from LUXUO
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
New luxury hotel opening in 2017: Six Senses Bhutan set to welcome guests later this year
Nestled among the rolling hills and lush greenery of Bhutan, are five luxurious suites and villas by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
from LUXUO
from LUXUO
Chocolate Scented Incense Sticks from Japan
Stuck for Valentine's Day ideas? Try setting a sweet ambience with these chocolate infused incense sticks.from Fine Dining Lovers
Hennessey Venom GT final commemorative model “The Final Edition” to be built
After one prototype, six hardtops, six open-top spyders and three world records, production of America's fastest car is officially coming to an end
from LUXUO
from LUXUO
Habitually Chic Makeup Routine
I’ve written about my skincare routine a few times but realized that I have never shared my makeup routine. I think taking good care of your skin is essential for makeup application and the ability to use less products but I always wear something.
Even if I’m going to the gym, I’ll apply a little concealer, curl my lashes, groom my brows, and swipe on a little lipgloss. It’s a cliche but completely true that you never know who you might run into in New York so I always leave the house looking polished.
I tend to be very loyal to the products I use which can be problematic when one of them is discontinued as I found out while putting this post together. My day routine is obviously a bit lighter especially on my eyes while my evening/event make-up has a heavy eye and more illumination but they both start with dewy skin.
Here’s a look at what’s in my makeup bag.
I’ve heard that you shouldn’t use primer daily because it can break out your skin. I use Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer under foundation almost every day and have never had a problem. I just read that some women use it alone which is an interesting idea since it makes your skin glow. It also helps your foundation stay on longer. I wouldn’t do my make-up without it.
I just found out that the La Mer Treatment Fluid Foundation I’ve been wearing for at least 10 years has been discontinued. It has been replaced by La Mer Soft Fluid Foundation SPF 20. I haven’t had a chance to experience it in person yet but I’m hoping it will impart the same flawless finish as the previous incarnation.
I was introduced to Hourglass Cosmetics by my friend Dina and I’m so glad. Hourglass was founded by beauty industry veteran Carisa Janes as an “intersection of science, beauty and luxury.” The formulations feel modern and really are luxurious. I tried the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick but it was much too heavy for my skin. You can also use it as a concealer so I’ve kept it for that purpose. I would like to try the Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free Broad Spectrum SPF 15 when I go to buy a new foundation. The description says it’s, “Powered by the brand’s proprietary Matrix Regeneration Complex, it targets the signs of aging by helping alleviate the appearance of wrinkles over time, and it creates a naturally radiant complexion.” Sounds good to me.
For under eye circles, I love Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer For Under Eye in 1.5. It last longer than normal concealers and is also good for blemishes when used with a small brush.
The Rolls Royce of concealers is ClĂ© de Peau. It has a lovely creamy texture what doesn’t settle into fine lines. I use Beige but another less expensive option is Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Under Eye Concealer which is very hydrating and creamy as well. I also use Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter along my cheekbones and sometimes even under my concealer.
I don’t use much powder except for a tiny amount to set my make up along my t-zone and under my eyes. The one I always use is Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Velour Puff.
I use Aerin Beauty brushes which don’t seem to be available any longer. But it might be time to replace them. I like this Bobbi Brown Basic Brush Collection set since it has everything one would need for their makeup routine. I also love the brushes from Hourglass.
I don’t go in for all that Kardashian contouring but a little bronzer under your cheekbone will give you lovely definition. If I’m doing heavier evening makeup, I might add a little around my jawline and hairline. I am currently using anAerin Beauty bronzer that’s no longer available but I also use this Tom Ford Small Bronzing Powder.
Don’t be alarmed by the color of this Nars Mata Hari blush. When you apply it with a light hand and a good blush brush, it looks like natural flushed cheeks. Of course, it’s unavailable online for some reason but there are 22 other Nars Blush shades from which to choose.
Even when I’m not wearing eye shadow, I will use Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen on my lids but it also acts as a great primer.
Shu Uemura is the only eye lash curler that many beauty professionals use and it’s the only one I use. For some reason, the brand is no longer sold in US stores but you can buy it online. There is also a special Chinese New Year special offering 15% off sitewide with the code CNY15.
Brows are so important to me that I wrote a whole post on them in Brow Beat last year. As I mentioned, I will fill and groom my brows with Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel even when I go to the gym.
I also use Anastasia Brow Gel when my brows are looking a little unruly.
During the day, I use a tiny bit of eyeliner along my lashes and will apply it heavier for evening. I like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner which comes in 12 different colors. L’Oreal Infallible Eyeliner is a great product at a good price that I also use but the packaging is cheap and the blender end always falls off. I wish they would fix that issue
One of the products worth the splurge is Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad. I love the Nude Dip palette but there are 11 different quad palettes. The quality of Tom Ford eye shadow is the best I’ve ever used.
I have my eyelashes dyed at Benefit so I don’t wear mascara during the day. Dyed lashes are really wonderful if you workout a lot because they define your eyes without mascara smudging. I always have my lashes dyed right before I travel so I look put together but don’t get mascara smudges when sleeping on a flight. I will only wear Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara for evening or when I have a meeting.
This Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush is meant to be used with the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick which I found too heavy. Instead I use it after I’ve applied my makeup to feather it out and make sure I don’t have to much product under my eyes or around my nose.
The one product that you might pull out of your bag in front of other people is lipstick so i think it’s also a good place to splurge. Tom Ford makes some of the most luxurious lipsticks but I love the Tom Ford Lips and Boys Lip Color. They are smaller tubes so they are great for evening bags too.
I don’t post selfies often on Instagram but when I do, someone always asks my lipstick color. I layer Chanel Glossimer in #46 Giggle over Aerin Mercer lipstick which is no longer available. But it’s also great alone for a light natural color.
Another Hourglass product that has a cult following is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. I usually just use it at night but you can use it during the day as well. It blurs your makeup and creates a great glow.
As I mentioned above, I love Hourglass brushes and this Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush is perfect for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette.
Another thing I love are Tom Ford Makeup Palettes which I can throw in my bag with one brush so I can be ready for touch ups during the day or while traveling. My favorite from last year is no longer available but I just got this new Tom Ford Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette on my upcoming trip to Mexico.
If makeup is not y0ur thing and you don’t know what to wear or where to start, I highly recommend this Bobbi Brown Style File Work It Eye, Cheek & Lip Kit with great natural colors.
I have a brown satin Tom Ford makeup bag that is starting to get a little dirty. When I’m ready to upgrade, I will be ordering this Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set that come in 11 different colors and can be monogrammed.
“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.”
– Yves Saint Laurent
from Habitually Chic®
5 of the most unique game lodges in Africa
Settled amidst Africa’s stunningly diverse landscapes and elusive wildlife, hundreds of luxurious lodges and camps provide an opulent space to relax in between exploring everything this unspoilt continent has to offer. Nevertheless, with cosy dĂ©cor, gourmet cuisine, awe-inspiring experiences and spectacular views offered at nearly every property, sometimes you just want to find something completely […]
5 of the most unique game lodges in Africa is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog
The post 5 of the most unique game lodges in Africa appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
The best beach clubs for a French Riviera yacht charter
Glamorous, decadent, and dripping in celebrity history, the beach clubs of the Cote d’Azur have long been synonymous with the superyacht set. Yet of the hundred or so beach clubs along this stretch of storied coastline, which ones should you visit on your superyacht charter? The best beach clubs have a seductive magic about them, […]
The best beach clubs for a French Riviera yacht charter is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog
The post The best beach clubs for a French Riviera yacht charter appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
My Flight: a review of Qantas First Class A380 from Dubai to London
Flight QF1 from Dubai to London Heathrow
Departure: 2.25 am
Arrival: 6.55 am
Flight Duration: 7 hours (approx)
Check-in
We arrived at the terminal at 11.30pm in the evening, with a good 3 hours to spare before our flight. We made our way to the premium side of the terminal and found the check-in desks dedicated exclusively for this flight. I wasn’t sure if we were to use Emirates’ check-in, but that was not the case.
We did not see a single person by the time we entered this terminal – we checked in alone in about 3 minutes and we made our way to security.
Security
At this time of the night (and surprisingly, to be very honest), we did not see a single person except airport staff. Security took a minute each and was no trouble at all. We walked a fair bit to the train stop which we had to board to get to the departures area. The shuttle took a good 10 minutes to arrive but we saw other passengers at last as everyone gets the same shuttle, of course.
We spent a few minutes at the Duty Free and shopping area – which was seriously disappointing. With this being Emirates’ new terminal, I was (naively) expecting a world class shopping arcade, but besides overpriced drinks and camel chocolates, there wasn’t much to buy. So we didn’t!
The Lounge
We made our way to Emirates’ First Class Lounge – due to the codeshare between Qantas and Emirates, all Qantas passengers use the Emirates facilities and I have to say – there were some really really cool features about it.
First… well… the proper shops (or some proper shops like Tiffany & Co. etc) are actually located inside the lounge. I liked that, a lot. You can also get some premium whiskies and I hope next time there will be more fashion. Because it was actually a fabulous concept.
The lounge is huge (and a tad sterile at the same time) and I would guess there were probably only 50 passengers using at the time – either that, or everyone was hiding.
We had dinner a few hours prior in Dubai (we actually went to Abu Dhabi on this trip) and weren’t hungry – but had a look at the buffet and the a la carte options which looked excellent. But I can only assume they were as we did not try it.
The only thing I wanted to do was have a glass or three of champagne and the only option was Moet Brut. Yup. Not a mistake. And this really surprised me. The funniest thing was that I posted a photo on Instagram and then got quite a few comments from readers saying exactly the same. What an odd choice of champagne for an airline’s flagship lounge. Drinks are technically self-serve – but there as there were such few passengers, if you looked at one thing, it would be bought to you. The staff always made sure our glasses were topped – to the point where we had to say ‘no more, please’.
I was looking forward to a spa treatment (some are complimentary to First Class passengers), but there were no slots available. Having a few hours to kill, I got excited that there was actually a hair and beauty salon, but there was no one working at at time, which is understandable. More airports should have hair salons!
Worth noting that there is also a separate lounge for smokers – with full food and drinks service and fully staffed. Also, there are various quiet areas with day beds which looked very nice.
And last but not the least… my favourite part of the lounge – you get to your gate directly from the lounge, via a lift. This terminal is exclusive for A380s, so set up for double decker planes. I really liked this and within minutes, we cleared all the boarding procedures (if you look at the photo above, you will see a small boarding desk). Got on the lift, and we were on the plane.
The Flight
– Welcome
We got a welcome indeed. The crew were brilliant from the moment we boarded the plane until we left. Lots of smiles, good commentary and yes, we knew we were on an Australian airline. We were escorted to our seats quickly and our jackets were taken from us.
– The Cabin
This cabin had quite an usual configuration, offering 3-per row seats (one by each window, and one in the middle), and it had 5 seats on the window sides and 4 in the middle, making it possible to accommodate 14 passengers.
The ‘first class suites’ and the whole cabin was beige with wooden accents and dark flooring. I did not notice if there was a Qantas logo at all, but it felt very bland. If it wasn’t for the accents of the crew (lovely lovely crew), I would not have guessed where I was, in all honesty.
– Drinks service
We were immediately asked if we would like a glass of something to drink and I asked what champagne they were serving. I loved that it was Taittinger’s Comtes de Taittinger 2005 – a great upgrade from what we had earlier. Not sure how we got into the Moet at the lounge (but another passenger also chimed in, which was hilarious), and the crew made sure we all got a second glass as the first one was to ‘cleanse the palate’. We were also served nuts and olives (the latter is very rare and I loved it because I love olives).
– The seat
Our seats (or suites) were very spacious as you can see from the images above – and as you can see, allowed for couples dining (which we did not test as this was a sleeper service and straight to work the following day for both of us).
I took that photo of me wearing the seatbelt only to show you that it is different from the normal ones, which clasp in your lap. This one is a 3-part seatbelt and the extra bit is necessary due to the design of the suites. Because of its shape, if there was serious turbulence, you’d hit the back of the seat in front, and this prevents it. (I only know this because the lady who was part of the design team of BA’s First Class Suites told me).
There was plenty of storage, including various USB ports and power sockets. I like when there are drawers and nooks so you can hide all your bits – and no complaints there.
I also really liked the ‘remote’ which controlled the IFE and the seat itself. I did try the massage bit for fun and the whole system was very very easy to use. I loved the ‘Time to Destination’ feature which appeared by default – when I am asleep I am obsessed with the time I have left and it meant I didn’t have to have the inflight map (and the TV) on.
Service was super attentive and friendly and after dinner, we were asked if we wanted to sleep and the crew made up the bed. We had 2 pillows (instead of one, which was very good) and the bedding was nice too.
– Amenities
There was a his and hers version, but I have to say – it was poor. I knew that Qantas has a collaboration with Kate and Jack Spade in business class (and the actual toiletry bags are fabulous and change all the time – and they sell on eBay for over $75) and I was expecting something even better in First. Well. We were given these fake leather pouches with SK-II products (which are good), but the whole thing (maybe because of the Rexona deodorant) did not feel luxurious or special at all.
I left mine behind on the plane. But a lovely reader has sent me a Kate Spade one (from Qantas business class as he had 2), and I use it all the time. It is brilliant for cables etc when you travel – and in my opinion, Qantas could do a bit better in first class. Just my opinion.
– In-flight dining
As I had dinner a good 4 hours before, and I had not eaten at the lounge, I was a bit pecking and the idea of a steak sandwich sounded brilliant. Sadly, the bread was dry and so was the steak, so it really wasn’t a success. The upside? The ice cream was brilliant and I had 3 tubs.
There was a selection of Australian wines (2 reds, 2 whites and 1 dessert), and I had a glass of a Hunter Valley Shiraz which was lovely.
We asked not to be woken up for breakfast, but the request backfired as breakfast started being served a good 2h30 before landing and everyone was awake and quite loud. I understand that the end was near for those flying all the way from Sydney, but for those catching the red-eye from Dubai to London, it was far from ideal. And I am used (and grateful) for British Airways’ letting you have breakfast 1h to 40 minutes prior to landing, so this was pretty strange.
I ended up having some fruit, a lovely peach juice and an espresso coffee. There was also a (seriously) extensive selection of teas available.
– In-flight entertainment
No problems here – the screen was massive and worked well. I also really liked the ‘Australian’ flavour in the programming and benefitted from the difference in film release dates (ha!). In honour of Australia, I watched ‘The Dressmaker’ with Kate Winslet which was set there.
We were given noise-cancelling headphones, but I preferred to use my in-ear Bose, which makes it easier to sleep.
Cost
A return flight from London to Dubai in first class with Qantas costs around £4,000-5,000. We bought a business ticket with British Airways which cost £2,500 and upgraded with Avios (75,000 each, I believe) on this leg, which made it a very good deal.
Final thoughts
I thought the service was brilliant – probably one of the most enthusiastic and personable crews I have met (and I do not say this lightly). I thought the cabin was bland and really beige – it didn’t give me a great sense of place (or airline). But the seats were very spacious and the champagne was definitely Mrs. O approved.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Until the next flight…
xo
Mrs. O
The post My Flight: a review of Qantas First Class A380 from Dubai to London appeared first on Mrs. O Around the World - a luxury travel blog by Ana Silva O'Reilly.
from Mrs. O Around the World – a luxury travel blog by Ana Silva O'Reilly
50 Recipes That Wouldn't be the Same without Wine
Red, white and fortified wines are a perfect addition to many a favourite dish around the world. How many have you tried?from Fine Dining Lovers
8 Dishes from Anne-Sophie Pic's New London Restaurant
Take a look at eight dishes from the three michelin star French chef's newly opened London restaurant.from Fine Dining Lovers
Artist Creates Incredible Food Sculptures
Daniele Barresi creates exquisitely intricate and decorative food art using everyday provisions. Take a look.from Fine Dining Lovers
LET ME BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY!
There’s nothing more depressing than those – what seems to me – endless gloomy winter days. Not really depressing in the sense of it’s real meaning, but you know… those gray skies all day, every day, just do no justice to our Resort-imaginations that are running wild now all of it has dropped online and in-stores. Drooling over every single Resort lookbook, I’m trying to figure out a way of “doing it” wearing it, without loosing my mind – quite literally – in winter’s icy temperatures. I can’t recall winter being so harsh on me last season, but that might be a case of ignorance. Bliss. Yet, I totally have to figure out again how to do this Resort-thing.
I got most of my Resort-inspiration online. Many online retailers, but also department stores that went online, create the most beautiful – and sinful – lookbooks which burst of desirable styling ideas. So does my favorite one in New York; Bergdorf Goodman. Apart from the usual Monday morning research in the “New In” shoe section, I’ve been going over their “Trend” edit, where I literally soaked up all the color as if it was Vitamin D. And while slowly incorporating Resort-trends into my wardrobe, in combination with solid winter gear, I ended up putting myself in a bright-rockstar-ballerina outfit. For those who know me well, this is 100% me. A dress like the one I’m wearing from Valentino, with a neat pair of heels would be absolutely stunning, but also absolutely not how I would wear it. Luckily – when my favorite designers were still on the same team Pierpaolo and Maria Grazia thought exactly the same, and intended these dark romance dresses to be worn with edgy Valentino biker boots.
The pink hair with bright yellow was a risk, but very much worth taken. I’m excited by the result of it, and sad I won’t be able to pull this off during New York Fashion Week next week. Or at least, you won’t be able to see much of it, because it will be covered with the BIGGEST coat on the planet. I look forward to the Fashion Week carousel to start, and I know weather will get softer when we get to Europe, but first we need to conquer Arctic colds in New York, and for that I need to keep my head in “Resort” to stay warm. Bergdorfs, please keep those colorful inspirations coming, we are going to need it!
Valentino dress | Valentino boots | Valentino bag | Mulberry fine knit.
Photos by Jeff Thibodeau
The post LET ME BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY! appeared first on THEFASHIONGUITAR.
from THEFASHIONGUITAR
Top 5 reasons to cruise the Seychelles by luxury yacht
With the Seychelles – one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos – as your backdrop, there’s no doubt your holiday to the Indian Ocean will be a luxurious one. But how about making your trip of a lifetime even more indulgent by cruising the islands on a luxury yacht? There are many reasons why savvy […]
Top 5 reasons to cruise the Seychelles by luxury yacht is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog
The post Top 5 reasons to cruise the Seychelles by luxury yacht appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
from A Luxury Travel Blog
50 Best Gastropubs in the UK 2017
The annual Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK list has been revealed, with last year's third placed pub taking the top spot. Take a look.from Fine Dining Lovers
A weekend guide to Chester and North Wales: A perfect city break and outdoor escape
If you’re planning a weekend break that ‘has it all’ then I can’t recommend a trip to Chester and North Wales enough. Spend your first day exploring the Roman city of Chester with its cobbled streets, Tudor-style buildings and pretty views. Then spend your second day exploring Snowdonia National Park, home to the highest mountain…
The post A weekend guide to Chester and North Wales: A perfect city break and outdoor escape appeared first on The Travel Hack.
from The Travel Hack
FluFOMO: Traveling Off the Beaten Path
It’s so easy to get stuck in our daily routines. Whether we’re chained to a desk literally or figuratively, it’s rare to break out of the norm – the ebb and flow of day to day life tends to sweep you away. You frequent the standard coffee shop on the daily or head to your weekly brunch spot without blinking an eye. As we rely on old standbys, time seems to blur, days blending into weeks, weeks slumping into months. But what if, every once in awhile, you were free to to kick the standbys to the curb?
When Clorox asked me to share some FluFOMO – what you might be missing out on if you’re unfortunate enough to catch the flu this season – I decided it was high time to break out of my routine. Since I’ve done my best to keep the flu at bay this season (you can see how I kept from catching the stomach flu from my kid right here). Sure there are thousands of trendy spots in and around San Francisco that would check every hipster box you can think of, but I wondered what might be out there if I looked a little past the usual.
I recently took the opportunity to enjoy a crisp January day ditching my routine entirely and instead hitting the road, excited to discover what Hwy 1 might bring my way – no set itinerary, no set agenda, no Instagram stalking beforehand. Just a sense of adventure.
Upon snaking up the coast, I stumbled upon the charming little town of Bolinas a little less than an hour north of San Francisco. Nestled against the Pacific and beloved by surfers who hate crowds, the one street hamlet, pop. 2,000, feels like a throwback to a bygone era. You can belly up to the bar at Smiley’s Saloon, the oldest bar in California, or lunch on oysters plucked only miles from Coast Cafe, the town diner. But what I love most about places like Bolinas are the people. Also quick to smile, happy to share a kind word and eager to tell an interesting story, it’s a wonderful reminder of the power of human connection. At Smiley’s, I was regaled of the celebrities that often come through Bolinas as they explore Marin – often unsure of what to make of town residents who really couldn’t give two sh***!
an artist community still thrives in bolinas
a quiet stroll on the beach soothes the soul
When the world seems to spin a bit out of control, a little time spent breaking free of the usual is the perfect way to reflect on what matters most. You never know what you might be missing out on until you simply get out there and explore.
Have you missed out on some adventure this winter due to the flu? Click here to share your story and be entered to win a a Clorox prize pack!
For more get away ideas, CLICK HERE
original photography for apt34 by emily scott
This post is in partnership with Clorox. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that I’m excited about and that have kept apartment 34’s doors open
The post FluFOMO: Traveling Off the Beaten Path appeared first on Apartment34.
from Apartment34
How to Make Heston Blumenthal’s Classic Snail Porridge
Watch chef Heston Blumenthal make his most famous dish from The Fat Duck, a delicious and vibrant snail porridge.from Fine Dining Lovers
HermĂšs Cape Cod collection: 4 new masculine variations join the TGM timepieces
The HermĂšs Cape Cod family welcomes a few new additions to the French fashion house's watch selection
from LUXUO
from LUXUO
Our Luxury January Adventures & Win 1 of 3 Rosé Champagne
January can be a tough month, with cold weather and short days to contend with. Having said that, it’s also an opportunity for new beginnings and doing things differently, so there are some positives. Another reason to feel positive is our giveaway to win 1 of 3 bottles of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut RosĂ© Champagne. Whether you’re single or loved up, you’re sure to enjoy this on Valentine’s Day 
CULTURE VULTURE
I’ve been meaning to revisit the Design Museum ever since it moved into its new location in Kensington. A meet up with Maggie was the perfect opportunity to admire its striking architecture and thought-provoking exhibitions. There’s one at the moment that focuses on the design challenges of a rapidly ageing population – well worth a visit.
I popped into the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge for a sneak preview of their new collage by Sir Peter Blake. It’s adorning the facade of the hotel during their renovation. Entitled “Our Fans”, it’s a clever play on words as the Mandarin Oriental’s logo is a fan. The collage was inspired by the cover of the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, also created by Sir Peter Blake – here’s the indoor version. See how many well known faces you can spot if you’re in the area.
LIFESTYLE FILE
I don’t know about you but my skin is severely challenged by the cold weather. That’s why I was glad to try the Soothing Intensive Complex by Anne Semonin. It’s an innovative duo of Essential Oils and Trace Elements that works to soothe red and sensitive skin. Essential Oils is a blend of laurel, lemon peel, marjoram and the Centella asiatica herb, whilst Trace Elements contain chromium, cobalt, borage and iodine. All very high tech but does this dynamic duo work? I’ve only been using it for a few weeks but my skin already feels more radiant, plumped up and a lot less tight. My only request would be that they include usage instructions on the box.
I’ve also been loving S5 Serenity Cream, an anti-ageing moisturiser for stressed and sensitive skin. The pump dispenser is very practical and the marine actives do a great job of restoring balance. There’s marine laminaria which targets inflammation and reduces UVdamage and marine sea mayweed which is clinically proven to reduce skin reactivity by 24% and the appearance of long-term redness by 20%. It has calmed my skin down quite noticeably and also feels very nourishing, thanks to the hyaluronic acid which locks moisture into the skin.
In a further bid to get some radiance back, I headed to the launch of Skeyndor’s Timeless Prodigy range at the luxurious Peak Health Club & Spa at Jumeirah Carlton Tower. Skeyndor are a Spanish brand that use the most advanced anti-ageing technology in their face creams and serums, night restoring oil. Over champagne and canapĂ©s, Miriam and I had a personal skin diagnosis thanks to their clever skin scanner machine. I’m looking forward to trying out the range at home, particularly their Power Hyaluroinc Gel and their Sleeping Oil and reporting back on it. They’ll be available from late January exclusively at The Peak Health Club & Spa for the first month.
I rarely get time to read a book but when I was sent the provocatively entitled Fur Coat No Knickers by C. B. Martin to review, I was intrigued. Expecting something along the lines of 50 Shades of Grey, which I must be the only person in the UK to not have read, I was actually pleasantly surprised. Even though it’s an easy and amusing read, it goes way beyond the surface to delve into sibling rivalry and other serious issues. Anyone who’s ever sat at home waiting for a date to call will identify with this novel – can’t wait for the sequel!
Talking of companions, my new favourite travel companion is my Beaux Leather Backpack by Knomo… I have been looking for something like this for years, a stylish yet functional backpack that can carry a laptop and daily essentials. The full-grain leather is really soft and looks extremely luxurious.
The back and padded straps are cleverly crafted from a wipe-free fabric and there are lots of pockets to store your phone, valuables and much more. I particularly liked the RFID signal blocking technology – you can store personal information in complete security. My Beaux worked perfectly as a carry-on for our recent Mexico trip and equally well whilst exploring the local area.
TRAVEL TALES
We started the New Year in style at NYF Dublin 2016. This cultural festival is great fun and there’s so much to do, from sky dancing to a spectacular laser light show and a fantastic music concert. Despite being laid low with a cold, we crammed in so much into our visit, including a visit to the lively Temple Bar area.
Verbier in Switzerland is one of the world’s most iconic skiing destinations. Madonna took her brood there recently and it’s a favourite with the royals too. With Paul being half Swiss, we’re always pleased to return there and what better place to stay than Hotel La CordĂ©e des Alpes. Not only does it have the best spa in Verbier, the food is delicious and the interior is seriously stylish.
We’ve just returned from a really stunning area of Mexico and I can’t wait to tell you more about it. Mayakoba is home to 4 luxurious hotels, Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood, each with their own distinctive style. They’ve all been seamlessly integrated into the environment and the resort boasts mangroves and abundant wildlife as well as fabulous beaches and pools.
WINING AND DINING
We’ve been travelling for most of this month so haven’t had a great deal of time to wine and dine in London. However, I did make it to The Ivy Kensington to catch up with some of my favourite bloggers over a leisurely brunch. I opted for a mix of healthy green juice and not so virtuous burger
COMING SOON IN FEBRUARY
We’ll be heading to Tenerife, to explore the island and try out the services of Keys Concierge – should be fun!
How was your January, were you detoxing or retoxing?
WIN 1 OF 3 ROSE CHAMPAGNE
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’re giving you the opportunity of winning 1 of 3 RosĂ© Champagne. It’s one of my favourite champagne brands, Nicolas Feuillatte and we actually had it at our wedding so I’m sure you’ll love it. David Henault, Chief Winemaker, has skilfully blended Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes to produce D’Luscious rosĂ©. Aged for 3 years, it’s a silky champagne with red fruit notes that goes perfectly with food. With its stylish pink cooler sleeve, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte D’Luscious Gift bag makes a great Valentine’s Day gift and is available at John Lewis for £35.
To enter, simply follow the steps on the Rafflecopter below – bonne chance and good luck!
The competition is open to UK & Ireland residents for delivery purposes
The post Our Luxury January Adventures & Win 1 of 3 Rosé Champagne appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
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