We have got the hottest beauty news for you this month. #TeamCoco have the scoop on the latest beauty releases, the best skincare products, and new names in the world of beauty and skincare.
We have included a full range including skincare, body care, face care, cosmetics and a luxury travel kit that every girl needs for her hols!
Skincare
Jane Scrivner, SKIN DRINK
SKIN DRINK consists of a delicate combination of frankincense essential oil, apothecary rose, and lavender hydrosols, this skin drink is formulated for anti ageing, with an antibacterial, astringent and tonic effect. SKIN DRINK is a regenerating, hydrating mist to nourish, tone, refresh and hydrate. The perfect toning mist to see you through summer and every season.
Priced at £19 (100ml), available from www.janescrivner.com
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer
Dr. Bronner’s organic hand sanitizer kills germs, viruses and bacteria in a natural and safe way using a simple formula: organic ethyl alcohol, water, organic lavender oil, and organic glycerin – that’s it!
The miniature bottle is also the perfect product for eco-conscious travellers packing for their summer getaways as there is no need to worry about liquid limit.
Priced at £4.99 (59ml), available from https://shop.drbronner.co.uk
Smoovall Skin Contact Spray
Smoovall is a skin contact spray, as an alternative to talc, Vaseline or duct tape to prevent soreness and irritation caused by friction. Ideal for women who wear dresses or tight clothing, the spray forms an invisible & breathable protective layer on the skin to prevent irritation.
Skin irritation is caused by prolonged friction, which is why the skin requires long-lasting protection. Smoovall Skin Contact Spray protects the skin from chafing for a minimum of 4 hours per application. Suitable for all skin types, easy to apply and completely invisible.
Priced at £12.99 (80ml), available from www.smoovall.co.uk
Face Care
Shavata, The Ultimate 3-in-1
Shavata Singh, Founder & CEO of Shavata Brow Studio, launches a new brow and lash tool. Clients can be in complete control with this innovative brush that is essential to achieving flawless brows and lashes.
The Precision Angled Brush has firm bristles to help you effortlessly follow the brow line and enhance your brow shape. The Wide Angled Brush can help fill in brows in seconds. Use with brow powder, gel or wax for a bold brow finish. The Brow & Lash Wand can be used to soften the look by brushing brow hairs upwards for a beautiful natural finish, as well as brushing out lashes for definition.
Priced at £22, available from www.shavata.co.uk
Body Care
Lyonsleaf, Body Butter
Plastic consumption is one of the biggest issues affecting the environment, and the beauty industry is a huge contributor to this problem. Luckily some brands, like Lyonsleaf, which make their products from ingredients on their Somerset farm, have gone completely plastic free with new aluminium lids and they even offer refillable products!
Lyonsleaf Body Butter is a 100% natural intensive moisturising treatment that hydrates the body for beautifully soft, smooth and healthy skin. This remarkable water-free product uses only natural oils that are absorbed easily into every layer of the epidermis, with no greasy residue.
Priced at £19.99 (120ml), available from www.lovelula.com
Thursday Plantation, Tea Tree Manuka Honey Balm
Manuka Honey Balm by Thursday Plantation is a triple action product, it protects the skin, cleanses the skin, and has excellent antibacterial properties. The balm helps to protect the skin against pollutants and bacteria. Skin will be in good condition if a thin layer is applied as required.
Priced at £9.99 (30g), available from Boots stores and via www.boots.com
Cosmetics
Carter Beauty Cosmetics by Marissa Carter
Carter Beauty has released some new cosmetics products, ideal for travelling and all under 100ml. The collection of cosmetics includes a couple of our faves, which guarantee flawless skin especially the Throw Shade Duo Contour Stick, and the Covert Concealer.
Contour sticks and concealers are all priced at £5.50 each, available from https://carterbeautycosmetics.com
Travel Kit
MALĀKO Skincare, Skin to Soul Travel Recovery Kit
MALĀKO is a new therapeutic, eco-wellness based skin care brand, which combines the enchanting nature and the tropical essence of Thailand. Inspired by the century- old wisdom of traditional Thai healing, their unisex and cruelty free products are lovingly made with a purpose to balance, stimulate healing and transform from within.
Creating the most serene and relaxed treatment that truly benefits your skin, mind and body, this kit contains the entire Skin to Soul range in travel size to help you or your loved ones enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience wherever you are. All made in the UK – Body & Hand Wash, Body Butter Balm, Body Crème Scrub.
Travel Recovery Kit Priced at £24 (50ml each product), available from www.malakoskincare.co.uk
Yaaassssss at last summer is making an appearance, we’ve got our vacay booked (beach bods at the ready, and natural sunkissed waves in our hair), BBQ’s with friends in the garden, rooftop cocktails with the girls, and nights out with our lovers – so we totally need to up our game on our haircare front.
We are absolutely going to suffer with sand in our hair, sea-salty hair, chlorine soaked hair from the swimming pool, product fuelled hair from our nights out, and morning-after-the-night-before hair to contend with, therefore #TeamCoco have compiled a list of 7 reasons to have a happy hair day.
Reason 1. Clean and Fresh Hair
Gorgias London, Marula Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Marula oil-based shampoo with keratin and vitamin B5 replenishes moisture in both frizzy and dry hair, and it provides a gentle cleansing and healthy appearance.
Marula oil-based conditioner with keratin and panthenol conditions hair to make it softer for longer, it also regenerates and gently smoothes the hair into an all round better condition.
Priced at £14.95 each (300ml), available from www.gorgiaslondon.com
Reason 2. Deep Treatment
Monat Replenish Masque
This repairing and hydrating masque is ideal for dry, damaged hair, whilst simultaneously nurturing scalp health. A cocktail of vital nutrients helps eliminate frizz and reduce the appearance of split ends. Strands of hair are left silky, sumptuous and super-elasticated.
Priced at £42 (148ml), available from www.monatglobal.com
Reason 3. Toning for Blondes
Blonde Muk, 1-minute Blonde Toning Treatment
Unsurprisingly, Blonde Muk is designed for blonde hair, but it is also ideal for use on white or grey hair. Blonde Muk leaves the hair soft, shiny and toned. Blonde Muk can be used frequently without any unwanted build up. In fact, it’s so good it won this year’s Beauty Bible gold for blonde hair!
The 1-Minute Blonde Muk Toning Treatment is designed to reduce any unwanted brassy, yellow tones in blonde hair, while also deeply nourishing and detangling the hair. The treatment is left on most hair types for one minute, or up to five minutes on dry or damaged hair, and will provide internal strength to the hair.
Priced at £11.75, available from www.mukme.com
Reason 4. Curl Enhancement
Only Curls, Enhancing Curl Gel
You will be able to define your curls with this oil infused gel that holds natural curls in shape while adding beautiful shine and healthy moisture. Avocado Oil, Kukui Oil and Aloe naturally hydrates each individual curl, which in turn minimises frizz and maximises curl impact. This product by Only Curls is 100% Vegan, has a fresh citrus and coconut fragrance, and is made in the UK.
Priced at £16 (250ml), available from https://onlycurls.com
Reason 5. Texture
Shea Moisture, Fruit Fusion Texture Spray
The Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Texture Spray is a perfect addition to fine, wavy or curly hair in that is helps to hold and tousle the hair. It delivers a balance of definition and body for a lasting and effortless tousled look. The fruit fusion helps to quench lifeless hair, the coconut water hydrates and nourishes the hair, and imbe oil locks in moisture and protects weightlessly.
Priced at £10.99 (118ml), available from www.boots.com
Reason 6. The Final Fix
L’Oreal Professional, Techni Art Air Fix Spray
For a super strong, unique Techni Art fix, this spray provides an extra-strong, long-lasting hold that dries without stickiness or solid crunchiness, it is easy to brush out, restyle and use again.
Priced at £9.50 (250ml), available from www.beautyflash.co.uk
Reason 7. Travel Ease
Alfa Italia, Como Viaggio Travel Kit
As holidays are on the agenda, we added a super travel kit into the mix. The Alfa Italia kit is not only practical, and easy to carry, but it is also stylish and fits perfectly in luggage, without taking up much room.
The limited edition SS19 kit features a pastel carry case in either suede effect or faux calf grain leather look containing a miniature 1200w hairdryer, ceramic styling iron capable of heating up to 190°C, and two sectioning clips. While small, this kit features the same styling power as its full-sized counterparts and is also ideal for use on shorter hair.
Priced at £44.95, available from www.alfaitaliapro.com
The beauty hall in Harvey Nichols Leeds has a cacophonic and yet strangely balanced atmosphere. The perfume brands haven’t doused ever surface with their samples, and for all that the brand representatives are happy to share their luxury wares with you, they’re never pushy, they simply wait for your curiosity to get the better of you. Before approaching Valmont I enjoyed watching the team whilst they guided another visitor through their skin care recommendations, listening intently and considering every need before making a suggestion. I loved seeing these interactions, but that’s not what this article about. It’s actually about an 8 step cleansing facial from Valmont that left my skin feeling healthy, balanced and hydrated — which is a virtual impossibility in my world.
“If other luxury skin care brands are chocolate, Valmont is cocoa.”
Big words to live up to, but the team’s enthusiasm for the product range and their understated confidence was more reassuring than anything else could be. With that I was led away to the quiet treatment rooms nestled on the first floor. If you want this to be a serene and peaceful experience with little to no talking, never fear! The comfortable silences came easily and passed without tension, with that said, I am a nosy journalist, and my therapist was more than happy to answer my endless list of questions.
Having gone in with bare skin and just a hint of added eyebrows and blush there was little to do in the way of makeup removal, but even a full face of makeup wouldn’t have slowed down the facial by all accounts:
“We have two different makeup removers that we use for this treatment, a micellar based Icy Falls (which was used on my skin) and the more intensive Wonder Falls which is designed for use on heavier makeup.”
From here my mind drifted away as a series of hot towels and fresh cleansers were swept on and off of my face, neck and shoulders; the products soaking in so quickly a second round was sometimes needed. As a person with oily skin, I rarely consider the possibility of my skin being dehydrated, but alas, I have been proven wrong. My skin drank in the DetO2x cream faster than I can down an Old Fashioned after a long week of work (not the best for my skin, but the most honest metaphor that comes to mind), and then once it finished the first round, it begged for more, which my therapist willingly reapplied.
“When we mention these facials, they’re all instantly booked.” This is a feat that many brands cannot claim, especially not less than 2 months into their beauty hall tenure. Valmont has hit the ground running, and after one visit I understand why they get so much repeat custom, both from domestic and international visitors.
Price wise, I must confess, that when I first learned the cost of a Valmont facial, the former broke student in me had a small heart attack. With that said, 45 minutes was more than enough time to understand why this treatment is so worth it. As someone who not is enthralled by the idea of botox and fillers (although if that’s what makes your heart sing, then you do you) this is a fantastic alternative. My skin was plump, fresh and felt even better than it looked. There was of course a looming breakout that follows all good facials, but it was very much minimised by the glow coming from the rest of me — both inside and out. As good as Valmont products felt on my skin, the treatment by the team left me just as happy.
This is the kind of treatment and range I can honestly write about with no tinge of cynicism, which feels just as fabulous as anything else.
Summer is coming and we’re all striving for that effortless, beach babe glow. If you’re someone who doesn’t tan easily, and one week in the sun just isn’t enough; do not fear, you’re not alone!
I’m starting to come to terms with my paleness, but that doesn’t mean I shy away from wanting to look somewhat sun-kissed and have luminous skin.
Over many years of horrendous tanning faux-pas, I’ve finally found a formula to get me glowing that doesn’t involve the sun. And that’s not a bad thing…keep those aging rays away from me.
GET PREPPING
A gorgeous glow doesn’t always have to be golden. Luminous skin that shines from within can make anyone look healthy and damn right gorgeous.
I’ve found that, at times, my skin can be a little lackluster; not quite that delightful dewy yumminess I’ve always longed for. But, I think I’ve found the formula. These two little beauties have helped my skin look brighter, even and sometimes…I don’t even have to wear foundation.
Alpha H – Liquid Gold : available at www.cultbeauty.co.uk for £33.50
With it 5% glycolic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, this little baby helps stimulate cells and exfoliates to remove dulling dead cells on the surface of the skin to reveal healthy ‘new’ skin below the surface.
It’s known to bolster elastin and collagen production whilst deep cleaning pores to eliminate spot causing bacteria. The resurfacing action also helps to diminish visibility of acne scars, dark spots and brown patches, so your complexion quickly looks more even and luminous. Remember to use at least an SPF 15 when using this product.
I’ve found my skin is completely different since using Liquid Gold. I use this every other night, and I tend not to follow up with a moisturiser for a more intense treatment.
Glamglow – Flashmud : www.boots.com for £42
Super quick results and a real difference if used properly. Okay, so the first few times I was left a little red…but my skin has now got used to it and I’m loving it. It has that tingle that I LOVE, you know when you can really feel it working.
The combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid & vitamin C helps clear the skin whilst revealing a more brightened and even skin tone. I use it up to 3 times a week in the AM, putting it on as soon as I wake up; I then have breakfast and wash it off whilst showering
GET SOME COLOUR
Okay, okay so I’ve gone on about being pale and being okay with it; making myself luminous with skincare and so on. But the thing is. I feel bloody GREAT with a tan, my clothes look better, my eyes pop and…I just feel fabulous.
Thankfully I’ve found those little gems in the world of tanning that’re absolute game changers.
It’s just the best. Not your usual fake tanner that’s a little bit orange, smells like biscuits and makes your sheets a weird shade of brown. This magical foam gives the most natural golden glow to any skin tone.
I pop one coat on in the morning and just a few hours later, I’m glowing from the inside out. Best thing is that it doesn’t transfer. Make sure to moisturise your dry bits; elbows, hands, knees and feet to prevent a build up of product and voila! You glow, girl!
Want to be even more extra? Add Bondi Sands GLOW – Gloss Finishing Glow (Superdrug – £9.99) to your collar bones, down the front of your legs (makes them look longer) and your arms. I sometimes use this product as my lazy, go-to face highlighter when I want that natural, dewy glow. Pop some on your cheekbones, tip of the nose and cupid’s bow – perfect for low-key beach day luminosity.
Glamglow – GLOWSTARTER : www.boots.com – £32
I always wear this under my foundation in shade sun glow (or even just on it’s own) to give my skin a little boost. This illuminating moisturiser is full of vitamins, botanicals, hyaluronic acid and TEAOXI™ golden root technology that instantly floods skin with hydration for healthy-looking radiance.
It’s an ideal, quick-fix for that little extra something. Perfect for ‘no make-up’ days and those long days at the beach.
Want a glow-boost on the go? Pop Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow (www.iconiclondon.com – £18.50) in your bag and give yourself a little spray when you need a hydrating boost. It’s also 100% vegan.
So there you have it, my hero products for making myself feel a little less mehhh and more golden goddess.
If you’re looking and feeling hot, then you need to smell hot too – we don’t mean this in the literal sense of being hot and sweaty obvs, we mean this in the #TeamCoco sense of being hot and on fiyyyaaaahhhh baby!
Check out this dinky list of our faves for the end of springtime, which will take you nicely into hazy summer days and warm summer nights. You are simply going to smell divine.
Leighton Denny – LIGHT & DARK Original Touchup Solid EDP
LIGHT & DARK Original Touch Up Solid EDP is your ultimate evening scent. Cleverly presented in a lightweight spill-proof portable stick format, this fruity yet sophisticated scent blends a mix of pepper, myrrh and incense offering a warm, welcoming unique fragrance. With its heart of gardenia, jasmine, lily and rose, which are merged with top notes of mandarin, peach and white pepper, this solid fragrance is a powerful mood enhancer.
Priced at £14.50 (15ml), available from www.LD-Boutique.com
Parle Moi de Parfum – Gardens of India / 79
A true tribute to a country so rich in perfumery’s raw materials, India. Flowers, woods, spices, almost everything can now be grown and extracted in India. However, in perfumer Michel Almairac’s eyes, the noblest and most beautiful materials that build the harmony of this new creation are tuberose, sambac jasmine and sandalwood.
The exquisite floral scent is the perfect accompaniment for summer and beyond and will be available exclusively at Selfridges from July priced at £98.00 (50ml) EDP and £160.00 (100ml) EDP.
Missguided Babe – Power Rollerball
Babe Power by Missguided gives a sense of serious femininity alongside strength, power and female confidence – for this luxury scent means business!
Mainline fragrance notes include grapefruit and sour cherry alongside crisp apple and pink pepper. The heart notes include orange blossom and soft peony, with finishing notes including vanilla, musk, candyfloss and the luxurious amber. Priced at £7.50 (10ml) roll on EDP, available from www.thefragranceshop.co.uk
Solid Cologne UK X London Beard Company Fragrance
The natural wax and skin friendly alternative, Solid Cologne UK offers highly concentrated wax fragrances to be applied directly onto the skin. Offering colognes of the highest quality using natural ingredients including Beeswax, Shea butter and Jojoba oil help support, soften and protect the skin.
Comprising of a warm, classic and woody/oudh based cologne enjoy opening spicy notes of cardamon and black pepper, heading to a rich middle of oudh, sandalwood, leather, and vetivert. Notice base notes of amber and vanilla, which provides a perfect backdrop to such a stunning scent.
Priced at £15.99, available from www.solidcologne.co.uk
Juicy Couture – Viva La Juicy Glacé Rollerball
Viva La Juicy Glacé is a unique scented rollerball comprising frozen mandarin, cassis leaves, and delicious pear sorbet, which sit alongside jasmine, vanilla and crisp sandalwood, perfect for summer.
This Juicy Couture rollerball is handbag ready, at just 5ml it fits neatly into any bag compartment. Enjoy this scent whenever and wherever you are.
Priced at £9.99, available from www.thefragranceshop.co.uk
It’s not often we indulge Dad in skincare or haircare products for Father’s Day (Sunday 16th June), we’re more likely to get him some of his favourite aftershave, beer, or socks, yet more and more Dads are starting to take notice of the products now available to them from a skincare and haircare perspective – #TeamCoco have put together a list of four ‘go to’ products that we think are on fiyyaaahhh right now and ideal for Dad.
Haircare
Fudge Urban Matte Wax
Fudge Urban Matte Wax is for the well-groomed dad who likes to maintain a dapper look. This was offers maximum texture with a super strong, undetectable hold, and it’s non-sticky formula and firm hold means that it can be worn all day with confidence. Ideal for dads that seek a matte finish and a dry texture for a bold messed up look.
Priced at £6.99, available from Boots, www.boots.com, Superdrug, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s.
OSMO Fibre Paste
Your dad can expect the unexpected with this unique styling gum. The gum texturiser gives added volume and control with a polished shine, it creates a glossy controlled style, and OSMO Fibre Paste enhances the hairs natural shine with light reflecting particles.
Priced at £8.65, available from www.justmylook.com, www.sallybeauty.co.uk, and www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk.
Skincare
Harry’s Face Wash, Razor, Shave Cream, and Face Lotion
Men’s care brand Harry’s is now available across the UK in various Boots stores. We think that Dads will love Harry’s Face Wash, Harry’s Orange Truman Razor, Harry’s Shave Cream, and Harry’s Face Lotion.
Priced at £6 for the face wash, £8 for the razor, £7 for the shave cream, and £7 for the face lotion. Available from Boots stores and at www.boots.com.
CEYX Travel Kit
This fun travel kit by CEYX includes face and shaving soap, splash-on cologne, hair and moustache styling wax, soothing moisturiser, face and beard oil – all in an organic cotton pouch. These products are infused with the smell of fresh sandalwood, pettigrain and patchouli.
Levi Shephard is the President and founder of the National Association of Lash Artists, a professional body for lash artists. Here she talks to HoC about how focusing on the problems in her industry, rather than her passion for it, opened up a clear direction for her business.
What inspired the creation of the National Association of Lash Artists?
The inspiration for NALA came from pure frustration, really. As a professional lash artist I felt very lost and confused, because my training didn’t cover any of the important aspects of my responsibilities as a lash artist. I wasn’t taught about hygiene, sanitation, or safe practice.
Back in 2011 it was fairly typical for eyelash extension students to simply be shown how to apply the extensions and nothing else. Training didn’t cover anything about running a business with integrity.
I searched government websites but because lash extension services are not regulated, I didn’t have much luck finding answers about lash services specifically. So, I began researching regulations and guidelines for similar trades, such as aesthetics and cosmetology.
I utilized all of their disinfection guidelines and safe practices, and modified them so they made sense for lash treatments. Then I incorporated those ideals into my business. Years later, I created NALA so others wouldn’t have to struggle the way I (and so many other lash professionals) struggled, just to find vital information about running a successful and sustainable lash business.
The mission was to create place where lash artists and educators around the world could turn for up-to-date industry information as well as much-needed support.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?
One day, my business coach said to me, “Passion, passion, passion! I am so tired of everyone talking about their passion! What I want to know is what really pisses you off?”
Well, when she asked me that I just started listing off so many different things that were a big frustration for me in my industry: No regulations for professionals; an over-saturated market; too many people offering education; all these new artists entering the field without the proper training….I just went on and on and on.
And then she said to me, “Go fix that! If it pisses you off, it probably pisses off other people as well.”
I knew that she was right. I had been waiting years for someone else to create an association to support us. Her suggestion for me to create the solution was very exciting. It was also absolutely terrifying! I came back with all kinds of excuses: “Who am I to fix these problems? I’m certain there are people out there who are much more qualified than I. There are people with more knowledge and more experience than I have….they should be the ones to create an association for us.Shouldn’t they?”
Then she simply pointed out that no one else was doing it! It took me almost an entire year to actually build up the courage to do it. I’m not sure how I found this courage, but one day I just decided to put on my big girl panties and do what needed to be done. As an educator I had already been conducting two years of global research, looking for solutions and regulatory guidelines for my industry. With this new concept of an association in mind, I begin to assemble a board of advisors. We continued to do our research for another year. And then it was time to stop letting my fear hold me back and just take that leap! I sold my successful business so I’d be able to dedicate myself to the association, full-time.
I am so grateful to my business coach for encouraging me to be brave. So many times, I have told my friends and family that ‘anything worth doing is scary’ and it was high time for me to take my own advice and to stop letting my fears hold me back. The association is now three years old and has been very well received by the lash community. We are serving in over twenty countries and offer our services in three languages. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some haters along the way. There have been many obstacles, but my mission and my passion are so strong, they carry me through the challenges.
Why should lash artists join the National Association of Lash artists?
NALA Membership is evidence of your professional integrity. You must meet the association’s standards in order to qualify and all members are bound to the NALA Professional Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Disinfection Guide. Once approved, members are listed on the NALA Global Directory and promoted to the public.
Lash extensions have become the MOST requested treatment in the spa and beauty industry for the past few years and they continue to grow in popularity. However, clients are sometimes apprehensive about getting the treatment, because they don’t know how to find a quality lash artist they can trust.
NALA offers a global directory where clients can find a professional who has successfully completed a thorough review by the association. Membership is a great credibility booster that shows clients you are the sure thing. Not to mention access to the members-only website which is filled with workshops, expert interviews, business building videos, resources, discount codes and more!
Members are also encouraged to join our NALA Members forum where we offer support, encouragement and advice to each other. This is particularly valuable in our industry as most lash artists are solo-preneurs and that can get very lonely. NALA Members truly help each other. We are collaborators, not competitors and I love the community we have created through NALA.
Why lashes? Where did your passion come from? And do you agree that brows should look like sisters and not twins?
When I got my first set of lash extensions I was blown away at how subtle, yet impactful they were. I was instantly hooked. I couldn’t possibly live without them now. This amazing new discovery came into my life just as I had sold my first business and was looking for a new adventure.
Lash extensions were a fairly new service at that time so I jumped on the chance to become a lash artist and start offering them as my new business adventure. There can often be a strong advantage to being among the first people in a new industry.
For me, it worked in my favour because the lash industry exploded shortly after I started and it was easy to grow my new business.
As for brows; you should be striving to make them symmetrical. However, an expert brow designer will sometimes keep them slightly different from one another to potentially correct an asymmetry in the clients face shape or eye shapes. It is possible to create an optical illusion of the overall features if the brow expert has a deep understanding of the cause and effect of different designs and shapes.
What do you think is the key trend in lashes and brows for 2019?
I think women, and men, should be looking for lash and brow enhancements that are best for their face shape, age, lifestyle, etc. To do what’s “trendy” isn’t always what is most attractive for you. I recommend visiting a professional studio that specializes in lashes and brows and request a consultation. The experts are trained to understand the impact of different designs and they can recommend what’s best for each individual client.
For our readers who might find applying lashes intimidating, what are your top application tips for at home falsies?
To apply your own falsies, or strip lashes, always read the labels and follow the directions. Make sure your skin is clean so the adhesive can stick properly.
Most importantly; never attempt to apply consumer strip lashes or cluster lashes with a professional adhesive. Always use the adhesive intended for use with consumer products. Also, you should know that if you use strip lashes regularly it will begin to have a negative effect on your natural lashes.
Most people will experience loss, or thinning, of natural lashes because the adhesive is applied directly on the skin and over time, the hair follicle is suffocated. Extensions are a great alternative because they don’t have any adverse effects on your natural lashes.
What do you think are some of the challenges of running a business in 2019?
I think most of us find marketing to be a challenge. Anyone doing business should be taking marketing courses. Also, the game is constantly changing, so we need to take marketing courses regularly to keep up.
When I chat with other business owners at networking events or conferences, marketing seems to be the element we all struggle with most because it’s such a general concept.
Marketing strategies vary drastically from company to company so there is no blueprint or template for us to follow. It’s a concept that is difficult to grasp for many business owners.
What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?
Oh my goodness, there is so much to say. I don’t know how to choose a single piece of advice! Here’s a list of my top things:
1) Have a crystal clear vision of what you are creating and why. You need to know exactly what you’re trying to achieve so you can plan accordingly. The plan will change as you go, but there always needs to be a plan and the more clear you can make it the faster you’ll achieve your goals.
2) Mindset is key! No matter how hard you work or how educated you are, if you don’t have the right mindset you will not be able to achieve great success. If you don’t truly believe in yourself or if you have any negative thoughts holding you back, you will always struggle.
3) Be authentic. When I first entered into the beauty industry I felt like I had to try to “fit in” to be able to build my clientele. When I recognized that I wasn’t really enjoying my job as much as I had expected, I realized it was because I was going out of my way to create an image, and therefore attract a certain clientele, with whom I didn’t resonate. I decided to just be myself and if people don’t like me they can book elsewhere.
In a short period of time my clientele had shifted to a different group of people and I began to thoroughly enjoy going to work because they were MY kind of people; and because they were all “my” kind of people, I was their kind of people, so they loved me, they loved my business and they become long-term loyal clients. Always be authentic so you can attract the clientele that you WANT to spend your time with.
4) It’s going to be tough! If you are building a business based only on the assumption that your idea will be profitable, you are going to be miserable. Business is an indescribably difficult endeavour. You have to be passionate about your purpose so you will continue to get up everyday determined to serve your community. You need to have love for what you do in order to stay motivated during the struggles. And there WILL be struggles.
5) Ask for help! If you are determined to do everything yourself, you will burn out. It will likely be ALL you, ALL the time, in the beginning, but as soon as the workload begins to feel overwhelming you must let go of some of that control and start delegating. A stressed out, busy, business owner is not serving her audience to the best of her ability.
6) NEVER let fear be your reason for not doing something. The stuff that scares you is most likely the stuff that will take your business to the next level and help you to stand out in your market.
7) Make sure you have fun and always take care of yourself. Running a business can take over all aspects of your life. Remember your priorities (family, friends, your home, hobbies, etc.) and always put yourself at the top of that list. You can’t serve anyone if you’re sick. Your health MUST be the most important thing in your life. Not to mention a healthy body works better and has more stamina.
Do you have aspirations of running your own business empire? ‘Sleeping is for the dead’ is how Deborah Willam approaches her work. House of Coco talked with her about how she runs a charity, publishing business, a beauty brand AND works in real estate and marketing consultancy. Phew! She really is a female warrior.
House of Coco: You are prolific in your businesses, running a beauty brand, publishing books, running a charity and working in real estate and marketing consultancy, how do you do it all?
Deborah: Having worked in Corporate for years, I felt undervalued as an employee. I wanted more for myself because I was confident in my abilities and skills. Although I brought values to the companies I worked for, I always felt I could do more than I was doing. So, upon completing my Master’ degree 18 years ago, I moved my Son and I, as a Single Mum, from the safety of our home, family and friends in London, and moved to Orlando Florida, USA, where I knew nobody, to start afresh.
After working for a company for a couple of years, I decided to embark on investing in Real Estate properties, then I got licensed as a Real Estate Broker, in Florida, and Georgia. Simultaneously, I was writing books under the pseudonym of EM.EM.GENESIS, and publishing them to raise funds for my Charity organization, a Florida 501c3, Educate the World Inc.
Many years ago, I discovered that some of the hair & beauty brands I was using may have been causing me health problems, so, I created and developed hair products with natural ingredients, from my kitchen. A year ago, my husband and I sold our homes, and investments, and moved to Dubai/Sharjah, UAE, to oversee the manufacturing of our Hair Care products, created with natural & safe ingredients.
“It’s all about enjoying what you do!!!”
I had always been interested in Ancient Female Warriors and Women who made impact on our World. I came across the DAHOMEY Warriors when I was conducting research for my book, Ancient Female African Warriors. They were also named AHOSIs hence my Hair & Beauty Brand, AHOSI BEAUTY. I believe Women are Warriors by nature. We navigate through life being overly judged on a daily basis – judged for our looks, our parenting abilities, professional life etc.
Running all of my businesses is natural to me. I don’t get bored working for myself, because I enjoy what I do. I’ve always had excellent organisational skills, and I’m able to organise my schedules, so I can devote time to each of my businesses, with my lovely husband, Hubert, right by my side.
HoC: Who are the Dahomey Amazons and how do they inspire your beauty business, Ahosi Beauty?
Deborah: As I intimated earlier, the DAHOMEY AMAZONS, I discovered during research for my book, Ancient Female African Warriors, were an all-female military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the present-day Republic of Benin, which lasted until the end of the 19th century. They were also known as “AHOSI”. I understood that the story of the Women of the recent Black Panther movie, was based on the AHOSIs.
I choose the name AHOSI, years ago, as a Brand name for my Hair & Beauty Products, because I’m a Woman, and, a Warrior!
HoC: Tell us about Books By EM. EM. Genesis, what books do you publish and what inspired you to do it?
Deborah: I’m a product of Boarding Schools. When I needed to escape the loneliness I felt, I would wonder into a different world, through writing. I’m a Story-teller. I am inspired by the on-goings in our World, and particularly, my desire to raise funds to help those less fortunate than I am. There’s no particular style to my writing. I write books for children, young adults, and Adults. I started publishing my stories to raise funds for my 501c3 Charity organisation.
HoC: What is the mission of your charity Educate the World Inc and how did it come about?
Deborah: The Mission of Educate the World inc.. is to Change our World positively, through promoting Education, and tolerance. We go directly to underprivileged children and youths, and dilapidated Schools in poorer parts of the World, from Africa, to Asia and do the little that we can for individuals. We also visit schools to speak to young people about the importance of Education and how it useful to help get them out of poverty. We are a small organisation, however, we have changed many lives for the better.
I have always been an extremely generous person. I would give unreservedly. I had a lot of compassion for the sufferings of others and that’s what led me to set up Educate the World Inc, and do things the right way. We are all volunteers. We do not take salaries, and we pay our own expenses. We raise funds by selling books, which can be challenging at times.
HoC: What do you think are some of the challenges of running your own business in 2019?
Deborah: Running your own business is an extremely FULL-TIME, 24 HOUR DAY work. You’re constantly working, even when you’re sleeping. You’re constantly coming up with creative ideas of how to do things better. That’s why it is important to enjoy what you do. It takes the pressure off.
HoC: What are your future aspirations, is there more you want to accomplish?
Deborah: My aspirations for the future are to ensure that my brands, especially AHOSI BEAUTY products becomes the norm in the sense that Hair & beauty products created with natural ingredients /chemical free, are not a specialty, but the norm.
HoC: What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?
Deborah: It is important that you understand what your skills are. What are your passions which could translate into a profit-making business? For instance, if you enjoy baking cake at home, and for friends, are you skilled enough to attract consumers to your products?
I enjoy baking cakes but I know that my skills in that arena, are limited. So, I will not attempt to run a cake making business. Do what you love, enjoy and skilled at.
HoC: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?
Deborah: Not everyone gets business related advice. Some of us have had to discover the hard way, through trial and error. Adversities and challenges equal growth – for me! Someone once told me, do what you can now, with the time you have. When you die, you have plenty of time to sleep!
“Live your life on your own terms. Be a Female Warrior!!”
With an ever increasing concern towards our planet, more and more of us are seeking alternatives to help reduce our environmental impact. Whether that be through our plastic use, our meat and dairy intake or our every day choices. At this stage it’s up to conglomerates to really turn things around but when it comes to the individual, every little makes an impact.
One way is to opt to use and buy into brands with a conscience, beauty brands in particular are making the conscious choice to become vegan, cruelty free and adapt their packaging.
One brand that has a deep concern for the environment and endangered species is Chantecaille Beauté. Since 1997, the brand has supported causes for endangered species such as, wolves, gorillas, coral reefs, tigers, butterflies and sea turtles. Chantecaille is a luxurious brand that is committed to creating revolutionary skincare, cosmetics and fragrances, together with reaching out through their products, to shine a spot-light on global issues.
Through their collections the brand is currently supporting a variety of causes from African and Asian elephants that are facing extinction to climate change. Chantecaille’s newest collection is a limited edition range of cream blushes and lipsticks along with the return of a cult-bronzer.
The Summer 19 Lip Veil is not only good for supporting endangered Asian elephants; it is also good for your lips. Organic Baobab oil, Wild Mango butter and Argan oil combine to leave your lips with a wash of colour that feels creamy, weightless and hydrating. Available in three limited-edition shades in a magnetic-click case, this revolutionary lipstick is sure to leave your lips nourished and gleaming.
Aqua Blush is packaged in a mini pot that is ideal for travelling and the product itself is a gel formula that is more than half water, meaning your skin is left hydrated and refreshed. Although sheer the blushes are build-able to give just the right pop of colour. The formula melts onto skin and is perfect for a dewy summer glow.
A cult favourite bronzer has returned as part of the collection and it is back permanently. Available in two shades and created using modern pearl technology which yields an innovative gel-powder formula, this bronzer glides onto skin. A dusting of the bronzer leaves skin with a beautiful glow and its soft aerated texture blurs, perfects and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, with a second skin feel.
The Summer 19 collection is like all of Chantecaille’s products, cruelty free and also free of Phthalates, Sulphate Detergents, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Palm Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances and GMOs (the nasty stuff). Chantecaille believes in the healing powers of flowers and plants, and builds their formulas on pure ingredients and science.
The brand also has a wide variety of vegan products, including their Future Skin foundation and Rose de Mai face cream, which are two of our favourites, it’s clear Chantecaille is a brand that will be leading others in the right direction. With a huge focus on giving back to charities, let’s not forget Chantecaille’s main focus is their clients skin. Using only ingredients that produce the most impactful, visible, beautiful results.
An anti-pollution range aims to focus on the the power of stem cells and skin barrier-strengthening extracts to shield the skin from pollutants that age and damage the skin, cause reactions and inflammation. The brands Bébé range introduces a new way to care for little ones, a soothing collection which nourishes their skin and can even be used by adults with very sensitive skin. Some products are on-trend such as those with a focus on retinol, whereas others are a brand classic; their Rose de Mai collection.
Whatever collection or product you fall upon with Chantecaille, it’s sure to revolutionise how you shop for beauty, along with having a positive impact on the planet and your skin.
The fabulous Queila Doyle founded My Beauty Squad in 2016 with the dream to create an empowering culture within the beauty industry while providing high quality on demand beauty services. It all started 10 years ago when she first had her own mobile beauty company in her hometown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. House of Coco were lucky enough to attend the My Beauty Squad launch party earlier this month. The event was girly, empowering and inspiring. Bespoke cocktails flowed and of course a chocolate fountain, make up consultations were on hand as well as experts showing you their hair tricks of the trade.
Since the company launched, starting with only 10 beauticians 3 years ago, My Beauty Squad has grown a team of over 140 expert stylists in London, Cork and Dublin. At the event, we had the opportunity to chat and mingle with Quelia and we asked her about the origins of My Beauty Squad and where she sees it going in the future. Queila was so excited about her work and the launch and said, ‘I am passionate about making women feel good.’
This is something we can get on board with.
After all the experience and customer feedback throughout the years, the team believe that 2019 is going to be My Beauty Squad’s biggest year yet, and with the successful of the launch party, we are excited to see My Beauty Squad go from strength to strength.
All the information you need to revolutionise your beauty routine (you are welcome!):
This never seen “beauty bible” app is organised into 3 key areas; Book an Appointment, Tutorials and News Feed. Each element of the app has been entirely designed to work with the user’s unique personality, including personalised preferences in terms of skin, makeup style and areas of concern. The app also ensures it’s inclusive for EVERYONE, casting real women and also men of all ethnicities. After all, men want to look good too!
Book an Appointment – from a categorised menu, app users can easily select which treatment they require; from Bridal, Hair, Makeup, Nails, Face & Body and My Beauty Squad’s Party Bundles. Within each category the services are clearly listed with pricing and availability. Once a treatment request has been confirmed via the app, the My Beauty Squad beauticians will then accept and confirm – making it quick and hassle-free. Payment details and previous bookings are securely stored to ensure subsequent bookings are more convenient. Customers also get loyalty points to use against future bookings.
Tutorials – Empowering individuals is My Beauty Squad’s core ethos. By using the UK’s top makeup artists and beauty influencers, My Beauty Squad has filmed an exclusive collection of tutorials and for only a small fee, enables app users to watch and learn how to prep the skin, contour and perform pro makeup looks from truly talented professional artists. All the while being able to customise the classes according to skin colour, areas of interest, occasions and personal requests via their social media channels. If Netflix had a beauty channel this would be it!
News Feed – the power and creativity of the beauty industry allows My Beauty Squad to continuously try new products, review and work alongside worldwide brands whilst sharing their honest experiences, top tips and tricks with their passionate customers. My Beauty Squad news feed features and publishes on the app a weekly blog and top beauty tips for users to stay aware of global beauty trends. They have created a highly engaged platform on which their readers can give comments, share across their social channels and in recognition of this, there is an increasing number of brands wishing to collaborate weekly.
The app will not only allow people to do all of the above but will also enable people to join a real beauty community free of biased ads, unrealistic goals and conflicted reviews. The app can be downloaded on the App Store for Apple Devices and the Play Store for Androids, free of charge.
