In praise of (contd...)!

OK:  we've now declared this Foldie (Fabulous Older Women) Week.  (Although we haven't forgotten our younger readers:  on the latest site update, there are ten priceless signed copies of Bobbi Brown's new book Beauty Rules to be won, packed with skincare and make-up wisdom for tweens to twentysomethings.  Just click here.)
     But today, we're featuring fab-at-almost-55 Jerry Hall, who stars on the cover of a new mag, Ponystep, (which we discovered in Selfridges) looking as beautiful as ever - while sharing her special Texan brand of wisdom inside.  (And dipping into her photo albums.)  The magazine actually showcases quite a few Foldies - while also featuring one of the funniest interviews we've ever read in a magazine, with mad, bad (and probably great fun to know) Janice Dickinson, who must be headin' sixtywards herself.
     But there's not a Courtelle cardi, a neat string of pearls or a perm in sight.  So we say:  hallelujah, to be alive at what is the best time in history to age gorgeously.

In praise of (much) older women

Forgive us for being slightly obsessed with wonderful older women at the moment.  But after five days at Selfridges, where we've been privileged to meet so many readers - while launching The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible, pop-up style - we feel like celebrating the gloriousness of being forty-plus, at the moment.
     Or in the case of Gitte Lee - Sir Christopher Lee's wife - seventy-plus. We're endebted to Maggie Alderson for drawing our attention to this still-head-turningly gorgeous icon of chic on her Style Notes blog.  (The pictures are by Tim Walker, no less, from Italian Vogue.)  With her customary lexicographic flair, Maggie even coined a new term:  'Foldie', for Fabulous Oldie.
     And who wouldn't aspire to that...?

For Maggie's blog, click here.
  
   

We're celebrating the first day of spring...

...  with this utterly beauty photograph (courtesy of the fab Paris Hotel Boutique blog, which we love).  We're also celebrating the launch of our book with one final flourish at Selfridges London this evening, between 5.30-7 p.m. at our pop-up shop near the foot of the escalators in the Beauty Hall.
     We will be glad to see daylight again tomorrow, but meanwhile:  thanks to all the wonderful readers who've been to see us, the stalwart PRs who've dropped in, the journos who've swung by to say 'hi' - and our stellar special guests, who yesterday included a trio of gorgeous Geldof girls...
     Maybe see you later?  We'll be full of the joys of spring... 

Talking Dirty

Oh, we like a range with a sense of humour.
     And we certainly like the idea that Lush's new refreshingly-but-subtly mint-scented men's range might mean he keeps his hands off our Clarins and Liz Earle.
     First Dirty triumph:  Tooth Tabs.  Designed to keep thousands of toothpaste tubes out of landfill, these solid tablets feature sodium bicarb to clean teeth, cream of tartar to brighten, plus spearmint to freshens the breath.  Pop one in the mouth, then brush as normal.
     Second triumph:  the Dirty Body Spray, which looks like appealingly like something designed to oil up his Harley Davidson, and therefore might gladly use on his pits.
     Third stroke of genius:  if the man in your life uses any of the products individually, they'll smell good - but when he follows the entire grooming routine, the different elements combine to make one pretty-darned-sexy scent, fusing spearmint, tarragon, thyme, oak moss, lavender, sandalwood and neroli.
     So yes, Lush, you can talk Dirty to us, anytime...

www.lush.co.uk

Be generous: give and make up

This is one of those duh-why-did-nobody-think-it-before projects.  And what it does is put much-needed skincare and make-up products in the hands of women and children at Women's Aid and Refuge, who are the victims of domestic violence.  (Something one in four women in the UK suffers, during her lifetime - with two women killed by a current or ex-partner every single week...)
     Give and Make Up asks for everything from shampoo and conditioner to mascara, hairdryers, toothpaste and toothbrushes - and everything in between.  Necessities, definitely.  Luxuries?  Well, they'll give a huge boost to someone in a women's refuge.
     The basic rule is:  if you'd happily give it to a friend, they'll take it, so 'lightly-used' products are fine - except for anything with a wand (mascara, lip gloss, concealer), as for obvious reasons these really need to be new.  (Gift with purchase sizes are fine, though.)  The website, below, gives full details of where to send and/or drop off.
     If you can even imagine for a moment what it must be like to have to flee your home, sometimes in fear of your life,  leaving even your make-up kit and sponge-bag behind...  Then we know you'll want to join us in supporting this so-simple but so-effective scheme...

www.giveandmakeup.com

Dial us for a one-on-one at Selfridges...

So here's the thing.  To make things easier for you to book appointments with us from Thursday to Sunday at our pop-up for The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible in Selfridges, there's now a number you can call.  We've still got some slots available - and would love to see you. Our special phoneline is manned (er, actually womanned) from 9 - 5 p.m. from today through to Friday afternoon.

The session times are below and you can book in for a 15-minute session with either one of us, when we'll happily give you our unbiased advice on your beauty conundrums - especially the challenges we all face when it comes to ageing.  And you'll also be able to try award-winning creams, serums lotions and make-up winners from our new book, all in one gorgeous space.  (And of course we'll have the book itself!)

The dates:  17th March - 21st March 2011
The times we're on the counter:
12.30 - 3 pm and 5.30 - 7 pm on Thursday 17th/Friday 18th/Saturday 19th
12.30 - 3 pm and 4.30 - 6 pm on Sunday 20th March
12.30 - 3 pm on Monday 21st March
(Plus:  special 'extra' book signing on Monday 21st March from
     5.30 - 7 pm.)

So:  we hope to see you in Selfridges.

To book your appointment, call our hotline:  01424-203751

Lipstick, curls - and a night of blues

Into vintage styling?  Love a bit of rhythm 'n' blues?  Then rock down to The Blues Kitchen tomorrow (12th March) or next Saturday (19th March) when Amanda and Natasha (a.k.a. Lipstick and Curls) - who specialise in hair and make-up from the 1920s to the 1960s - will  be there to transform you into a Charleston-loving flapper girl, a Hollywood starlet, a Rockabilly girlfriend or a Mad Men sex kitten. They'll be setting up their 'vintage beauty parlour' to offer a range of treatments and services just perfect for this event.
     There are two special looks devised specially for these Beauty 'n' Blues evenings:  The Shangri-La features beehive-esque backcombing, while The Rockabilly offers a Betty Page-style fringe or 50s curls.  (Oh, and ideally, do book in advance to take advantage of special discounts:  hair and make-up is from £10.)  There'll be music, too, of course:  the stage at The Blues Kitchen will showcase a dozen foot-stomping bands.  Just pick your style 'era' and prepare to rock around the clock.
     Some starlet night, eh...?

Lipstick & Curls - www.lipstickandcurls.com
Amanda - 07879-076449
Natasha - 07765-166460
The Blues Kitchen, 111-113 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JN (tickets £10 in advance, £12 on the door)
www.theblueskitchen.com