Picking the most elegant face covering has become one of the most unexpected (and saddest) fashion challenges of 2020, with the market now fully saturated with countless options. You can get silk ones, cotton ones, floral ones, ones with your dog’s face on, and even accessorise with mask chains.
Now, French fashion house Louis Vuitton are throwing their mask into the ring with a face shield of their very own. Reportedly costing a tidy $961 – roughly £750 – it’s one of the most expensive face coverings going.
This pricey piece of PPE will be released around the world on 30 October as a part of Louis Vuitton’s 2021 Cruise Collection. The company described the shield as ‘an eye-catching headpiece, both stylish and protective’ in a press release.
Louis Vuitton will join the likes of Burberry, which was among the first luxury fashion brands to announce the launch of their own $115 (£90) face covering. LV masks will be made from leftover fabric, and 20% of of the proceeds from each mask sold will go to Burberry Foundation COVID-19 Community Fund.
Tips to Help You Look Absolutely Perfect in Photos
There are no ugly people in our world. Everyone can shine like a star. All you need is to learn a couple of basic poses. Try, and you’ll surely succeed.
The ‘hands on hips’ pose visually enlarges your body and looks aggressive. Draw your elbows back (perhaps show your beautiful nails), and turn your head a bit – intrigue will replace aggression
Don’t squeeze your waist – it creates additional folds on your clothes, which might not look as good as you expected.
Pay attention to the position of your hands – positioning should be natural. Avoid flat and tensed hands, as well as elbows looking in the direction of the camera. And remember that your wrists should be free and flexible.
A light, almost accidental touch to your cheek with your fingertips and a slightly opened mouth frequently make an image more attractive. The main thing is not to touch too hard because it may create a ‘painful tooth’ effect.
The arms should be free, but don’t let them just hang along the body. Put one hand on the waist and slightly bow your head to one side -this way you’ll emphasize all the advantages of your body, including a perfect face profile.
Don’t make your eyes bug, but a languishing look and beautiful lips always look good. And if you turn your head a little, touch your face with your fingertips (remember the wrist position), and slightly open your mouth, you will look delicate and feminine.
Don’t hide your face behind your hands. It’s better to follow the example on the right picture.
A sullen look makes your lips disproportionately big, and the image looks unfriendly. It’s better to look right in the camera, with your body slightly turned. You can try different arm positions.
When taking a full-length picture, there’s no use in artificially breaking the vertical line. Remember: no sit-ups or other body movements that make your posture look tense and unnatural.
Here’s a little secret for full-length pictures: the bends of your body should be similar to the letter ‘S.’ It’s better to shift the body weight on one foot and make your arms look relaxed. The chin should be slightly raised.
In improving news, things are moving. Yes, there are a few social gatherings happening this Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK. Not that I can attend, because I’m still in quarantine, but my other half is performing at three socially distanced festivals, which will be interesting. Obviously, some in the crowd might opt for masks on arrival. I wonder how many will choose the standard medical version or prefer something a little bit special?
Now if I was ‘allowed out’, there would only be one choice – a Burberry mask. Burberry has launched face masks with the signature monogram print. The cotton face masks are available in archive beige and pale blue, sustainably produced from revalued fabric and enhanced with antimicrobial technology.
Twenty per cent of each sale will be donated to the brand’s Foundation COVID-19 Community Fund, which continues to provide PPE as well as assistance to food banks and healthcare charities globally.
The Burberry Foundation COVID-19 Community Fund was established in April to support local communities in need, including Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. Clearly, Burberry are making amends following the controversy surrounding their recent mass stock destructions and landfills.
Onto this week’s Zips It Up and we deal with sun damaged dark spots, discover beautiful spiritual crystal jewellery with healing powers and reveal the most obscene but fabulous advent calendar for Xmas 2020/21.
Introducing a unique shop in the heart of Avebury Stone Circle.
This week, I received this stunning crystal beaded necklace by the artist and designer, Elements of Avebury, a brand that’s all about unique, hand-made jewellery and art, featuring quality hand selected crystals. It’s so Boho and SO Ibiza.
The owner, Donna, has been a crystals and a jewellery designer for over 20 years, operating from the workshop inside Elements, where she creates beautiful pieces.
You may have heard about the powers of crystals. I recently read that Victoria Beckham carries one with her everywhere, and that they are all over her shops and homes. It’s fair to say that 2020 has been a challenge – a year that has led to deeper questions about who we are and how to live a more meaningful life.
Many believe that the crystals can create an alchemy that will bring a sense of feeling whole again, a sense of being in touch with a part of yourself. A part of yourself that perhaps you didn’t realise was there.
This little shop in Wiltshire is where Donna makes her bespoke spiritual jewellery. Elements of Avebury and is located right in the centre, (amongst only 3 other shops).
1 Green Street, Avebury, Malborough SN8 1RE
01672 539552
Donna told me: “I specialise in creating Mala and was taught using the ancient Buddhist method, this same method spans out across many religions including Hindu, Buddhism and Muslim but the Mala created by me appeal to everyone and they all come with a special, individual message. Mala is 108 crystal beads, each bringing meaning, each bringing energy, Mala is a journey through time, space, and elements, encircling you with life-affirming spirit, each knot tied with guidance from spirit, set with an intention and bound to the Guru bead that holds your prayers and hopes for a life to be lived with purpose.”
Hormonal changes, ageing, pollution and sun damage can leave skin looking uneven and tired and cause or worsen dark spots, mainly down to melanocytes.
Following many summers in the Balearics, I have gradually developed dark sun spots on my forehead and I hate them. Dark spots on your skin are an unwanted occurrence that can be very ageing.
Classed as part of the immune cells, they’re known to react to and protect us from sun damage, but also react to pollution, inflammation and spots, causing areas of skin to darken over time.
These discolorations are caused primarily by repeated, unprotected exposure to daylight and pollution. Dark brown spots are localised build-ups of melanin that begin as a damage response in the lower layers of skin, commencing at a young ago. You don’t see them until they make their way to the surface (which can take years). Left untreated, they become more and more pronounced over time, but, luckily, there are products that can offer significant improvement.
It goes without saying, sun-smart behaviour is the first line of defence to get the discolorations under control. Being sun smart means avoiding direct exposure to daylight (seeking shade, wearing sunglasses, daily sunscreen, a hat, UPF-rated protective clothing etc).
Another line of attack is pigmentation treatments, which will work to exfoliate the skin to decrease retention of unwanted melanin at the surface, as well as increasing antioxidant protection to help prevent skin damage.
This targeted dark spot treatment uses botanicals and a powerful vitamin C derivative, Activated C, to minimise the appearance of pigmentation.
White birch extract is a sugar-derived ingredient known for its ability to restore hydration and nutrients to the upper layer of skin. Together with the formula Activated C, this helps support the appearance of discolouration correction.
Peony extract meanwhile, is an antioxidant that helps protect against free radical oxidative damage to the skin, and enhances skin clarity.
A little pot that packs a powerful punch, and will help visibly brighten your complexion and diminish the number and intensity of dark spots over time.
We’re big fans of Glossier, a clean beauty, cruelty-free range that also looks cool on the bathroom shelf.
This nourishing vitamin C serum helps to promote more even-toned skin over time, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
It reduces the appearance of dark spots, replenishes moisture, and jojoba oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil combine to leave you with a healthy-looking glow. What’s not to love?
Let your skin rejuvenate as you snooze with this leave-on exfoliator that harnesses salicylic acid to help resurface, clean and detoxify pollution-exposed skin.
Witch hazel and plant antioxidants combine to tackle skin pigmentation by warding off free radicals, as well as improving blemishes, large pores and breakouts.
This brightening tonic will give you a more even skin tone, and help you wake up feeling – and looking – refreshed.
I know 2020 is effectively ‘cancelled’ in many people’s mindsets, but we still have some kind of Christmas to look forward to, if you’ll be in the mood.
I know this is still August but Christmas is only 15 weeks away. Of course, money ‘s too tight to mention right now, and this is probably an obscene idea, but if you’re thinking about getting yourself or a loved one their 2020 advent calendar, then how about this from Jo Malone – everyone’s favourite scented candle queen.
Every year, beauty lovers go crazy for the luxury goodies inside Jo Malone’s advent calendar. The 2020 Jo Malone Advent Calendar has just been unveiled and, as always, it’s full of luxurious treats.
Priced at £320, it’s designed to look like the brand’s famous London Townhouse and is sure to make a perfect gift for someone special in your life (or yourself). It will be available online at jomalone.co.uk from Thursday, October 1st for a two-week preview before launching in boutiques nationwide.
The advent calendar features 24 wonderfully-crafted drawers that open that reveal miniature versions of the brand’s bestsellers, including bath and body products as well as candles. Inside you’ll find popular sweet-smelling goodies like the English Pear & Freesia Cologne and the Green Tomato Leaf Mini Candle, along with a few new festive surprises.
For Christmas Eve, there’s an extra-special surprise treat to help kick off your festive celebrations in style.
If you don’t want to miss out on one of the most indulgent Christmas countdowns around, then mark your diaries, as last year the much-loved calendar sold out online and in stores extremely fast.
So, I’ve returned from a “long weekend” jaunt to Ibiza – now back in London and quarantined for 14 days. However, I don’t mind, because it was totally worth it.
We had fun at Mambos, Pikes and ate far too much delicious Spanish cuisine.
I do hope they drop this quarantine soon, because there’s nothing like a weekend break to the White Isle, especially when it’s relatively quiet. Right now, Ibiza is a bit more like Balearic wintertime but with summer temperatures.
One of the things I love most about a weekend break is travelling just with hand luggage. All you need are a pair of Havianas, sunnies and a mask – that’s it. All small enough to fit in your handbag with your wallet, phone and passport. And in the interests of luggage size, I’ve found the ultimate boho chic dress that is literally four dresses in one.
The Disorder 4 in 1 dress by DISORDER BOUTIQUE can be worn in a multitude of different ways – perfect if you want a quick outfit change in the evening.
On a more serious note, aware of the environmental cost of fast fashion, designer Mark Howard wanted to create a dress that you would want to wear more than once. By simply changing the way you tie the straps, you can totally alter its look.
Another important feature of the dress is the fabric, which is printed with Disorder’s own original artwork and ethically sourced in the UK. Garments are then made it in their own micro factory in Birmingham.
Onto this week’s instalment, and we investigate the ultimate scientific PPE hoodie, the new RUSSIAN OCTOPUS LIP FILLER trend and Supremes’ first ever beauty product.
In 2017, a viral trend swept the internet – ‘wavy brows’. In fact, I wrote about it back then. We witnessed beauty influencers and fans of the trend drawing on their eyebrows in a wavy pattern – often created with a little help from Face tune. Three years on, there’s a brand-new Instagram trend to match.
Though its origins are unknown, it’s believed to have been started by a Russian plastic surgeon (as many of the strangest beauty trends do, dare I say it). Coined ‘devil lips’, or ‘octopus’ lips’, the procedure is said to involve inserting filler in the outer lip to create a wave effect across both the lips.
On IG, you can easily stumble across different women sporting the lip look, usually to a “mixed” reaction from followers and other viewers. Some have compared them to blisters, others have called the trend ‘bizarre’ and ‘stupid’ or “an exotic form of herpes”. Others call it “oddly aesthetically pleasing.”
Since the trend first took off, others have followed suit, creating their own versions of ‘devil lips’ with make-up or by using Photoshop. Many believe that the latter is the only way that the people who have allegedly had lip fillers could create them.
A leading cosmetic surgeon commented: “You cannot change the anatomical shape of the lips like this. You can sharpen and contour by enhancing the vermillion border, but these ‘devil lips’ are unnatural.” She continued to explain the damage you could cause if you tried to create this look with fillers. “Filler injected inappropriately could end up in a blood vessel, causing blockages and leading to necrosis (death) of the tissue..”
So, while the trend is not easily physically do-able (for now), in an age of photoshop, face tune and face filters – as well as face-changing make-up – you too can join the devilish fun and post it on your socials without any adverse health effects.
This Supreme x Pat McGrath Red Lipstick Will Sell Out Instantly.
Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath has partnered with skate brand Supreme. It is Supreme’s first-ever beauty collab and I’m already a fan.
Yes, like everything else Supreme touches, this single red lipstick is sure to sell out in an instant. So may the odds be in your favour.
For starters, I don’t even know when the lippy (in the shade name “Supreme”) is going to launch. However, I do know that it’s going to be available only on SupremeNewYork.com when it does eventually go on sale.
As for details of the shade and how the collaboration came to be, I don’t know that either. The press release simply states: “No product samples and no interviews.” Because why waste digital ink describing something that will soon only be available on resale sites for quadruple the price?
The lipstick packaging is McGrath’s signature tube with golden lips, but the body has been replaced by the red and white graphic Supreme logo. Same goes for the outer box.
This marks the first beauty product in Supreme’s 26-year history. Other notable collaborations include the infamously cancelled collection with Louis Vuitton, plus drops with Lacoste and Nike, as well as collaborations that brought the world Supreme tools, bikes, Oreos, and other various household items.
My problem is, I just don’t suit red lippy, but for all you other luscious blondes and brunettes – grab yours with your next Supreme hoodie, tee or beanie. Simply add a skateboard, and voila. Street smart.
If you’re tired of wearing a DIY or cheap throwaway mask, this new hoodie offers another option: a built-in mask. It is made from a material that can (theoretically) filter out more germs than an N95 mask, and zips up into the hood—which is itself also a filter. The hoodie, available for preorder now, is the latest design from G95, a company that also makes scarves that double as air filters.
Founder Carlton Solle launched the company three years ago after getting sick on a business trip to China. A doctor informed him that high levels of air pollution might be the cause. Solle was reluctant to wear a mask, but as a regular traveller in China, he realised that he needed to protect himself. He started making scarves with built-in filtration, and then created a company to sell them to others. “It turned out there were a lot of people like me who didn’t want to wear a mask, and wanted an alternative,” he comments.
Initial customers were travellers, followed by people with health conditions like autoimmune disorders, cancer, and allergies. Others have used the products as protection from wildfire smoke. Now, Solle says, there has been a surge of interest because of the coronavirus crisis.
There is an entire halo of protection in the hood of the hoodie, wholly made from the company’s filtration material. For anyone who wants to wear something even more like a hazmat suit, the company also sells protective goggles which could be combined with the hoodie. But the built-in mask, pulled tight with a bungee at the back of the hood, is likely to be a first barrier of defence.
The company estimates that it can be washed 50 times before the filtration efficiency begins to decrease.
