Shan Rahimkhan

2011 has been a great year for cutting-edge technology skin creams, debut fragrances from luxury fashion houses and niche brands becoming cult ‘must haves’ in the UK.

Here are a few products that have stood out and become firm favourites this year…

Nanoblur – After a few application teething problems with the best-selling optical, quick-fix anti-ageing skin cream, Nanoblur is now my beauty best friend! It works wonders on fine lines and instantly refreshes skin, but most importantly, it slicks away excess oil, so it’s perfect for those of us with combination to oily skin.

Bottega Veneta – The debut fragrance from the Venetian luxury leather and fashion house is unique, captivating and a joy to wear. It has become my everyday scent and I still get a fleeting moment of euphoria with each spritz!

shu uemura uv under base mousse – This weight-less mousse evens out the skin, conceals redness and tightens pores, ready for foundation. It’s another discovery that has become an everyday essential.

Shan Rahimkhan – I had the pleasure of meeting and being styled by Iranian, Berlin-based hair expert Shan Rahimkhan this year. His natural, luxurious and incredibly stylish hair products give unrivalled volume and just make your hair feel great!

Sodashi – This natural-luxe Australian brand has become a fast favourite, as all of the products feel so soothing and nourishing. The Rejuvenating Face Mist has saved me on long flights and the Vanilla Body Butter is just so nourishing.

NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer – This incredibly light gel-crème primer calms skin using natural extracts and the mineral powders help control oily t-zones – once again, a good bet for combination to oily skin.

Caudalie Vinoperfect – Caudaline Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream and Enzyme Peel Mask revitalise and exfoliate skin without any harsh effects. Used together, they freshen the appearance of skin and definitely help reduce the signs of pigmentation.

Balenciaga Paris – The first fragrance from the French luxury fashion house, Balenciaga Paris is a modern classic of chypre violets, lucid cool florals and metallic aldehyde. Like Nicolas Ghesquière’s muse Charlotte Gainsbourg, it’s chic and effortlessly cool with a renowned heritage…j’adore!

What was your beauty hero of 2011? Which product could you not live without?

* Samples

Last night, Handpicked Media bloggers got together for a very stylish evening with cult Berlin hair expert Shan Rahimkhan at The Soho Hotel.

Shan Rahimkhan’s eponymous hair collection has just launched at Harvey Nichols, so we were given a rare opportunity to meet with Shan Rahimkhan and his right-hand man, stylist Fabio F.D’Acri, for personal hair consultations, a prescribed product regime and hair styling.

Based in Berlin’s central Gendarmenmarkt district, Shan Rahimkhan Casa is a chic lifestyle concept store that includes a hair salon, a boutique stocking designer products sourced from all over Europe and a cafe that turns into a sleek cocktail bar at night.

Shan told us that he created the hair collection to bring volume and moisture to fine hair. With many volumising product, you often have to sacrifice nourishment and hydration for extra body.

Shan Rahimkhan products are completely natural and free from all the paraben and sulphate nasties that leave residue on the hair. The collection includes active natural ingredients such as Bamboo, Aloe Vera juice, Tamanou Oil, Quinoa and Argan Oil.

Shan Rahimkhan styles the hair of A-listers such as Jennifer Aniston and Charlize Theron when they’re in Berlin, so of course I jumped at the chance to have a bespoke up-do by the master.

I did have a professional blow dry at Taylor Made salon the night before, so I wasn’t too embarrassed about my locks, but after a harsh winter, they’re not in the best condition.

I sat in the styling chair and after a quick surveying of my hair, Shan immediately knew how to style my hair. After just five minutes of back-combing, pinning and a finishing spritz, I had softly tousled red carpet hair.

My hair was full of volume and the few loose strands of hair perfectly framed my face. Of course, A-list hair needs an occasion, so Katie Chutzpah and I headed out into Soho for drinks at The QV Bar at Quo Vadis.

The products I was given to try out were True Colour Shampoo, True Colour Shiny Gold Treatment and Supreme Volumizing Double Phase Leave-In Treatment.

The shampoo lathered well and I only had to use a tiny amount to get my hair super clean. My hair was ready for some indulgence, so I used the Shiny Gold treatment, which brings out natural gold tones, and found it to be light and moisturising.

I was sceptical about replacing my usual conditioner for a leave-in conditioner spray, but it instantly softened my hair and made it manageable. Best of all, it reduces my time in the shower and smells incredible.

I’m already sold on the Shan Rahimkhan collection, but I’ll road test the products properly and post an update soon.

Now I just wish that Shan Rahimkhan would open a sister salon in London, as I’m already tempted by a weekend trip to Berlin!

Shan Rahimkhan products are now available at Harvey Nichols. For more information on Shan Rahimkhan Casa, visit: www.shanrahimkhan.de

Favourite Beauty Discoveries Of 2011

Shan Rahimkhan Haircare Collection Launch At The Soho Hotel