September, 2012 | cheriecity.co.uk

Forever Crazy London By Crazy Horse Paris

September 29, 2012 by cheriecity

Autumn in London just got a lot more glamorous with the arrival of Forever Crazy, the new show from legendary Paris cabaret club, Le Crazy Horse. Experts in l’art du nu, the ten classically-trained Crazy Horse dancers perform ten ravishing, imaginative vignettes in a decadent 90 minute show.

The purpose-built Spiegeltent, tucked behind the National Theatre on the Southbank, is even more opulent than expected, with stunning red velvet drapes, golden statues, mirrors and suitably posh bathrooms. From the moment you step inside the boudoir-style reception, you feel immersed in glamorous Paris nightlife.

We were lucky enough to get Platinum tickets to the show, which gave us a front row table at the centre of the stage – the best seats in the house. Before the show, we were treated to a soundtrack of coquettish songs by Vanessa Paradis, Brigitte Bardot and Serge and Charlotte Gainsbourg, to get everyone in the mood for seduction.

For over thirty years, the show has begun with ‘God Save our Bareskin’, featuring the dancers sternly marching in Royal Horse Guards uniforms, complete with horses tails – how appropriate for London.

This was followed by tableaux including a dancer writhing seductively on a ‘lips sofa’, a wild leopard in her cage, a frustrated Wall Street executive, an impressive Surrealist-inspired mirror dance and a Berlin cabaret group dance on neon chairs.

The soundtrack is excellent, mixing a cool cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic, a beautiful song by Antony and the Johnsons and an interpretation of Radiohead’s Creep, alongside original music for the show. Forever Crazy also uses artistic lighting to decorate the dancers, bathing their bodies in stripes, leopard skin and spots.

The mesmerising dancers are so lithe, graceful and seductive, with slender bodies and creamy skin. There is even a dance that pays tribute solely to their long legs. During the dances, they gaze out beyond the audience, so you can enjoy watching them move without any awkwardness. However, when you catch their eye, they are utterly charming.

Shoe gals will be seriously envious, as the dancers have the ultimate shoe wardrobes by Christian Louboutin. With each dance comes a new change of foot candy – patent leather heels with delicate ankle straps in red or black, cut-out lace-up boots, traditional can can boots and Forever Tina suede fringe boots.

Forever Crazy is perfect for a decadent, naughty night out and brings a touch of Parisian glamour to London. Drinks are surprisingly reasonable, so you can splash out on a bottle of Champagne to enjoy the show. For a lesson or two in the art of seduction, don’t miss Forever Crazy this season!

Forever Crazy will run from 18 September to 24 December 2012 at the Spiegeltent, Southbank. Tickets start from £35 and special Champagne and show packages are available.

Photos by Forever Crazy and Chérie City

Chérie City was a guest of Forever Crazy

Hotels, Paris

Pullman Paris Bercy

September 27, 2012 by cheriecity

On many of my trips to Paris, I’ve stayed in the ‘Golden Triangle’ in the 1st arrondissement, however for my recent visit, I decided to explore on the opposite side of town and see what Bercy had to offer. I chose the Pullman Paris Bercy, as it is so close to Les Docks on the quai d’Austerlitz, which I had planned to visit, and I had happy memories of my stay at Pullman Marseille Palm Beach.

Pullman Paris Bercy is a quick three minute walk from the Cour Saint-Émilion metro station, just three stops from the centre of Paris. The hotel is right next to Bercy Village, a quaint, cobbled street shopping area with outlets such as agnès b, Sephora, Côté Maison, Dammann Frères, Eric Kayser and Adam’s Tartines & Cafés. Another nearby discovery was the beautiful Parc de Bercy with its picturesque duck ponds, lily pads and wooden bridges.

Pullman Paris Bercy is in a large, modern glass building with an expansive lobby filled with design-led furniture, interesting artwork and calming water features. Our Superior King Room on the fourth floor was spacious, designed in warm colours and very comfortable.

Our room featured include a large desk for working, a comfy seating area, an ironing board, powerful air-conditioning, a large flat screen TV and best of all, free wifi. A nice touch were the tea and coffee making facilities with a selection of Dammann Frères teas, Fair Trade coffee and Lotus speculoos biscuits and an empty fridge with a complimentary bottle of Evian and Badoit.

The king-size bed was extremely comfortable, with crisp, fine linen and plump pillows. It was so heavenly that we fell asleep before dinner and it was difficult to get back up.

Our large bathroom had a bathtub and powerful shower, a full selection of Roger & Gallet Bois d’Orange bathroom products, face cloths, lots of fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers.

To unwind at the end of the day, there is a Health Club with a well-equipped fitness room, a relaxing spa and sauna. Julien Mercier’s menu at the hotel’s restaurant Cafe Ke sounds particularly interesting and there is 24 hour room service and Le Point Bar with a stylish terrace for summer al fresco drinks.

In the evening, the Bercy Village restaurants are buzzing and lively and the UGC Cinema shows both French and English language films, so there is plenty to do locally after a busy day in the city.

Pullman Paris Bercy is the perfect place to stay if you want comfort, excellent service, an interesting location and plenty of space. It’s a good choice for those who have experienced Paris a few times and don’t mind taking a short metro ride to get into town….it really is worth it.

For more information and booking, visit: www.accorhotels.com

Photos by Cherie City and Pullman Paris Bercy

Bars, Paris, Restaurants

Cheeseburgers at La Maison Mère in Paris

September 26, 2012 by cheriecity

La Maison Mère, just a few steps from Hotel Amour on rue Navarin, satisfies the South Pigalle bobo craving for New York-style burgers and Franco-American dishes. The dimly-lit, intimate restaurant has a retro feel with engraved glass, French school tables, white tiles and metal racks.

Steven and I met up with our old Parisian friends Coralie and Sunny to catch up over burgers and good wine – as usual, we were the last ones to leave.

We were lucky that Coralie had booked a table that day, as the restaurant was already full when we arrived. An unexpected surprise was spotting the French-Moroccan actor and comedian Gad Elmaleh at the corner table. Elmaleh is perhaps best-known outside of France for starring in Priceless alongside Audrey Tautou but unfortunately we didn’t catch a glimpse of his girlfriend Charlotte Casiraghi.

There is a good, carefully chosen selection of French wines and a mix of classic and inventive cocktails (all priced at €10). We ordered a bottle of Côtes du Rhône Villages Clos Des Mourres 2010 (€32), which was light and easy to drink.

Had we not already indulged over a three course lunch, we would have started with some Crab Cakes and Fish Tacos. Instead, we went straight for the burgers.

Steven and I both ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger (€17), served with fries, coleslaw and tomato and pickle on the side. The high quality, thick beef patty was smothered in melted Cheddar and topped with crispy bacon, packed inside a glossy, light brioche bun. The meat was a little overdone (unbelievable in Paris, I know) but still very tasty and the crisp, flavoursome hand-cut fries with with skins on were excellent.

If you’re feeling particularly decadent, there is a Black Label Burger (€20) using Black Angus steak from the US.

Coralie ordered the Pièce de thon à la plancha (€20) – seared tuna cooked on the griddle, served with ratatouille, sweet potato puree and a wedge of lime.

Sunny went for the Assiette végétarienne (€14) – a large plate of quinoa tabouleh and seasonal crudités.

For dessert Steven and I shared the Pain perdu brioché (€8) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pain Perdu can be difficult to cook well at home and Maison Mère’s was pretty good, if a little small, with a caramelised coating and hint of orange.

Sunny tried the Dessert du Jour, which was a fruit crumble and Coralie went for a simple classic, Mousse au chocolat (€7). The desserts were tasty, but not outstanding – you could easily end with the burgers or go for a sweet cocktail.

The food at La Maison Mère is comforting and substantial and the ambiance is cool, lively and informal. Service can either be fun and flirty or obstinate and brusque – just try to catch the eye of the waiter you prefer!

For a perfect evening in South Pigalle, dine at La Maison Mère, followed by drinks on the chic heated terrace at Hotel Amour.

Photos by Chérie City and La Maison Mère

London, Restaurants

Obikà Mozzarella Bar in London

September 25, 2012 by cheriecity

I’ve always assumed that Obikà Mozzarella Bar & Ristorante is one of those quirky restaurant concepts that originated in London. In fact, the first Obikà Mozzarella Bar opened in Rome’s Piazza di Firenze in 2004 and the brand has since expanded across Italy and to London, New York, LA, Istanbul, Tokyo and Toronto.

The second London outpost is nestled among the designer boutiques and art galleries of the ultra chic Draycott Avenue. After dining there with my pal Coralie, it’s easy to see why the authentic Italian restaurant has been such a huge global success.

Obikà has a slick, upmarket vibe and is surprisingly reasonably priced. It’s the kind of place where you could impress a date without maxing out your credit card. The open doors and windows give it a breezy, al fresco feel – perfect for people watching over an aperitivo.

Coralie started with a glass of Pinot Griot le Vigne 2011 and I went for a Lychee Bellini, which was naturally fruity and not overly sweet. Even though there was a big meal ahead of us, we couldn’t resist tucking into the rustic basket of home-made breads. We dipped the focaccia, sourdough and sunblush tomato bread in a dish of peppery extra-virgin olive oil.

To start, I tried the Mozzarella in Carrozza – breaded mozzarella di bufala (£4.95). The mozzarella was fresh, creamy and sandwiched between a layer of toast and golden breadcrumbs. It was deliciously rich, however the portion size was very large and the bread became a little soft underneath the mozzarella. I enjoyed it with the garnish of rocket and fiery tomato passata dip.

Coralie went for the Tartare di Spigola al Tartufo – sea bass tartare with truffle (£8.95), which was fresh, flavoursome and colourful.

I was tempted by the stone-baked pizzas, but to avoid overloading on bread, I went for the Trofie Pasta with home-made basil pesto, green beans and potatoes (£8.75). This was the most delicious pasta I’ve had in a long time and I savoured every mouthful. The trofie pasta was perfectly springy and substantial and was lightly covered in fresh, home-made basil pesto, with small pieces of green beans and soft potatoes.

Coralie went for a summery platter of smoked mozzarella, thin slices of cappocolo, cured meat, fresh figs, black olives, baby plum tomatoes and basil. The full-bodied smoked mozzarella was absolutely heavenly and the portion size was very generous. The cured meats were strongly-flavoured and delectable – a perfect accompaniment to the mozzarella.

There’s always room for dessert, so I ordered a light Millefoglie Sbriciolato con Fragole (£3.95). Unexpectedly, it was a more ‘decontructed’ millefoglie than the traditional version. A large bowl was filled with light lemon custard and topped with flakes of pastry, fresh strawberries and icing sugar. It was tasty and light, even though the huge portion size was more than enough to share.

For dessert, Coralie ordered the Degustazione di Dolci – Crema di Ricotta, Torta Caprese and Tiramisu (£6.35). The Torta Caprese was rich, dense, chocolaty and filled with almonds. The Crema di Ricotta was thick, creamy and fragrant, infused with candied fruit, honey and pine nuts. The Tiramisu was just as it should be – a delicious mini classic.

To finish, Coralie had an espresso and I went for a Cioccolata Calda, both served with a physalis dipped in dark chocolate. It wasn’t the thick, molten Cioccolata Calda that you find in Italy, but it was made with high quality cocoa and I could add my own sugar to taste. As if that wasn’t enough, we were offered an after dinner Limoncello (£3.75) – a sweet, zesty and potent infusion of lemon peel from the Sorrento Peninsula.

Obikà is sure to become a South Kensington favourite, as it serves authentic Italian dishes in a stylish setting at very reasonable prices. Whether it’s for a summer smoked mozzarella and cured meat platter, or a comforting pizza in the colder months, Obikà is the place for a satisfying mozzarella fix.

For more information and booking, visit: www.obika.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Obika.

Photos by Coralie Grassin, Tea Time in Wonderland

Art, Cafes, Exhibitions, Fashion, Paris

Wanderlust at Les Docks Paris

September 24, 2012 by cheriecity

Wanderlust, the multi-disciplinary space at Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design, has proved to be the place to enjoy summer in Paris. Overlooking the Seine at quai d’Austerlitz, Wanderlust includes a restaurant, bar and club that also boasts the largest terrace in Paris and an 80-seat outdoor cinema.

Run by Savoir Faire – the people behind Social Club and Silencio (David Lynch’s cultural nightclub) – Wanderlust hosts a programme of cultural activities, collaborating with London’s V&A and the adjacent Institut Francais de la Mode. Events include fashion film screenings, sewing classes, children’s workshops, monthly food market and Sunday morning yoga and brunch.

At night, the terrace becomes a club with light shows and vido projection, featuring DJs such as Cassius, Busy P, M.A.N.D.Y, Gildas Loaëc of Kitsuné, Jean Nipon, Feadz and Yuksek. Le Baron also takes over the roof with its outside bar, next to the permanent Moon Roof restaurant and lounge bar.

The restaurant, with a menu by young chef Benjamin Darnaud, is a casual, hip cafe during the day which gets more lively at night. We visited for a cup of Dammann Frères tea in the late-afternoon, after viewing the two fashion exhibitions by Musée Galliera at Les Docks.

While the museum is undergoing an extensive refurbishment, it has created Galliera Museum Without Wall, featuring two exciting temporary exhibitions at Les Docks – Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector and Comme des Garçons: White Drama.

Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector celebrates the 40th anniversary of the great couturier’s death with 40 key pieces from his career dating from 1937 to 1968. The exhibition is fleshed out with Balenciaga’s sketches, lithographs, traditional Spanish dresses and garments from earlier centuries. The elegance of the embroidered silk ball gowns, black cocktail dresses and fitted skirt suits are an interesting contrast to the industrial, futuristic setting.

Comme des Garçons: White Drama shows Rei Kawakubo’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection in giant transparent plastic bubbles. White Drama references monumental moments in life, such as birth, marriage and death, with exquisite, all-white looks. Expect to see architectural silk dresses, ceremonial hoods, cocoon coats, bohemian crochet shawls, exquisite embroidery and lace bubble coats and elaborate headwear.

Both exhibitions are beautifully-presented and are just the right size to explore in around an hour and then explore the rest of Les Docks.

During our visit, it was Paris Design Week, so we visited Now! Le Off – a showcase of innovative products by leading design companies. Apart from the free copies of L’Officiel and Jalouse, my favourite discovery was this incredibly awesome ‘Blogger Chair’ – now that’s my kind of innovation!

Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector and Comme des Garçons: White Drama run until 7 October 2012. Wanderlust is open from 12pm-6am, Wednesday to Sunday until 14th October at Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design (34 quai d’Austerlitz – 75 013 Paris).

For more information, visit: www.wanderlustparis.com and www.paris-docks-en-seine.fr

All photos by Cherie City

Designers, Fashion, France, Paris, Shopping, Stores

Le Jardin du Palais Royal – Paris

September 22, 2012 by cheriecity

Le Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris’ 1st arrondissement is a quiet, refined haven that often slips under the tourist radar, being overshadowed by the Louvre, Tuileries and Place Vendôme.

Established in 1639, the Palais Royal has been owned by copious royalty and has hosted the most lavish society parties and its fair share of debauchery. Today, the Palais Royal is occupied by the more sober council and government organisations, but the understated glamour of the gardens and the galleries still thrives.

Well-heeled Parisians dine at the opulent, historic Le Grand Véfour and the Restaurant du Palais Royal, overlooking the manicured gardens. Under the ornate arches are galleries housing artisan and designer boutiques such as renowned vintage dealers Didier Ludot and Gabrielle Geppert, glove-makers Maison Fabre, alongside high end designers Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Colto Moltedo and Acne.

Look out for the petite boutiques of shoe-makers Pierre Hardy and Rupert Sanderson and experience a bespoke service at the exquisite, jewellery box salons of Serge Lutens and Les Parfums de Rosine.

All photos by Chérie City

Beauty, London

A Fresh New Look at Errol Douglas London

September 19, 2012 by cheriecity

Errol Douglas MBE is one of the world’s most sought after hair stylists and he regularly creates looks for leading fashion magazines, recently collaborating with photographer Rankin. Errol established his Belgravia salon in 1998 and has a loyal client base including Hollywood A-listers, supermodels, music legends and the cream of high society.

The salon is located on the ultra chic, villagey Motcomb Street, in good company with Carolina Bucci, Annick Goutal, Rococo Chocolate and Christian Louboutin. It’s very easy to visit the salon and come away with more than a new hair style.

Errol Douglas salon is one of a kind in Belgravia, as it offers services for all hair types – European, Afro and international – as well as manicures and professional make-up. I visited for a cut and colour and found the salon to be stylish and understated with a buzzing, friendly and unpretentious atmosphere.

First up was my colour with the lovely Jessica Speechly, Head of Colour. I’d visited the salon a few days earlier for a patch test and consultation, so we got started swiftly. I asked Jessica how I could achieve an interesting brunette shade that is low-maintenance and as close to my natural hair colour as possible. Even though a natural brunette shade sounds simple, it can be difficult to explain and know which hair service to ask for.

Jessica advised not to go too close to my natural hair colour to avoid the colour looking flat. Instead, she suggested going slightly darker around the roots and the top of my head, creating a subtle ombre look, to bring out the colour of my eyes.

Jessica applied a demi-permanent Matrix hair colour for a more natural, glossy look and to avoid harsh regrowth. She then added the dye through the length of my hair using foils, to keep some of the lightness and achieve a multi-tonal effect.

While the dye developed, I sat comfortably and enjoyed a pot of tea and read glossy magazines. My hair was then washed and cleansed with Moroccanoil products and I received a blissful shiatsu head massage.

Before I could see the final colour, Senior Stylist Anna Bloomer came over to give my hair a re-style. Anna really understands curly hair and suggested trimming the length and cutting internal layers to give my hair volume and bounce, yet avoiding a two-layer effect that can plague curly hair if cut wrongly. The front of my hair tends to lose shape quickly, so Anna refreshed each side to frame my face.

I received so many good hair tips and was shown how to twirl my hair into ringlets before drying, to enhance the curl and keep away frizz. I couldn’t resist a blow-dry, as I never have the patience to do it at home and like to have a new look for a day or two. When asked if I wanted my hair dried smooth and straight or with a wave, I asked to have it finished just like Anna’s – slightly wavy yet polished.

Anna blow-dried the roots with a large circular brush and rough-dried the length. She then used ceramic curling tongs with a wide barrel on the length. My hair was set with some anti-humidity hair spray and I was ready to go. I was thrilled with the cut and colour – they were even better than I had hoped for.

My experience at Errol Douglas was so enjoyable and relaxing, as the stylists took the time to understand my hair and what I wanted to achieve from the visit. It was a perfect balance between my own wishes and Jessica and Anna’s advice – I really was in the hands of the experts.

Errol Douglas is a brand ambassador for Moroccanoil, so I was keen to see just how good the products are. To preserve my new hair colour for as long as possible, I bought the Moisture Repair shampoo and conditioner, which are gentle enough to use on colour-treated hair. I absolutely love using the products, as they deeply moisturise my hair without leaving any residue or weighing it down.

Stateside clients will be delighted to hear that there is talk of an Errol Douglas salon opening in New York, in the near future.

For more information, visit: www.erroldouglas.com

Chérie City was a guest of Errol Douglas

Bars, Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London, London Fashion Week

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 Designer Cocktails

September 19, 2012 by cheriecity

Celebrating the short list of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012, each of the five designers have created their own limited edition cocktail.

The designers collaborated with the bar directors and managers to create a cocktail that reflects the spirit and style of their brand. I was invited to 45 Park Lane for a cocktail tasting evening with delicious canapes from Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, served in the cosy, relaxing guest lounge.

My favourite cocktail was Black Southside, created by flamboyant fur designer Quentin Veron and the bar team at Le Richemond in Geneva. It’s a dark and mysterious blend of Plymouth gin, fresh lime, freshly-made blackberry juice, cherry syrup, mint and Agnostura Bitters, served in a large martini glass with a sugar and cracked black pepper rim. The elegant, intoxicating cocktail is designed to take you back to the prohibition era speakeasy clubs in America – the inspiration behind Veron’s collection.

Another deliciously dark cocktail is Nuit Noire by Les Garcons, a collaboration with William Oliveri at Le Meurice, Paris. The cocktail includes Eristoff Black vodka, blackberry liqueur blackberry coulis and lime juice, served in a long glass with a sprig of mint and a frozen sugar-coated blackberry. It’s so thick, rich and fruity that it tastes like a decadent alcoholic smoothie.

A lighter, refreshing cocktail is design duo Augustin Teboul’s Black Velvet, concocted by Stefano Cossio at 45 Park Lane. This tequila-based cocktail includes blackberries, thyme honey, crème de cassis and lime juice, served in a glass tumbler with an oversized block of ice.

The cocktail to get the party started is Calla’s wonderfully-named Milanese Calla-pirinha, created by Daniele Confalonieri of Hotel Principe di Savoia. The zesty, uplifting cocktail is a potent blend of Cachaça Velha, lime juice, orange, sugar cane and saffron, served with a cinnamon stick in a short glass.

The IRM Cocktail is IRM Design’s molecular trio of tastes, created by Thierry Hernandez at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris. The glasses include three shots of rum, sake and vodka and are presented on a clinical silver tray with three pipettes containing iris (I), rose (R) and mint (M) essences. During my visit, the hand-made essences were en route from Paris, so we didn’t have the chance to try the IRM Cocktail, however, it appears to be a real treat for the senses.

The limited editition cocktails are available throughout the fashion season in Europe, until 3 October. The winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 will be announced at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, on 16 October.

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

Paris

A Walk Around the Wonderful Parc Monceau in Paris

September 16, 2012 by cheriecity

Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement in Paris is one of the city’s most beautiful, peaceful and joyful parks. Behind the opulent black and gold gates lies vast greenery punctuated with statues, miniature waterfalls with quaint bridges, duck ponds, weeping willows and delicate rose gardens. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic, an afternoon out with the family, watching the world go by or a moment of quiet reflection.

The park was originally established by Philippe d’Orleans, Duke of Chartres, a cousin of Louis XVI and was designed by Louis Carrogis in 1778. Claude Monet painted a series of three paintings in the park in 1876 and a number of statues of cultural figures such as Maupassant, Musset, Pailleron and Chopin can be found among the gardens.

The park was the daily haunt of Marcel Proust and has since featured in films such as Gigi, Paris je t’aime and Midnight in Paris.

All photos by Chérie City

Designers, Fashion, London, London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: Corrie Nielsen

September 15, 2012 by cheriecity

Corrie Nielsen wowed London Fashion Week with her Autumn/Winter 2012-13 collection, garnering comparisons to Vivienne Westwood and the late Alexander McQueen. The dramatic, elegant collection, inspired by her Scottish roots, was a pivotal one that established her as serious player at London Fashion Week.

For Spring/Summer 2013, Corrie’s vision is lighter and more ethereal, yet her theatrical and often historical approach remains. The collection is the result of a unique partnership with Royal Botanical Kew Gardens, where Corrie was given unbridled access to the gardens, including the seed libraries, catalogue archives and most impressively, the original documentation from the journeys and discoveries of Charles Darwin.

Corrie said about Kew: “It is one of my most treasured spaces in London and the vast expanses of plant life and flowers will culminate for my strongest season to date.”

Highlights of the Spring/Summer 2013 collection include a beautifully tailored silk skirt suit with cloud-like peplum, an ice white dress with voluminous sleeves, a dip-dye organza blouse and shirt in blush and bluebell, a billowing white and inky grey ombre blouse with slim white trousers, an elegant white princess coat and a sheer organza dress covered in silk palms, with a structured peplum referencing the Kew Gardens Palm House.

The evening gowns are really spectacular – a dusky pink silk with a bubble hem and a white and silver-grey sculptural dress with a flower-shaped skirt and thick panelled bodice.

A particularly striking dress was the black rectangular column dress, standing out among the romantic, floral-inspired pieces.

The collection strikes a balance between wearable and red carpet – I can see Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, Thandie Newton and even the Duchess of Cambridge wearing Corrie Nielsen. Without a doubt, the orders will be flying in for this beautiful, demi-couture collection.

All images by Christopher Dadey

Beauty, London, Shopping, Stores

BeautyMART Opens At Harvey Nichols London

September 14, 2012 by cheriecity

Last week, BeautyMART arrived on the 3rd floor of Harvey Nichols. Behind this new retail concept is beauty journalist Anna-Marie Solowij and brand creative Millie Kendall (founder and creator of Ruby & Millie and Scarlett & Crimson), who have over 20 years experience in the beauty industry each.

BeautyMART features a carefully edited selection of niche, luxury and affordable beauty products from over 100 brands. There aren’t many beauty stores where you can see hard to find French pharmacy products next to WAH Nails silver nail foils and lemon-scented Denman hairbrushes.

The open-plan store is designed in cool black and neon and products are displayed closely together on shelved walls and free-standing stations. It’s the antithesis of the minimal, stark white look favoured by many luxury beauty brands, making it more accessible to a younger customer.

One of the star products is Bioderma, micelle solution that has built up a cult following among make-up artists, models and ‘in the know’ beauty fans. There are also luxurious hair products by Davines, Leonor Greyl and Byron and natural skincare hero products by Melvita, Weleda, Jurlique and Yes To Carrots.

Vibrant make-up comes courtesy of Face Stockholm, Paul & Joe and Model’s Own and the high street is well represented with essentials by Batiste, Bourjois, Carmex and Revlon.

There is a special ‘Anna & Millie Love’ wall, featuring their favourite products which include deliciously-scented Monoi de Taihiti and adorable illustrated make-up carry cases. I even discovered a new ‘ecorganic’ Stockholm-based beauty brand called Estelle & Thild.

I loved the nail wall, which has everything you need for DIY nail art alongside luxurious nail care treats. Another highlight is the selection of mini sizes of products, which are perfect for travelling or testing a product before splurging on a full-size.

BeautyMART is now open in Harvey Nichols London and will be launching at Harvey Nichols Liverpool in October. Soon to follow will be its first stand-alone store and there are plans to roll out the BeautyMART vending machine to train stations, night clubs and other public places for an emergency beauty fix.

BeautyMART is such an exciting concept, as it offers something exciting for everyone on all budgets and the vending machines are an ingenious idea. After launching with so many great brands, I’m looking forward to seeing which products will appear in BeautyMART next.

For more information, visit: beautymart.co/blog

All images by BeautyMART

Beauty

Philips ReAura: The Results

September 10, 2012 by cheriecity

My Philips ReAura eight week trial has now come to an end and I’m pleased to say that I’m happy with the results.

Having never used anything harsher on my skin than a one-off red and blue light therapy for a spell of adult acne, I did find the Philips ReAura twice weekly treatments somewhat uncomfortable. The sharp pinprick pains got slightly more bearable towards the end of the course and my skin got used to the sensation of the laser, even though it was still challenging.

However, the quest for visible results spurred me on and I battled my way through, gradually increasing from the second to the third (highest) setting and becoming more tolerant to the treatment and the following red hot face.

At 28, I don’t have many wrinkles to reduce, however there were a few fine lines that I wanted to take care of. These lines now appear slightly reduced and my whole face feels brighter, plumper and fresher (as though I’ve had a good night’s sleep). This could be partly due to taking more care of my skin during the trial, however, the effects are significant.

My skin also looks a little more even, with fewer areas of redness around my t-zone. It has been difficult to measure any change on the slightly pigmented areas on my cheekbones, as I was testing the ReAura during the hot summer months and it was almost impossible to avoid the sun completely.

I will be taking a break now to let my skin breath and will resume another course later in the year. I’m confident that this course will be easier, as I’m now experienced enough in using the ReAura to reach the highest level quicker and hopefully see even better results.

Are you tempted to try Philips ReAura home laser treatment?

Philips ReAura is available exclusively through Space.NK.

All photos by Chérie City

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September 2012