Beauty - House Of Coco Magazine

Beauty May 3, 2019

#CocoBeauty: LeSalon Launch At-Home Spray Tanning

Cult on-demand beauty app LeSalon have just introduced an at-home spray tanning service, so clients can get a healthy summer glow without even leaving the house. It’s without a doubt the most effortless way to get a safe tan, and we are all over it at #TeamCoco!

LeSalon was co-founded by Natasha Pilbrow in 2015, when her hectic life as a mum and lawyer inspired her to start a business that would help women fit me-time into busy schedules, and restore their work/life balance. She also wanted to help therapists work flexibly on their own terms, so LeSalon offers technical support, training and financial advice to all therapists to help them up-skill and progress professionally.

Two premium spray tan treatments can now be booked via the LeSalon website and app, where clients simply need to select their treatment and specify a time and location, before being matched with an available therapist.

Clients can opt to book a standard spray tan (£45) or a Vita Liberata spray tan (£50), both of which are carried out by the platform’s trained and qualified ‘Salonettes’. A favourite of dermatologists, Vita Liberata’s tanning products are vegan-friendly, organic, and full of anti-ageing ingredients that guarantee an even and natural tan. The treatments last thirty minutes.

Co-founder and COO of LeSalon, Natasha Pilbrow, said: “We’re really excited to be introducing at-home spray tans this Spring, especially in partnership with a brand as revered as Vita Liberata.

At LeSalon we’re all about empowering clients by making treatments relaxing, accessible, and convenient. The introduction of at-home spray tanning means clients can relax and wait for their glow to develop once the treatment is finished; rather than rubbing their tan off and turning their clothes orange after getting dressed to leave the salon.

It’s completely fuss and mess-free too, as Salonettes bring a specially designed tent for clients to stand in whilst they get their tan. Your furniture and carpets will be completely safe; and our therapists always leave the room exactly as they found it.”

She went on to say: “A spray tan is a really safe way to get a healthy summer glow all year round, and feedback from clients and therapists about the at-home service has already been really positive.”

LeSalon brings the professional salon experience to clients’ homes and offices. As well as spray tans, the platform offers the full range of manicures, pedicures, waxing and eyelash treatments you’d expect to see in a traditional salon.

LeSalon’s mission is to help people feel confident, by empowering clients to take ownership over the way they look and feel through easy and affordable access to premium beauty treatments. The platform is also keen for therapists to reap the benefits of being their own boss, by empowering them to work on their own terms, hone their skills, and increase their earning potential.

LeSalon provide all therapists with regular technical training, financial advice, emergency childcare and a host of other benefits to ensure they feel secure and supported in their career.

For more information about the services that LeSalon provide, simple search for www.lesalon.com

Beauty April 4, 2019

Women Worldwide: Bringing Hollywood Home with Andrea at Glam Doll

There’s so many exciting happenings in beauty and beauty tech and Glam Doll are right there, in the spotlight! We sat down with Andrea, founder of Glam Doll, about her journey from aviation to Hollywood glam!

HOC: Great to meet you, Andrea; what’s your elevator pitch for Glam Doll?

Andrea: Glam Doll is the leading supplier of Hollywood inspired beauty products for homes and professional salons. Specialising in Hollywood Glam Mirrors, Speciality Lighting, Cosmetic Organisers, Vanity Tables and more Glam Doll’s goal is to help everyone ‘Bring Hollywood Home’. Our aim is to provide top quality products, attentive and personalised service that provides our customers long term value.

HOC: How awesome! What was your journey to starting your business?

Andrea: I was born and raised in Seattle and started my career in the Aircraft Leasing Industry which brought me to Miami and eventually to Ireland over the course of 15 years. Aviation is an interesting industry and I gained a wealth of experience including, commercial negotiations, managing technical specifications, cross border logistics and global marketing while travelling the world!

Given the experience I had gained I always wanted to build a company and brand that was received by customers as excellent, so when I came to a point in my life where I could take this step, I took it but it was not in the direction I had anticipated. While redesigning our daughter’s bedroom I identified a gap in the Irish & UK market for quality beauty products that provided customers a new experience with lifelong products. I set about researching, designing and manufacturing our innovative range of Hollywood Mirrors, Speciality Lighting and more.

HOC: We love when new business ideas pop up from unexpected places. Tell us more about what it was like when first starting up?

Andrea: Starting this business was a big leap of faith and I had to trust my instincts. We made a decision to position the business in such a way that we could protect ourselves in the beauty industry by providing scale. We decided that rather than initially investing in infrastructure or staff we would invest in a variety of quality products that would span the market and be available immediately. This meant designing for the future and placing large orders to satisfy our anticipated future demand at a price point where we could remain strong even with potential new entrants.

HOC: What does the team at Glam Doll look like?

Andrea: We are building an incredible team of strong, creative and brilliant women where we encourage each other and foster a sense of community. It’s important to me that we create a culture at Glam Doll of leading our market which I believe requires mutual respect, hard work and real customer-oriented innovation so that Glam Doll stays at the top of our market while developing new markets.

HOC: We’ve in awe of a strong female team! How has your business grown since starting?

Andrea: When I launched the business 18 months ago it was from my kitchen table in the Irish countryside! We had a small storage facility close by for our stock which was quite unglamorous, and we worked hard on building our brand and getting the word out about what we are doing and our Hollywood inspired products. We were fortunate in that word of mouth really spread as more and more clients purchased our products and connected with the Glam Doll brand. We grew from strength to strength and worked in getting our products into salons, training academies and client’s homes throughout the Ireland and the UK.

Due to our rate of growth and customer demand, last September we set up our HQ in a modern 3-storey warehouse in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. We have a showroom where clients can come and see the quality of our products first hand and I designed an elegant office space with future growth in mind.

It’s come quite far from the kitchen table and I’m just so proud of what we have achieved!

HOC: So inspiring! How can someone prepare themselves for entrepreneurial life?

Andrea: It really requires a leap of faith, to me it was an unknown frontier and I just jumped in and grabbed the reins, determined to succeed and I believed in my capabilities. To me, being an entrepreneur means very long days, sleepless nights, challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable but always persevering, pushing through with the next goal in mind and most importantly having an incredible team and network of supporters. To see our ideas come to life and be appreciated by so many people is the positive outcome from all the hard work and this fuels my passion to keep going and growing.

HOC: Alongside fueling your passion; how do you take time out, do you ever find it difficult?

Andrea: Life can be quite hectic and trying to find balance between running a business, a home, 4 children and pets is a lot to juggle. I have found that it really helps to try and be in the moment and not worry too much about what happened yesterday or what is on tomorrow just being mindful now, otherwise it can be overwhelming.

We do try to get away when we can whether it be a local getaway or something further afield, it’s important to take time out and recharge. We have lovely wooded paths near our home and just getting outside with our 2 dogs helps calm the craziness of the day!

HOC: What’s your ambition for your brand?

Andrea: When I created Glam Doll, it was important to me that we develop a brand that is synonymous with high quality, innovative yet affordable products. Our decision to build an ecommerce business rather than a brick and mortar high street shop was that we wanted to ensure our products were accessible to everyone no matter where you live. The on-line distribution costs we believe provide the best value for our customer and is the 2nd part of how we plan to protect our market position as we grow. We want to provide that Hollywood feeling for clients & salons so they can create their own Glam Stations at home or in their business. We hope to become a household name and continue to grow our business in the UK & Europe, Bringing Hollywood Home.

HOC: With your brand being built around the idea of Hollywood, we have to ask, do you visit LA much, where are your favourite spots?

Andrea: I absolutely love California, LA in particular, and the backdrop of Hollywood was my inspiration for the brand. I visit LA once a year and am going next week. I love staying in Santa Monica at Shutters on the Beach, it has such a laid-back vibe, it provides instant relaxation. A favourite is taking the bicycles and riding along the shore down to Marina del Ray for fish tacos. Shopping provides something for everyone from the open-air market on Melrose to all the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive. Dinner at Nobu in Malibu is always on the list; the food, cocktails and the views are amazing!

HOC: Let’s finish with a classic question! The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Andrea: In 2009, I was a single mother living in Miami working very hard to advance in my career while balancing family life. Looking back, I would tell myself to relax, enjoy each day and all will work out. Everything happens for a reason and these experiences makes us the person we are today. I would also advise how important it is to build a supportive network around you, the greatest feeling is when you can trust that someone has your back and you can hold each other up.

Wonderful to speak with you, Andrea!
To find out more about Andrea’s business head to GlamDoll.ie and follow @GlamDoll.ie

Beauty April 2, 2019

#CocoBeauty: 7 Spring Beauty Buys

If you want to stay on top of leading trends this Spring, then check out what our #TeamCoco beauty experts have put together for you to drool over.

There are some gorg products to cover all budgets including haircare, skincare, body care and a delicious scent that you’ll be hankering after.

Starting with skincare we’re feeling all-indulgent and have fallen hook, line and sinker for Kimberly Sayer of London, Light Cleansing Lotion.

This light cleansing lotion contains soy protein and essential oils including lemon oil to decongest cellular tissue and minimise oil production while balancing the skin’s natural pH level. Gentle enough to remove eye makeup, it deep cleanses the skin for a clean, clear complexion.

Recommended as a daily organic cleanser for normal, oily, or acne prone skin.

Price: £22.20
Visit: lovelula.com

Keeping with the skincare theme and Frances Prescott recently launched TRI-BALM in Geranium & Mandarin to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise.

This luxurious triple-action facial balm is a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser all in one glorious solid stick. Perfect for simplifying your skincare regime this clever balm takes three major skincare steps and puts it into one balm, without compromising on results.

Cleanse: a blend of botanical oils enriched with starflower and oats melt away impurities and make-up from skin. Exfoliate: enzymes from pumpkin seeds provide an extremely gentle daily exfoliation to freshen and brighten skin. Moisturise: hyaluronic acid locks in moisture whilst antioxidants vitamin E, carrot tissue oil and blackcurrant oil neutralise free radicals to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. TRI-BALM also doubles up as an intense moisture masque.

Price: £46
Visit: francesprescott.com

Our third must-buy for this Spring is Lavender Essential Oil by SOiL Aromatherapy Oils, and this is a serious multi-functional product, which can be used for haircare, skincare, stress relief, aches and pains and much more.

SOiL was born from a passion to bring the health and balancing benefits of essential oils to homes across the globe. The fertile soils and high rainfall of the family farm in Zululand, South Africa, combined with the rich local heritage of medicinal plants formed the perfect foundation from which to develop and refine their oils – known for their integrity, purity and traceability.

These oils by SOiL can be added to the bath, used as a massage oil, used for inhalation, added to in burners and diffusers, and used as part of a compress.

Essential oils are the highly concentrated active ingredients of plants. They should always be diluted in a base before use and should not be taken internally without professional recommendation.

• Baths: Add 5 – 10 drops of essential oil(s) to a warm run bath. Soak for at least 10 minutes relaxing and breathing deeply.
• Massage: add 5 – 6 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil. Mix thoroughly and apply liberally to the skin.
• Inhalations: Add 4 – 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head, close your eyes and lean over the bowl. Inhale the vapour for a few minutes.
• Burners and Diffusers: Fill the bowl of the burner/vaporiser with water and then add 3 – 6 drops of essential oil. Light the candle and the oil will evaporate as the water heats up. Do not let the bowl dry out.
• Compress: Recommended when the area is too painful to massage. Dip a towel or cloth in 4-5 drops of essential oil and 200ml hot or hold water and wring out. Cover the affected area with this compress, place a plastic wrap over this and a towel on top. Leave on for 2-4 hours.

Price: £3.90 – £39.50
Visit: soilorganics.co.uk

Another all-rounder for the full works is the brand new UK launch of Ethique for Face, Body and Hair, this company makes everything from shampoo and conditioner to body wash, body butter and many other products.

Founded by British-born entrepreneurial biochemist Brianne West, Ethique is the only company in the world devoted solely to producing handmade solid beauty bars in place of liquid beauty products.

The impressive handmade range consists of concentrated face, hair and body bars, which are cruelty-free, vegan, and made with ingredients that are 100% sustainably sourced and fair trade.

One shampoo bar is the equivalent of three bottles of liquid shampoo. The packaging is 100% compostable and recyclable, and Ethique has already saved over 3.3 million plastic bottles from production.

Price: from £13
Visit: ethiqueworld.co.uk

Talking of things hair related, the Christophe Robin Cleansing Mask with Lemon is a definite necessity for hair that requires some tender loving care.

This cult cleanser is a 3-in-1 for coloured, highlighted or sensitive hair. It is fully detergent-free and has an acid pH for the ultimate No-Poo hair care. It maintains the colour’s radiance and deeply nourishes the actual hair fibers.

The deeply satisfying mask works best when worked from the base roots of the hair through the lengths and finally onto the ends, leaving hair soft, healthy, nourished, and beautifully clean.

Price: £39
Visit: spacenk.com, lookfantastic.com, harrods.com

One of the most used body products across the world is hand soap (think of every café, restaurant, bar and hotel room you have ever visited), and we are lusting after The Castilian Soap Company, Natural Castile Soap with Lavender Essential Oil.

The Castilian Soap Company’s natural soap products are made from an organic castile soap base with natural vegetable oils of the finest quality. Idea for those looking for a hypoallergenic alternative to other soaps. Perfect in the morning to start the day with a peaceful, calm mind or before bedtime to aid with sound sleep.

Price: £8 / £13.50
Visit: lovelula.com

To finish your beauty routine a spray of your fave scent is a definite so why not try something different and try a new scent by Walden Perfumes.

Spring is the perfect time to trial a fresh, new scent, especially a natural one! Walden Perfumes make unisex, vegan perfume oils from only the finest natural absolutes, resins and essential oils. They are named after Henry David Thoreau’s seminal work “Walden” which prized living in harmony with nature.

They are handmade in small batches from 100% natural ingredients and are throwback to the heyday of perfumery before the advent of cheap synthetic substitutes.

There are five scents including; A Little Star Dust, Two Eternities, A Different Drummer, Castles In The Air, and The Solid Earth.

Price: £40 – £50
Visit: lovelula.com

Australia March 28, 2019

Women Worldwide : How to start a business with £2K with Camille Beaute

The shiny, instagram friendly side of small businesses is hard to escape but sometimes, we need to get real and into the numbers! Today we chat with Camille, founder of leading semi-permanent make up brand Camille Beaute .

We loved speaking to Camille as she’s so real and inspiring – I mean, she went from starting her business from £2K to having clients travel to her from mainline Europe to snag an appointment spot in her 4 month waiting list…

HOC: So nice to meet you, Camille! Can you tell us why you do what you do?

Camille: Hello! I guess first of all, it’s about my clients! Seeing happy faces and making lives so much easier (I can save them time every day as they don’t need to draw their eyebrows every morning!) For some clients this can change their life. I’m so passionate about my work!

HOC: What is your journey to starting your business; we know you started with only £2K…

Camille: Yep! I started three years ago, with just £2k. I didn’t have a job at that time and my mum offered for me to do some training. Throughout childhood I was an artist. And I see permanent make up as being art, because you are drawing on faces!

I came across courses for Micro-blading; and did them all! Getting started was really hard because I was new in the beauty business. Of course, semi permanent make up it’s not easy, you need to put in lots of practice and hard work! .

HOC: What difficult choices did you have to make when starting the business?

Camille: When I started, day by day I kept practicing and learning from my mistakes! The beginning was very difficult, but every day I woke up and thought ‘it’s new day to make something good for my business!’ At the beginning I was working so hard just to survive in London. When I became busier and got used to seeing so many happy faces and getting good reviews, I started to love what I’m doing. That feeling just makes me work harder and harder!

It took me half year to become busy. And now I’m a woman-in-demand; this is what my clients call me! The most important part of my business is that I love meeting amazing people from all the world. Having clients from Australia to Canada including New Zealand, Middle East, Asia, Pakistan, Mauritius, Nigeria, Zambia, Canada, USA, and South America! I even have clients who travel to me from all over Europe just for their eyebrows! It might sound crazy, but it’s amazing to have such a great clients, who say that they only trust me!I will always keep training with best trainers in the world especially as my industry is such a big business at the moment! There’s always something new to learn, for instance there are lots of more natural looking techniques; it’s nothing like the old fashioned permanent tattoo eyebrows or lip contour!I started with one client per week and now I have a 4 month waiting list! It’s so important to never give up! .

HOC: What does the team at Camille Beauty look like?

Camille: Because I’m so busy, I found a great assistant! I’ve trained her, showed her all my skills and step by step she is becoming an amazing Micro-blading artist!

At the beginning it was challenging for my clients to trust her work as well as mine but now she is doing so well! Hopefully soon she will become just as in-demand as me!

I’m also on the lookout for more girls to work with me but it’s tricky finding the right people that me and my clients can trust.

HOC: How can someone prepare themselves for entrepreneurial life?

Camille: You need to find something you love to do. And then it doesn’t feel like work anymore. Starting anything new is difficult and mistake after mistake! But if you keep learning, you won’t repeat your mistakes!

HOC: What’s your most popular service?

Camille: Semi-permanent make up is very popular at the moment. Clients here in the UK are still really into Micro-blading but also ombré eyebrows or soft shading it’s also amazing treatment which looks natural. Many clients are still scared of semi-permanent make up, probably because of bad experiences with old fashion tattoo make up on faces. Everything is so much better these days! It’s looks natural and doesn’t go so deep into the skin and last around 12-18 months. For sure, everyone needs to do lots of research into where they go and who they are going to trust. This business is very popular and many girls think that it’s easy! In every salon you will find a beautician who’s doing Micro-blading or semi-permanent make up. But of course… not everyone can be good in this business! ..

HOC: What’s your ambition for your brand?

Camille: My dream is to be one of the biggest brands of semi permanent make up treatments and academy in the UK. I always want to offer the best and the highest quality service for all my clients and – of course- always keep them happy and pleased.

HOC: What trends are coming up in semi-permanent make up that we should look out for?

Camille: There’s new trends coming through: hyper realistic hairstrokes, natural looking lip colours, permanent BB cream, shaded eyeliner, scalp micro-pigmentation…. everything that enhances your beauty without changing your face!

HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Camille: Omg! At that time I was just a child! Honestly, I didn’t care about anything ; I was just thinking about each day and living flippantly! I made so many mistakes but now I’m thinking that I was learning all lessons all the time. If I hadn’t have enjoyed my careless life I wouldn’t be where I am now! Everything comes at the right time and everything has a reason. Even if something bad happens, it doesn’t matter; just learn from it and keep moving. If you believe in yourself and also believe in karma you’re on the right path.You can’t ever expect someone else to create your future. Only you can do it! .Learn more about Camille’s business at CamilleBeaute.co.uk Follow @microbladinglondon

Australia March 25, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: The future of scientifically proven makeup with Irene Patsalides founder of Mirenesse

You’ve heard of Chanel, you’ve heard of YSL – but you really need to hear about Mirenesse. The award winning Australian cosmetics brand fronted by Pharmacist Irene Patsalides has gained worldwide recognition due to their unique formulas and scientific backing, as well as their beautiful products. Our girl Jenna caught up with the #GirlBoss at the helm of this growing company, Irene, to find out more about her Pharmacist past and what it takes to build a globally successful cosmetics business…

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JC: So after reading a little bit more about Mirenesse, we see that you’ve won over 100 awards in the past 20 years! That’s quite an achievement. What has been your proudest win so far?

IP: The first time is always the one we are most proud of, we won 4 beauty awards in our first year at the New Woman Beauty Awards 2000. We were up against all the major beauty brands, and they were all there – Chanel, Estee Lauder, YSL. They were all wondering “who is this brand” as we had just won Best Mascara , Best Lipstick, Best Foundation, Best Colour Cosmetic !

JC: We think your awards definitely has something to do with the scientific backing of your products – can you tell us more about your Pharmacist history before founding Mirenesse?

IP: I always had a passion for cosmetics, watching my mum from a young age apply makeup always fascinated me she was so beautiful anyway but I loved the application and transformation and how good she felt afterwards, so I wanted to study Cosmetics chemistry but courses were not available when I was going to Uni so I chose the next best thing Pharmacy and I loved helping people so that was a career I did for 17 years.

Then being totally dissatisfied with mascara offerings I decided to create my own and Mirenesse was born! My quest for perfection meant it had to look better on lashes than anything else and good for my eyes and last all day and come off easy, I was told I was crazy but I invented the tubing technology of our mascaras which I also infused lash caring ingredients into! I also was always good at Chemistry, mixing things, making things. Mum says I was mixing pancakes at age 3 for the whole neighbourhood, and now I’m Mixing mascara for the world!

JC: We love your Power Through Beauty campaign which is dedicated to empowering women and helping them achieve their dreams! What sparked this campaign?

IP: As a cyclone refugee, I came from nothing, and I’ve been through a lot and know what it’s like to struggle, get abused, have nothing, have something and lose it, lose everything, have major health issues, hit the glass ceiling and still survive!

I want people to know they can survive get through it and move forward to their dreams, that the power they seek lies within themselves, to never give up no matter how bad the odds are, feeling that power gives you the power and looking and feeling beautiful are all a state of mind and if a little lipstick or mascara help then bring it on! A portion of the proceeds from all Mirenesse products go towards donations to all sorts of charities, and individuals in need, plus we donate products and funds to organizations that empower women, that’s our mission to give back.

Oh and we recently started the Buy a Mascara Save a Koala fund as our poor Koalas are in trouble and were adopting them with the proceeds from our mascara sales!

JC: We see that you have a very diverse range of Makeup, Skincare and exclusive Gift Sets which all embody botanical ingredients?

IP: I have practiced my clean beauty philosophy and also infused skin treatments in Mirenesse beauty products since 20 years ago, we use botanical organic ingredients combined with safe clinically proven results driven lab ingredients as well, everything comes from nature we make sure it delivers the results we promise, and is safe for you to use.

JC: What would you say is your most popular and celebrated product?

IP: Our most popular and celebrated products being our Secret Weapon 24hr Mascara which has won over 13 awards and has achieved cult status in Australia, plus our Power Lift Treatment Cream which is an anti-ageing powerhouse. They both fly off the shelves daily.

JC: It’s great to see a cosmetics brand that is so heavily backed up by science! Can you tell us more about your transdermal delivery system (TDDS)?

IP: We wanted skincare ingredients to penetrate the skin so we studied the delivery into the skin, each ingredient is encapsulated to deliver its payload only once it fuses with the skins osmotic system, we get such great results because the ingredients get delivered where they can make a difference.

We leave out the heavy waxes which just sit in the skins surface and trap moisture, the textures are light fluid and gelatinous or oil in texture and feel wonderful – and they work!

JC: Who would be your dream influencer/celebrity to work with?

IP: Love Kylie Minogue for her Power and JLo for her timelessness and drive! I love women who have beat the odds against them…

JC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?

IP: Life’s about choices so choose wisely.

Recently I came about the realization that trying to please too many people never works and when others around you feel insecure they want to cut you down so I had to put a stop to it.

I decided I wasn’t going to let them determine my self worth, and as much as I loved and respected these people I respectfully chose the high road and to not have their negativity around me for my own health and sanity, and cut ties with them.

JC: What has been the hardest part of running your own cosmetics business?

IP: Aahhh , sometimes I think “where was I going without even knowing the way!”

The constant evolution of the beauty business and the fast pace, means that it has truly become “Running “ a business” as you are nowadays constantly running a marathon to keep up with technology and the changes, but the challenge is also a good driving force so finding the right people with the skills needed to keep up the pace can be challenging at times.

JC: What’s in the pipeline for 2019?

IP: I’m very excited about 2019 I have been working on a few patented innovations for a couple of years which are about to be launched soon and have the potential to be real game changers, I’m a problem solver at heart and a really want to make things better and better things that help us all have an easier day! It’s also our 20year Anniversary and were celebrating all our “Solid Gold” hits with new packaging and campaigns worldwide!

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To shop the beautiful collection and to find your new skincare favourite visit https://www.mirenesse.com.

You can also keep up to date with all the latest Mirenesse looks and products via Instagram

Beauty March 23, 2019

#GirlBossesOfGreatBritain: Discovering the golden rule of beauty with Katherine Quist CEO of Elixier London Beauty

From mineral-infused skincare to precious metal eyeshadows, natural elements are becoming increasingly popular in the UK beauty world, but other countries have been harnessing their power for centuries. One woman who is bringing south-east-Asian inspired skincare to the UK is Katherine Quist – CEO of Elixier London Beauty. Our writer Jenna caught up with Katherine to find out more about her transition from choreographer to skincare entrepreneur and the real benefits of gold-infused beauty…

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JC: After reading more about your brand, it was awesome to see you took inspiration from South East Asian beauty culture. What is it about their beauty culture that inspired you?

KQ: My previous career as a dancer and choreographer took me to Southeast Asia from the age of 19 where I fell in love with the region’s culture and history. On my rare days off, I would wander the streets and take note of all of the naturally beautiful women. I became fascinated with their skincare regimes and what they were putting on their faces. They seemed so much more advanced, forward-thinking and experimental in terms of the ingredients they were using and I found myself becoming truly inspired. Asian women are meticulous about their skin and the more I started learning about their way of life and balance, I knew they were doing something different to the West and also their ethos, diet and attitude of life show in their face and I wanted to eliminate that for myself. I began experimenting with Asian skincare product and given the nature of my work at the tie with all the heavy stage makeup and lighting I was delighted I could make my skin feel cleaner, more healthy and glowing, even after a long day of rehearsals, sweating and pore-clogging stage makeup. Basically, I was hooked!

JC: I definitely share your love of discovering new beauty products! Can you tell us more about your background before founding Elixier?

KQ: I trained at The Legat School of Ballet then went on to become a professional dancer and choreographer and then later dance teacher touring all over the world. I returned to the UK 18 months after my daughter who was born in Bangkok. I worked as a professional trainer for vocational dance and musical theatre students in London’s leading vocational schools and the West End but felt it was time for a change. I then decided to study Interior Design once my daughter was 16 years old and qualified as a professional interior designer training at The National Design Academy. I am passionate about design and aesthetics.

JC: We’ve seen and heard about the benefits of Gold in beauty serums – what is it about this luxury product that benefits skin?

KQ: Since gold doesn’t corrode when exposed to the elements or submerged in water it is a well-known antioxidant.Other antioxidants that your body needs are vitamin A and vitamin C.

Whenever the oxidation process damages your healthy skin cells, the collagen breaks down and looses elastin. This is the major cause of wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of ageing. It is antioxidants that slow this process down and stop this damage from happening. This is what makes Gold the best antioxidant out there. When you combine gold with other antioxidants it makes them more effective at a molecular level. That is why our serum is packed with vitamins, nutrition your skin loves. Simply put, this beauty serum is able to penetrate at the skin’s lower dermis levels, thus protecting new cells and encouraging collagen’s growth.

JC: Elixier’s 24 karat gold beauty serum really is a gorgeous product, can you see yourself branching out into other skin care products in the future?

KQ: Yes, I am now in the early stages of working with my laboratory to develop a cleanser, toner and night cream. All enriched with 24K Gold as well as many other incredible ingredients and I am moving back out to Asia this summer to be closer to research facilities and the development process. I have some prototypes now but it’s a matter of cost and building the business steadily as I am funding this project entirely alone and want to walk before I can run or end up in debt.

JC: We see that you sell your serum exclusively via your website – if you were to begin selling in stores, do you have a dream stockist in mind?

KQ: I think this product is ideal for a middle eastern clientele as well as women worldwide who appreciate something new so the obvious choice would be Harrods, Harvey Nichols as well as other incredible luxury department stores but with Brexit and Elixier London Beauty being a new brand they would be talking on an unknown at a time of economic uncertainty and from what I gather they like a full range or a good history of sales. I think their customers would love this product but getting buyers from these places to even reply to you is not easy.

JC: Who would be your dream influencer/celebrity to work with?

KQ: Karen Bradey as she’s an amazing businesswoman, as for influencers? I am still on the lookout. The Kardashian’s would love this product and I think also the Pixiwoo sisters would but again, when you are new it’s a case of knocking and knocking on doors. Also many have their own brands now so it’s tough.

JC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?

KQ: I have been featured in Vogue UK in both March and April’s editions which was pretty amazing as they contacted me. I have also been featured in The Natural Beauty Magazine twice due to the natural and ethical creation of my product. Finally…I am waiting to hear if I have been shortlisted for The Natural International Beauty Awards which take place in July. Elixier London’s 24K Gold Beaty Serum has been entered into two categories

1) Best New Beauty Product of The Year

2) Best Beauty Serum

Watch this space!

JC: What has been the hardest part of running your own cosmetics business?

KQ: When you create a product from scratch it takes over every aspect of your life and you live, sleep and breath it. I am a one man band so it’s tough as getting the break into the market is challenging but even if I go through a phase of feeling “Is this worth it?” I give myself a good talking to and get on with it. It can be a lonely journey as every decision big and small is on your shoulders so you never sleep soundly! I believe in my product and am living proof at 41 years old that this serum can completely change your skin. My customers love it and it works, the hard part is telling the world!

JC: What’s in the pipeline for 2019?

KQ: As I mentioned earlier, the development of other products to the range and making Elixier London Beauty a trusted and respected brand which is proud of its humble beginnings! To work in the beauty industry you have to have balls of steel but in my case “balls of gold!”

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To discover more about the benefits of gold and to purchase Elixier London’s 24karat Gold Beauty Serum, visit https://exilierlondonbeauty.com. For more skincare inspiration, you can also visit Elixier London on Instagram.

Beauty March 21, 2019

Seven Simple Ways To Reduce Waste In Your Beauty Routine

It’s 2019 and we’re all taking steps to be more sustainable and look after our planet. If you have switched to metal straws, said no to plastic cutlery, bought a re-usable coffee cup and been more thoughtful with your food shop then go you! But, what’s the next step?

How about tackling your approach to beauty?

If you stand back and take a look at your beauty routine (we’re talking bath, body, skincare and make-up) you’ll probably be overwhelmed with the amount of waste it produces. Bottles, cotton pads, boxes – the list goes on!

We can all take small steps to being better in this part of our lives. Here’s House of Coco’s guide to having a more eco-friendly beauty routine…

1. Switch to re-usable cotton rounds
Have you ever thought about how many cotton pads you sweep over your face once and just chuck in the bin? If you wear make-up you’re bound to go through loads of cotton rounds just by removing your face every night. But, you don’t have to. A simple swap to re-usable pads means you’ll never have to throw another one away! Simply, use as normal and then chuck your pads into the wash and use them again and again.

Unfortunately, there isn’t really a re-usable alternative to cotton buds yet, but you can get ones with paper stems (rather than the traditional plastic ones) which is another great way to ditch single use plastic.

2. Don’t buy travel minis
Travel minatures seem super convenient, but they’re not so good for the environment. Instead, get hold of some of those re-fillable travel bottles. This way, you can decant your usual cosmetics into these again and again – no more waste!

3. Have a plastic-free period
You might not know this, but regular sanitary products contain a surprising amount of plastic – some pads have been found to contain around 90%! This is not only bad for the environment, but it’s not good for your body either. Plastics can trap heat and bacteria, increasing the possibility of infection.

Lucky for us, the industry is doing something about it. Brands like TOTM are revolutionising period products. Made with 100% organic cotton their pads and tampons come in fully recyclable packaging, which is a win for female bodies and a win for the environment.

Menstrual cups are another great swap to make in a bid to say goodbye to period-related waste, with a single cup lasting around ten years!

4. Be conscious with how much product you’re using
An obvious way to reduce waste is to just use less. It sounds obvious, but we can all get carried away with an abundance of bubbles in the bath or slapping on shower gel. But try use a smaller amount and you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised about how far the product goes. The maths is simple. Using less = less waste.

5. Get naked!
Naked products are good because they are, well, naked. Nude. Packaging free. Lush are known for their naked products, in fact from 2018 65% of their products are completely package free and they have three Lush Naked stores – in Manchester, Berlin and Milan. They’ve got your whole routine covered, from deodorant and body wash, to body lotion and even foundation.

6. Make bamboo your best friend
An easy step into waste reduction is exchanging your plastic beauty tools for bamboo ones. You can get bamboo toothbrushes, razors and make-up brushes, so there’s really no excuse.

7. Recycle!
This in another obvious solution, and as a nation we’re definitely improving, but we can better. Read the labels on your bottles to see what can actually be recycled. It’s shocking how much waste gets sent to recycling that can’t be processed, ruining the whole load. And wash them out, if they’re dirty they often can’t be recycled.

Good luck in your quest to be kinder to our planet! Remember, any step in reducing your waste is a step in the right direction.

If you have any more tips please share them below.

Beauty March 14, 2019

#Cocobeauty: 5 Supplements to Revive

We are living in a world of total extremes, and these extremes are taking a toll on our bodies, inside and out. We are world-travellers, social media whizzes, work-a-holics, party animals, and generally live our lives to the max, no wonder our bodies are showing tiredness and exhaustion.

One possible solution (as well as catching up on plenty of sleep) is to take a supplement to help revive us. #TeamCoco are well into taking supplements, from the well-known Vitamin C tablet to the lesser known zeaxanthin supplement. So, we’ve compiled a list of five, what we think are the best supplements to help revive.

CannabiGold, CBD Oil, food supplement priced at £29.50 (500mg), available online from Bionativa.co.uk or via Cannabigold.com

CBD is one of the hottest wellness ingredients of 2019 and rightly so, Nutritionist Alix Woods working in collaboration with the CBD oil, CannabiGold explains that; “CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and pain killing properties, skin supporting vitamins A, D & E and healing essential fatty acids. With regards to CBD balms and oils they work directly on an area by lowering inflammation, pain and swelling.”

The #TeamCoco girls have been told that CBD can help when using it on your feet, and this is the secret to wearing heels like a celeb. As you know heels look great, but they can be painful, so the perfect way to revive your feet for a night wearing heels is by using CBD oil on your feet – just rub it on.

WholeVit™ B Complex by Together, priced at £8.49 (30 capsules), available from Togetherhealth.co.uk

Several B vitamins are needed to make energy. Imagine them as having different job roles in an energy factory! They too are found naturally in whole foods, but because their sources vary depending on the B vitamin, it can be a challenge to be sure we’re getting optimal levels of all of them. Vitamin B12 in particular can be difficult if you’re vegetarian or vegan. So, if you’re in need of a revival boost, try Together’s WholeVit™ B Complex with Bioflavonoids, which includes vegan-friendly B12 in its natural methylcobalamin form.

LQ Skin, Hair & Nails Super Shot, priced at £29.99 (box of 10 shots), available from Boots high street stores and Boots.com

Heralded as the non-invasive answer to collagen fillers and far safer and cheaper than the craze for vitamin and collagen drips and injections, the ‘super shot’ drink by LQ is the first of its kind to contain all three of the most effective skin anti-agers in one hit – collagen, resveratrol and hyaluronic acid – along with a broad spectrum of advanced antioxidants to fight off lines and wrinkles and loss of skin tone. Ideal to revive hair, nails and skin!

Intravital Plus by QMS Medicosmetics, nutritional supplement priced at £62 (60 capsules), available online from QMSmedicosmetics.com

These advanced nutritional supplements are uniquely developed to target skin regeneration from within, perfect to help with skin revival. Intravital Plus features an enhanced formulation of vital vitamins, precious micro-nutrients, Biotin and Copper Gluconate. These ingredients contribute to the normal energy-yielding metabolism, maintenance of normal skin as well as protection of cells from oxidative stress.

TOTALLY DERMA Nutraceutical Skin Drink, priced at £105 (30-day supply), available online from Skincity.co.uk

This concentrated powder supplement contains 10,000 mg. of patented Arthred® Hydrolysed Collagen, a superior form of collagen that is small in molecular structure and easily tolerated by the gut. Once absorbed by the small intestine, it is able to go straight to the blood vessels to be distributed systemically, all over the body, wherever extra collagen is required. Added Hyaluronic Acid, peptides and antioxidants further support and protect the production of collagen, while Copper and Zinc defend against free radicals and oxidative damage. An excellent body revival supplement.

Beauty March 11, 2019

8 Mother’s Day Beauty Gifts

In the UK we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday 31st March, it’s a day that we seriously like to spoil our mums rotten. The #TeamCoco beauty writers have pulled together a list of eight gorgeous beauty gifts that we think you and your mum will love.

We have covered all price points and all aspects of beauty; prices start under £10 and rise to £70. Beauty gift products include a body spray and scent, face cream and face mask, bath salts and subscription box, plus nail polish and mascara.

£10 and under

Kneipp Balancing Lavender Bath Crystals, £8.95 (500g), available from Holland and Barrett.

The perfect gift of relaxation this Mother’s Day; Kneipp balancing bath salts with lavender essential oil. Not only will these invigorate and brighten the skin, but they will also help to balance emotion, lift spirits, and restore strength. The salt crystals are high in trace minerals, which absorb into the body while relaxing in the bath.

Missguided Vibe Enhancer, £10, available from the Fragrance Shop.

A sassy and hypnotic body mist for mum’s with attitude, which contains fruity top notes of apple, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and mandarin. Middle notes include jasmine, lily of the valley, raspberry, strawberry and tropical fruits, with base notes of caramel, Kashmir fusion, musk and vanilla product.

£20 and under

Glossworks Nail Polish in Pink Champagne, £12, available from Love Lula.

The Champagne Pink colour is a perfect pink, which is professionally formulated. It is a high coverage shade with a volumising gel like texture, and gorgeous glossy finish that does not fade, ideal for a busy mum. Glossworks nail polishes are vegan, and not tested on animals, they are also 9-free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP, camphor, paraben, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, or lead).

Lavera Powerful Lashes Mascara, £14.90 (13ml), available from Lavera UK.

Help to give Mum’s lashes the wow-factor with Lavera Mascara Powerful Lashes. The multi-effect organic black mascara curls, lengthens, and adds volume and definition to eyelashes. The innovative mascara brush perfectly coats the individual lashes as well as giving them a slight curl. The Powerful Lashes Mascara includes organic shea butter to care and look after your mum’s lovely lashes.

£40 and under

FRANZ Premium Active Ingredients Dual Mask System, £24 (for 2), available from Tonic15.

This mask is an innovative two-step skincare solution to increase efficacy and target skin concerns more effectively. The first layer is infused with a blend of active ingredients, perfect for mum’s skin including; ceramides, hyaluronic acid and peptides, which work on replenishing the skin at a cellular level. The second layer activates the micro-currents, which then allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin far more effectively, resulting in more apparent results and an increased absorption.

SEKSY Elegance, £35 (50ml), available online from SEKSY Beauty.

An exotic lavishly sophisticated and elegant blend for your mum, opening with a burst of bergamot, mandarin, champaca leaves and trailing into a floral heart of jasmine, rose, sweet pea, violet and sugared orchid entering the enchantment of an amaranth wood, blackberry musk and plum base. The scent is encased in a unique precious bottle bejewelled with a stunning Swarovski crystal.

Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream, £37 (45ml), available from both QVC and online via Time Bomb Co.

Skin is optimally receptive when the body is at rest, which makes night-time the best time to launch an anti-ageing attack and Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream is the ideal weapon. This super-rich moisturiser forms a light shea butter and rice bran waxy barrier that locks in a slew of nourishing, hydrating actives: phytolipids, antioxidants, hyaluronic acids, and vitamins that nourish skin so it can better produce natural collagen and elastin. Your mum will wake up with a complexion that looks remarkably fuller, lifted, smoother, dewy and visibly rejuvenated.

Over £40

MINTD Box, £70 (monthly or bi-monthly subscription), available from Mintdbox.

If luxury is what your mum is used to then luxury is what she will get. The MINTD Box is a subscription service beauty box that can be ordered monthly or bi-monthly to arrive at mum’s door. The box is tailored to whatever your mum’s preference, and each month the box will contain 4-5 deluxe sized luxury beauty products from brands such as Neom, SHOW Beauty, Oskia, Su-Man, Argentum Apothecary, Ila Spa, African Botanics, Aromatherapy Associates, Tom Daxon, Patchology, Skin Laundry and many other high end luxury brands.

Beauty March 9, 2019

Women Worldwide: Talking brand growth with beautypreneur Charlotte at Tatti Lashes

Here at House of Coco we particularly love when we meet entrepreneurs who have married their expertise in an industry and passions to create something that fills a gap in the market. Today we’re talking to Charlotte who co-founded Tatti Lashes with best friend Elliot. The brand has gone from running out of a small basement to taking part in the famous beauty event Beautycon in LA. Let’s find out Charlotte’s secrets…

House of Coco: Charlotte you’re the ultimate Girlboss, tell us the story behind the brand and how you got in to it…

Charlotte: It was just after I had my first son Teddie that my best friend Elliot and I came up with the idea of Tatti Lashes. We both owned our own salons but were working long demanding hours. I didn’t want to spend so much time away from my family and I wanted to work on something I was truly passionate about that was in my control. I was a lash technician doing semi-permanent eyelashes day in day out – I wanted to come up with a lash that cut out salon time but gave the same effect as Russian volume eyelashes.

We then started with our pre-fanned volume lashes – mimicking the technique of Russian volume Eyelashes. Lash technicians could just apply these lashes rather than creating fans themselves (which was very time consuming) appointment spaces then went from 2.5 hours to 1 hour. Benefiting not only lash technicians being cost effective, but clients as it made their treatment a lot quicker. From then, we started testing and researching strip designs and secured a manufacturer.

From there – Tatti Lashes was born!

HOC: What’s the most popular product that you sell?

Charlotte: Our best-selling lashes are TL3 & TL4 – both have been a success since they day they launched.

Since Kim Kardashian West wore TL19, we have been low on stock ever since – it just keeps selling out!

HOC: Can you tell us more about your journey before founding Tatti Lashes?

Charlotte: My business partner and best friend, Elliot and I have worked in the beauty industry our entire careers. From being a lash technician, I saw a gap in the market. We initially set out to rejuvenate the lash sector after years of extensive testing and research. Our aim was to create a product with an emphasis on quality, style and affordability for consumers and makeup artists that catered for everyone. Makeup artists were such an import focus for us and they have played a huge factor in our success as a brand. We were the first ever lash brand to offer 60% off to our loyal MUA’s and continue to do so.

HOC: What has been the biggest struggle since launching Tatti Lashes?

Charlotte: There’s been plenty but I would say the biggest struggle has been evolving and growing the brand in such a short space of time and keeping up with our order demands. We have been so lucky to have instant success – we never envisioned the brand would grow to the scale it’s at now.

In just two years, the brand has become international, we are retailed in 89 countries across the globe and are working on numerous collaborations and global events. We started out from a small basement and now have taken over two huge units with 30 x staff helping us bring the brand to life!

Elliot and I have an incredibly hands on approach and are involved in every area of the business. We have different opinions on lots of things but always manage to make the right one to benefit the brand. Our working relationship is very important to us as we respect each other so much. It’s a dream come true to work with your best friend. We pride ourselves on creativity – we try to break the beauty boundaries and stand out from our competitors.

I recently had my second son Toby who is only 4 months old. As the brand is growing and it’s so incredibly busy, I couldn’t take a proper maternity leave so I was back in the office from 6 weeks. This was a huge challenge for me as I had to manage so many important areas of my life to make it all work. The juggle is real with two little boys and a global lash empire to run! I am so lucky to have the support of Elliot who really held down the fort while I was off along with my husband and family who have supported me fully from day one.

Establishing a work life balance that worked for me, my business partner and my family is something I’m really proud of. I absolutely love my job and I’m so passionate about Tatti Lashes. I consider myself very blessed.

HOC: What has been your favourite collection to work on so far?

Charlotte: We have had great success through our collaboration with influencer MMMMitchell – we launched an exclusive luxury 4D lash that he designed last Summer and it sold out instantly and is still one of our most popular lashes to date. We have such a great relationship with him and every project we work on together is a joy. He is now our official brand ambassador so we have some really exciting projects coming up with him this year.

HOC: Who would be your dream celebrity to work with?

Charlotte: We are very lucky to have such amazing celebrities wearing our lashes. Our ultimate goal was to have Kim Kardashian West wear our lashes and she wore them twice in December. Ariana Grande also regularly wears the lashes and has worn them for some iconic moments in her career such as her two most recent music videos and her Grammy appearance.

It is our dream to sign a celebrity ambassador and this is something we are already talking about. Watch this space!

HOC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?

Charlotte: Wow – there’s been so many. Having the Kardashian’s wear our lashes was a really proud moment for me.

HOC: What has been the hardest part of running your own online business?

Charlotte: Keeping up with the sale demands for sure!

HOC: What’s in the pipeline for 2019?

Charlotte: We have such an exciting year ahead – already we have accomplished so much and are in the midst of some very exciting conversations. I can’t reveal too much, but we have some VERY exciting shoots coming up, another collaboration lash launching this Summer, a masterclass with our ambassador; MMMMitchell, and we are partaking in Beautycon LA which we are all so excited about. America is an important territory to us – a quarter of our revenue comes from the States so California particularly will be seeing a lot more of us this year!

To find out more about Charlotte’s brand Tatti Lashes head over to TattiLashes.com