Become a Water Warrior

From tomorrow, it's Earth Month.  But at Aveda, it's really Water Month, because this year their planet-saving initiative is to raise money to help some of the world's poorest communities to access clean water and sanitation - especially in Nepal and Ethiopia - through WaterAid.

     And next Monday - 4th April - Aveda has organised a Walk for Water along London's South Bank:  a five-mile walk that's equivalent to the long walk that many women and children in developing countries face every single day, to collect water.

     Meet at 2 p.m. outside City Hall (registration is from 2.15 p.m., and the walk starts at 3 p.m.)  Could there be a more worthwhile way to spend a spring afternoon...?  Meanwhile, there are other fund-raising initiatives being organised by Aveda salon and counter staff around the country - simply click here to find your nearest.

     All budding 'Water Warriors' (as Aveda puts it) can watch WaterAid's moving video by clicking here.  Just be warned:  it may have you in floods.

An evening with Ormonde Jayne

Writers have noms de plume.  So is the name that a perfumer hides behind a nom de flacon...?  Well, what we do know is that one of our most esteemed British perfumers - Linda Pilkington (a.k.a. Ormonde Jayne) - is hosting a soirée from 6 p.m. on Wednesday 30th March at her jewel-like Chelsea flagship store.
     It's to celebrate Mother's Day. And Ormonde Jayne's wonderful Osmanthus perfume: it's a dead cert most mothers would love this, with its fruity white flowers.  Personally, we're lusting after the triple-milled Osmanthus soap, which debuts on the evening.
     Tickets are £15, redeemable against any purchases made on 30th March, and you'll receive a gorgeous Osmanthus goody bag and refreshments.  (To book, call Monica on 0207-730 1381.)  And of course, the lovely and knowledgeable Linda will be delighted to answer any perfume questions, after the talk.
     Just remember not to call her Jayne...

Ormonde Jayne, Pavilion Road, London SW1 (just around the corner from The White Company)

We're coming to Dublin this Wednesday

Our whirlwind tour for The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible brings us to Dublin this Wednesday evening (30th March) - and we'd love, love, love to meet our Irish readers at a special event hosted by Arnotts.
     We'll be 'in conversation' with make-up maestro Leonard Daly (well-known to the beauties of Dublin) in the Arnotts Beauty Hall, sharing the secrets of growing old gorgeously.  What's more, everyone who attends on the day/evening will be in with a chance to win 10 top Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible award-winning products, courtesy of the store - everything from Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup to Clinique High Impact Mascara, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm to Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator, and more.  (We are slightly gutted that we are not allowed to enter ourselves...!)
     Sessions are at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. - and yes:  we'll have our book-signing pens with us.  Really hope you can make it.

Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin 1
www.arnotts.ie

Not your mother's cardie

There are 'little old lady' cardies.  And then there are Edina Ronay cardies.  So, to continue this week's celebration of Foldies - Fabulous Older Women - we bring you news of the Edina Ronay's summer collection: gorgeous, wearable, wantable lacy hand-knits in linen, silk or silk/cashmere mixes and - here - in a style that's long enough to cover a multitude of tummy sins and won't ride up above your Spanx.  (Important, that.)
     We're thrilled that the enduringly beauteous Edina (whose clothes we have loved since we were twentysomething) is back in business and love the website.  So much so that Jo's been quoted as saying:  'Possibly the best news I've heard for 2011, Edina. I might finally be able to find something to wear...'
    

www.edinaronay.com 

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

     

Girl on a motorcycle

Over a tasse de thé at Chanel recently, we got to preview a rather wonderful film-ette about the making of the new Coco Mademoiselle ad.  It's dead sexy.  It's super-chic.  (And it rather has us lusting after a beige custom-made motorcycle - not to mention longing for a Keira Knightly-esque body to flaunt in a suede catsuit...)
     So we thought as it's that time of day right now, you might enjoy a little Coco with your tea.  This just a teaser, by the way:  the full version will be on www.chanel.com from Monday 21st March 2011.  Meanwhile, this is worth watching for the fabulous, flattering, immaculate eye make-up alone...

Fingerslickin' good!

Oh, clever, this. Saves all manner of trial and error. OPI's new free App for the iPhone has a 'slider' that let you input your skintone, and a roulette-style 'wheel' that you turn to see how different shades would look on your hands (with a very satisfying click-y sound as the wheel spins, too!)
     It's updated automatically with new collections, and you can search for shades, from blues and greens to sheer nudes, classic reds and wine shades. (The only thing it won't let you do is click to buy on-line, unlike our own Beauty Bible Beauty Steals iPhone App - just updated - which whisks you straight to somewhere in cyberspace the product you like is available. Sorry, had to throw that in.)
     Our current favourite OPI shade?  Jo's wedded to sparkling white Happy Anniversary, but suddenly we're looking at I'm India-A Mood For Love and thinking:  hmmm, hot pink might be just the perfect way to show we've got our fingers - and toes - on fashion's fluoro pulse.

Find the OPI App it at iTunes by clicking here.
  
  
    

The last word in laundry luxury

How sexy do your smalls smell?  If you're tired of Tide and over Ecover, you might like to try these very chi-chi alternatives, from talented French 'nose' Francis Kurkdjian - whose fragrances are now starring in Space NK, and who's worked for Lanvin, Gaultier, Narciso Rodriguez and Dior.
     It's a little-known industry secret that many 'noses' have created fragrances not just for perfume houses, but for laundry.  So Francis has come right out of the (linen) closet and confected the ultra-luxe Aqua Universalis Laundry Washing Liquids under his own name, with a hint of Sicilian bergamot and lemon, and a spring-like waft of white flowers.
     OK, they're £29 a pop (but for a huge, huge bottle).  And we're only suggesting you use them (sparingly) on your favourite Sabbia Rosa/Agent Provacateur undies, rather than for the whole family's mud-caked wash.
     But we promise:  your knicker drawer will never have smelled so exquisite.

www.spacenk.co.uk

Come and see us at Selfridges!

Hot-off-the-press:  The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible is getting its very own pop-up shop in Selfridges, and you are invited to come along for a consultation.  We'll each be offering 15-minute one-on-one age-defying consultations from 17th-21st March 2011, in Selfridges' so-swanky beauty hall - for truly unbiased beauty advice.  (And the chance to get your book personally signed...!)
    The session times and contact details are below.  But suffice to say: we have always dreamed of brands that have done well in our books being 'showcased' in one space - and we're as excited as hell that it's happening in the world's most buzzy department store.  So:  if you've any beauty conundrums or just want tell-it-like-it-is anti-ageing advice, we'd love to see you.  
    And we really mean that.


The times we're in The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible Pop-up Shop:
12.30 - 3 p.m. and 5.30 - 7 p.m. on Thursday 17th/Friday 18th/Saturday 19th March
12.30 - 3 p.m. and 4.30 - 6 p.m. on Sunday 20th March
12.30 - 3 p.m. on Monday 21st March
Plus:  special 'extra' book signing on Monday 21st March from 5.30 - 7 p.m.


Here's the e-address to get in touch, for your appointment:  beautybible@selfridges.co.uk

Simply e-mail the lovely team at Selfridges with your preferred time/day, and they'll liaise with you.

We dare you...

A simple message from Helen Keller, who's surely every woman's heroine - and a thought to carry in your heart for this weekend, sent with love from Beauty Bible.
     Although you're still never likely to catch us bungee-jumping...

She Died of Beauty...

We've always liked Erin O'Connor's attitude to fashion, which is to add an extra dimension:  intelligence.  We like the way she knows how to use her own beauty - but she doesn't take it too seriously.  And we really, really love her collaboration over the years with our favourite artist, David Downton (whose fabulous illustrations appear in all our books), as his 'muse'.
     Erin's latest career move:  bags-for-life and t-shirts in monochrome black and white, designed with her stylist friend Kate Halfpenny.  Other slogans include 'She Died of Perfection' and 'She Died of Kisses' (probably our favourite).  The range is, she says, 'A teasing yet affectionate tickle at the fashion industry we continue to love, honour and serve.'
     The range is based on ethically and organically-sourced cotton.  'After all,' notes Erin, 'there's no reason why style and conscience can't co-exist'.
     And so say both of us.

www.shediedofbeauty.com
  

Gold stars for Michael Kors

Yes, it's a little bit bling.  Yes, it's VERY gold.  But what we will say:  this capacious 'weekender' - a gift-with-purchase when you buy any
50 ml Michael Kors fragrance - has been attracting admiring comments from perfect strangers and close friends alike since we got our hands on ours, a few weeks ahead of today's launch (at stockists nationwide, while stocks last).
    It's roomy, lightweight, and just the ticket for a carry-on bag or an overnight stay.  And unless your name is Colin Firth, it may be the closest you get this week to a golden moment.