Last night in Sydney, Giorgio Armani opened their highly-anticipated beauty counter in Myer. Celebrities including Laura Dundovic and Zoe Marshall turned out to help celebrate the luxe affair, but there was one more lady to catch our attention — or rather, her hair did. Nicole Warne — also know as her blogger alias, Gary Pepper Vintage — sported hair so glossy, we almost wanted to run up and touch it. There's a few tips and tricks you can do at home to get shinier hair, keep reading.
Deep down, aren't we all beach babes? The best part about Christmas in Australia has to be the perfect weather — even if it does get a little on the hot side! Summer beauty essentials make the perfect present for your sister, your girlfriends and even your work colleagues. Beach beauty is all about protection, hydration and a little bit of colour... Time to get salty.
As one of Australia's most beautiful rising stars, Samara Weaving has everything going for her. The successful Home and Away actress is also the Bonds Youth Ambassador for the Summer 2012-13 campaign and it's no wonder, her bod is amazing! Samara rocks that natural Aussie beach babe look like a pro, so we've been dying to find out what products are on high rotation in her beauty cupboard. And what about her workout regime — how does one stay looking so trim and toned? Click through to hear it all from the star herself.
Want more? Read our other Real Beauty interviews here.
Take a walk down the beauty aisle of your local chemist and you're bound to find countless products toting the names of essential oils on their containers. And while many of these extractions sound like things you might have in your kitchen, it's easy to just pick up a product with one of these fancy oils in it without really knowing what it does for you. On top of that, not everyone will reap the benefits of every type of oil out there. So how do you crack the code? Discover the uses and benefits of seven essential oils after the jump.
Split ends can make even the most carefully coiffed hairstyles look less than polished. And while the only real "cure" is to trim the frizz at the salon, there are a few things you can do to smooth your strands at home. Check out this easy, three-step routine that will keep your ends sleek and silky all year long.
In honour of Earth Month, Josie Maran (pictured left) is rereleasing her eponymous brand's cult favourite argan oil with an added charitable element. The beauty entrepreneur even recruited some of her model pals, Petra Nemcova (pictured right) and Angela Lindvall, to design the limited-edition bottles for the line's Model Citizen campaign. Available at Sephora, through QVC, or on Josie's site from now, 10 percent of the profits from the sale of the oils will benefit the Happy Hearts Fund (through Petra's design), Healthy Child Healthy World (through Angela), and Women For Women International (through Josie). Additionally, Josie and Petra are sharing their tips for going "chicological" (that's chic, high-performing and ecological) with us. For starters, "I think using kinder, gentler, healthier ingredients overall — especially if you're wearing makeup every day — makes a huge impact on the beauty of your skin," explains Josie. See more of what the duo had to say about greening your beauty routine, when you read more.
Moroccanoil revolutionised the haircare market with its argan-infused oil being used to create numerous red carpet hairstyles since it launched in 2006. Since then, the brand has continued to add to its line-up, cementing itself as the go-to for controlling frizzy hair and adding shine. Now it's moving into bodycare with a five-product range set to debut in the US next month. Carmen Tal, the brand's co-founder, says it was a natural evolution: "People have been so attracted to the fragrance and high performance of the line, this was the inevitable way to go." The line includes a Body Buff scrub, Body Soufflé moisturiser, an Intensive Hydrating Treatment that'll be great for Winter, a hand cream and soap. All products feature argan oil alongside ingredients such as orange peel, sesame oil, sweet almond oil, organic chamomile water and mango butter. We shouldn't expect to see it hit international spas and counters before Sept.
UPDATE: No official launch date has been set for Australia as yet so for the time being this is a US-only launch.
Apart from a select few, the majority of us suffer lacklustre locks at some point. But to kick-start the new season with a spring in your step (and your strands), give your hair a quick pick-me-up with a restorative hair mask which are often infused with nourishing ingredients that penetrate deep into the cuticle to get your hair looking ship-shape for Spring.
It's here. It's here. It's finally here. In case you hadn't noticed, MoroccanOil is the haircare brand of the moment. Think of it like the Prius or Kabbalah bracelet, everybody who's anybody wants in on it. We Sugars live and breathe by it and I nearly cried with joy when sexy Antonio Corall Calero, the brand's International Creative Director, told me that MoroccanOil Luminous Hairspray ($34.95) would be launching this year. And now — quick as a flash — that day is finally here. The argan oil-infused formula offers flexible (read: non '80s) hold and shine without any sticky residue. It is going off OS. Salma Hayek's hairdresser, Robert Vetica, really set the ball rolling in Hollywood and now all the A-listers swear by the formula that strengthens hair, allowing it to grow longer, while offering protection against styling tools, humidity, salt, chlorine and UVA/B rays. Love, love, love. Buy if we are to remain friends. You will DIE when you try.
MoroccanOil Luminous Hairspray is available from October 1.
The Argan tree comes from southwest regions of Morocco, where it can withstand harsh environments like extreme heat, drought and poor soil. It grows a round fleshy fruit that has an olive-like texture and inside there's a nut where the oil comes from.
Argan oil is believed to have medicinal benefits such as lowering cholesterol, improving circulation and building up the immune system. It has mild anti-inflammatory properties, protects the skin from free radical damage and also helps to nourish dry, hydrated skin because it's rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
Try Elemis Anti-Ageing Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask ($120), The Body Shop Spa Wisdom Morocco Argan Oil & Orange Blossom Body Souffle ($32.95), Aveda Green Science™ Firming Eye Creme ($99.95), Schwarzkopf Extra Care Oil Nutritive Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.79 each).
Stockists: Aveda (1300 300 054), Schwarzkopf (1800 022 219).
