product for their Superskin moisturiser and Best Classic Beauty Product for their Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser. All three products are from their Naturally Active Skincare range which uses the best quality natural ingredients.

St Tropez came away with sunny smiles and two awards: Best New Self Tan or Suncare Product – Mass category for their Wash Off Instant Glow body lotion and Prestige category for their Everyday Gradual Tan Mousse.

Sharing the Best New Everyday Skincare Product in the Mass category was Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil and Steamcream. Palmers oil for the body and face helps prevent and diminish the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Steamcream put pure unrefined steam directly in to their cream which loosely fuses the ingredients together allowing the cream to break down immediately on contact with the skin. Packaged in small round tins, some with limited edition graphic art designs by Japanese artist Takayuki Totsuka.

Glowing with happiness (or maybe because they use their own product) Best New Skincare Treatment in the Mass category went to Goodskin Labs Lumecin Overnight Brightness Gluco –Protein Treatment .This treatment helps restore skin’s brightness, reducing pore size and helping to fade brown spots
For the Prestige category of Best New Skincare Treatment it was Estee lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. An anti-aging serum inspired by DNA research.
And ready to shake hands after winning the Best New Certified Organic Skincare Product- Prestige category was Balance Me for their Super Moisturising hand cream containing two ancient therapeutic skin conditioners, the Egyptians’ embalming agent benzoin,and yarrow, which legend says Achilles used on his wounded soldiers in the Trojan war.

Batiste coloured dry shampoo took the Best new Haircare/Styling/Colouring Product – Mass category award for its winning formula of adding a touch of colour of dark black or brilliant brunette to its time saving dry shampoo.
Best Classic Beauty Product-Mass category went to Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor, a deep conditioner for damaged hair.
Best New Haircare/Styling Product- Prestige category went to Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment. Containing Ojon oil harvested by the Miskito tribe in Central America , this hair rejuvenator helps hydrate and improve the condition of dry, damaged hair without weighing it down.
Best new Salon Professional Haircare Product was Kerastase Sublimateur Jouris Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein nourishes and forms a protective layer around the hair fibre, whilst Silicones have an anti-drying action allowing the hair’s lipid balance to be maintained.

Filling the air with fragrance were Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Island Night for Best Women’s Celebrity Fragrance and Marc Jacobs Lola for the Best New Women’s Fragrance.

Best New Make-up Product went to Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Make-up.
Best New Brand went to Dolce & Gabbana The Make Up
Best British Brand went to Elemis
Best Iconic Beauty Product went to the much loved Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.


And for the guys:
A’Kin PureMAN Calming after shave balm took the Best New Men’s Grooming Product- Mass category. Perfect for sensitive, irritable and dry skin. Ingredients such as Aloe cools and calms the skin, vitamin B5 soothes, and orange and cardamon refresh and invigorate.
For the Prestige category of Best Men’s Grooming Product, it was Clinique skin supplies for Men-Age Defense for Eyes. Works to repair the look of lines, wrinkles and reduces dark circles, puffs and brightens dull skin for a younger look.
Best New Men’s Fragrance : Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme. Violet and bergamot create a masculine floral for a natural and timeless appeal.

After the awards Lisa Snowdon from Capital FM picked out the lucky winner of a £50,000 global radio campaign prize draw - La Tweez Professional who were nominated for their illuminating tweezers.
Lisa then went on to pick out the winners for the grand prize draw in aid of the Eve Appeal. Prizes included a Tanner Krolle evening bag with a choice of exotic skin and semi precious stones; £1000 shopping spree at World Duty Free, Heathrow Terminal 5; two night break for two at Champneys ; two year supply of Kao products, John Frieda hair care and Jergens skin care to the value of £500; one night stay for two at the Intercontinental with breakfast.

A great event and still enough time to rush home and start buying these wonderful products from Boots on: www.boots.com/beautyawards