Scalp Micropigmentation For Men

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HEADS HELD HIGH

Thinning hair or even total baldness can be a guy’s absolute nightmare, although I don’t mind a bald head as long as it’s teamed with a hipster beard.

Syrups are a no-go and the average Wayne Rooney or David Beckham style hair transplant can set you back up to £7,000, with at least 2 or 3 procedures.

What else restores men’s dignity and confidence with full hair coverage and a close shave look? Welcome to Scalp Micropigmentation at Heads Held High.

This is a brilliant solution to baldness, head scars or even alopecia, and it’s catching on fast – whether you have a partial or total hair loss, Scalp Micropigmentation is brilliantly effective. It’s a form of tattooing but uses different ink that doesn’t discolour like traditional tattoo inks.

Women have been using this method as a form of semi-permanent make up (eyebrows and lipliner) for years.

Many men know what it’s like to see hair-free patches beginning to appear on their head. Do they nothing or take decisive action? Three treatments are all that’s usually needed to do something.

SMP BENEFITS

  • Instant results
  • Cheaper than hair transplants and other treatments
  • Drug free
  • Non-invasive (no surgery required)
  • Looks authentic (undetectable)
  • No ongoing costs (no maintenance needed)
  • Immediate recovery

Meet Steve White, the man who can.

At Heads Held High, SMP is applied by Steve White, a qualified expert who advises and guides throughout. He will first mark out a hairline that suits and then using specially designed micro-needles will create on the scalp thousands of small pigments that look identical to short hairs. Your friends will see a convincing new hairstyle. It really is that good. It is carried out over three sessions to allow each stage of treatment to bed in and settle.

“Personal image is important to men. It just doesn’t get talked about and men havefar less help available to help them overcome appearance anxieties. Take prematurebalding. Do men worry about it? Of course, they do. At its worst, they suffer a totalloss of confidence – impacting on their ability to form relationships. At best, it incursa loss of dignity. I have also been involved with the hair transplant business over anumber of years and seen the transformative effect it has. In fact, I had a hairtransplant myself. I had thought about it for ten years then met a practitioner Itrusted. I only wish I had done it ten years earlier.

This business has given me a new
lease of life – now I want to give people the same.”

Contact Steve White at www.headsheldhigh.co.uk

Or find Steve on Facebook.

You can also contract me and I will put you in touch.

Starlover

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It’s not often that I scan through social media and stop dead on one particular page. But something just made me stop and stare. I feasted on customised leather jackets featuring Bowie, Cats Eye sunnies featuring fierce metal spikes and rock & roll slogan tees that could be seen on Mossy at Glasto.

Who was the brand? Step forward STARLOVER. Even the name drips cool.

After seeing some snaps of my friend Dawn Hindle of Pikes and Ibiza Rocks fame, wearing a white biker jacket adorned with stars and slogans in the grounds of Pikes hotel Ibiza, I had to reach out to Donna Ganley – the designer behind the brand. Just about resisting the temptation to buy their entire range, I caught up with Donna to discuss STARLOVER.

A: Tell me how it all started?

D:A couple of years ago now, and I have spent the time building its reputation since then. My background has always been art and fashion based. I worked on many art commissions, creating work for private clients and for various establishments, which I still do and love.

My experience with fashion ranges from having my own independent store which stocked other brands, plus styling fashion shoots. I’ve even used my flair for art to work as a make-up artist, working on London fashion week, amongst other freelance work. I’ve swapped make-up brushes for paint brushes for good now though.

I decided to combine both of my loves when I stated hand painting onto jackets, mainly leather. I began to get requests and orders, it’s all gone from there, and the concept has grown. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to work and collaborate with some amazing people.

A: Who are you style icons and fashion influencers?

D: Music and popular culture are a huge influence on the brand and on my own style. The 60s and 70s are the eras that inspire me most, which I hope you can see through my work.

There are so many icons I admire who inspire me daily, mainly people with a natural style of their own, with an edge, that draw me in. The list is endless but Kate Moss (an obvious choice), Jimmy Hendrix, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Grace Jones, Robert Plant, Marsha Hunt, Chrissy Hynde, Grace Jones, The Warhol factory, Edie Sedgwick, Pauline Black. I could go on and on!

Ibiza has also played a huge part in things for me. It’s an inspiration in so many ways… the spiritual side of the island, the hippy ideal and the whole vibe inspires creativity. I have been lucky enough to work and create art for the legendary rock n roll Pikes hotel.  Starlover just sits so well with everything the hotel stands.

A:What’s next for STARLOVER?

D: The launch of our much anticipated website is next! It’s taken quite a while to pull together if I’m honest.. this is because I started with the wearable art side of things but constantly feel the need to create and my head is always bursting with ideas. This has lead on to more and more things being added to the range to create the full picture. We are very nearly there now!

A: And finally, what are your wardrobe must-haves?

D: Obviously the classic biker jacket. whatever the weather. Ours are so soft and wearable.  They become your best friend!

Plus a cool, floaty maxi and or jumpsuit to waft around in… watch this space!

Or a versatile scarf to style up any outfit and give it some edge and pull together a look.

ALWAYS always… sunglasses, in any season. We do our own range now which I’ve been wearing on repeat!

(I couldn’t agree more.)

Social media has been a critical tool for Starlover in building a reputation, an image and a customer base. We sell everything this way (mainly Instagram) Many brands are doing this now. Full stop, with no website at all.

I have met and collaborated with some fabulous people including fellow designers, bloggers, artists and art gallery owners all through the power of social media. I now consider some of these people friends, engaging every day at all times. For a fashion brand, there’s nothing quite as important.

www.starlover.com

The Feminie Bow Tie

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Have you seen how many women have recently been teaming stylish suits with bow ties? Gucci are partially responsible, following recent seasons’ popular ‘pussy bow’ blouses and thin black neck ties.

The Tuxedo is a timeless classic for women, usually worn alone – with a bare chest underneath – or a bra and cami for those not brave enough. However, following the awards season and the #MeToo movement, women are fiercely opting for power suits teamed with a tongue-in-cheek bow tie.

My style icon Mossy has recently been rocking the masculine bow tie with various outfits, making this traditionally masculine look oh so feminine.

Solely a male accessory until the 1920s, the bow tie officially crossed gender lines in the 1920s and 1930s, thanks to the silver screen stars Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn. Both were known for their male attire, and loved wearing tailored suits, top hats, button down shirts, and of course, the bow tie.

Now I LOVE this look, but it might be too masculine for some girls. You could always opt for the softer Gucci style pussy bow with a chiffon blouse, to make things prettier and feminine.

 

I found some bow ties on Amazon for literally a couple of quid. Red, Black or dark blue works equally well, and you can always add a diamante brooch in the middle for that extra ‘Gucci’ flavour.

This is how to wear the bow tie in 2019.

… a word from the Editor

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My vibe felt very ‘spring and summery ‘on Monday, following a lovely trip to Mallorca last weekend. The sun was shining and it felt like summer was just around the corner. On the plane home, the moment seemed right to start researching this spring’s must-have wardrobe items.

One new skirt shape is hitting pole position in the style rankings – in the form of a belted midi skirt. Yes, the satin slip skirt gets a pleated update for Spring/Summer 2019. Topshop’s new ‘IT’ skirt is predicted to be a sell-out, so you’ll need to be quick to bag this beauty.

Yes, the ‘IT’ pleated skirt is also set to fly off the shelves. There are an array of colours and prints, from bold pink and khaki to tie-dye and animal prints, making it the ultimate statement piece for your wardrobe.

Plus, it’s super versatile and can easily be worn from day-to-night, wear now with ankle boots and a jumper then when the warmer weather sets in, team with a plain tee and mules.

By Tuesday my summer vibe came to an abrupt halt.  A routine visit to the dentist turned into an emergency double wisdom tooth extraction.  Apparently, I was ‘days away from contracting Meningitis’. So, the romantic notion of floaty pink satin skirts and summery days are now a distant memory, as I’ve laid in bed taking pain killers and antibiotics whilst watching a never-ending horror film called “BREXIT”.

Also, in this week’s instalment we FAKE Fendi and I bring you the all-time greatest hits of fashion plus the low down on Cannabis Beauty products.

Beyond Trends – Timeless Fashion

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Come rain or shine, summer is coming, and I’m not complaining.

There has been a lot of discussion about the ethics of ‘fast fashion’ and how ‘high street’ stock ranges last for less than a month. Their turnover is so quick. But which items of clothing stand the test of time, going way beyond being a five-minute trend?

As the shops start to fill their rails with S/S collections, here are some of our timeless designer investment pieces that represent value on a “cost-per-wear”  basis and never lose their allure.

The Burberry Trench Coat.

A simple classic. Works with everything.

The Burberry Scarf.

I know it’s springtime but we do have the odd chilly day.

It’s the signature check that we all love.

The Chanel 2.55 Bag

Instantly recognisable and Chanel’s most iconic bag. Timeless elegance and versatility. I have one.

The Calvin Klein Slip Dress.

Kate Moss was the first to wear this timeless 90s minimal slip dress. It became the symbol of laid-back grunge chic. I want one.

Converse All Stars.

Understated cool basketball sneakers which have stood the test of time. I have a couple of battered pairs somewhere upstairs.

The Chanel Tweed Suit.

Coco Chanel designed this twin set in the 50s and its still as desirable for the successful woman.

The Fendi Baguette Bag.

Carrie from Sex & The City carried it and it then became the “it” bag of the 00s. Still as popular.

The Hermes Birkin Bag.

Named after Jane Birkin, 30 years ago, this is the most exclusive accessory the world. Shoppers need a Hermes sales history in the store before you can even attempt to buy one. The staff will meet you, assess how serious you are (and how wealthy) before you go on their list. Costs thousands.

Levi’s 501s

Boyish charm with rebellious allure. Ripped or faded.

The Gucci Loafer.

I am a sucker for these. I have the backless versions. Even the Queen wears Gucci loafers.

The Monolo Blahnik Pumps.

Again, thanks to Carrie, there are copies everywhere. The go-to court shoes for dressing up but not trying too hard.

The Maxmara Camel Coat.

Simple, chic and timeless. Works with everything.

The Prada Backpack.

This was launched in 1984 and it’s still the ultimate stylish rucksack for travelling

Ray ban Aviators.

My fave sunnies ever. They suit every face shape and give any image an instant cool makeover. Yes, I have a few pairs. Sunnies in all shapes and colours come and go but these remain.

The Breton Stripe Tee.

Kate Moss made this her look. With grey skinny jeans, skinny tie and an old pair of UGGs, it’s a wardrobe staple.

The Gold Rolex.

Victoria Beckham is the queen of the gold Rolex and this retro time piece will live forever. Exudes luxury and retro wealth.

The Cartier Love Bracelet.

Born in the 70s, a subtle yet understated elegant piece which adds glamour to any outfit. I wish I could wear mine as an arm band – very Studio 54.

The Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap Dress.

She claims she designed this without a zip so that it was quick and easy to put on, after leaving your one-night stand still snoring. Flattering and effortless, it will never go out of style.

How To Fake Fendi

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Our favourite trendsetters aren’t shy about getting behind a designer label, and in particular showing big love for Fendi.

But how do we fake the Fendi look in the style of Kim Kardashian, Gigi and Bella Hadid for less than £40?

The High-Street is logo crazy right now. Whilst iconic brown logos have been around for years – Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi to name but a few – it’s now all about printing it onto clothing, rather than just onto bags and accessories.

It’s cooler than ever to show off your logos, for the world to see what you’re wearing. Whether that’s high-end designers, or High-Street faves, showing off your brand (no matter your budget) is so very “now”.

With a Fendi Bodycon Dress setting you back a whopping £1,728,we are happy to say that the High Street has finally caught on.

So, I have put together my favourite Fendi-esque finds. At a fraction of the price…

The authentic Fendi dress priced at £1,728

if only…

Want Print in Your Eyes Bucket Bag, £30, Nasty Gal

A bucket bag is another key trend.

Brown RI Monogram Bodycon Midi Dress, £38, River Island

Style this number with neutral accessories.

Brown RI monogram T-shirt , £32, and Brown RI monogram midi skirt ,£34, both River Island

A co-ord is super versatile, wear together for maximum impact or separately with plain items.

CBD Beauty

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CBD Oil Skin care

Marijuana beauty is a very hot topic right now, with claims that CBD oil is good for anti-ageing, acne and even serious skin issues like eczema.

It’s high times for cannabis. Forget the historical association with students and hippies, because in 2019 marijuana is all about wellness and clean living. And yes, it’s all 100% legit.

The type of cannabis everyone is talking about is cannabidiol, or CBD, one of hundreds of cannabinoids (biologically active chemicals) found in the marijuana plant.

It’s totally legal to use CBD in the UK as it’s free from THC, the ‘drug’ that gives you a high.

The legal cannabis boom began when people reported a host of benefits from taking CBD supplements. These included improving sleep, fighting stress and even helping with serious medical concerns, from arthritis – my mother uses it for that – to the side effects of cancer treatment. We had a friend who extended his life by three years using cannabis oil.

There’s now a rush of skincare infused with CBD oil, offering benefits of their own. There’s even a CBD beauty salon in my local area, Hampstead.

CBD can deliver fantastic results for acne by soothing the skin and balancing excess oil production. So, can CBD help serious skin conditions?

The benefits of CBD oil may well go beyond cosmetic. Cosmetic surgeons and international aesthetics lecturers say there is ‘promising anecdotal evidence’ in helping inflammatory skin conditions, and they are aware of people using CBD topically for psoriasis, eczema and pain relief.

Want to try this new buzz ingredient yourself? Here are the brands to watch.

The new CBD skin boosters

Holland & Barrett CBD Day Cream, £14.99

This includes a night cream, serum and muscle balms.

Affordable and a great way to dip a toe into the trend.

MGC Derma Stem Cells & Algae Night Cream, £80

This high-tech anti-ageing cream has won awards.

All MGC Derma products use CBD oil extracted from premium grade cannabis, combined with other potent wrinkle-smoothing actives.

Ho Karan The High Oil, £24.90 

You can use this High Oil on your skin and hair.

There are plenty of interesting products in this French range – from a cannabis deodorant to a CBD aromatherapy oil shown in tests to increase feelings of relaxation – but my fave is this multi-purpose regenerating oil for skin, oil and hair.

CBeautyDifferently Cannabalm, £20

A roll-on balm with a blend of lovely oils.

This UK range was created after the founders used CBD to treat a range of their own family health issues.

This roll-on balm is designed for rehydrating dry and mature skin, and there’s also a version with an added blend of relaxing essential oils.

Westlab MINDFUL bath salts, £6.99

Soothe aching muscles with these mindful bath salts.

This combines traditional Epsom salts and aromatherapy scents with CBD for a bath designed to soothe tired muscles and promote a feeling of tranquillity.

What’s the difference between CBD and hemp?

CBD oil is different to hemp oil, although both come from the marijuana plant.

CBD is sourced from the stalk, leaves or flowers while hemp oil comes the seed.

However, many beauty brands are now calling hemp oil by its proper ‘ingredient list’ name, cannabis sativa seed oil, partly to avoid confusion when reading labels and partly to ride the cannabis beauty wave.

Hemp seed oil is a rich vegan source of omegas 3, 6 and 9, which replenish the skin barrier.

It’s very helpful when you’re stressed because high levels of cortisol can reduce the protective lipids in your skin.

… a word from the editor

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Welcome to this week’s edition of Amanda Zips It Up.

You find me ‘spring cleaning’ myself. With summer approaching, I suspect there are others like me, doing some ‘dusting up’. As well as intermittent fasting and regular spinning sessions, I’ve decided to spring clean my face. This entails getting a pure white summer smile and shedding those old dead skin cells lingering from the winter.

Writing Zips It Up means that I get to hang out with lots of beauty, fashion and lifestyle professionals, and this week I had my teeth whitened by Claire at Brite & Beautiful.

 

Claire comes to your house (radius within reason) and uses the best technique with the ultimate technology. Simply sit still in front of the magic blue light and let the bleach do its thing whilst watching Loose Women. 40 minutes and only £50 later, my smile was 6 – 9 shades lighter than the hour before.

I also had a Derma pen Facialby Caroline Fox at Blush in Richmond, which is not for the faint hearted may I warn you, but gives an incredible glow and perfect completion.

This was all topped off with a set of pretty lashes by Charlotte Williams at Blush too.

All the details can be found on Facebook:

Brite & Beautiful

Caroline Fox

All I need now is a suntan, says she, looking wishfully at the sky.

As April is around the corner, in this instalment we check out the rain poncho by Louis Vuitton, introduce you to a beach party to feel good about, and we look at the tearful and final collection by Karl Lagerfeld at Paris Fashion Week.

Grab a brew and take a look.

LV’s Rain Poncho

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Louis Vuittonis selling a shiny silver RAIN PONCHO for a cool £5,500.

The designer poncho is similar to those handed out for free at theme parks,except that the rain cape features the eponymous ‘LV’ on the back. Bemused shoppers have widely mocked the absurdly expensive poncho on social media.

Adding a small amount more personalisation, it is also emblazoned with the words ‘Follow the yellow brick road’ – a reference to the ‘Wizard of Oz’, theme of the collection.

Would you spend the same on a ‘Rain Poncho’ as on a small car? I know which one would look better at Glastonbury, but (more importantly) which one would get you home afterwards.

I’ve read that the poncho also doesn’t actually fulfil its supposed function. Apparently, it can’t even keep the lower bit of your arms dry. How stupid.

 A description of the poncho on the Louis Vuitton website reads: ‘Crafted from papery metallic calfskin, the Rain Poncho echoes the Wizard of Oz theme that characterises this season’s collection. ‘The iconic LV signatures are reimagined as embroidered glass bead patches, beautifully offset by a laser-cut patch at the chest. ‘Brushed metal snap fastenings on the cuffs add elegant finishing touches to this standout style.’

Hmmm.

However, thrifty consumers will be relieved to know that a similar rain protector is available on ASOS, costing a mere £17.50. Even more impressively, a rain poncho on Amazon costs exactly one penny. Or consumers can pick one up for free at a whole host of theme parks across the country.

April showers are just around the corner. It’s how you plan to dress for them that will set you apart.

Karl’s Last Collection

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As we all know, the fashion world lost an icon when Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, aged 85, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

This week, Chanel muses Cara Delevingne, 26, Penelope Cruz, 44, and Kaia Gerber, 17, paraded down a snowy alpine inspired runway as his final collection was shown at the Grand Palais in Paris for Paris Fashion Week.

Cara opened the presentation and looked incredible wearing a white checked jumpsuit which had a plunging neckline and a belt which cinched the fabric in at the waist. She placed her hands in a praying motion before throwing her arms up as she danced down the runway for her late good friend. She then comforted a crying model as they walked alongside one another in the snow.

Cara completed her fashion forward look with a matching top hat and a hounds-tooth overcoat with a giant statement necklace.

Karl’s favourite muse, actress Kristen Stewart, 28, was not pictured on the runway, but she pulled out all the stops, wearing a plunging quilted one-piece, suitable for the slopes and covered in the famous Chanel logo. I am DESPERATE for one of these. She wore Mary Jane heels and perched a pair of red sunglasses on the end of her nose as she posed for photographers.

Beautiful actress Penelope (he knew how to pick them) wore a fluffy white skirt and matching top for a very angelic walk down the runway, while holding a white rose in her hand in tribute to Karl.

Kaia wore a white mini dress which was embellished with flowers at the top section and had a furry skirt detail. She looked beautiful as she walked down the runway clapping for him.

Guests had been instructed not to wear heels because of the snow which filled the venue – the perfect tribute to Karl, who was born in Hamburg, at a castle outside of Salzburg, Austria.

An official statement published after his death and posted on Instagram said: ‘The House of KARL LAGERFELD shares, with deep emotion and sadness, the passing of its creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, on February 19, 2019, in Paris, France.

Virginie Viard, 57, Karl’s long-time collaborator for over 30 years and director of Chanel’s Fashion Creation Studio has taken over at the creative helm of the brand.

There was a one minute’s silence for Karl, during which the models appeared in a line at the top of the set, to pay their respects. This was broken by the sound of Karl’s voice which was played on a tannoy.

When he took the helm of Chanel in 1983, he shifted focus away from fragrance and accessories and focused on updating its heritage pieces, injecting much-needed life into its couture line following the death of legendary founder Coco Chanel.

 Lagerfeld may have reversed the fortunes of ailing fashion label Chanel, but the fashion chief never succeeded in winning over the royal family.

Despite his celebrity clientele, Lagerfeld failed to secure a coveted spot in the royal wardrobe and, unlike other major luxury houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen, was widely snubbed by Palace stylists.

Kate has only worn Chanel once – during a visit to Paris in 2017 – while t Megan has not been seen in the label since her pre-royal days.

Insiders had long suspected the royal snub was linked to Lagerfeld’s acid-tongued remarks about the Middletons; after the 2011 wedding of Wills and Kate, he famously said Kate has a ‘nice silhouette’, but that sister Pippa Middleton ‘struggles’. Ouch.

Speaking to a German magazine, he said: ‘Kate Middleton has a nice silhouette and she is the right girl for that boy. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties.’

‘On the other hand, her sister struggles,’ the designer added. ‘I don’t like the sister’s face. She should only show her back.’

While Diana once favoured Lagerfeld’s designs, she later refused to wear Chanel because its iconic double-C emblem ‘reminded her of Charles and Camilla’.

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