Friday 28 September 2012

What's wrong with ageing gracefully?




Fiona Bruce. You know her from the telly (BBC TV presenter for our overseas chums).

She's a looker, right? Well, Fiona sparked quite the debate recently by admitting she dyes her hair. This is principally to avoid falling prey to the ageism which she openly acknowledges is rife within the media and particularly within TV.

Several journalists have praised her for doing this, with some of the more populist papers (cough Daily Mail cough) relishing the opportunity to show what female presenters would look like if they let their grey reign free. A fairly comical and unrealistic portrayal at best.

But the problem I have is not the fact Fiona dyes her hair - we all need a little help every now and then. It's the fact she feels she has to.  Is that the kind of message we want to give the younger generation? That (looking) young is best when we get older? Rather than healthy or vital or energised or empowered?

Helen Mirren doesn't hide her age, but still manages to
look radiant and beautiful (image courtesy of IMDB)


You see, I buy into the whole 'feeling good' raison d'être behind beauty and makeup, not its ability to shave off 10 years. For me the power of makeup stems from the way it makes us feel - its ability to hide signs of tiredness, freshen the skin, make the eyes pop or the lips sing. I'm sure most women will agree when I say that the majority of the time, we wear it because of the effect it has on us, not on others. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world where women can still enjoy makeup but also have the freedom of choice to grow old gracefully if they so wish. After all, Gary Lineker does and he went grey years ago.


Thursday 6 September 2012

Your Skin, Only Better


Chantecaille's advertising promotion from 2010, featuring the founder's daughter Olivia (Les Macarons Palette)

Now it would be shameful of me, would it not, to plug certain products pertaining to the brand that has recently hired me as a mobile makeup artist. <Ahem> But I'm going to do it anyway because quite simply, you need to know about this brand and two of its products in particular.

CHANTECAILLE
Chantecaille (pronounced 'Shon-te-cay') is a luxury skincare and cosmetics company founded by Sylvie Chantecaille who was the mastermind behind Estée Lauder's iconic Prescriptives line (who remembers Prescriptive's Custom Blend Foundation?! R.I.P.). 

Chantecaille's mission is to address the causes of skin inflammation which is  "scientifically recognised as the main cause of ageing". As such, is well-known for products containing a "uniquely high concentration of botanicals" (many as high as 90%. Now that's impressive).

Chantecaille's unique fusion of aromatherapy and technology has earned the brand an impressive following and I am proud to declare myself its most recent convert *shakes pom-poms*


Image courtesy of chantecaille.com

Your Skin, Only Better
Back to the two products you need to know about.

Both are foundations. One is a tinted moisturiser called Just Skin. The other is an oil-free, medium to full coverage foundation called Future Skin. Both will leave you with skin you never knew you could possess.

JUST SKIN
Word on the grape-vine is that Chantecaille's Just Skin is David Beckham's go-to tinted moisturiser (presumably for whenever he has TV appearances). I have nothing by way of substantiation for this. I just like to think it's true, because if a guy can wear a tinted moisturiser and get away with it, it must be good (translation: 'invisible').

Just Skin has an SPF of 15 and is made with sodium hyaluronate which helps to seal in the skin's moisture, making it an ideal base in warmer climates. It also boasts ingredients such as honeysuckle (anti-irritant), green tea (antioxidant) and edelweiss (anti-pollution). What's most unusual about Just Skin, however, is that it has a semi-matte finish which is unheard of in a tinted moisturiser.

Just Skin comes in a slick silver and purple striped tube which not only fits brilliantly into your handbag (or 'man bag' if you're Mr. Beckham) but will most definitely earn you some serious stripes amongst your fellow tinted moisturiser buddies! RRP £57.


Image courtesy of chantecaille.com
FUTURE SKIN
This really is the future. Oil-free and made with 60% charged water*, Future Skin is an innovative, light weight gel foundation which feels like nothing you've tried before. It's also something of a paradox. Even though it's oil-free, it leaves a dewy finish?! *applause*

Clever ingredients such as seaweed (to regulate oil production in the skin), arnica (to brighten) and aloe and chamomile (to calm and soothe) can be found in this wonder pot. It is also made with a light-reflective circular pigment which makes it an ideal High Definition foundation (translation: you look amazing close-up!)

I've been wearing Future Skin (shade: Alabaster) on a daily basis for about 3 weeks. What I love most about it is that I find I don't need to touch up my foundation at all during the day (now that is marvellous). RRP £58. 

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
Of course it's all very well me telling you all of this....you need to go try them for yourself! 

Chantecaille is available at Space NK, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty and Fenwick.

For a personal introduction to the range, contact me here: natalie@nataliejamesmakeup.com
...I'd be delighted to introduce you to a brand which is continually raising the bar when it comes to skincare and cosmetics.

* There is a sciency bit here about how the charged water reacts with the ions in your skin to help keep the skin hydrated. I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you, sorry.

Disclaimer: 
The opinions expressed in this post are the author's and have not been endorsed by Chantecaille. All images courtesy of Chantecaille's website. This is not a promotion but merely a celebration of a great brand and innovative cosmetics line.